As we discovered last year, spending at least $20 at Summerfest is dangerously easy. But spending exactly, and only, $20 once you're through the gate is considerably less so, especially if you rule out beer and food.

These were the ground rules for our second Summerfest $20 challenge to the OnMilwaukee.com editorial team: Spend a single Jackson, without going over, on something tangible -- a piece of the Big Gig to take home for posterity.

Since the handy cardboard carrying case that comes with a four-pack of Water Street Brewery beers did not count, the mission left us wandering amidst the rows of merchant goods, sifting through the usual festival swag to find something that really said ... Summerfest.

Here's how we parted with the scratch.

Molly Snyder Edler
Staff Writer
Pick: Nose jewelry

My nose has been pierced for more than half of my life, so I rarely to never think about it. I wore a very tiny ring for many years and never had any issues. However, when wandering around the Summerfest marketplace, I stopped at the Shell Shack, a jewelry merchant from Medford, Wis., and noticed the large selection of nose jewelry. Spontaneously, I decided to remove my nose ring -- only because they had hand sanitizer and rubbing alcohol -- and pop in something new. At $5 each, I bought four little schnoz studs -- a fake diamond, amethyst and emerald as well as a teeny tiny silver star -- and I am pleased with the change. The small studs are more discreet, and at this point in my life, I appreciate subtleties.

Julie Lawrence
Staff Writer
Pick: Too Much Metal's anti-Favre T-shirt

I’ve been a fan of Smac Design since the get go -- they’re the ones who introduced the "Too much rock for one hand" phrase to Milwaukee years ago, accompanied by the now-famous logo of two hands making the double rock lock like so: \mm/. As years went on, the company branched out of the rock lock and into other humorous ideas. As I was perusing their Summerfest booth this year, I found this relevant gem: An outline of Wisconsin with just a big green 4 and the word "gotten" underneath. Sums it up quite nicely, doesn’t it? It was only $18!

Drew Olson
Senior Editor
Picks: Water bottle and two shotglasses

This challenge was tough this year, so I enlisted the help of an expert. Dan Elias, the vice president of Express Promotions, which sells T-shirts, sweatshirts and all kinds of Summerfest swag, suggested that I grab a stainless steel water bottle ($10) and a pair of shotglasses ($5 each). That's what I did. I can use the water bottle while riding the exercise bike and pour myself a shot (or two) to celebrate the end of my workout. The bottle is cool, because a lot of people are down on disposable water bottles these days. The shotglasses will add to my collection, which is close to zero. (I really don't drink a lot at home).

Maureen Post
Staff Writer
Pick: Percussion frog wooden instrument

There's always talk around the office about starting a band. Bobby unquestionably on the drums, Molly with a good handle on the bass and Julie on the mic, I've always felt the need to make some sort of instrumental offering. I can play a bit on the guitar and piano but I'm by no means a master.  So, when I saw the frog percussion instrument for precisely $20, I also saw my ticket into the band. Made entirely from hollowed wood, these percussion instruments give you double the bang for your buck; beautiful frog statue and xylophone like sound effects. Available in a multitude of colors and sizes, these frogs are your ticket to fame right on the festival grounds.

There's a lot of stuff on sale at Summerfest this year -- like every year -- and it all has one thing in common: I don't want any of it. But kids love festival tchotchkes, so I'll indulge their fleeting merch whims by bringing home a Spiderman for one and a baby blue horse with a long, flowing green, white and black mane and tail.

Andy Tarnoff
Publisher
Pick: Hilarious drinking T-shirt

Life is too short to not buy ridiculously ironic T-shirts, but as my closet is filled to the brim with them, I have to pick and choose very carefully when I snag one. Last year, I wandered around the grounds forever trying to find a trinket for $20 (I ultimately settled on a wooden picture frame).  This year, my pick hit me right away: a blue T-shirt with an illustration of a proud-looking Great Dane and a caption that reads, "Drink Up Bitches!" It's perfect for so many reasons, really.  Summerfest is a festival designed for boozing (and I guess some music, too), so an ironic drinking shirt is most appropriate to wear here.  Also, I like calling my friends "bitches" on occasion.  And finally, Summerfest is the kind of place in which a group can get stuck forever, unable to leave, sucked into that magical vortex we call the Big Gig.  This shirt says it all.

Of course, the shirt is on sale right now for $14.99, so I'm breaking our own rules for this article.  But hey, I own OnMilwaukee.com, and need to be a good corporate steward in these tough economic times. I'm sure our investors will be pleased to know that I saved the company $5.  You're welcome, bitches.