By Matt Mueller Culture Editor Published Jul 01, 2019 at 5:56 PM Photography: Ty Helbach

Slurp up these festival stories packed with vitamins, minerals and everything you need to spike your summer fun. The Summer Festivals Guide is brought to you by Punch Bowl Social. Come on in - it's time we all win at adulting.

It's the only bad day of Summerfest: the off day. But instead of wallowing in our sadness, waiting and hoping for our voices to come back in time for Tuesday night's glorious return to the festival grounds, let's take a look back at the good times we've already had at the Big Gig this year – from the good, the bad and the cake-splattered. 

1. Caked

EDM star Steve Aoki opened up the first day of Summerfest with a bash at the Miller Lite Oasis, throwing a great party – not mention a few cakes. The crowd had went home very happy ... except for whoever lost their phone in this neon-soaked pile of ruined cake and frosting. There have been worse ways to go out than taking a cake to the face at the Big Gig.

2. Beginning with a Big Bang

(PHOTO: Ty Helbach)

It's one of the few times during Summerfest when no one's eyes are on the stage. Plus, there was a firework that exploded into a smiley face! Adorable!

3. Third Ward team-up

If you timed it right, you could've stumbled upon two headliner acts – Steve Aoki and "Shut Up and Dance" hitmakers Walk the Moon – chilling out together in the middle of the Third Ward. Dammit, THE ONE TIME I DIDN'T GRAB A COFFEE AND SOUP AT BELLA CAFFE FOR WRITING!

4. Kids playing

(PHOTO: Andy Tarnoff)

Going into Summerfest, the forecasts for the entire first week was just one forecast: storms. And sure, there were some dramatic deluges that cut some early shows short, but otherwise the weather thankfully turned for the best every night, providing some gorgeous days and hot summer sun – perfect for performers playing on stages and kids playing in the Big Gig's fountain. You owed us this, Mother Nature, after this past endless winter of nightmares. 

5. New-look Uline

(PHOTO: Dan Garcia)

The Uline Warehouse was one of the lesser grounds stages down at Summerfest; the sound was fine, but the set-up, with barriers of odd bleachers awkwardly fencing in the crowd, was bizarre. There's a new-look Uline Warehouse, however, that's more aesthetically pleasing and, most importantly, opened up with more useful room and space. With this fix, there's probably not a bad grounds stage in the bunch anymore. 

6. Krauss is queen of the outlaws

(PHOTO: Dan Garcia)

Willie Nelson may have landed at the top of my rankings of Outlaw Music Festival performances from day two, but Alison Krauss put on an incredible performance worthy of note – and definitely worthy of a later, higher profile slot during the one-day micro-festival. (Flipping her into the Counting Crows time at 4:45 p.m. seems like the way it should've gone, at the least.)

Performing in front of a backstage set – the only act, other than Willie, that brought a unique stage in tow – Krauss' heavenly, youthful voice resounded through the Amp and transported the audience via her rich twangy harmonies and aching lyrics of love and loss. Who could've guessed the most awarded artist in Grammy history would be so wonderful live?!

7. SuperLizzo

(PHOTO: Dan Garcia)

We'll let the "Truth Hurts" singer take this one:

8. Triumph over tumult

While an alleged altercation between a Summerfest guard and Lizzo's team threatened to throw a pall over her much-anticipated show, memories of the rising pop star's energetic and empowering concert refused to be overshadowed – including this roaring sing-along.

9. Packers exhibit

Does it get any more Wisconsin than walking around a Green Bay Packers exhibit at Summerfest, probably drinking a beer? Maybe you could add some cheese curds.  

10. Preach, random mural

Looking for a bonus boost of optimism and positivity at the Big Gig? Take a walk by the lakefront and you'll find this lovely mural – a product from some very talented Milwaukee MPS students – on the back of a stand. 

11. They call him Joseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

But no Mark.

At The Lonely Island's Friday night show, there was, however, a guest appearance from Brett Favre. Sorry, I mean "Brett" "Favre."

12. "I'm on a Boat," on a stage

The Lonely Island brought a ton of guests to their Miller Lite Oasis show on Friday night – Canseco and "Brett Favre," puppet Justin Timberlake, puppet Lady Gaga,  Michael Bolton via video screen – but the most exciting guest was the one everyone saw coming: T-Pain, who happened to be performing a half-hour earlier at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse and joined for the trio's biggest hit, "I'm On a Boat," the first time during The Lonely Island's entire tour that he made a cameo. A first for the fest! 

13. Banana!

(PHOTO: Ty Helbach)

Banana. (Translation: There's something for everyone at Summerfest – including kids.)

14. Country is king

If you were exclusively looking at the Amp headliner schedule – and I don't know why you would do that, save for a commitment to lunacy – you might've thought Summerfest was Country Thunder this first round of acts. Thomas Rhett, Jason Aldean, Zac Brown Band and most of the Outlaw Music Festival made country king on the Big Gig's biggest stage – not that the ecstatic, packed crowds would complain.

But if you DO want to complain ...  well, don't because the second half of the Amp headliners goes genre-hopping, bouncing from Jennifer Lopez to Billie Eilish to Snoop Dogg and Lil Wayne to Lionel Richie to The Killers and Death Cab for Cutie.

15. Something for everyone

(PHOTO: Ty Helbach)

You can see in this photo, but this was actually taken at the Steve Aoki show! OK, not really – but it speaks to the variety of things to find at the Big Gig.

Are you an energized millennial and Gen Z-er who wants to rave at an EDM show? Summerfest has that. Are you a country music lover, rocking your boots and hat? Summerfest has that too. And are you a sweet older couple just wanting some nice weather and good music to dance together? Well, as you can see, it turns out Summerfest has that too. 

Bring on week two. 

Matt Mueller Culture Editor

As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.

When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.