Humans of Summerfest 2017

Hosting over 900,000 attendees, it’s no surprise that Summerfest is prime turf for people-watching. People from all walks of life come to Henry Maier Festival Park to enjoy live music, local food and summertime fun.

We took to the grounds to photograph some of the music fans, revelers and vendors who took part in “The World’s Largest Music Festival” this year.

 

HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: Caitlin and Hailee are vendors at Summerfest, selling “pins, patches and jewelry” at @wildflower.co in the south market. Caitlin’s favorite part of Summerfest is people-watching and guessing which concert they’re coming from. “I saw a man yesterday – he was definitely in his forties. He was walking around in this, like, leather mask and harness, completely shirtless, and it was hilarious,” she said. (photo by Maria Christianson) . . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: Lisa and Virgil haven’t been to Summerfest in 5 years. “It seems more calm than in the past,” Lisa said. “I remember when I used to come here 5 or 6 years ago. There were a lot of cops walking around, a lot of violence, a lot of fights, but now everyone seems real cool.” When asked what they like about Summerfest, they answered in unison: “The drinkin’!” (photo by Maria Christianson) . . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: Meet Joshua and Becky, two of Summerfest’s many talented performers. “They treat you really well here as a performer,” Joshua said. “We have played at the Briggs and Stratton stage for the past 3 years, this year as well. Every time we work with the sound people they are the sweetest, most amazing people.” (photo by Maria Christianson) . . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: Meet the Young Bucks, a dance group that has performed at Summerfest 5 times. “We like Summerfest so much because we get to perform and show our talent to everybody,” they said. . . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: Randy and Colleen have been to Summerfest dozens of times. Randy’s favorite concert: Huey Lewis and the News: “That’s why they enlarged the grounds at Marcus [now American Family Insurance Amphitheater], because of Huey Lewis and the News,” he said. (photo by Maria Christianson) . . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: Meet Jim, who has been coming to Summerfest since the beginning and was proud to take his family to Summerfest’s 50th. “My father was one of the people on the commission that started Summerfest, so we’ve continued to come and enjoy it. This is fourth generation,” he said, pointing to his granddaughters. “We love the music. We love the food. It’s just a good time.” . . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: Nate and Matt came to Summerfest to see Hippo Campus perform. “I was in Florida visiting family and I found out Hippo Campus was coming tonight. I was probably gonna leave on Saturday to come back here, and I was like, no I need to leave now for Hippo Campus!” Matt said. “I drove to O’Hare this morning and picked him up and took him up here,” said Nate. (photo by Maria Christianson) . . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: Brenna and Melissa were giving out free haircuts in exchange for an Instagram post. But they’re also enjoying the fest as attendees. “Last night we went and saw Steve Aoki,” Brenna said. “It was crazy but it was a lot of fun.” “I never went to a concert here,” Melissa added. “I’ve always just walked around. We went for the fireworks.” . . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: Meet Mike and Hans, who hadn’t missed an opening night of Summerfest since 1968 – until this year (thanks to the rain)! “I had a friend who always got a week’s vacation, and he would always take it for Summerfest, and he would sleep in his car under the bridge,” Mike said. “That was dedication, you cant do that now.” (photo by Maria Christianson) . . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: We met Jeneaya, Mikaeyla and Niyaa by the lakefront, all looking chic with festivalwear on point. Jeneaya’s favorite Summerfest acts from this year and previous years include Luke Bryan, Nelly, Ludacris and T-Pain. Her friends laughed at her: “Don’t laugh because I want to see the old people,” she said. (photo by Maria Christianson) . . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: Meet Jacob and Justus, both locals who have been coming to Summerfest for years. “I don’t know if [Summerfest] has changed as much as our perceptions have changed to certain things. Now there are some things we think are weird here, like what people are wearing or different things that we didn’t notice before when we were younger. I don’t know if that’s new or it’s always been that way,” Jacob said. “It’s an interesting mash of different cultures and people that maybe don’t come out for things [usually].” (photo by Maria Christianson) . . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: Meet Ernesto and Darilyn, both from Milwaukee. “I’ve been to other festivals, and the difference between this one and others is that there is more rock, the music is more the same, kinda country,” said Darilyn. “I haven’t had any food yet, but I’ll tell you what, the food smells good!” Ernesto said. (photo by Maria Christianson) . . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: We met Rachel and Hannah waiting for the John Bellion concert. “I’ve seen them twice already. This is my third time seeing them,” Rachel said. Their favorite Summerfest food: Saz’s sour cream and chive fries. And what they love about Summerfest: “I think its super cool that just like everyone from Wisconsin comes together and has fun. Like you just meet random people who you can become really close with.” . . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: Meet Anthony, who has been a magician since 1993. “My main trade is a magician but more people tip for the balloons than they do the magic. So I go to the balloons more than the magic, but I do magic [also].” . . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: Joanne, Scottie, and Crystal came to Summerfest to see Scottie’s son’s band, The Slur, perform. “Ear plug music,” Joanne said. Joanne’s favorite Summerfest memory was seeing Jackson Browne perform. “All there was was dirt and benches. We all jumped across all the benches and stood in front because he came back out. I was probably 20 years old. He was awesome. It was just a little stage up here in front.” . . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: This is Ash, who enjoys working at the Summerfest root beer stand because of the “unlimited drinks and a great view.” She says the tips are “amazing,” but not the best part: Her favorite memory? “Probably getting kissed twice in one day at the booth just by random-ass people.” . . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: Emma, Hope and Greta are attending their very first Summerfest this year! “It’s pretty groovy,” said Hope. Added Emma: “Fun time so far, good food, the corn was good, the lemonade is really good!” And the young ladies are in agreement: “We’d definitely come back again.” (photo by Maria Christianson) . . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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HUMANS OF SUMMERFEST: Meet Larry and Trey, who have been to Summerfest about 30 times. “I’ve met probably almost every Bucks player here,” they said. “They come pretty much every day… Get in free, meet the players, take a picture, get an autograph from them.” (photo by Maria Christianson) . . #summerfest #humansofsummerfest #biggig #festival #milwaukee #mke #summerinthecity #summerfest17 #summerfest50 #summerfest2017 #peoplewatching

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