MilwaukeeÂ's Summerfest to Feature Kelly Clarkson, Rascal Flatts and More

Milwaukee's Summerfest happens June 27 – July 1 and July 3 – 8, 2012. Following its 1968 debut, Summerfest has evolved into what is now recognized as "The World's Largest Music Festival" and Milwaukee's cornerstone summer celebration, bringing entertainers, artists and approximately 900,000 people from Milwaukee and around the world together each summer. This unforgettable live music experience features over 700 bands, 11 stages, food and beverages and interactive activities, all in a festival setting.

The music festival takes place at Henry Maier Festival Park, a 75-acre permanent setting on Milwaukee's beautiful downtown Lake Michigan shoreline. Summerfest offers something for all musical tastes, including over 700 performances by today's hottest national touring acts and emerging talent and everything in between. On any given day, attendees can enjoy national alternative rock, country, R&B, Top 40, Hip Hop, Reggae headliners and more.

In 2012, the Marcus Amphitheater will rock with performances from Rascal Flatts with special guests Little Big Town, Eli Young Band and Eden's Edge, Foo Fighters with special guest Silversun Pickups, Train and Kelly Clarkson with special guest Brett Dennen, Lady Antebellum with Darius Rucker and special guest Thompson Square, The Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour, Ti?sto with special guests Steve Aoki, Zedd, Rehab, Tommy Trash and Pierce Fulton, Iron Maiden with special guest Alice Cooper, Zac Brown Band with special guest Blackberry Smoke and Sonia Leigh, Big Time Rush with special guests Cody Simpson and Rachel Crow, Aerosmith with special guest Cheap Trick and Neil Diamond.

Also known as "The BIG GIG", Summerfest will host Grounds Stage Headliners including: Steve Miller Band, The Avett Brothers, Common, Cake, Scorpions, Lupe Fiasco, Gary Clark Jr., The Head and the Heart, Robyn, Eric Benet, Phil Vassar, AWOLNATION, Brantley Gilbert, Tito Rojas, Gavin DeGraw, Atmosphere, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Halestorm, MUTEMATH , Fitz & the Tantrums, The Joy Formidable, La India, Anthony Hamilton, ZZ Top, Kool & the Gang, Chicago, Ben Folds Five , The Roots, Paul Oakenfold, David Gray, Thievery Corporation, 311, Burton Cummings, Young The Giant, O.A.R., Heartless Bastards, Phantom, Rocker & Slick, The Hives, Fountains of Wayne and The Country Throwdown Tour featuring Gary Allan, Rodney Atkins, Josh Thompson and Sunny Sweeney. A complete lineup can be found at Summerfest.com; all performers and show times are subject to change.

There's more than just great music at Summerfest! Families and kids can enjoy interactive exhibits and displays, children's performers and attractions, professional sports demonstrations, comedy acts, video and technology pavilions and shopping at four extensive marketplaces. The grounds also host over 40 different food and beverage vendors, offering a wide variety of delectable cuisine. Recognized as a destination event within the music and travel industries, the event regularly garners international media attention.

Festival producer, Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. is currently renovating approximately 22-acres of the 75-acre site, Henry Maier Festival Park, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, with a 2-phased $35 million construction project. Phase One of the redevelopment project features a new Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard, South Gate and Box Office, as well as new food and beverage buildings and restrooms that were completed for Summerfest 2011. Phase Two of the project will include a brand new 10,000 capacity covered music venue on the waterfront, the BMO Harris Pavilion as well as food and beverage buildings, restrooms and unique lakeshore amenities for festival-goers.

More Articles by This Author...