Summerfest 2021 has been pushed back to September, festival operator Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. announced Tuesday.
The festival, originally scheduled for June, is now planned for three consecutive weekends: Sept. 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18. Postponing the event by three months gives more time for the general public to get vaccinated, MWF said in its announcement.
“While the progress made through the vaccine rollout is encouraging, we believe it is in the public’s best interest to hold the festival in September to give government leaders and health care organizations enough time to distribute the vaccine,” said Don Smiley, president and chief executive officer of MWF. “We will continue to work diligently with civic officials and health care professionals as we prepare to welcome artists, fans, employees, vendors and sponsorship partners this summer. Our team is excited to get back to what we do best, as soon as possible.”
Summerfest organizers are working to reschedule American Family Insurance Amphitheater concerts for the new dates, MWF said.
When Henry Maier Festival Park reopens for the music festival, it will feature three new amenities: the new $51.3 million American Family Insurance Amphitheater, the new Northwestern Mutual Community Park and the new Generac Power Stage. Those capital projects will be completed by June and could open before Summerfest, MWF said.
The festival was canceled in 2020 for the first time in its 53-year history due to COVID-19, after MWF initially rescheduled it from its usual late June/early July dates to September.
Last week, PrideFest organizers announced they have canceled the festival that was scheduled at the Summerfest grounds in June, with the possibility of holding the event later this year.
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