I constantly hear my friends talking about Coachella, Firefly, Governor's Ball, Lollapalooza, Bumbershoot, and any other fun mixture of sounds that doesn't quite sound like a real word, but is probably a music festival. They constantly complain about how expensive and crowded it is, while I just sit back and smile because most of them have never even heard of my gem: Summerfest Music Festival aka "The Largest Music Festival in the World."
1. More Days
The first and most obvious reason is the sheer length of Summerfest. If you simply can't get enough of your 3 day festivals, imagine that experience on steroids… Nonstop music for 11 days! In fact, if you went to Coachella AND Firefly AND Lollapalooza, the combined days of festing would still be less than Summerfest.
Firefly: 4 days of music
Lollapalooza: 3 days of music
Summerfest: 11 days of music
2. More Musicians
Since the festival is so long, there is a LOT of music to cover. So, the bands range a great deal in genre, popularity, and the general vibe. Walking from one stage to the next, I can hear a distinct change in the style of the music and the enthusiastic crowd within a matter of steps. This year, artists included (just to name a few)... Ed Sheeran, Beyonce, The Rolling Stones, Andy Grammer, Walk the Moon, Keith Urban, the Zac Brown Band, Stevie Wonder, Aloe Blacc, Bastille, Timeflies, Lupe Fiasco, and even Paris Hilton as a DJ.
3. More Intimacy with the Artists
Last year, my friends and I showed up an hour or so before Tove Lo's concert and managed to get first row seats. By this time, "Habits" was already at the top of the iTunes chart, but her full album hadn't come out yet. After the concert, we waited by the side of the stage and she decided to come out, take pictures, and sign autographs for all of us. This wasn't a scheduled meet and greet - she was just happy to see all the support from her fans. A few other girls said they spotted her walking around the festival grounds before the concert and already got photos with her then.
4. More Care
By going to Summerfest, you're actually helping a ton of people! 
Almost everyday, there is a promotional offer to allow free admission to the park and promote contributing to the community. For example, festival-goers can present a Goodwill receipt for free admission. On the first Sunday, the first 2,500 guests to donate 3 non-perishable food items get free tickets. And those of us who weren't in the first 2,500 are happy to drop off our donations at the gate - in one day, the festival is guaranteed to raise over 7,500 cans of food for local shelters.
5. Less Money:
Look at how you could go to all 11 days of Summerfest for cheaper than 3 or 4 days of the other festivals:
Coachella: General Admission - $375 (with resale from $550 to $2,000)
Firefly Ticket: $250
Lollapalooza: 1- Day Pass - $110 (or a 3 - day Pass - $275)
Summerfest Ticket: $19 per day (Or $80 for all 11 days)
Summerfest promotions: on most days… FREE
6. More Acts
Besides having family fun activities on specified days, there is almost always Comedy Sports groups, magic shows, and craft activities at the children's theater to allow fun for all ages.
7. Less Hassle and More Ease
Due to the unique schedule, I can pick which days I want to attend to target the musicians I want to see without disrupting my work schedule. Located in downtown Milwaukee, the festival grounds aren't very difficult to get to from the city or a Summerfest bus. The ticket is cheap and bussing back from Summerfest is free - a great, safe alternative for those who shouldn't get behind the wheel after a night of festing.
Coachella: Shuttle to the festival - $80 and the shuttle around the festival - $60
Summerfest: Shuttle to festival - $6.50… Roundtrip.
Unfortunately, you just missed it - it ended on Sunday, July 5th. Those of you who did go can attest to the fact that it is simply wonderful to jam with your favorite bands then sit on the lake for a quiet chat then go right back to the music you love - for 11 days straight! Those of you who didn't even know that Summerfest existed… You're welcome. Yes, Milwaukee and Wisconsin conjure up images of cows, cheese, and beer (all of which can be found at Summerfest), but we also know how to throw a great music festival. It happens to be "The World's Largest Music Festival" but apparently to anyone not from the Midwest, one of our best kept secrets. Now you know too.
