Kids beat the heat during Summerfest "Children's Fest Day"

MILWAUKEE -- From the moment the gates opened for Summerfest on Thursday, July 5th, you could feel the heat. It was the second-straight day Milwaukee saw temperatures in the triple-digits, and an excessive heat warning continued for all of southeastern Wisconsin. Kids got in free Thursday from noon to 3:00 p.m. for Children's Fest Day, and many looked for ways to stay cool.

Families came in droves to Summerfest today. Simmering temps weren't going to stop the music and fun today, though many fest-goers sought out Bubblers, the splash pads and other cool-down areas.

"It only happens once a year. You're not living if you're not at Summerfest," one fest-goer said.

The key on Thursday was coming prepared.

"We've got the 50 sunblock on. Everybody's dripping with that. Everybody is carrying a water bottle," another fest-goer said.

"We came with dry clothes and we're going home wet," one fest-goer said.

After crowds baked in the sun, people packed into air-conditioned buses, set up on the grounds as "cooling stations." The buses provided a moment to relax before hopping off and catching the next act.

"It feels like 100 degrees. I'm like, melting out there! It's really nice (in the bus) though. It cools me down a lot," one kid enjoying Summerfest said.

Summerfest modified their carry-in policy again Thursday, allowing fest-goers to bring in unopened or empty bottles of water or CamelBaks.

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