If you are headed to Summerfest in Milwaukee this summer without an admission ticket in hand, you will have a few options. On your way to the gate, you will likely encounter a number of guys selling admission tickets. While you might get a fairly good deal, you might also get turned away at the gate because the ticket you bought was stolen or counterfit. While it probably won't happen, there is a chance. Remember that your concert ticket for one of the Marcus Amphitheater shows like Tom Petty, Rascal Flatts or John Mayer already gets you in the door for the rest of the festival grounds. No need for another admission ticket if you are seeing an Amphiteater show.
Summerfest.com has listed the following promotions for this year, each offering fest-goers an opportunity at discounted
Summerfest tickets. Each deal, unless otherwise noted runs from noon until the promotion runs out or 3p, whichever comes first. My experience has been that you really need to be there right at noon, or line up early to take advantage of these deals. Then the trick is, that you have to stick around for awhile to get a handstamp to come back in later in the day. So you end up spending all sorts of cash on food and drink waiting for a hand stamp.
Here is the promotion run down:
Thursday, June 26Johnson Controls Stomp Out Hunger Day (benefitting the Hunger Task Force). Donate three non-perishable food items and receive one free admission ticket.
Friday, June 27Cedar Crest Day. The first 1,500 patrons will receive one free admission ticket at the Mid-Gate promotions booth when they turn in: two pint lids, one quart lid or one 48 oz. lid of Cedar Crest ice cream or sherbet.
Saturday, June 28M&I Classic Rock Rewards Day. Be one of the first 1,000 M&I Bank customers to show a valid M&I Rewards Check Card, Rewards Credit Card or Rewards Equity Card and receive one free admission ticket.
Sunday, June 29Johnson Controls Goes Green at Summerfest Day. The first 1,500 patrons presenting a receipt along with identifiable product packaging of a multi-pack Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb (CFL) will be granted one free admission ticket. The receipts must be dated between June 1 and June 29, 2008, and no copies or handwritten receipts will be accepted.
Monday, June 30Dean's Milk & Ice Cream, Sentry Foods and TODAY'S TMJ4 Children's Fest Day
All patrons arriving between Noon and 3:00 pm will be admitted free! Spend a fun-filled day with the family enjoying free Children's Fest activities including the Map of Fun and Family Ticket Package giveaways at 3:15 pm at the Sentry SportsZone. Select food vendors will offer discounts on food & beverage items. Stop by the Dean's Milk & Ice Cream truck next to the Elizabeth “Bo” Black Children's Fountain and purchase a Dean’s Milk Chug to benefit Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.
Tuesday, July 1Northwestern Mutual Day. 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 $5.00 minimum value will receive one free admission ticket. All items must be new with original tags attached and/or original packaging. All items collected will be used throughout the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin System.
Wednesday, July 2Milwaukee Journal Sentinel PressCard Day. All patrons who present a valid Milwaukee Journal Sentinel PressCard will receive one free admission ticket. One admission per card.
Pick 'n Save / Kimberly-Clark Food Drive Day is Thursday, July 3. Starting June 12, Pick 'n Save customers who purchase three participating Kimberly-Clark products (i.e. Kleenex, Cottenelle, Scott, Huggies Diapers or Pull-Ups) using their Pick 'n Save savings card will receive a checkout values coupon. The first 2,000 customers who show the coupon and donate three non-perishable Roundy's brand items will receive one free admission ticket. No copies of coupons will be accepted. All donations will benefit the Salvation Army.
Thursday, July 3
H.O.G.® Day will also take place on . Patrons will receive one free admission ticket when presenting a valid H.O.G.® (Harley Owners Group®) card at the tent located on the northwest corner of Chicago Street and Harbor Drive. One admission per card.
Friday, July 4 is Malt-O-Meal Day. The first 1,500 patrons will receive one free admission ticket when presenting an original receipt from any Wisconsin grocer that specifies the purchase of any two Malt-O-Meal Bag Cereals 6 oz. or larger. Receipt must be dated between June 26 and July 4, 2008. No copies or handwritten receipts will be accepted.
Saturday, July 5CBS 58 Milwaukee / MDA Day. The first 1,500 patrons contributing $5 or more to the Muscular Dystrophy Association will receive one free admission ticket.
Sunday, July 6We Energies Free Admission Day. All patrons attending Summerfest on the final Sunday between Noon and 3:00 pm will receive free admission compliments of We Energies!
DISCOUNT ADMISSION PROMOTIONS:
Monday, June 30 - Thursday, July 3Time Warner Cable's weekday discount promotion. Receive $3 off an $8 weekday admission ticket when presenting your Time Warner Cable Summerfest bill stuffer at any ticket window.
Wednesday, July 2Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Newspaper Coupon Day is . Receive $6 off an $8 weekday admission ticket when showing an original 2008 Summerfest coupon from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel at any Summerfest ticket window.
AND
Wisconsin Lottery Discount Day. Present a non-winning Wisconsin Lottery Summerfest scratch ticket and receive $3 off an $8 weekday admission ticket at any window.
