summerfest21MILWAUKEE — Summerfest 2014: The Big Gig officially kicked off this week. Summerfest goers are being encouraged to utilize public transportation — due to parking in downtown Milwaukee will be at a premium throughout Summerfest’s 11-day run.  Officials stress that there are several options available to help you get downtown easily and safely.

The Milwaukee County Transit Service (MCTS) offers Freeway Flyer service from nine Park and Ride lots.  The Freeway Flyer service is $6.50 per person, round trip. Children (6-11), seniors (65 and over) and persons with disabilities with proper ID pay $3.00 round trip.  The Freeway Flyer picks up and drops off at the following Park and Ride lots:

1) Timmerman – Timmerman Field at Appleton and N. 96th Street

2) Brown Deer East – Brown Deer Road, west of I-43

3) Holt – Holt Avenue, west of I-94

4) College – College Avenue at I-94 (both lots)

5) Ryan Road – Ryan Road and I-94

6) Whitnall/Hales Corners – I-43, east of S. 108th Street

7) Loomis – Loomis Road, south of Coldspring Road

8) State Fair Park – I-94, S. 76th and W. Kearney

9) Burleigh/Mayfair Collection – North of Burleigh Street, east of U.S. Highway 45 at 114th Street

The Freeway Flyers drop off at Summerfest’s Mid Gate.  Service begins one half-hour before Summerfest begins, and service ends one half-hour after Summerfest ends.  Flyers provide service on weekdays, every half-hour on the hour and half-hour from 11:30 am to 5:00 pm, and every 15 minutes from 5:00 pm to 12:30 am. On Saturdays and Sundays, service is every 15-20 minutes.  Parking at Park and Ride lots is free of charge.  The MCTS Shuttle runs along Wisconsin Avenue. Also, more than 10 regular MCTS routes travel to the downtown area from which riders can connect to a Shuttle.

Fares for the shuttle have been reduced this year, from $3 round-trip to just $1 round-trip.  Children (6-11), seniors (65 and over) and persons with disabilities with proper ID pay $.50 round trip.  The Shuttle operates downtown from 11:30 am to 12:30 am every day during Summerfest and provides service to the North Gate.  Bus service runs every 10 minutes.  Buses operate in both directions along Wisconsin Avenue. Stops are made at all bus stops marked with the Summerfest smile logo.

Marcus Amphitheater headliners are as follows:

Wednesday, June 25th: Bruno Mars with special guest Aloe Blacc

Thursday, June 26th: Lady Gaga with special guest Crayon Pop

Friday, June 27th: Brad Paisley with special guests Darius Rucker and Joel Crouse

Saturday, June 28th: Luke Bryan with special guest Danielle Bradbery

Sunday, June 29th: Outkast with special guest Gary Clark Jr.

SUMMERFEST IS CLOSED MONDAY, JUNE 30TH

Tuesday, July 1st: OneRepublic with special guests Mayer Hawthorne and American Authors

Wednesday, July 2nd: A Very Special Evening with Dave Matthews Band – 7

Thursday, July 3rd: Zac Brown Band with special guest Jared & The Mill – 7

Friday, July 4th: Motley Crue with special guest Alice Cooper

Saturday, July 5th: Fall Out Boy and Paramore with special guest New Politics – 7

Sunday, July 6th: User with special guest Bebe Rexha

*All shows at the Marcus Amphitheater begin at 7:30 p.m. — with the exception of the Dave Matthews show, the Zac Brown Band show and the Paramore and Fall Out Boy Show — which each begin at 7:00 p.m.