They come from near and far to what is billed as the world’s largest music festival.
“It’s the music it’s the food it’s the whole package. It’s the beer it’s the people watching its Milwaukee," said Tom Ewald.
Summerfest draws big name acts and local talent.
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If your taste buds are up for something adventurous Summerfest is the place to try something new.
As fan's have the chance to experience the next 10 days of the event, security is being increased throughout the festival park and the area. Milwaukee Police's horse and bike patrol lined city streets Wednesday night. The Milwaukee County Sheriff Department's mobile command centers were deployed, as authorities from multiple branches of government deployed throughout the city.
Every person who steps through the gate at Summerfest now has to walk through a metal detector first.
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"Especially what's just happened in Istanbul I don't mind them checking. I do not mind that at all," said Michael Chamberlain of Madison.
It's the first year for the walk-thru detectors. A couple who's been coming to Summerfest for 31 years says it's also a first for this longer lines.
"I don't remember ever standing out that far," explained Chamberlain.
"Even though the lines are longer, I think it's going just as fast as long as you don't have to have everybody who has to take everything out of their purse, everything out of their bag and pat everybody down," said Chamberlain.
Some ticket holders didn't seem to mind the wait.
"It's not an issue. I go to Lollapalooza every year and it's so much worse there. This isn't bad at all," explained Connor Cook of Chicago.
Some say the metal detectors add a sense of security.
"I really liked the metal detectors cause it's kind of like an airport I guess how like they check everything in every purse and the metal detectors go over you so I really like that," said Ashley Martyniak of Brookfield.
The director of Summerfest security says he doesn't plan to make any changes and considers day one with heightened security a success.
"We had metal detectors in the past few years, but they were handheld metal detectors it was more random. This way we're catching everyone that comes in," explained Bill Wesley, Director of Security.
Summerfest kicked off at noon on Wednesday.
"Excitement is at an all-time high," said Summerfest CEO Don Smiley.
He said each Summerfest takes roughly a year to plan, citing the need to arrange music acts, other activities and vendors well in advance.
Of course, alterations can be made as the Big Gig approaches.
"It's kind of like a jazz ensemble," Smiley said. "There's a lot of rhythms coming together and we have to improvise as we get close to the opening."
A full list of the performers at this year's Summerfest is available here.
Pancheri said Summerfest 2016 features several new food vendors -- including Chubby's Cheesesteaks, Divino Wine and Dine, Uncle Jeff's Kettle Corn and The Lakeside Supper Club.
Julie Baker, with U.S. Cellular, said the company is providing free charging stations for cell phones around the grounds.
"Everybody's on their phone taking selfies, updating social media and so your battery does wind down quite a bit," Baker said. "From a safety perspective, we want to make sure you can stay connected to your friends and family."
Summerfest runs through July 10. It's closed on the Fourth of July holiday.
SUMMERFEST LINKS
