Summerfest 2008: Opening Day

Police Chief Ed Flynn experienced Summerfest for the first time on Thursday.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Any lingering frustrations from weeks of floods and months of budget-breaking gas prices were drowned readily in beer and music Thursday at the 41st opening day of Summerfest.

All seemed right with the world.

Music and party fans, stripped down to the bare essentials, filled the walkways. Dancers pairing flip-flops and tank tops shimmied to Eric Burdon and the Animals, and the mozzarella sticks were fried into gooey goodness.

Milwaukee’s new police chief, Edward Flynn, was duly impressed with his first view of the Big Gig.

“It clearly seems to be the world’s greatest music festival,” Flynn said, gazing down from atop the new Harley-Davidson VIP pavilion. “It sure is impressive to watch people have a good time.”

Summerfest clearly made a better first impression on Flynn than did RiverSplash, the weekend party on Old World 3rd St. that ended in drunken chaos and a gunshot wound.

“This is much different; centered around music,” the chief said. “Beer and fellowship are in support of something bigger, which is the music. It’s all in proportion.”

Flynn was speaking early in the evening, however, and it appeared Summerfest had tightened security for its 41st edition. Gate-checkers asked attendees to reveal the contents of their pockets and waved metal-detecting wands over those entering the turnstiles — new practices at the lakefront festival.

I can understand why Flynn was impressed. Summerfest is a fantastic event.

I have no problem with increased security at the gates.

I don't see why anyone would be troubled by the new procedures, unless you're trying to smuggle in something that you shouldn't.

The crowd is such an important part of the Summerfest experience.

When people are there to enjoy the music and the food, and when they drink responsibly, it's a great event.

When people get drunk and unruly, when there are too many people jammed on to the grounds, when people don't respect each other, it can be a nightmare. The crowd has to be controlled.

Overall, I think Summerfest does a good job of allowing people the leeway to enjoy themselves with zest while still maintaining order.

I think it would be negligent for Summerfest to not employ some tighter security measures this year, given what happened at RiverSplash. I'm really hoping that Summerfest's image isn't tarnished by thugs -- gang members and wannabes. The festival is a celebration. Thug types interested in bringing their thug behavior inside Summerfest's gates don't deserve to be admitted. Keep them out.

I wasn't there for the Big Bang. I was watching a different spectacular display in the sky.


I don't regret missing the opening day of Summerfest.

I wouldn't trade the quiet beauty of Thursday's sunset for music and eggplant strips and beer and fireworks; but I'll make my annual pilgrimage to Summerfest. I'll get the eggplant. I'll have (really expensive) beer. I'll soak it all in. It wouldn't be summer in Wisconsin without it.