Special attractions, daytime activities & interactive exhibits enhance Summerfest experience

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Summerfest offers an interesting variety of special attractions that make each day a unique experience for music fans and festival lovers alike!

You could be the lucky winner of a brand new 2015 Hyundai Sonata on the final Sunday of Summerfest through the Summerfest Car Giveaway Courtesy of Subway Restaurants and Mike Juneau’s Arrow Hyundai!  Summerfest fans can register at Summerfest Street Team events and every day during Summerfest at the Touch-A-Prize Kiosk located just inside the Mid Gate.  A total of fifty (50) finalists will be selected from registrations submitted at Street Team events and daily registrants during the festival, of which, twenty (20) finalists will be selected from Sunday, July 5 registrations.  For more details and official rules, visit Summerfest.com/car-giveaway.   

This year we hope to have people feel the show like never before, including a Finale that show producers describe as “the most intense we have done, and one which will feature an ending that will leave people in awe and disbelief.”  The display will light up the sky on Opening Night of Summerfest, Wednesday, June 24 at 9:30 p.m.  Watch WISN 12 to see the show set to music, hosted by Toya Washington and Patrick Paolantonio, at 10:30 pm.  Produced by Bartolotta Fireworks.

Join us for a U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue Demonstration on Saturday, June 27 at 3:00 p.m. in the Summerfest Lagoon.  In addition, starting at 3:30 pm, visitors will be able to take a tour of the rescue boat(s) and meet the crew at the Summerfest Boat Landing on the north end of the grounds.

Visit the air conditioned Columbia St. Mary’s Cool Down Lounge with NewsTalk 1130 WISN and IndyFest on the south end of the grounds.  Stop by and take your picture in the Milwaukee IndyFest Indycar.  Fans can also win prizes and register to win tickets to the Wisconsin 250 at Milwaukee IndyFest on July 11-12.

“Shop ‘til you drop!”  Visit any of the four (4) Summerfest Stores for “Official” festival merchandise, souvenirs and apparel, brought to you by TSMGI.  To peruse the full line of merchandise check the main store, located just south of the Miller Lite Oasis in the Market Square.  Also, for other unique gifts and handcrafted items, visit any of the four (4) diverse marketplace areas: North Market (near North Gate), Market Square (center of grounds), Arts & Crafts Market (on the lake walk, south of Water Street Brewery) and South Market (south end of the grounds).

Lucille’s Piano Bar is open from Noon – 11:30 pm daily.  Located near the South Gate, patrons can enjoy both recorded music from Noon – 4:00 pm and LIVE piano performances from 4:00 – 11:30 pm, with Dueling Pianos shows starting at approximately 7:30 pm, nightly.

Tee up for the Meijer Hole-in-One Contest with CBS 58 and 540 ESPN Milwaukee.  For $7, tee up three (3) balls and test your skill for the chance to hit a Hole-in-One!  One lucky winner will take home a $5,000 Grand Prize.  Support and media provided by 540 ESPN Milwaukee, CBS 58 and the Michels Corporation.  For contest details and rules visit Summerfest.com.

Enjoy the many sights and sounds of the lakefront, floating above the festival.  Take a ride on Funjet’s Summer-of-Fun Skyglider, a family favorite that provides elevated scenic views of Henry Maier Festival Park, Lake Michigan and all of the entertainment below.  One-way and round-trip fares available.

Take some time to jump aboard Summerfest’s Wheel in the Sky.  “The wheel in the sky keeps on turnin’” on the north end of the grounds!  Jump aboard this giant Ferris wheel and enjoy spectacular views of Summerfest, Milwaukee’s downtown and Lake Michigan.  Operating from Noon – 11:30 pm daily.

The U.S. Cellular® Connection Stage with Leinenkugel’s and FM 102/1 will once again host the Emerging Artists Series, highlighting emerging talent each evening from 3:00 to 7:30 pm.  Check Summerfest.com for information on nightly competitions, Text-2-Screen™ technology and much more.  Vote for your favorite band each day at Summerfest!

