Summerfest lineup, food brings fans back for 2023 Big Gig

MILWAUKEE - Excited Summerfest fans filled Maier Festival Park for another year of fun that kicked off at noon Thursday, June 22.  

Some people took off work. Others flew to Milwaukee from across the country. 

Many said there's always something that keeps them coming back.

"The first year we came here was 2007," Kenya Stewart. "The food, the loving music and all the people."

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"Sometimes, we’ll walk in with 25 people through the gate," said Brian Maney. "I never pick what music to listen to because all my friends tell me where we’re going. I go with them. It’s a hell of a time."

Friends, families and even a resting Viking did not want to miss the music.

"It’s the most eclectic grouping of people you may see in your life," said Thomas O'Meara, whose first Summerfest was in 1981. "Best show I ever saw here was the Moody Blues with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra."

After thinking back, fans said they were looking forward to making new memories.

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"I love getting to hang with my ‘fester’ crew. This, to me, is the epitome of Wisconsin," said a woman who goes by Sunshine. "I look forward to this all year. This, to me, is like Christmas."

Fest food

While everyone has their own traditions, Summerfest fans agreed on two things: good food and good beer.

"I come for the food, and listen to the music. How is that?" said Mark Brown.

Summerfest is the spot to see, hear and try just about anything.

"Just to eat, go find something new to eat," said Jada Drew. "I think I might try the stuffed pizza, with chili."

"We eat by the smell. If it smells good, we eat it," Brown said.

Longtime fans offered some suggestions for first-timers.

"Just wandering around, going from stage to stage – seeing the variety of music and, of course, people watching," Greg Failey said.

"I like the turkey legs. To me, that’s something special because it’s the only place that has it," said Dave Ash. "Summerfest, you are pretty much guaranteed a turkey leg."

Beer, corn, ice cream, pizza – it's not hard to get lost in the good grub and drinks.

 "Just have fun. Walk around and have a good time meeting people," said David.

Five decades of festival favorites

Summerfest is a party that attracts people from all walks of life, whether it's their first time or their 50th. There's nothing like it.

"It is so beautiful out here," said Stephanie Barber from Beloit on a picturesque first day of the Big Gig. 

"It's the music," said Nick Becker from Menomonee Falls. "We love the music. Every year, we get excited. We get out the thing and check off who we're going to see."

Fans said the last five decades flew by. 

"I just like coming here," said Lisa Haleem from Sheboygan. "The lakefront, the music, the people. Watching different people from all over the world." 

Fans reminisced about festival favorites. 

"I guess in the 2000s, it would be Prince," said Becker. "That was an incredible show."

While most come to see the shows, others put on performances of their own. 

"Starts doing martial arts," said Ralston Shanklin from Milwaukee.

Gianna Krantz of Lake Geneva, new to the experience, took it all in on the first day of the Big Gig.

"This is my first time," she said. "Super excited!" 

It's a Milwaukee staple offering something for everyone. 

"You can see a few minutes of one band, and if you don't like them or get tired of them, you can go hear a different genre," said Tal Sellers from Appleton.

"Just the atmosphere," said Becker. "It's really Milwaukee's, one of their gems."