Summerfest Offers Fun Activities For The Whole Family

MILWAUKEE (May 26, 2016) – Summerfest 2016 brings fun family focused entertainment to the grounds this year with fun and educational activities for kids and families! Offering free or discounted admission each day of the festival, Summerfest is a budget-friendly opportunity for families to enjoy a day at Milwaukee’s lakefront.

Wednesday, June 29 at 9:30 pm is 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 pm presented by Menards and WISN 12. Toya Washington and Patrick Paolantonio host WISN 12’s broadcast that will be recorded and aired at 10:30 pm. Produced by Bartolotta Fireworks.

Kids of all ages can enjoy family focused entertainment and activities in the Northwestern Mutual Children’s Theater and PlayZone, open daily, noon – 8:00 pm.  Visit the daily lineup on Summerfest.com for information on performers and show times.

Another fun feature offered, for FREE, is the Kids Activity Tent. The tent is open daily from noon – 5:00 pm and provides fun for children with the following activities:

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 character and special guitars complete with wireless microphones, stage monitors, real stage lighting and all the trimmings.  There's absolutely no experience necessary! 

537 Charger Robotics allows kids of all ages to take control 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 and there will also be a multi-school robotics competition at the Gruber Law Offices SportsZone on July 2.

The Kohl’s Captivation Station, open daily from noon – 7:00 pm, offers education and music experiences for children and families.  Kohl’s hometown partners, including the Zoological Society of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Art Museum, Discovery World, Penfield Children's Center, and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin will be on hand to provide activities – just for kids! Create hands on art projects, see live theater and be amazed by family friendly performers.

Tuesday, July 5 is Sentry Foods and Dean’s Milk & Ice Cream Children’s Fest Day with TODAY’S TMJ4.  Bring the whole family out to enjoy a beautiful summer day because anyone who arrives to Summerfest between noon – 3:00 pm will be admitted to the grounds for FREE. Exclusive Children’s Day activities and offers will be available to take part in, such as the Map of Fun and discounted food and beverage items from select food vendors. Delicious samples will be available courtesy of Sentry and Dean’s Milk and Ice Cream with a donation to the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.  Kick off your day right with what has become a Summerfest tradition. Come Meet the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club’s Famous Racing Sausages at the Mid Gate. They’ll be greeting guests as they come in when the grounds open at noon. Don’t forget your cameras!

Map of Fun

Pick up a copy of the Map of Fun upon entry at the gates and obtain a stamp on your map at each of the locations throughout the festival grounds.
Present completed maps at the South Redemption Area across from Chubby’s Cheesesteaks and enter for a chance to win one of the Family Ticket Package giveaways.
Children will receive a prize for participating, while supplies last.

The Elizabeth “Bo” Black Family Fountain Presented by McDonald’s 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. Patrons will have the opportunity to win great prizes at the McDonald’s display. For deals and information from your local McDonald’s, follow them on Twitter: @McDonaldsMKE.

Take a ride on the Skyglider, presented by Taiwan Excellence, 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 available.  For more info on Taiwan Excellence, please visit www.facebook.com/TaiwanExcellence.en.

Celebrate Summerfest on the water with the Paddleboat Water Experience presented by
Badger Meter! Families can take the time to opportunity to relax and take in views of the festival and downtown Milwaukee.  From Noon – 7:00 pm each day, paddle around part of the lagoon for 30 minutes in boats that hold up to four (4) people.  Located at the boat dock on the north end of the grounds, this is an experience that can’t be missed!
 

Come march to your own beat and join in on the Summerfest Parade at 3:00 pm on June 29 – July 1, then again on July 5 & 6. Incorporating a second line style, the parade will start at the south end of Henry Maier Festival Park at the Marcus Amphitheater Forecourt and complete a full lap of the grounds. Fans are encouraged to join in with participants and strut their stuff!

School may be out for the summer, but the School of Rock is still in session. School of Rock will host a “Battle of the Bands” competition for hundreds of their best students from across the world. Come watch these incredible young musicians compete as they perform on Saturday, July 9. The top bands will then battle in the finals on Sunday, July 10. For more information visit SchoolOfRock.com.

It’s back yet again, so take a ride way up high aboard Summerfest’s Wheel in the Sky. Making its third appearance at the fest, “the wheel in the sky keeps on turnin’” on the north end of the grounds.  Patrons enjoy a wonderful view atop this giant Ferris wheel of Summerfest, downtown Milwaukee and Lake Michigan while aboard. Rides will run from Noon – 11:30 pm daily.

The Gruber Law Offices SportsZone with 620 WTMJ 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!

Summerfest 2016 will take place June 29 – July 3 and July 5 - 10 from Noon until Midnight and will be closed Monday, July 4.  Following its 1968 debut, Summerfest has evolved into what is now recognized as “The World’s Largest Music Festival” and Milwaukee’s cornerstone summer celebration, bringing the music industry’s hottest stars, emerging talent and local favorites along with approximately 850,000 people from Milwaukee and around the world together each year for an unforgettable live music experience.  During the festival, the spotlight shines on over 800 acts, over 1,000 performances, 11 stages, delectable food and beverages and interactive activities, all in a world-class festival setting.  Patrons can also enjoy Miller Lite, the Official Beer of Summerfest.  For more details, visit Summerfest.com, Facebook.com/summerfest or Twitter: @Summerfest or download the 2016 Summerfest App.