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 (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.
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.
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.
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.
Street performer assaulted outside Summerfest
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A saxophone player was assaulted outside the Summerfest grounds near Chicago St.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A saxophone player was assaulted outside the Summerfest grounds near Chicago St.
Small vendors are a big deal at Summerfest
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Summerfest celebrates with the big chair, big beers, and a big smile, but the "Big Gig" also makes a big deal about small businesses.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Summerfest celebrates with the big chair, big beers, and a big smile, but the "Big Gig" also makes a big deal about small businesses.
Laura previews kid-friendly fun on Summerfest grounds
Summerfest isn't just for adults -- there's plenty for kids to do as well.
Summerfest isn't just for adults -- there's plenty for kids to do as well.
A.J. Bombers serving up peanut butter burgers at Summerfest
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Many headed down to the Henry Maier Festival Grounds on Thursday, June 27th for Day Two of Summerfest 2013!
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Many headed down to the Henry Maier Festival Grounds on Thursday, June 27th for Day Two of Summerfest 2013!
Klement's Sausage, Summerfest team up to feed the hungry
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Klement’s Sausage and Summerfest are teaming up to help feed the hungry this summer.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Klement’s Sausage and Summerfest are teaming up to help feed the hungry this summer.
Laura samples food on second day of Summerfest
It's day two of Summerfest!
It's day two of Summerfest!
Summerfest security: What you can't carry in this year
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Wednesday, June 26th was Day One of Summerfest 2013 -- and with this year's festival comes new security regulations involving what Summerfest visitors can carry in to the "Fest."This year, each individual passing through the Summerfest gates, carrying a bag, must place that bag in a box available at each Summerfest gate.If your bag doesn't fit in the box, it is not allowed through the Summerfest gates.Additionally, all bags that fit in the box will be searched before they are allowed in.Most Summerfest-goers FOX6 News spoke with as they passed through the gates as Summerfest 2013 kicked off said the new regulations do nothing but make them feel safer on the Summerfest grounds."It's just like going to Great America or Disney World.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Wednesday, June 26th was Day One of Summerfest 2013 -- and with this year's festival comes new security regulations involving what Summerfest visitors can carry in to the "Fest."This year, each individual passing through the Summerfest gates, carrying a bag, must place that bag in a box available at each Summerfest gate.If your bag doesn't fit in the box, it is not allowed through the Summerfest gates.Additionally, all bags that fit in the box will be searched before they are allowed in.Most Summerfest-goers FOX6 News spoke with as they passed through the gates as Summerfest 2013 kicked off said the new regulations do nothing but make them feel safer on the Summerfest grounds."It's just like going to Great America or Disney World.
Fest-goers: There's something about Summerfest on Opening Day
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Summerfest 2013 opened at noon on Wednesday, June 26th -- and FOX6 News was there!FOX6's Beverly Taylor walked the Summerfest grounds on Wednesday afternoon -- talking with Summerfest-goers, who said there's just something about being at the Fest on Opening Day.Summerfest, billed as the world's largest music festival is mostly about the music -- but different things draw festival-goers to the lakefront, many of them coming back year-after-year.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Summerfest 2013 opened at noon on Wednesday, June 26th -- and FOX6 News was there!FOX6's Beverly Taylor walked the Summerfest grounds on Wednesday afternoon -- talking with Summerfest-goers, who said there's just something about being at the Fest on Opening Day.Summerfest, billed as the world's largest music festival is mostly about the music -- but different things draw festival-goers to the lakefront, many of them coming back year-after-year.
Naima Adedapo of "Idol" fame showcases new sound at Summerfest
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Naima Adedapo, of American Idol fame performed on a Summerfest stage on Wednesday, June 26 -- the first day of Summerfest 2013.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Naima Adedapo, of American Idol fame performed on a Summerfest stage on Wednesday, June 26 -- the first day of Summerfest 2013.
Thousands help Stomp Out Hunger at Summerfest 2013
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A smorgasbord of baskets filled with food took over the streets outside Summerfest in an effort to fill the bellies of people in need."I brought some chicken noodle soup, and some pears, and some corn," said Andrea Gonzalez as she donated food.Once again this year FOX6 teamed up with the Hunger Task Force and Johnson Controls to Stomp Out Hunger.From noon until 3 p.m., everyone that brought 3 non-perishable food items, would get into the Big Gig on Opening Day for free."This is something that we can all engage in, so a community giving back to the community.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A smorgasbord of baskets filled with food took over the streets outside Summerfest in an effort to fill the bellies of people in need."I brought some chicken noodle soup, and some pears, and some corn," said Andrea Gonzalez as she donated food.Once again this year FOX6 teamed up with the Hunger Task Force and Johnson Controls to Stomp Out Hunger.From noon until 3 p.m., everyone that brought 3 non-perishable food items, would get into the Big Gig on Opening Day for free."This is something that we can all engage in, so a community giving back to the community.
Summerfest attractions seen through Chip's eyes
Chip checks out all the daytime attractions on the Opening Day of Summerfest.
Chip checks out all the daytime attractions on the Opening Day of Summerfest.
Laura gets details on Stomp Out Hunger at Summerfest
Laura hangs at Summerfest on Opening Day to get all the details on Stomp Out Hunger.
Laura hangs at Summerfest on Opening Day to get all the details on Stomp Out Hunger.
PHOTOS: View & submit photos of your favorite Summerfest memories
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Summerfest 2013 officially kicks off Wednesday, June 26th -- and what better way to celebrate then to look back as some of your best Summerfest moments and memories.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Summerfest 2013 officially kicks off Wednesday, June 26th -- and what better way to celebrate then to look back as some of your best Summerfest moments and memories.
Summerfest 2013 kicks off June 26th, runs for 11 days
MILWAUKEE (WITI) — Summerfest 2013 kicks off Wednesday, June 26th!
MILWAUKEE (WITI) — Summerfest 2013 kicks off Wednesday, June 26th!
Wednesday is Opening Day for Summerfest 2013!
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- There is just one full day left until Summerfest 2013 kicks off!
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- There is just one full day left until Summerfest 2013 kicks off!