From the first look of things as the gates opened on the first day of Summerfest in Milwaukee at noon today, patrons might want to prepare to stand in line to get in longer than they had in previous years.
In the aftermath of the bombing at the Boston Marathon, Summerfest has enacted tighter security checks. Guards are using a wooden box system to limit the size of carry-in bags.
General guideline for ladies: If you must bring a purse, bring the smallest one you have.
Morning showers subsided just in time for the gates to open today, although another band of light precipitation appears to be moving in from the west on the radar later this afternoon.
The Milwaukee band Violent Femmes will reunite for a concert on the opening night at the Marcus Amphitheater.
Wireless phone and Internet customers of AT&T may notice an enhanced level of service at the Summerfest grounds today. AT&T powered up its new 4G LTE-capable Distributed Antenna System (DAS) at Summerfest for the first time Monday.
“We want our customers to have a great network experience wherever they are, no matter what they’re doing – whether that’s making a call, checking email, downloading apps or surfing the Internet,” said Scott VanderSanden, president of AT&T Wisconsin. “We’re committed to our investment in the local wireless network, and providing enhanced wireless coverage at the Milwaukee festival grounds is just one way that we’re investing in Wisconsin.”
Johnson Controls Inc. will showcase some of its latest, greatest technologies at the new Johnson Controls World Sound Stage at Summerfest.
Provided the rain is minimal this afternoon, the first day will conclude with the annual Big Bang Fireworks display, which also will be broadcast in high definition on WISN-Channel 12, a media partner of BizTimes.
For a roundup of what’s new at Summerfest this year, click here.
For ongoing coverage of the concerts and events at Summerfest visit OnMilwaukee.com, a media partner of BizTimes.
Steve Jagler is executive editor of BizTimes.
