feature article - june 2008

Summerfest 2008 offers 11 days of continuous music on 11 stages

SUMMERFEST 2008 again will rock the 75-acre festival grounds June 26 – July 6.

Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s Largest Music Festival, the event attracts approximately 900,000 people each year to Henry Maier Festival Park, a permanent setting on Milwaukee’s beautiful downtown Lake Michigan shoreline.

Each year, the festival boasts 11 days of entertainment on 11 stages, including the 23,000 capacity Marcus Amphitheater.  It is nationally recognized as a leader within the music and travel industries.

Headliners performing at the Marcus Amphitheater, the largest venue on the south end of the grounds, are:

Stevie Wonder, 6/27 Rush, 6/28 John Mellencamp, 6/29 Steve Miller Band w/Joe Cocker, 6/30 Rascal Flatts w/Taylor Swift, 7/1 Alicia Keys w/Stephen Marley, 7/2 John Mayer w/Colbie Caillat and Brett Dennen, 7/3 Tim McGraw w/Jason Aldean and Halfway to Hazard, 7/4 Stone Temple Pilots, 7/5 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers w/Steve Winwood; 7/6 Jonas Brothers. Festival admission is included in the price of reserved seat tickets for performances taking place at the Marcus Amphitheater during Summerfest. A limited number of free general admission lawn and/or bench seats will be available the day of the show, for selected shows. Bar-coded wristbands are given for those free general admission seats on a first come, first serve basis only after admission to the Summerfest grounds has been obtained.

Performing at the Miller Lite Oasis are:

Paolo Nutini, 6/26; Rusted Root, 6/27; Trace Adkins, 6/28; Jack’s Mannequin, 6/29; Matisyahu, 6/30; Keller Williams; 7/1; Coheed and Cambria, 7/2; Thievery Corporation, 7/3; The Roots, 7/4 and 311, 7/6.

Performing at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse are:

Little Big Town, 6/26; Fantasia, 6/27; Dashboard Confessional, 6/28; Ryan Shaw and Michael Franti & Spearhead 6/29; Dirty Dozen Brass, 7/1; Lee Burridge and Dieselboy, 7/2; Drive-By Truckers, Paul Thorn and Alejandro Escoveda, 7/3; Goldfinger and Less Than Jake, 7/4; Javier Garcia and Willie Colon, 7/5 and Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Soul Stew Revival, 7/6.

At the Potawatomi Bingo Casino Stage are:

Cross Canadian Ragweed and Cowboy Mouth, 6/26; Terrence Simien and Marcia Ball, 6/27; Eli “Paperboy” Reed and the True Love and James Hunter, 6/28; Miranda Lambert, 6/29; Wayne Baker Brooks and Indigenous, 6/30; Otis Taylor and Zappa Plays Zappa, 7/1; GB Leighton and Marty Stuart, 7/2; The Wailers, 7/3; Slightly Stoopid, 7/4; Steel Pulse, 7/5 and Jakob Dylan and the Gold Mountain Rebels, 7/6.

The Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard offers: Eric Burdon and the Animals and Gnarls Barkley, 6/26; Phil Vassar, 6/27; the BoDeans, 6/28; Bryan Lee, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave., Bonerama and Galactic eaturing Boots Riley of the Coup, 6/29; Sean Kingston, 6/30; Railroad Earth and Yonder Mountain String Band, 7/1; O.A.R., 7/2; Gavin DeGraw, 7/3; Phil Lesh and Friends, 7/4; Rodrigo y Gabriela, 7/5 and Lady Antebellum, 7/6.

The U.S. Cellular Connection stage offers new and alternative music:

They Might Be Giants, 6/26; Shinedown, 6/28; The Polyphonic Spree, 6/29; Paramore, 6/30; Filter, 7/1; Alkaline Trio, 7/2; Plain White T’s; 7/3; Seether, 7/4; Cracker, 7/5, and The Bravery, 7/6.

Performing on the Zippo Rock Stage are:

Nonpoint and Drowning Pool, 6/26; bloodsimple and Sevendust, 6/27; Carrie Rodriguez and Old 97’s, 6/28; The Parlor Mob, Egypt Central and Theory of a Deadman, 6/29; 12 Stones and Skillet, 7/1; Saving Abel and Finger Eleven, 7/2; Ingrid Michaelson and Gomez, 7/3; Black Tide and Five Finger Death Punch, 7/4; Black Stone Cherry and Jackyl, 7/5. and Mickey Hart, 7/6.

On the 11 stages, visitors can find something for all musical tastes, including today’s hottest national touring acts as well as local favorites and everything in between. On any given day you can hear alternative rock, country, R&B, Top 40 and more.  In addition, families can enjoy interactive exhibits and displays, children’s performers and attractions, professional sports demonstrations, comedy acts, video and technology pavilions and shopping at four extensive marketplaces. 

The grounds are also host to 45 different food and beverage vendors, offering a wide variety of cuisine.

Admission to Summerfest for adults is $8/weekdays (noon-4 p.m) and $15/evenings and weekends; $3/children and seniors (60 and over); free/ages two and under.

For more information and updates, visit www.summerfest.com.