[kansasgirle]

We are heading up to Wisconsin for a family wedding and will be in the Milwaukee area over the 4th of July weekend. While doing some searching I came across the Summerfest event in Milwaukee. We found some musical acts that we'd love to see - some that stretch late into the night.

I see on the Summerfest website that they seem to have activities for kids. However I'm wondering if it would be crazy to take all our young ones (6 yrs, 3 yrs, and 16 months) to the event (including a 10pm concert)?? They have been to festival events with us before, but I know that some just aren't suited for kids once the sun goes down.

I also see that they don't allow backpacks or bags. We are a slinging family but what about the essentials like dipes?

I'd appreciate any feedback . . . or suggestions on other activities in Milwaukee or Madison that are family/kid friendly.

G. - Proud Mommy of 3 great kids

 

[spacedog]

Hey!
My family is from Milwaukee so I've been to Summerfest quite a few times.
There ARE some good bands playing this year... we're hoping to go that weekend also!
I'm really excited to go this year. Since its all outdoors the music won't be too loud for her little ears. They do have kids things going on and lots of stuff to look at and have the kids ask you to buy them! LOL
As far as things getting a little rowdy once the sun goes down...it kind of depends on the stage your at and who your seeing....
but yeah people do get pretty wild as the night goes on... but I don't think it gets too 'out of hand'.
I don't know if I'd stay past 9 or 10 with our little one..
Also depending on how you get there, if you drive downtown and park there or if you take a park -n ride kinda thing...
If you park downtown and try to get out at the very end of the night there are lots of crazy people all scrambling to their cars to drunkenly get in a traffic jam and try to get out of downtown. LOL.....

I think your diaper bag would be okay... most places that say no bags seem to waive that rule if you have a baby... how else are you suppose to carry all that ... stuff...

But then again maybe your smuggling in a bottle of wine ! LOL

SOOOO....
Have fun ! Lots of stuff to see and do... I don't want to tell you to NOT to go see some great band you want to! I guess you could always leave if you think its getting to be too much for your kids...
And the Park and Rides...probably your best bet if you plan on staying late..

Maybe someone else will have more info for you... someone whose actually taken a child to summerfest.... I'm just trying to recall things from when I was there... and I was one of those people

: in the traffic jam....

Andrea

P.S
Other things in Milwaukee... The Zoo (although maybe controversial.. kids like zoos) The Botanical Gardens (really neat!)
Also my favorite as a kid ... The Seven Bridges (its in south milwaukee but a really neat place to go for a walk and its on the lake!) pm me if you want directions...

 

[mamalisa]

We took ds last summer, he was 3 and had a great time. I grew up going to the Taste of Chicago and the atmosphere was much frienlier at Summerfest. I didn't really notice many people out of control or acting crazy. We'll go back this year with him, as long as my lazy pregnant self can handle it

 

[darkstar]

We took dd to summerfest last year, she was 2. I brought ear plugs

She was fine. We saw the late show. This year we are going. Renting a suite about 10 miles away, so we can leave and come back later. There is alot of fun stuff to do there for kids, I sure hope it isnt super hot. We are going the 5th and 6th. I cant wait

darkstar

 

[tyedyedeyes]

We're going to try and go as much as possible. Theres so many bands we want to see, and since DH is on first shift for the time being, we'll get to go as a family once he gets off of work and see who we want to see, and then if we want to go back after DS is in bed (cause although he'd stay up for a concert, he'd be awful crabby and want to just play in the lake or run around) we'll decide if we can call in a favor from a friend that owes us a few (all he's gotta do is come over and when DS is in bed he can watch cable, or play on the internet since his computer is broken and he's addicted to "Half-Life") so DH and I can go out and play for a few hours. I took DS last year, and stayed late, no big problems, a little whiny, but not bad, and we took him the year before as well, but he just passed out in the sling when he got tired, so no biggie there. During the day, it's fun with kids...there's a big fountain type thing where kids get to run through and play in it, and there's a big playground that's nice. As far as a concert late into the night, there's not too big of a problem. Yeah, you get the people there that have been drinking since noon and are kinda wobbly, but most everyone is respectful, and just there to have a good time and listen to music. If your kids are able to stand close to you and would enjoy dancin around to the good tunes, you shouldn't have problems. I'd highly suggest taking the bus though...getting out of there at pretty much any time, let alone right around closing time is a B****.

I also didn't have a problem with a diaper bag last year. They're pretty understanding about that type of stuff, or at least they were pretty good last year.

Have fun!

 

[choleblack]

We won't be at summerfest but at Riverfest here in Beloit a few weeks later. I'm really looking forward to it. I think most major fests are pretty good about families and little things like diaper bags. YK, as bad as it sounds, a mom & baby aren't the "type" that the security people are looking for. Have fun.

Chole