For the first time in the history of the annual festival, Summerfest 2011 will begin on Wednesday, June 29 and will be closed on Monday, July 4. Which, according to John Boler, vice president of sales and marketing for Summerfest, is one of many changes to this year’s festival.
“We’re really excited about this year’s event,” said John Boler, vice president of sales and marketing for Summerfest. “We have one of the biggest celebrations the festival has ever experienced planned for Wednesday night. We’ve got custom fireworks and a finale that will be ten times larger than any of our previous shows.”
Summerfest is also currently completing the first phase of a 22-acre expansion of the south end of the festival grounds and will also host a 10K, half-marathon race during this year’s festival as well, Boler said.
“The south end now features a new photo opportunity with a giant Summerfest sign as well as a new box office,” Boler said. “The new Briggs and Stratton Big Back Yard stage will anchor the remodel of the south gate as well.”
According to Boler, the Brigg’s and Stratton stage will feature additional green areas and a three-unit food and beverage stand.
“It’s really going to be first class,” Boler said. “It really was time for us to reinvent Summerfest along with the future of Henry Maier Festival park.”
The development will also allow additional parking near the south end of the Summerfest grounds, Boler said.
The last day of Summerfest will feature the Rock and Sole 10K, half-marathon race over the Hoan Bridge. According to Boler, nearly 6,000 people from 44 different states and six different countries are represented in the race.
“It truly is going to be a world class event,” Boler said. “We’re excited to conclude our world class festival with this type of event.”
Registration for the race is still open. Participants will receive free admission to Summerfest on the day of the race as well as an extra ticket for another day of the festival, Boler said.
