Summerfest Family Activities and Special Attractions Announced

MILWAUKEE, WI (May 9, 2019) – Summerfest presented by American Family Insurance offers a variety of fun family-friendly activities and special attractions for fest-goers. New additions for 2019 include:

• American Family Insurance House – acoustic headliner performances
• Aurora Health Care Cooling Station – an air-conditioned space, located at the Summerfest North Gate.
• Concordia University Concert Series – headliners showcasing positive message, including SWITCHFOOT and Skillet
• SpeedKore Performance Group – a large interactive display featuring award-winning custom cars
• Summerfest Party Patio with Punch Bowl Social – enjoy cold drinks and spend time with friends playing games, such as giant jenga, before the show
• The Summerfest Landing – participate in FREE kayaking, paddleboarding, and boating along the shores of Lake Michigan, thanks to L.L.Bean, Mercury Marine and Sea Ray.

More details are listed below in regard to the new and returning special attractions, family activities, and promotions for Summerfest 2019:

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS:

Wednesday, June 26 at 9:30 p.m.
THE SUMMERFEST BIG BANG FIREWORKS PRESENTED BY MENARDS AND WISN 12
Don’t miss the Summerfest Big Bang Fireworks Show live on the grounds at 9:30 p.m., presented by Menards. Fireworks supplied by J&M Displays. Watch WISN 12 for a taped show at 10:30 p.m. (broadcast in HD).

Wednesday, June 26 – Friday, June 28, Tuesday, July 2, Wednesday, July 3 • 3:00 p.m.
SUMMERFEST PARADE
The parade will start at the south end of Henry Maier Festival Park at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater Forecourt and complete a full lap of the grounds. Fans are encouraged to join in with participants and strut their stuff!

Thursday, June 27 • 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. (while supplies last)
KLEMENT’S $1 BRAT DAY
Enjoy a taste of summer with Klement’s! Klement’s brats will be available for purchase at the Mid Gate for just $1 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.  $1 brats will be for sale ONLY at the Mid Gate designated booth. Limit one (1) per person. All proceeds will benefit a local charity. Cash only.

Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30
SCHOOL OF ROCK
Check out the next generation of music superstars from School of Rock! Over 80 bands made up of talented kids from across the world will rock out on seven (7) different stages. School of Rock teaches over 30,000 students at 230 global locations what it takes to become a world-class musician. Performance-based instruction gets students out of the lesson room and on stage, where they play real shows at authentic venues.

Sunday, July 7 • 2:00 p.m.
LATIN MUSIC DAY PRESENTED BY AURORA HEALTH CARE WITH SUPPORT FROM TELEMUNDO WISCONSIN
Aurora Health Care and Telemundo Wisconsin are proud to welcome the following artists – La Sonora Ponceña, Van Lester-Hector Lavoe Tribute, Junior Rivera and His Orchestra, and Latin Sound System – for Latin Music Day at the Harley-Davidson^TM Roadhouse. Stop by the Harley-Davidson ^TM Roadhouse to enjoy Latin Tropical music and Salsa music starting at 2:00 p.m.

GRUBER LAW OFFICES SPORTSZONE WITH NEWSRADIO 620 WTMJ
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!

NEW – THE SUMMERFEST LANDING WITH L.L.BEAN, MERCURY MARINE, AND SEA RAY
New this year! Whether you prefer to sit and relax and take in the beautiful views of Lake Michigan or get out on the water, The Summerfest Landing is the place to be.

L.L.Bean will be offering FREE stand-up paddleboard (SUP) and kayak rentals every day on a first-come, first-served basis. Not experienced on the water? No worries, L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Program instructors will be on hand to provide additional support. So grab a kayak or SUP and some friends and head out on the water!

Mercury Marine, the Official Outdoor Engine of Summerfest, and Sea Ray, the Official Boat of Summerfest, will partner together to provide FREE Lake Michigan boat rides in cooperation with SkipperBuds. Stop by the Mercury Marine Go Boldly activation to sign up for your free ride, and experience the latest innovations in marine propulsions and controls. While there, you can talk with Mercury Marine ambassadors about their newest products.