The FM 106.1 Country Music Series is proud to welcome the following artists: Florida Georgia Line, Keith Urban, Zac Brown Band, Sheryl Crow, Thomas Rhett, Frankie Ballard, Dan + Shay, Billy Currington, Chase Rice, Martina McBride, Kip Moore, Phil Vassar, Kristian Bush of Sugarland, Kellie Pickler, Blackberry Smoke, Brett Eldredge and many more!

Your day at Summerfest will not be complete without stopping by the “Splash Pad.”  McDonald’s presents the Elizabeth “Bo” Black Family Fountain with Trending Radio 93.3, allowing kids of all ages to splash and play the day away while keeping cool.  Patrons will have the opportunity to win great prizes at the McDonald’s display.  For deals and information from your local McDonald’s follow them on Twitter: @McDonaldsMKE.

Take some time to vote for your favorite artist in Land the Big Gig presented by Pepsi, Tap Milwaukee and Summerfest, a music competition that gives the nation’s top musical talents the opportunity to win cash prizes and the chance to perform live before thousands of music fans.  Visit LandTheBigGig.com to cast your vote by 11:59 pm CST on May 24.  Then come to Summerfest on Thursday, June 25 to watch the top 3 finalists perform for their chance to win a share of $27,500 in cash!

Celebrate Summerfest on the water with the Paddleboat Water Experience presented by Badger Meter! This family friendly activity provided by Lakeshore Paddle Sports gives patrons the opportunity to relax and take in views of the festival and downtown Milwaukee.  From Noon – 7:00 pm each day, paddle around part of the lagoon for 30 minutes in boats that hold up to four (4) people.  Located at the boat dock on the north end of the grounds, this is an experience that can’t be missed!

The Summerfest Parade will bring additional entertainment to the grounds during the festival.  Incorporating a second line style, the parade will start at the south end of Henry Maier Festival Park at the Marcus Amphitheater Forecourt and complete a full lap of the grounds.  Festival-goers are encouraged to join in with participants and strut their stuff, starting at 3:00 pm on 6/24 – 6/26, 6/30 and 7/1.

School of Rock will host a “Battle of the Bands” competition for hundreds of their best music students from across the world.  Come watch these incredible young musicians duke it out as they perform on Saturday, June 27.  The top bands will then battle in the finals on Sunday, June 28.  For more information visit SchoolofRock.com.

The Gruber Law Offices Sportszone is the ultimate destination for sports fans!  This area offers interactive daily programming, including sports demonstrations and clinics from the Milwaukee Bucks, the Milwaukee Admirals and much more!  Stop by to see all of the action.

Last, but certainly not least, be sure to check out the interesting and interactive exhibits on display throughout the festival including:

Les Paul’s Big Sound Experience will be featured on Friday, July 3 – Sunday, July 5.  The 53' interactive, state-of-the-art mobile touring exhibit gives guests the opportunity to experience 1,000 square feet of music exploration, sound and technology innovations and a hands-on interactive entertainment. Visitors can mix and share music as they discover Les Paul, the music icon.  The exhibit features touch screen integrated video presentations, 3D interactive guitar animations and an account of Les Paul’s life, starting with his childhood "living room laboratory." Located on the south end of the grounds.

All 11 days of Summerfest, Maui Jim’s will be on the grounds to offer you the most stylish and trusted sunglasses money can buy.  Maui Jim’s patented PolarizedPlus2 sunglasses reveal the vibrant colors of the world while protecting your eyes from harmful rays.  All Maui Jim sunglasses have been recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation as an effective UV filter for the eyes and surrounding skin.  Located on the south end of the grounds.

Every day of Summerfest, Sony PlayStation 4, brings “Playstation’s Road to Greatness Tour” for patrons to get hands-on experiences with new and unreleased games, compete in live tournaments and win great prizes! Located on the north end of the grounds.

Summerfest 2015 will take place June 24 - 28 and June 30 – July 5 from Noon until Midnight and will be closed Monday, June 29.