Summerfest 2009 Prices

Here's some good news, especially on a cold winter's night:

Summerfest won't raise prices of tickets or beer for 2009

Summerfest will follow the adage that a recession is no time to raise beer prices and keep the charges for suds and tickets the same for the 2009 festival.

Draft beers in 16-ounce cups will be $4.50; 16-ounce bottles of Miller brand products will be $6 and tickets at the gate will be $15.

...Despite a sharp drop in attendance at the 11-day music festival, Milwaukee World Festivals Inc. banked more than $7 million and boosted its operating and capital reserves to more than $18.4 million. The nonprofit corporation that runs Summerfest is working toward building a capital reserve of $25 million for improvements to the south end of the festival grounds.

Uncertain about the economy, the budget for 2009 projects a much-lower profit of $2.3 million, compared with the $7 million in 2008.

The lower projection also recognizes that this year's balance sheet included a large sponsor contribution from Harley-Davidson Inc., which paid for the Harley Roadhouse stage, and the revenue generated by the 105th anniversary party on the Summerfest grounds.

Figures released on Friday also show the economic downturn shouldn't carve into the musical offerings at the Big Gig, June 25-July 5.

The budget boosts spending for the ground stage acts to $3.2 million, up 7.8% over the 2008 allocation that brought Pat Benatar, Alejandro Escovedo, Gnarls Barkley, Sevendust, the Alkaline Trio and dozens of other acts to Summerfest.

Another $6.5 million will be spent on talent for the Marcus Amphitheater, including the one show announced to date: George Strait on June 29.

It's always good to hear admission and beer prices won't be going up.

It would be nicer to hear that prices are going down.

Price cuts would be sure to stimulate attendance.