Summerfest is the world’s largest music festival, offering an 11-day concert extravaganza at an affordable price.

Sound like something only New York or the West Coast could offer?

Wrong.

Summerfest is only six hours away from Ames in Milwaukee.

Summerfest began as a community event in the summer of 1968 and has since grown to welcome nearly one million visitors from around the world in recent years, according to Summerfest officials.

From June 28 through July 8, music lovers can take part in a 13-stage venue along the shoresof Lake Michigan in downtown Milwaukee.

Each stage specializes in a diverse range of music and entertainment including everything from alternative, country, reggae, and R&B to blues, pop, Latin, rock `n roll and more.

“All of the stages have an eclectic mix of music, so patrons flow from stage to stage to hear what they enjoy and to expose themselves to new music they are curious about,” says Patrice Harris, marketing and public relations director for Summerfest 2001.

The most unique aspect of the festival is “definitely the national acts that are insanely inexpensive for the public to see,” says Bob Babisch, Summerfest entertainment director.

Musical headliners this year include Destiny’s Child, Widespread Panic, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Blink-182, Prince, Bon Jovi, Tim McGraw and many more.

All headliner show tickets are moving fast, according to Babisch, but tickets for Prince “flew out the door faster than any other Marcus Amphitheatre show.”

“Ticket availability for the Marcus Amphitheater varies per show,” Harris adds.

She says that there are still reserved seats available for Blink-182, 3 Doors Down, the Glam Slam Metal Jam with Poison, Warrant, Quiet Riot and Enuff Z’Nuff, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and Paul Simon with Brian Wilson.

There are also some reasonably well-known musical acts featured on Summerfest’s regular grounds stages.

Seven Mary Three, Violent Femmes, The Wallflowers, Tonic and Wilco are just a few of these bands.

But music isn’t the only attraction at Summerfest.

There will also be a wide array of food to tempt the palate.

“Other than music there is so much food to try, everything from Greek and Middle Eastern to Cajun, BBQ, Mexican and Thai,” Harris says. “If patrons didn’t do so much dancing and walking, it’d be easy to add a few pounds in just one day.”

In addition the festival offers a variety of fun and educational activities and programming for children and their families.

“Summerfest also has tons of stuff for kids to do,” Harris says. “We’ve got a fantastic water show. The ASA Pro Tour Mobile Skatepark will have 80 professional inline skaters, BMX bikers and skateboarders competing at the fest, there’s three giant marketplaces for shopping, just a lot for people of all ages to do.”

A single day pass costs $9 at the gate Sunday through Thursday, $10 Friday and Saturday, and $1 every day for senior citizens over 60. Children are free Monday through Friday with an adult until 6 p.m., 50 cents after 6 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday.

The pass grants patrons access to all of the regular Summerfest grounds stages except Marcus Amphitheater headline shows.

“It’s a great way to spend 11 days of summer – hanging with friends, meeting new people, being outside along the lakefront, all while enjoying the ultimate live music experience,” Harris says.

Summerfest 2001 schedule

June 28

Moe

G. Love & Special Sauce

Cheap Trick

June 29

Paul Simon with Brian Wilson

Violent Femmes

Biz Markie

Angelique Kidjo

June 30

Billy Gilman

Jimmie’s Chicken Shack

Days of the New

James Brown

July 1

Poison with Warrant

Jonny Lang

Uncle Kracker

Oleander

July 2

Destiny’s Child

Wilco

Tonic

Seven Mary Three

July 3

Widespread Panic with Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals

The Cult

July 4

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers with Jackson Browne

Mary Chapin Carpenter

Skrape

Stabbing Westward

July 5

Blink-182 with New Found Glory

Semisonic

Tesla

Caroline’s Spine

July 6

3 Doors Down with Lifehouse

Saliva

Femi Kuti

Black Eyed Peas

July 7

Tim McGraw with Kenny Chesney

Doobie Brothers

The Jayhawks

Everclear

Toadies

American Hi-Fi

July 8

Bon Jovi with Eve 6

The Wallflowers

Verical Horizon

Blues Traveler