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Photos: Summerfest Reopens For First Time Since 2019

The Multi-Day Festival Resumed After COVID-19 Caused Its Cancellation In 2020

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Lights from a stage illuminate the dark sky. The silhouette of an attendee with arms extended can be seen in front of the lights.
A fan lifts his arms as Jai Wolf performs a DJ set Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, during Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR

Summerfest is being held later than usual and with some requirements to protect attendees from COVID-19, but it is back.

Usually held at the end of June into the beginning of July, the September dates are a change for Summerfest regulars. Attendees also need to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative test to enter.

Julie Geiger-Schutz was at the festival early to hear Robert Randolph and the Family Band perform.

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“I love that they checked everybody at the door for their vaccination cards. I feel a lot better about it because of that,” she said.

After a fireworks display, REO Speedwagon performed to a packed crowd in the BMO Harris Pavilion.

Lead vocalist Kevin Cronin voiced his enthusiasm for performing in person once again.

“Man, we missed y’all last year, but we’re back, baby,” he said to the crowd.

Attendees walk by picnic tables near Lake Michigan.
People drink beer as they walk across Henry Maier Festival Park during Summerfest on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
A musician leans forward and looks intensely at the crowd during a performance.
KennyHoopla performs on the Generac Power Stage on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
A crowd behind a patrician raises their arms during a performance.
Fans react to a KennyHoopla set Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
The red and white Summerfest logo can be seen behind attendees walking the grounds.
People drink beer as they walk between concert sets at Summerfest on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
Attendees play a game inside of large inflatable balls.
People play KnockerBall on the Summerfest grounds Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
Two people stand up to dance and film with a phone during a music set.
Julie Geiger-Schutz and Brent Schutz of Fountain City, Wis., dance during a performance by Robert Randolph and the Family Band on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
Four people can be seen from below riding the SkyGlider.
Attendees ride the SkyGlider at Summerfest on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
A woman's purse is checked by a security worker as she walks through metal detectors.
Guests are checked by security before entering Summerfest on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wis. Proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative test was required for entry. Angela Major/WPR
Smoke fills the air as a man prepares chicken on a large, flat grill.
Food is prepared for Summerfest attendees Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
A sea of attendees walk on the grounds. The colorful SkyGlider is seen behind them.
Summerfest attendees walk across Henry Maier Festival Park on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
A man and a woman sit in a green SkyGlider seat as they coast above the crowd below.
Summerfest attendees ride on the SkyGlider on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
A crowd is seen from above.
Summerfest attendees walk across Henry Maier Festival Park on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
A woman receives a bucket of popcorn from a booth.
As the sun begins to set, Summerfest attendees wait in line for popcorn Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
Yellow light from the festival is reflected in the water at night.
Light from Summerfest reflects in Lake Michigan on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
Light from a booth reflects on attendees as they walk the grounds at night.
Summerfest attendees walk across Henry Maier Festival Park on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
Blue and purple light catches the smoke surrounding a DJ as he plays a set.
Jai Wolf performs a DJ set Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
Blue light illuminates fans as they dance to electronic dance music.
Fans dance during Jai Wolf’s DJ set Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
A father and daughter sit on a bench as they eat shaved ice.
Lewis Acevedo and his 7-year-old daughter Shannel eat a snack before watching the fireworks Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
Green fireworks explode in the sky as a couple watches from the ground.
Summerfest attendees watch fireworks Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
REO Speedwagon performs on stage.
REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin, right, and Bruce Hall, left, perform Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, during Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
REO Speedwagon performs on stage.
Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon speaks to the crowd during the band’s set Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
T-Pain points at the crowd during his performance.
T-Pain performs at Summerfest on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
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