Summerfest Discounts

With so many people struggling financially, discounts for Summerfest admission are becoming a necessity more than a bonus.

Here's information on discounts, from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Wednesday, June 29: Johnson Controls Stomp out Hunger Day with Fox 6. Everyone arriving between noon and 3 p.m. who donates three nonperishable food items will receive one free admission ticket. Donations benefit Hunger Task Force.

Also on June 29: The first 5,000 patrons will receive one Uline Live from Daryl's House (Hall & Oates) Reusable Tote Bag. The giveaway starts at 5 p.m.

Thursday, June 30: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel "Show Your Smile" Day. The first 4,400 patrons who present the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel coupon between noon and 3 p.m. get free admission. The coupon will be available in the Sunday, June 26 newspaper.

Friday, July 1: Miller High Life - Give a Veteran a Piece of the High Life Day. The first 2,000 patrons 21 and older who bring six Miller High Life or Miller High Life Light bottle caps get one free admission ticket.

Also on Friday, July 1: The first 5,000 patrons will receive one U.S. Cellular/Summerfest bandanna starting at 5 p.m.

Saturday, July 2: Goodwill Industries Day. The first 1,500 fest-goers who make a donation to a Goodwill Store & Donation Center between June 1 and July 2, 2011 and bring in their original donation receipt get one free admission ticket from noon until 3 p.m.

Sunday, July 3: Kohl's Family Day. The first 1,500 patrons who donate three nonperishable food items for kids get one free admission ticket. Donations benefit Hunger Task Force.

Tuesday, July 5: Sentry Foods and Dean's Milk & Ice Cream Children's Fest Day with Today's TMJ4. Everyone arriving between noon and 3 p.m. is admitted free. Select food vendors will offer discounts on food and beverage items.

Wednesday, July 6: Klement's Day. The first 1,500 patrons receive one free admission ticket in return for a Klement's product label (8 ounces or larger) and a nonperishable food item.

Also on July 6: The first 5,000 patrons will receive one Hooters/Summerfest cup koozie starting at 5 p.m.

Thursday, July 7: Northwestern Mutual "Make a Child Smile Day" from noon to 3 p.m. The first 1,500 patrons who donate any new, indoor children's toy, art supplies or children's G- or PG-rated DVD movie with a $5 minimum value gets one free admission ticket. All items will be used through the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin system and must be new with original tags attached or original packaging.

Also on July 7: H.O.G. Day from noon to 3 p.m. Present a valid Harley Owners Group card for one free admission ticket. H.O.G. members will have access to the Harley-Davidson Hospitality Deck from 4 to 9 p.m.

Also on July 7: The first 10,000 fest-goers get one coupon valid for a special offer on Brewers tickets starting at 5 p.m.

Friday, July 8: Malt-O-Meal Day from noon to 3 p.m. The first 1,500 patrons receive one free admission ticket in return for an original receipt from any Wisconsin grocer for the purchase of any two Malt-O-Meal Bag Cereals (10 ounces or larger). Receipts must be dated between June 29 and July 8, 2011.

Saturday, July 9: CBS 58 Milwaukee/MDA Day from noon to 3 p.m. The first 1,500 patrons contributing $10 or more to the Muscular Dystrophy Association get one free admission ticket.

Also on July 9: Scout Day. From noon to 3 p.m. all Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast in uniform will get one free admission ticket at the South Gate promotions booth.

Sunday, July 10: Have a NYCE Day! Everyone arriving between noon and 3 p.m. will be admitted free.

Here are Summerfest admission fees, minus the discount promotions:

Gate Admission Tickets

Adults and Children over 10:

Weekday Admission Ticket $8
(valid Tuesday – Friday, prior to 4:00 pm)

General Admission Ticket $15
(valid anytime, including evenings after 4:00 pm and weekends)

Seniors (60 and over):
$3 at all times

Children (10 and under):
$3 at all times

Infants (2 and under):
FREE

$15 after 4:00 PM even on weekdays?

That's not good.

The children's prices used to be 12 and under.

An 11-year-old kid going with the family has to pay an adult admission. That's not good.

The re-entry policy isn't as loose as it used to be either.

Re-entry Policy

Wristbands to leave and re-enter the festival are available at all gate areas from Noon until 6:30 pm daily. Re-entry wristbands will be valid for a single, same day re-entry until 7:00 pm. No re-entry wristbands will be issued after 6:30 pm and there are no re-entries after 7:00 pm.

Remember back when re-entry with a hand stamp was unlimited?

Good times.