Was Summerfest everything I was told it would be?

Yes and no. 

Let me explain. You know that I am not originally from Wisconsin, so when I started college I constantly heard stories about Summerfest from friends who you native Wisconsinites. I had never been able to go since I was always working and there was no possible way to miss work and drive back to Wisconsin when I would be in about another month for school anyway. I thought it was so cool that this town hosted such a large festival with amazing artists! 

So this summer when I knew I would be able to go I was pretty excited. I had heard funny stories of the people of the bus or on the grounds, how beautiful it was by the lake, and how cool it was to see some of your favorite bands for cheap. Then, I  heard about getting free tickets and that I could get a corndog while walking by the lake-I was sold! My trip home ended up coinciding with most of the Summerfest days, but I could at least go Friday and Saturday night to see Huey Lewis & the News as well as Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. 

I was ready...or at least I thought. 

Round 1 - You can just tell the ominous clouds were about to roll in! 

Friday came around and I could tell that I was still absolutely exhausted from all of the recent traveling and full work days. I kept pushing through, but then BAM it took me an hour to drive home because traffic was absolutely terrible (and I may have gotten a little lost). I freshened up my makeup while angry and my boyfriend and I got down to Summerfest. I was amazed at how nice everything was - the weather, the grounds, the smells of good food! And then there was smoke everywhere and I got pushed around a few times in some of the busier spots. We were walking around and then it starts to downpour. We got to the BMO Harris stage where Huey Lewis would play later that night and we thought we were in the clear. A ton of people crowded in under the roof and the band sounded amazing. But then the slats in the roof and the blustering wind starting pushing some of the rain inside, so we were still getting wet! By this point I was cold and wet, not to mention the tiredness I had already been feeling all day, and I was not ready to wait another three hours. I was angry for how I was feeling because I wanted to enjoy this "Summerfest experience" everyone seemed to be talking about. At that point, I did not see what was so great about the music festival that was in its 50th year. The corndog was amazing and the lake was pretty until the cold rain came, but I had had enough. My boyfriend and I finally decided to go home because there was no way I could wait much longer with how cold I felt. Luckily a slice of cheesecake cheered us both up before heading home on the bus. At least the guys that were riding the bus at that time were pretty funny! 

Round 2 ❤

Saturday came along and I wasn't so sure about giving the festival another go-round. I checked the weather all day and there was no rain in the forecast so I decided to embrace Summerfest once again - after all, I had heard so many great stories so I knew what I had experienced the night before had to just be a fluke. The weather was beautiful and then I got to meet some of my boyfriend's friends while chowing down on yet another corndog! The evening was going to take a turn and I was very grateful. I knew that I had been in a foul mood the night before and I wanted to make it up to my boyfriend as well as actually enjoy myself. The bands on the Uline stage were great and I was ready for Andrew McMahon (even though I only knew two songs). With a full stomach, warm weather, and much better sleep, I was in a great mood. Andrew put on an amazing show and I am so glad I went! The energy in the crowd was amazing and I loved every part of it! We were in a sweet spot section - far enough away from the speakers so they didn't hurt the ears, close enough to the main action, and high enough up that I could do some serious people watching. Hopefully, I burned off a few of the calories by dancing from some of that amaaazing food! 

Summerfest was not exactly what I expected. There were functioning toilets with paper, thousands of people, awesome food and more. All the bands I had the pleasure of hearing were great - who knew so many sounds existed! I'm grateful I decided it was probably worth it to try again the second night. Summerfest was no fun in the rain, but now I have a story I can laugh at about how awful I thought it was at first thinking the only redeemable quality was the food. The first night was a disaster, but I got hooked anyhow and now I am ready for next year!