Summerfest--"The World's Largest Music Festival"

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

13 Jun 2006 11:17 AM

If your family's summer travels bring you anywhere near Wisconsin in the next few weeks I highly recommend making a pit stop at "The World's Largest Music Festival." For the 39th year, Milwaukee, Wisconsin will host Summerfest, an 11-day musical extravaganza. "The Big Gig" (as it's known by the locals) runs from June 29th-July 9th and is held along the city's spectacular lakefront.

Summerfest is where I saw the Goo Goo Dolls before they were major pop stars. It's where I received my first autograph from a rock star. It is the place that I trekked to each summer no matter what state I was living in. It is a Mecca for music lovers-- featuring more than 700 acts on 13 stages. The accomplishment has earned Summerfest the Guinness World Record title of "World's Largest Music Festival" (which it has held since 1999). This year festival directors are expecting more than one million people to converge on Summerfest grounds to see and hear local and nationally known music talent from a variety of different genres, including Paul Simon, Tom Petty, Elvis Costello, Mary J. Blige, Kenny Chesney, Nickelback, Steely Dan, Nine Inch Nails, Alan Jackson with Carrie Underwood, Goo Goo Dolls, Counting Crows, and Pearl Jam.

Summerfest maybe be famous for its music, but it's not the only reason I keep returning year after year. The festival is also home to more than 45 food and beverage vendors offering everything from standard carnival fare (hot dogs, burgers, French fries, ice cream) to my favorite, the ethnic food booths. It is where I tried Thai Beef Jerkey and Ramayana Vegetables for the first time. It is also where (at 10-years-old) I wrestled a turkey leg larger than my arm into my mouth. Besides the turkey legs, other crowd favorites include Popcorn Crawfish, the Pork Loin Sandwich, Bratwurst and Funnel Cakes.

Summerfest also does a great job of catering to families with children. Besides the traditional carnival rides and games, the festival boasts a myriad of other activities for young children, including a Splash Zone that features an interactive fountain. At the Wild World of Animals Show, the spotlight is turned on a variety of animals, including a snapping turtle, American alligator, reticulated python, African spotted leopard, and European eagle owl. Another popular children's event is the Discovery World's Wave in a Bottle. It's a fun, hands-on activity that teaches children about water, waves and the importance of keeping our lakes clean. The lines are long, but the wait is worth it for the Summerfest Touch Tank, where children of all ages can get up close and personal with fascinating sea creatures by reaching in and touching them.

Personally, Summerfest has been the site of many wonderful memories and remains one of the premier events of the summer. For more information on directions, admission and a full schedule of events visit www.summerfest.com.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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