"We are ready to go."

So says John Boler, Summerfest's Vice President, for this year's edition of the Big Gig.

"Everyone is pulling together, dotting the I's and crossing the T's," as Boler puts it, not only when it comes to the typical staples like the SkyGlider and the hundreds of musical acts playing the show, but the new features.

Read more of the story below this series of links.

Summerfest Coverage:
• Big Gig "Ready To Go"
• Dan O'Donnell's Music Preview: Day 1
• Don't Leave Valuables Visible at Park-and-Rides
• Milwaukee Bucks' "World's Largest Draft Party" at Summerfest

The Basics:
When? 
• Today through Sunday, July 6, 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
How much? 
• Weekdays before 4:00 p.m.: $8
• Weekdays after 4:00 p.m. and weekends: $15
• Seniors 60+ and children under 10: $3
• Children two and younger: free
• Print instant tickets
• Create Your Concert Itinerary
Getting there:
• MCTS Flyers and Shuttles

New features like buying and printing your tickets for the festival at home, or at the office.

"Summerfest instant tickets basically allows our patrons to buy their tickets online and print them at home, so it saves them time and save them money," explains Boler.

"There are no incremental fees for this service. It is general admission rates, and really, we want to make it convenient and easy for patrons to access Summerfest."

More: Summerfest Instant Tickets

Changes to Summerfest's Look

A few things look different at the festival, especially the stage sponsored by a company celebrating its 105th birthday: the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse and Wayside.

"We've totally renovated that entire area," says Boler. "We took a bulldozer, knocked down the stage, cleaned out the area, took out a couple of buildings and rebuilt this whole area, and it is just gorgeous. The capacity is going from about 5,000 going into the 9,000 area.

Crews also added actual Harley's into the design of the stage, along with a video screen allowing an up-close view for all 9,000 fans who might pack that part of the festival.

And that includes those farthest from the stage.

"We've built a Harley-Davidson Wayside patio on the edge of the water, so that now patrons can enjoy food and beverage right on the water at one of our greatest assets and still feel as if they're part of the Harley-Davidson music experience at Summerfest."

Getting to the Gig

Then, there's the issue of getting there, which is even more challenging than normal with construction of the Marquette Interchange still in effect.

"We are encouraging everybody to look at mass transit options," says Boler. "(MCTS) do such a great job with freeway fliers, the park-and-rides shuttles."

More: MCTS Summerfest Flyers and Shuttles

Additionally, Boler explains that for people that just have to bring their car down, there's a way to guarantee your space close to the festival.

"One other alternative there is for the person who wants to drive down there and park, on Summerfest instant tickets, we have reserved parking as well.

"You can not only buy your ticket at home, but you can buy your parking pass for one of the adjacent lots, Lot P, print that out and bring it down as your parking pass.

"That is a reserved spot, so it really is a new benefit to our patrons to buy parking in advance and know their spot is available for them when they do show up."

More: Summerfest Instant Tickets