A Man With a Plan
Kris Kodrich has been going to Summerfest just about every year since the first one in 1968. Here are his tips for how to stack your agenda.
BY KRIS KODRICH
The three-weekend format means diehard Summerfest fans (like myself) who arrange a vacation for the entirety of the world’s largest music festival have more open days to enjoy Wisconsin’s lakes, parks, craft breweries and frozen custard. But the format also means fewer overall fest days to pack in all the music. So, it’s vital to take a systematic approach if you want to optimize your festing experience.
Strategize your band viewing order. If performance times conflict, start with the bands with more hits, as they often will lead off with one or two big songs to excite the crowd. Then work your way to the bands with only one hit, as they likely will save it for the end.
Consider escaping the grounds for cheaper beer and food prices at happy hours at nearby Third Ward or Downtown bars. Or stay put and take advantage of the new daily 4-5 p.m. Summerfest happy hour. (Run your own personalized cost/benefit analysis, factoring in beer price, number of drinks you anticipate consuming, air conditioning vs. the summer heat, your walking speed and endurance level, and whether your friends are up for the adventure.)
Try something different. Maybe it’s grabbing a brat and chilling at the intimate new Summerville patio with local musicians, listening to a buzzworthy band like Japanese Breakfast, or stopping by the new DJ dance space Sound Waves that replaces the live music at the Johnson Controls World Sound Stage.
Which Concert Should You Catch?
Insider Intel
BY ALLI WATTERS
We asked Summerfest’s new president, Sarah Pancheri, and the vice president of entertainment, Scott Ziel, to share their top tips for festivalgoers.
Stop to Shop
Dedicate a few hours to shopping during Summerfest. We have various marketplace locations throughout the grounds – they are great places to find unique items and support small businesses. In fact, every year I buy sunglasses from the same vendor, as well as discover shops to visit around town after the festival. – Pancheri
Take a Stage Tour
I do this every year – walk from one end of the grounds to the other and stop at each stage [to] listen to a few songs. It’s a great way to hear new music, [and] who knows? You may discover your new favorite band. There’s nothing like live outdoor music, and with 12 stages, be sure to visit each one – music starts at noon! – ZIEL
