PrideFest

A fun colorful celebration, I’m happy to live in the century that Gay-​Americans have joined parity with other ethnic groups festing on the Lakefront. I was a little disappointed in the food situation. If I’m given to understand correctly, gay men have a significant role in putting on this party, how come it’s not catered better? Still, the music is great, the venue is Summerfest (one of the best things about Milwaukee really), and mood is appropriately over the top.

My first time at PrideFest was *gulp* 18 years ago. I was a 16 year old, fairly sheltered, suburban girl and the outpouring of love and support blew me away. It makes me smile to see that same level of positive energy year after year.
First off, Pride is all volunteer run and they should get extra stars for that. The fact that they can pull of a huge festival and get the acts they get without any paid staff is amazing.
It’s amazing seeing how Pride has evolved into an event that caters to families with young kids, the bar/​club scene, teenagers/​young adults w/​alternative styles looking to be accepted, festival crowd, etc.
Here are my favorite things about Pride:
1. Great energy
2. Great acts
3. Free water
4. You can get cocktails as well as beer
5. It’s the first festival of the season so it marks the beginning of summer for me
6. Good food options
Why can’t Summerfest and other festivals embrace 3&4. (Note: the «martinis» don’t count)

To me, Pridefest is much like the other festivals at the Summerfest grounds: loud music, ridiculously priced tickets, smoking all around, and outrageously priced bad food. Of course, I am an ally of the LGBTQ community and have no problem seeing two men make out ferociously during fireworks. I didn’t stare. I usually have an aversion to excessive PDA, but I have to admit that it was fantastic to see two people who felt safe in public to express themselves without fear of judgement or harassment.
Pridefest during the day and at night are very different scenes. While some crazy (and not in the fun way) parents brought their kids to evening Pridefest, I really wouldn’t recommend it. All ludity and partial nudity aside, it is just a really loud and really boring place for kids after sundown. Pridefest daytime is actually pretty cool — a tent on the history of the LGBTQ movement and struggles in the US and Milwaukee specifically, bouncy castles, kid’s entertainment, etc. Very very family oriented. Pridefest night time is like any other festival with the drinking and partying. But more people wear outrageous clothes (or very little clothing). I’m not a huge nightime fan because I’m just not into loud music, $ 9 beer, or smoking.
There is one thing that really sets Pridefest apart from other festivals. Sure, the music and food are the same as any generic festival. What sets Pridefest apart is that for three days in June, a lot of people who are members or allies of the LGBTQ community get together and express their acceptance of one another. I really felt the community there and the sense of unity, and there’s nothing else quite like it in Milwaukee.
So in sum, if you have kids go during the day. If you are a party animal, go at night without kids. And only go if you are an ally, Pridefest is a safe place for people to be themselves, no bullies should be allowed.
Why 4 stars then? Because the prices are ridiculous. $ 16 admission. Greasy fries. Give me a break.

In the words of jerry seinfeld: «I’m not gay… Not that there’s anything wrong with that! But I’m not.» :)…well, I’m not, but I do wind up at pridefest often enough. It’s one of the few festivals at the Henry maier grounds I really enjoy. It’s less crowded than sumerfest, so u can relax and enjoy urself more. They generally have pretty good headliners performing for free. This year they had belinda carlisle, Taylor dayne and Dave aude.
The dj area is always a really fun dance party — great music, and unlike summerfest– everyone here is dancing! They have a lot of different food and drink vendors and a good selection of shopping too.
Those protesters at the front gates telling everyone they are going to hell need to consider a second job (or two).

P R I D E ! ! ! ! ! Milwaukee definitely knows how to show it!
When first entering, it was a little disturbing to see people handing out flyers and asking me if I really knew where I was going after I die (meaning, I guess I’m supposed to go to Hell), but directly after them were people peacefully holding trashbags and signs requesting that any hate literature can be thrown away there and that we are all loved. Thank you [graciously smiling]!!
The venue itself is a wonderful size (much better than the cramped space we have here in Chicago). There’s multiple stages that show various shows, performances, and anything else you can think of. The main stage for the main performances has so much room that no matter where you you stand/​sit, not only do you feel like you can stretch your armpits (yes, I need to do that every once in awhile), but you always have a great view of the stage!
The main con (not directly related to Pridefest) is the cab drivers. Do not trust them!!! I think they thought we were from a small town. Little do they know me [insert angry face]. It’s okay though, take advantage of the free trolley, city shuttle, or hotel shuttles that come that way to avoid the scheming cab drivers.
With tons of shopping, different types of eateries, places to buy all kinds of drinks, there was a plethora of love, pride, and a feeling of home contained within the grounds.
Thanks Milwaukee for a fabulous time! I’ll be seeing you next year!

Pridefest is so generic. It really doesn’t feture much that is gay related. The five top acts happen to be all women and to my knowledge straight. The gay history tent is a joke and very amateurish. Equality? Yeah if you have the 75 – 100 bucks to get reserved seating for the acts. The rest of us have to fight to get a decent seat at the concerts. Power to the rich.

Lots of shopping, great music, and a very fun, open atmosphere where you can just enjoy yourself and have a good time. I also love that it’s less crowded than summerfest, which means I can actually enjoy the festival grounds without being crushed by a never ending crowd.

What can be more fun than going to Pridefest and getting yelled as and called a sinner as one enters the gates? Love the atmosphere. Great shopping and if you bring kids, they can really play on the play structure without the Summerfest crowds. The entertainment is always top notch. Cant wait to attend this year.