This piece was published in partnership with Summerfest. See you there! It’s nearly time to celebrate the World’s Largest Music Festival, which takes place over the course of three consecutive weekends (Thursday through Saturday) Sept. 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18. Hours for the festival will be noon to midnight daily.
After taking a one-year hiatus, the staff at Summerfest has worked diligently to put together a plan for this year’s event that ensures a comfortable and safe entertainment experience for both employees and guests.
So, to ensure you have the best experience possible, we’ve gathered together the information you need to know about safety measures and new procedures that have been put into place at Summerfest for 2021.
Get vaccinated or tested before you go
In addition to tickets, proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result (procured within 72 hours of entry) is required for individuals 12 and over who wish to gain admission to Summerfest or the Wednesday Weekend Preview concerts held at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater.
Valid proof of vaccination includes: your original vaccination card; a printed copy of the card; or a digital copy of the card (screen shot or photo). The entire front of the vaccination card must be clear and visible, regardless of form.
Alternatively, a printed or digital copy of negative COVID-19 test results will be accepted. The entire result must be visible, regardless of form. Both PCR or rapid test results are acceptable.
Resources for vaccines and testing can be found at milwaukee.gov/COVIDvax and milwaukee.gov/COVIDtesting.
Get tested onsite
Ideally, you'll come prepared with your COVID test results in hand. But, if you don't, Summerfest has you covered.
For $25 per test, they will be providing rapid tests right on the grounds. Tents for testing will be set up at both the North and South Gates of Henry Maier Festival Park. Rapid test results are available within 20 minutes; test negative and you will be allowed entry. Guests who test positive will be asked to leave the Summerfest grounds.
Bring your mask
In accordance with CDC guidelines, masks are recommended for all attendees in indoor spaces. Examples include the Summerfest store, first aid stations and restrooms.
Unvaccinated attendees are advised to wear masks at all times when attending large gatherings of any type. All children ages 2-11 must wear a mask, even if negative COVID test results are provided.
Sanitized for your safety
Keeping fest-goers safe is Summerfest’s highest priority. Therefore, they have implemented both overnight deep-cleaning and sanitizing procedures for areas throughout the grounds. In addition, dedicated cleaning crews will conduct frequent cleaning and sanitization of high touch areas throughout the fest.
Make use of hand sanitizer stations
Summerfest is doing its part to keep facilities and surfaces clean. But as a festival attendee, you can also do your part to keep unnecessary germs from spreading.
In addition to regular hand-washing, as advised by the CDC,Summerfest will have hand sanitizer stations throughout the grounds. Please make liberal use of these stations in between hand-washing.
Bring your credit card
To promote safer monetary transactions, Summerfest has switched to cashless payment for admission and vendor purchases.
Reverse ATMS will be available at various locations on the grounds. These machines exchange cash for prepaid credit cards which can be used for purchases.
Respect one another
Safety takes many forms. Summerfest does not tolerate any behavior that makes guests feel unsafe, unwelcome, or uneasy. Please review Summerfest guidelines regarding attendee behavior for additional information.
Enjoy!
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As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
