MILWAUKEE — The world’s largest music festival opened the gates on a sunny Thursday afternoon in June along Milwaukee’s lakefront, and the WTMJ news team was there for all the fun of the first day of Summerfest.
Reporter Neil Doyle captured the lines at the gate right before it opened:
The gates are officially open at @Summerfest! Tune into @620wtmj for coverage today! pic.twitter.com/APv0qcP3GX
— 620 WTMJ (@620wtmj) June 19, 2025
Wisconsin’s Midday News host Greg Matzek started the festival off with nothing but net:
You heard @gmatzek, SUMMERFEST HAS BEGUN! 🎤🥁@Summerfest pic.twitter.com/WLDaStZZBJ
— 620 WTMJ (@620wtmj) June 19, 2025
Greg then joined his co-host Jessica Tighe for some fun photos before heading into the Pella Windows and Doors of Wisconsin Mobile Studio for an abbreviated Wisconsin’s Midday News before Brewers baseball.
Reporters Jessica Gatzow and Elizabeth Lintonen checked out a new activity at this year’s festival: free kayaking in the lagoon bordering Lakeshore State Park.
Sandy Maxx hosted What’s on Tap live starting at 6pm, featuring more reviews of the events on the first day of the festival.
We’re back on air at 6p for What’s On Tap with @sandymaxx!
— 620 WTMJ (@620wtmj) June 19, 2025
LIVE from @Summerfest in the @PellaWisconsin Mobile Studio 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/vMQSqMbz72
In case you missed it, Sandy Maxx gave her ideas of which shows to check out organized by theme along with her annual peek into all the festival has to offer with her Summerfest Soundcheck:
Sandy also joined Wisconsin’s Morning News to answer a Summerfest 5Q along with Erik Bilstad and guest host Telly Hughes:
Reporter Elizabeth Lintonen got a preview of a new immersive art experience on the festival grounds called “Astral Relics of the Great North Woods“.
Reporter Nazir Spencer talked with the company that manages all of the video screens and stages at the festival.
Stay tuned to 620 WTMJ for more Summerfest coverage.
