A Summerfest Visit

Well, after a two year absence from the "Big Gig", I finally made it to Summerfest last night.



My main reason for going was to see one of my favorite "When I was young" bands...Cheap Trick. They were playing at one of the "free stages". It was a fun time, alot of people my age (and alot of younger people too) and everyone was all pumped up. They sounded excellent and though they only played for an hour, it was a very nice hour. They played all their "old" stuff as well as a few newer numbers. I even managed to get a CD for 5.00, which was pretty cool.



But when at Summerfest, one must also try to do some of the things that makes going to Summerfest worthwile...and though I didnt manage to accomplish all the things on the list that the Milwaukee Journal said "one should do", I did manage to do a few of them.

(I put a "yes" by the ones I managed to do...

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The list the newspaper put out:

100 things to do at Summerfest

By OMC Staff Writers

Each year, the OMC editorial staff puts its decades of combined Summerfest experience to good use by publishing this very important article: 100 things to do at Summerfest. Updated for 2004, it's a quick look at your best ways to enjoy the Big Gig. Just don't forget to wear sunscreen ...





Drink freshly squeezed lemonade

Eat Saz's mozzarella sticks

Watch the Big Bang

Ride the skyglider (no spitting, please) -YES

Get a free pass-out ticket from noon-6:30 p.m. daily and you'll be able to get back in for free before 7 p.m. that same day.

Check out all the Harleys at the Harley-Davidson parking area -YES

Take a Summerfest shuttle

Corn! -YES

Get in free! There are promotions every day!

Eat eggplant strips at the Venice Club

See the amazing new light show

Get a temporary tattoo

Dance! -YES

Get your funk on with Kool and the Gang on June 30.

Obey the dress code

Start thinking about The Encore (Sept. 2-4)

Suck in your gut-YES

Sample every beer

Do the math and see if joining the Fest Head Club makes sense for you

Enjoy some wine coolers -YES

Say hi to Jake Leinenkugel

Watch a live newscast

Get a foot massage

Take a boat excursion on the Iroquois

Try the latest guitars at the Fender Roadhouse

Meet at the "Meet Me at the Fountain" official Summerfest meeting place.

Save a puppy by participating in the Humane Society promotion on July 2

Tip the strolling performers and that guy who plays six instruments at once -YES

Be leery of the ticket guys on the street, they might be selling fakes! -YES AND NO

Wear shoes at all times, please -YES

Sit on grass seats -YES

Eat those huge turkey legs

Buy some big cheap sunglasses

Get in free with Dean's Ice Cream Day on June 30

Check out Pat McCurdy every night

Watch some kickboxers

Check out the water ski show

Wonder why it only costs $12 to get in to Summerfest -YES

Play a little bingo

Play beach volleyball

See which Liz Phair performs on June 24

Sing some Karaoke at the Starbucks/Ticketmaster Legends Stage

Have a Sno Cone

Try some fried cheese, gimme some Moz!

Count the mullets at the Cheap Trick show on June 29 -YES

Take a romantic stroll by the lake

Come at noon, leave at midnight

Hit a TYME machine outside the mid-gate or inside the grounds -YES

Park far away for free and use www.parkmilwaukee.com to find good parking in greater downtown

Go to the Admirals Sports Area

Don't urinate in the Third Ward

Hang out at Timers after the Fest

Watch for falling objects under Hoan Bridge -YES

Tell everyone that you're good friends with Ricky Springfiled (a "Boogie Nights" reference)

Dance and sing with Paul Cebar

Try to figure out why a Def Lepard Tribute band is on the schedule

Wear comfortable shoes to the Indigo Girls concert on July 4

Meet Will Durst, the guy who gave OnMilwaukee.com its WAMI

Look for that guy who looks like Abe Lincoln

As you finish a beer, stack it on top of your other emtpies until you get the Slinky effect goin' on

Get in for free on Cedar Crest day on June 25

Don't forget, the rides are gone

Pretend you like Britney "for the music"

See Goran of The Gufs

Rock with Joan Jett

Say "hi" to our friend, Kevin Brandt

One word: Jazzercise

Get your photo taken by OnMilwaukee.com, pick it up online the next day-YES, TRIED BUT COULDNT FIND IT!!!



Check out the Wave soccer exhibition

Buy a Summerfest T-shirt

Gawk at everyone on their cell phones, all the time -YES

Get beer spilled on you early, for that cool, sticky feeling

Crunch some almonds!

Buy a pewter dragon or a unicorn T-shirt in the shopping area

Try to get a juggler to drop his balls

Order volcano chicken from King & I

Kick back on a bench and get a tan

See if Bo Black shows up

Resist the urge to joyride in an official golf cart, trust us -- you'll be ejected!

Bring your own toilet paper

Assign a meeting place with your pals before you get lost

Wonder why people are playing at the arcade

Leave the really young babies at home, please

Experience ComedySportz

Marvel at David Seebach's magic

Get autographs from band members

Don't bring pets, laser pointers or skateboards

Sneak a kiss near the lake

Stand at the north end of the grounds and watch the Milwaukee Art Museum's wings open (or close)

Surf the net, re-set all computers' homepages to OnMilwaukee.com

Follow the strolling performers like the Fabulous Feno and Johnny on Washday

Buy a root beer from one of those barrels

Make faces at the radio people as they broadcast live

Laugh at all the men who wear socks with their sandals -YES

Count bald heads, naked bellies and mullets -YES (150 THAT I COUNTED!!)

Think when you drink, and take a cab or the bus if you happen to over do it!

Run into "everyone" from your high school class

Eat funnel cakes

Don't forget your manners, apologize when you bump into someone, and buy the dude or gal a beer if you spill one -YES

Please don't try to play the big guitar!

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So....I probably did 1/5 of the things they suggested. Not bad for 4 hours.

I had a fun time. One day is more than enough for me though.



Thats it for today......