NEW – SUMMERFEST PARTY PATIO WITH PUNCH BOWL SOCIAL
Come and hang out at the new Summerfest Party Patio with Punch Bowl Social, located in the American Family Insurance Forecourt area. Featuring games and activities, this is a great destination to spend time with friends, enjoy games like cornhole and giant jenga, and enjoy a cold beverage before the show!

MILLER LITE BREWHOUSE
Check out the Brewhouse Experience featuring Bars & Recreation, located on the right side of the Miller Lite stage. You can win prizes, including Front Row Passes to the Miller Lite Oasis, by sinking a hole-in-one or playing at the brand new shuffleboard courts. From 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. daily.

NEW – SPEEDKORE PERFORMANCE GROUP
Stop by SpeedKore Performance Group to see the future of custom car building, near the U.S. Cellular Stage! SpeedKore’s signature recipe of increasing horsepower and reducing weight with aerospace grade carbon fiber body parts has garnered global media attention, while winning numerous accolades and awards. Most recently, SpeedKore won Ford’s Outstanding Achievement in Design Award and the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association Gold Award at SEMA 2018. SpeedKore vehicles have been featured on “Jay Leno’s Garage,” Hoonigan and Donut Media and have also appeared in a number of movies in “The Fast and the Furious” franchise!

SUMMERFEST SKYGLIDER POWERED BY Meijer
Take a ride on the Skyglider, a true family favorite! Located high above the main walkway, this gentle ride provides passengers with a scenic view of Henry Maier Festival Park, Lake Michigan, and the entertainment below. One-way and round-trip fares are available.

AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE HOUSE
The American Family House is a space for the fans who make Summerfest possible – like you! We’ve invited big name artists to join their fans to play FREE, acoustic sets in our intimate space. You can also create your own festival look at our DIY swag station and take an Insta-worthy photo. While you’re exploring Summerfest, lookout for our vending machines for a chance to win tickets and prizes! Located behind the Mid Gate Fountain. Open 12:00 – 9:00 p.m. daily.

EMERGING ARTIST SERIES WITH 88NINE RADIO MILWAUKEE
The Johnson Controls World Sound Stage with 88Nine Radio Milwaukee will once again host the Emerging Artist Series, highlighting emerging talent each evening from 3:00 – 7:30 p.m., with the opportunity for patrons to vote for their favorite performances on Twitter.

FM 102/1 SERIES AT SUMMERFEST
The FM 102/1 Series at Summerfest features the best in alternative music and is excited to welcome several amazing artists, including The Killers, The Head and the Heart, Elle King, The National, WALK THE MOON, Billie Eilish, Young the Giant, X Ambassadors, CHVRCHES, Sublime With Rome, Third Eye Blind, YUNGBLUD, and more! The FM 102/1 Series at Summerfest features the best in alternative music. See the full list of bands at Summerfest.com.

NEW – CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CONCERT SERIES AT SUMMERFEST
The series features various artists who showcase positive, upbeat, and inspiring music that motivates fans to live life on the optimistic side, including SWITCHFOOT and Skillet. During these select performances, Concordia University will be onsite with summer fun tips. Check the schedule for the blue star icon that denotes artists in the series.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES:

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL CHILDREN’S THEATER & PLAYZONE
Kids of all ages can enjoy family-focused entertainment and activities in the Northwestern Mutual Children’s Theater & Playzone. Open daily, 12:00 – 8:00 p.m. Visit the daily lineup pages for information on performers and show times.

KIDS ACTIVITY TENT
Open daily, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m., activities include:

UB the Band!
Hey kids, want to be a “real” rockstar? Now’s your chance to shine! UB the Band brings all the gear, including colorful drum sets for ages 2 – adult, awesome characters, and special guitars complete with wireless microphones, stage monitors, real stage lighting, and all the trimmings. No experience necessary!

537 Charger Robotics
Take the controls of miniature remote controlled robots! The robots are built by teenage members of Charger Robotics Team 537 from Hamilton High School in Sussex, WI. Team members will be on site every day. There will also be a multi-school robotics competition at the Gruber Law Offices Sportszone on July 2.

