Summerfest
Summer Fest
By Julia Lutz
Every year people look forward to summer, whether it’s being able to walk outside without a jacket or being able to go the beach. Lucky for Wisconsin we have something even better; Summer Fest. Summer Fest in an annual summer music festival that is held right on the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee. Head liners such as Lady Gaga, Bruno Marz, and Dave Mathews Band are playing there this summer. Music isn’t the only thing Summer Fest is good for though.
Summer Fest has been bringing in about $181.3 Million annually. That includes foods, tickets, bus rides down, ect. Summer Fest continually growing and fast; last summer it made over 187 million, an increase of about 6 million dollars.
Having “The Largest Music Festival in the world” in our own back yard, (taking up over 78acres), we attract a lot of tourist which gives Milwaukee a chance to self promote the city. The city draws over 850,000 people each year, making the economy circuit flow fast in that two week span.
Not everyone agrees with the high spirits of Summer Fest though. Writer Bruce Murphy writes in his article “The Arrogance of Summer Fest” that “Summer Fest executive director Don Smiley has ballooned from $280,000 in 2005 to $772, 575 in 2011. That is completely out of line with salaries paid in the past to Summer Fest directors.”
Later in the article he argues saying that Smiley gets over paid. That though this is a private business would sponsors and donators still contribute if they knew the amount that he still makes.
Later in the article he argues saying that Smiley gets over paid. That though this is a private business would sponsors and donators still contribute if they knew the amount that he still makes.
I say the answer is yes. The demand for Summer Fest is so high, if the sponsors backed out they would lose too much business. Summer Fest is one of those places where the small business can self promote themselves. The food stands and shopping venues get a chance to get their name out there and have people fall in love with their products.
Summer Fest also brings so many people in each year that their ticket prices are very elastic. Raising the entry fee from one dollar to 18 won’t stop people from going for good food, and better music experience.
Same goes for the food and drinks, the overpriced food won’t stop people from buying it, the quality food and it being the middle of summer, people are going to need to buy the overpriced drinks and food and not think twice about it.
For Summer Fest 2014 it is expected that they raise the beer price by fifty cents. Even with the slight increase in prices they are still expected to make over four million dollars even after expenses this coming summer. With Summer Fest growing and a steady fast pace rate, the board has also approved projects improving the grounds and especially the Amphitheater. With all of the steady income Summer Fest brings in, they worry of losing money with repairs isn’t even in the air.
Overall Summer Fest is a huge economical reliance for the city of Milwaukee. It brings tourism, creates job, and a place to enjoy the lake front. Summer Fest increase in income each year allows it to grow and become better than the next which makes it that much more enjoyable every year.
Works cited
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