By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Jul 03, 2008 at 5:26 AM

Water Street Brewery deck -- There is no shortage of places to get a beer at Summerfest, but there are few better than the patio at Water Street Brewery, near the south end of the grounds. If you can get a table up there near the sides, you've got a prime spot to sit back, soak up some rays during the day or stargaze with your sweetie at night with a couple of the best beers on offer at the Big Gig in front of you. -- Bobby Tanzilo

Parking Downtown and walking -- This may seem like a pretty dumbed-down Summerfest recommendation. But, it never fails to amaze me at how many people think they can just easily drive into a parking lot close to Summerfest. Even if there are spots, getting out is a major pain to avoid. If you're not going to shuttle to Summerfest, simply park Downtown. I like the Shops of Grand Avenue garage. It's five- or six-minute walk then and when the Fest ends, it makes stopping for a nightcap at any of the Third Ward or Downtown bars very easy. But, don't drink and drive. Park stress-free and walk. Use parkmilwaukee.com as your guide. --Jeff Sherman

Major Goolsby's cheeseburgers -- With so much good and sometimes exotic food to choose from at the Fest, it's easy to forget the staples. Goolsby's cheeseburger, which costs $5.50 ($7 for the "Major," which is a double), is quick, portable and it hits the spot. It's perfect fuel when you're on a (safe and responsible) Big Gig Bender. --Drew Olson

Cascio Interstate Music Groove Garage - This seems like a natural for me to recommend, as I am the co-host of the weekly OnMilwaukee.com / WMSE Local Music Podcast. This south-end stage (it's actually in "the Amp," which means the gathering area just outside the Marcus Amphitheater) is co-sponsored by WMSE and features all local bands during the 11 days of Summerfest. Sure, you can see The Championship, Red Knife Lottery or Father Phoenix in Milwaukee all year, but this is a cool opportunity to show off our musical chops to curious tourists in town for the Big Gig, or to those who don't frequent the bar scene. Kudos to Summerfest for taking local talent seriously. --Julie Lawrence

Walking lakeside -- It's not rocket science, but traversing the grounds using the lakeside path instead of the main thoroughfare is substantially less crowded. Don't worry, there's an equal amount of people watching, and Summerfest has wisely set up some ancillary and line-free beer stands, too. Plus, you get that nice lake breeze and a better view. Unless you like feeling like herded cattle, the lake route is the way to go. -- Andy Tarnoff

The Garden Party soy candles -- I am happy this Wind Lake-based business returned to Summerfest this year (located in the marketplace tent on the southeast side of the grounds). A few years ago, I wrote an article for OnMilwaukee.com about The Garden Party's soy candles and, at the time, owner Chris Corona gave me a couple of his 100 percent natural soy candles. They have cotton wicks, no dyes and no paraffin wax, so burning these aromatic light-throwers won't pollute your living space with toxic fumes. I love their natural, aromatic scents, and they look simple and nice in glass jars. The coolest thing about this business is that Wisconsin residents with developmental disabilities pour all of The Garden Party's candles. The Web site is thegardenparty.com. --Molly Snyder Edler

Fruit bowls from Catalano's -- People who complain about the difficulty of eating "healthy" at Summerfest should check out Catalano's for a delicious variety of fresh fruit. It's important to stay hydrated. The lemonade is delicious, too. --D.O.

The "spacer" -- If you plan to imbibe for long periods, mix in the occasional non-alcoholic drink. Grab a bottle of water, a lemonade or a root beer and you'll prolong the fun without getting tipsy. We're tired of people falling down in front of us. --D.O.

Water Street Brewery and Lakefront Brewery -- These two local brew houses may technically be competitors but they're also the indies in a festival littered with Miller products. Bringing their locally made brews just down the street, Lakefront Brewery is located just off the Harley Roadhouse and Water Street Brewery's pavilion greets you at the south entrance to the grounds. Water Street offers brewery staples like Bavarian Weiss, Pale Ale and Oktoberfest while Lakefront darkens the options with local celebrities like Riverwest Stein, Cattail Ale and India Pale Ale. I hate to criticize the option of Miller High Life but you really can't go wrong with the variety and quality Lakefront Brewery and Water Street Brewery bring to the grounds. --Maureen Post

Bring some floss -- You know you can't resist and ear of delicious roasted corn. Bring a container of dental floss or a small travel toothbrush and you'll enjoy the corn without worrying about kernel shrapnel in your teeth. --D.O.