KOHL’S CAPTIVATION STATION
Enjoy daily performances from entertainers including ComedySportz and Mad Science and FREE activities from Discovery World, Milwaukee Art Museum, Penfield Children’s Center, Milwaukee Public Museum, and the Milwaukee County Zoo. See the schedule for daily events at the Kohl’s Captivation Station.

ELIZABETH “BO” BLACK FAMILY FOUNTAIN WITH BADGER METER AND B93.3
Your day at Summerfest would not be complete without a stop at the “Splash Pad.” Kids of all ages can splash and play the day away while keeping cool.

SENTRY FOODS CHILDREN’S FEST DAY WITH TODAY’S TMJ4
All patrons arriving between 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. on July 2 will be admitted FREE! Spend a fun-filled day with the family enjoying Children’s Fest activities including the Map of Fun and the Family Ticket Package drawing. Select food vendors will offer discounts on food and beverage items.

THE LOST CHILDREN’S AREA PRESENTED BY AURORA HEALTH CARE
Located near the Mid Gate, The Lost Children’s Area presented by Aurora Health Care is available for children who become separated from their parent(s)/guardian(s). To make reuniting seamless, identification wristbands are available throughout the grounds (including all gates) for parents to pair their emergency contact information with each child.

MOTHER’S NURSING AREAS PRESENTED BY AURORA HEALTH CARE
These areas (open 12:00 – 8:00 p.m.) provide a private and convenient space for new moms to utilize as needed. Two (2) locations are available for use, located within the Children’s Area and near the South Gate next to the Kohl’s Captivation Station.

NEW – THE COOLING STATION PRESENTED BY AURORA HEALTH CARE
An air-conditioned space for festival-goers to escape the outdoor elements. Located at the Summerfest North Gate.

PROMOTIONS/GIVEAWAYS:

Sunday, July 7 • 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. (while supplies last)
SUMMERFEST BIG WIN
From 12:00 – 3:00 p.m., 30,000 FREE general admission tickets to Summerfest 2020 will be given away at all entrances.  To participate in the SUMMERFEST BIG WIN, fans must turn in the perforated entry stub from the Summerfest 2020 ticket to the Mid Gate Information Booth by 3:30 p.m. on July 7, 2019. The prize drawing will take place at 4:00 p.m. at the Miller Lite Oasis. Patrons must bring the 2020 ticket to the drawing. If the entry number on the ticket matches the number that is announced and displayed on the screen, they will be declared a Summerfest BIG WINner.

BIG GIG GIVEAWAY with COUSINS SUBS
Want to experience Summerfest like a VIP? Now’s your chance. In partnership with Wisconsin-based Cousins Subs, you can enter to win prize packages that include two (2) tickets to an American Family Insurance Amphitheater concert, VIP deck access, Ticketmaster Terrace passes, a Summerfest Store gift card, dinner courtesy of Cousins Subs, and parking! Go to cousinssubs.com/biggiggiveaway from May 13 – June 16, 2019 for your chance to win!

Pepsi Photo PROMOTION
Join in this year’s Favorite Fest Photo promotion, sponsored by Pepsi. Share your best fest photo on Instagram featuring one of the oversized Pepsi bottles during the festival for a chance to win great prizes. For more information, visit https://summerfest.com/special-attractions/.

About Summerfest presented by American Family Insurance
Following its 1968 debut, Summerfest presented by American Family Insurance has evolved into what is now recognized as “The World’s Largest Music Festival” and Milwaukee’s cornerstone summer celebration, hosting the music industry’s hottest stars, emerging talent and local favorites along with approximately 850,000 people from Milwaukee and around the world each year for an unforgettable live music experience. During the festival, the spotlight shines on over 800 acts, over 1,000 performances, 12 stages delectable food and beverages and interactive activities, all in a world-class festival setting. Summerfest 2018 takes place June 26-30 and July 2-7, 2019, closed on July 1.  For more details, visit Summerfest.com, Facebook.com/summerfest or Twitter: @Summerfest.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.