2009 Summerfest review

Millhouse — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:59:40 GMT

I have gone to every Summerfest since 1991 with the exception of last summer. Last summer I didn't for for 2 reasons:

1.) There were not really any bands I was dying to see 2.) The Ozaukee Flyer was not in walking distance of my house anymore.

This year there are a few bands I wanted to see. So we went on the first Saturday -- generally the busiest day. Much to my suprise it was not that crowded, granted it was raining for about an hour, but it has rained in previous years where it was twice as packed.

I learned some shocking things when I went down there:

1.Food prices went up The Burger I routinely ordered from Major Goolsby's was $5.50 in 2007 up to $8 in 2009.

2. I felt like I was at the airport when I entered the grounds, God forbid someone should want to bring in a small flask to mix with their soda to avoid paying the outrageous beer prices.

3.The Amusement Rides are gone!!!!

4. The Buses going down were not nearly as full, which brings me to my point.

In previous years I would get on the Ozaukee flyer in Port Washington and it didn't matter what time of day it was the seats were 3/4 full after boarding the first stop by the second stop at the Grafton Park and Ride the Bus was usually full if you were on the first bus, the 3rd stop was Cedarburg if there was still room and it was usually standing room only.

This year we drove to the Saukville Park and Ride getting in and out of the Parking lot was a debacle. you Had to Navigate around the Parked bus and then find somewhere to park, Being summer part of Wal-Mart's lot was used for the Garden section another was being occupied by a Fireworks tent and the rest was being used by Wall-Mart customers and the employees. Target was just as busy. these lot's are meant for the Business parking and not park and Ride parking.

The new stops being used also are further way from the freeway and the time it took to get on and off was dramatically longer than years past. On the Saturday 7pm. Bus the seats were 90% full and no one was standing in the isles after boarding the last stop before heading to Summerfest. This generally the busiest Bus of the day due to patrons wanting to go see the headliner.

My explanation for the lower ridership is due to the change in its pick up areas.

In past years the pick up stops catered to these communities.

Port park and Ride-Port Washington, Fredonia, Cedar Grove and Belgium

Grafton Park and Ride-Grafton/Saukville and Port Washington south side

Cedarburg Park and Ride- Cedarburg, Mequon and Thiesville

I believe reducing to 2 stops was done to "Try" to save money, but in my opinion it is steering people away who would normally take the Ozaukee County shuttle either by driving down , taking a free shuttle from a Bar or just not attending Summerfest, either way it takes away money from the Ozaukee County Transit System.

Summerfest is one of my favorite events of summer, but just because it is in Milwaukee doesn't mean that Ozaukee Co. should have less public transit opportunities than those in Milwaukee, In the end Summerfest loses money making it more expensive to all.

I hope this opens some eyes up to those who make the decision regarding the Ozaukee co. Flyer. I am certain that if nest year they go to the 3 stops they used up till 2007 attendance will go right back up

Please put the smile back in Summerfest.

Blog entries for Millhouse

2009 Summerfest review