Profile of Milwaukee’s Summerfest in 2006

The world’s largest music festival returns to Milwaukee in 2006 from June 29 to July 9! Milwaukee’s annual festival attracts close to 1 million visitors each year, packed around 11 music stages for a variety of live entertainment, music, and state-of-the-art shows. The newly remodeled 23,000 seat Marcus Amptitheater also hosts the top performances of the season, while other stages sponsored by Miller, Harley Davidson, Mountain Dew, and Potawatomi Bingo Casino sponsor space for other chart-toppers and headliners.

1n 1999, Summerfest earned the Guiness Book of Records title of “World’s Biggest Music Festival.” The trend continues this year with these highlights on the grounds stages. This year’s highlighted performances at Summerfest include: Alan Jackson, Bascom Hill, BoDeans, Elvis Costello & the Imposters, Marcia Ball, John Kay and Steppenwolf, Los Lonely Boys, New Sense, MoZella, Phil Vassar, Styx, The Big Wu, Soul Asylum, The Go-Go’s, Wilco, and Yellowcard. The full alphabetical listing of performances can be viewed at www.summerfest.com so be sure to find your favorite artist and make the trip to watch them live!

This year’s lineup at the Marcus Amphitheater (requires a separate Ticketmaster purchase) are:

June 29 & June 30: Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and Pearl Jam
July 1: Paul Simon
July 2: Nine Inch Nails w/ Bauhaus
July 3: Mary J. Blige w/ Ne-Yo
July 4: Kenny Chesney
July 5: Nickelback w/ Hoobastank and Chevelle
July 6: String Cheese Incident Bob Weir & RatDog and Keller Williams
July 7: Steely Dan and Michael McDonald
July 8: Alan Jackson w/ Carrie Underwood
July 9: Goo Goo Dolls and Counting Crows

In addition to the music festival, visitors can enjoy a huge assortment of booths, vendors, and food stations full of local and ethnic choices. Alcoholic beverages are available all day at various stations. The 11-day event runs from noon to midnight daily, and show times for specific shows are available on site, and online..

Tickets are required to enter the park grounds, and cost $15 after 4 p.m. and weekends, and $8 on weekdays between noon and 4 p.m. All day passes are available for a single day for $14, and two-day pass for $23. Do keep in mind that a separate purchase is required for shows taking place in the Marcus Amphitheater. Day passes and ticketmaster tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com.

You won’t be disappointed with this year’s Summerfest lineup, and children’s activities and shopping outlets abound on the park grounds. The park itself is located in downtown Milwaukee, right along the shores of Lake Michigan. You’ll enjoy the fresh lake air alongside the stellar entertainment, that has quickly become a favorite Midwest tradition!