PICTURES: Join the "Smile On" movement
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Summerfest wraps up 11-day run on Sunday
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Sunday, July 7th was the final day of Summerfest 2013 -- as the fest completed its 11-day run.The Eagles were set to take the Marcus Amphitheater stage to close out the Big Gig.Other headliners for the final night of the Fest include: Jimmy Eat World, Trampled by Turtles, Pat McCurdy, The Mavericks, Bad Religion and Loverboy.Additionally, the final day of Summerfest was "Fan Appreciation Day," with all patrons arriving between noon and 3:00 p.m. being admitted for free.John Boler with Summerfest said this year's Summerfest run was an improvement upon last year's in terms of attendance.
Summerfest volunteer battles illness, works to help others
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Roger Sweaney has been a part of Summerfest for years.
Sax player assaulted at Summerfest meets Buddy Guy
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A saxophone player who says she was assaulted while playing outside Summerfest had the opportunity to meet Buddy Guy on Saturday night, July 6th.
Kettle Moraine High School choir performs with Foreigner
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Kettle Moraine High School choir got the chance of a lifetime Saturday night, July 6th, when they were invited to perform on stage with Foreigner at Summerfest."Singing the chorus of 'I Want to Know What Love Is,'" said Jacob Kennedy, who is attending Summerfest for the very first time.More than two dozen students will be sharing the stage with the rock and roll legends."All I know is that we have two lines to sing and, hard to mess that up, and sing any harmony we can and it will be great," said choir director Todd Jaeger.The school won a radio contest when they submitted a video of the choir singing the chorus of Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is.""When we had the opportunity, I asked my students 'do you guys know Foreigner?' Six kids start singing six different Foreigner songs.
'Rib Whisperer' brings world's largest grill to Summerfest
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- On Saturday, July 6th, the world's largest music festival hosted the world's largest smoker and grill, along with the man who created it."I am the 'Rib Whisperer' and there's a reason for that -- my ribs are second to none," said Trace Arnold. "If you're the biggest festival, we got the biggest Ultimate Smoker and Grill right here with ya."Arnold created the Ultimate Smoker and Grill in 1997.
The Ultimate Smoker and Grill heads to Summerfest
The Ultimate Smoker and Grill heads to Summerfest.
Summerfest takes measures to control the crowds
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- After a mob of people crammed onto Summerfest grounds last Saturday, June 29th, crowd control became a major concern for this weekend."It was chaotic, ridiculous, you know coming out there was people everywhere, shoulder to shoulder, wall to wall people just trying to get out," said Ryan Hamil.Summerfest organizer John Boler says the overcrowding was a result of too many festival goers without tickets in hand."We actually do have some contingency plans where we can bring out some more booths, but I don't expect that to be the case," said Boler.Organizers suggest buying tickets online and printing them at home before you head toward the grounds."It actually saves a step for you and puts you right into the security area where you can go right in," said Boler.Summerfest runs through Sunday, July 7th.
Runner crosses finish line of "Rock 'n Sole Run" weeks later
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The last runner of Milwaukee's "2013 Rock 'n Sole Run" crossed the finish line on Friday, July 5th -- nearly a month after it began.It took 54-year-old Annita Phillips 483 hours to finish the race.
Side show performers entertain guests at Summerfest
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Some Summerfest acts don't need a stage -- the street performers inside the grounds put performances amongst pedestrians."I'd describe it as sort of a side-show show," said Haley Johnson.From card tricks and juggling, to bucket drums, street performers bring entertainment to the crowds.Five years ago, Gypsy Geoff says he started performing at the Big Gig, without permission, until security cameras earned him an audition."They said 'well, we've been watching security videos, you've been drawing a pretty big crowd," said Gypsy Geoff.Since then, he's been helping other's get their own gigs at Summerfest, primarily through the popular Dead Man's Carnival parade."We try to instill the spirit of, like, a second-line New Orleans-thing.
Get ready to laugh, there's more to Summerfest than music
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- When you say "Summerfest," you know you're talking about high-quality music on Milwaukee's lakefront.
"Ask Your Mother" brings its style of rock to WakeUp
They're bringing their own style of rock to the Briggs and Stratton Big Backyard stage at Summerfest on Friday, July 5th.
Summerfest gears up for last weekend of Big Gig
Milwaukee's Summerfest is the biggest gig going.
Police Chief Ed Flynn responds after Summerfest overcrowding
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn on Monday, July 1st responded to an incident in which the Summerfest grounds were packed on Saturday night, and Summerfest officials even let fest-goers into the fest for free for a 15-minute period."This is a big city.
Saxophone player says attack against her was racially motivated
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A saxophone player who was assaulted outside of Summerfest by a group of women says the crime was racially motivated.
Phil Vassar talks about his love for Milwaukee, new single
Country music star Phil Vassar talks with Real Milwaukee producer Sara about his love for Milwaukee.
Saturday night gridlock at Summerfest, some get in for free
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Some on the Summerfest grounds Saturday night, June 29th said the grounds were packed with people -- and Summerfest officials said some were let in for free in an effort to relieve some of the congestion.Summerfest organizers said there were so many people trying to get into the festival on Saturday night, a gate had to be opened up in an effort to reduce some of the gridlock and long lines.There is no word on how many were able to get into Summerfest for free on Saturday night.Summerfest officials say they were caught off guard by the number of people that showed up at three of the ticket gates.Officials could not keep up with the demand, lines formed and congestion and impatience began to build.Police and Summerfest security officials made the decision to open the gates for 15 minutes, let people in for free, and then return to normal ticketing activity.As for whether Summerfest plans to make any changes after Saturday night's gridlock:"Our current plans work well. (Saturday) night was an extraordinary situation with different volumes of people.
Milwaukee man makes 300th visit to Summerfest
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Rock Zimmerman of Milwaukee says Sunday, June 30th was his 300th visit to Summerfest!Zimmerman started hitting up the fest on Milwaukee's lakefront back in 1979, when he moved to Milwaukee.Years later, Zimmerman's brothers asked how often he went to Summerfest, so he started keeping track of his visits on a calendar.Zimmerman says he loves the people watching, but the music is the most important part.
Sax player attacked at Summerfest re-interviewed by police
WEST ALLIS (WITI) -- The 26-year-old saxophone player who was assaulted outside the Summerfest grounds on Wednesday night, June 26th, has been re-interviewed by police.Cassandra Struve says she became a target on opening night while she was playing an old jazz song.“I was playing Minnie the Moocher, classic Blues Brothers song,” said Struve. ”A lady with a child in her hand came up to me, smacked me in my face and said ‘don’t play that.’”Struve says three African American women confronted her and shouted that a white girl could not play the song.
Summerfest security beefed up over the weekend
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Summerfest is one of the biggest parties of the year and authorities are gearing up for a busy weekend.Officers will be patrolling festival grounds, as well as the surrounding area, watching for intoxicated drivers.