Milwaukee, Day 1/2

Up here in cheeseland, they do sort of a soft opening on Thursday night. Four of their 16 stages feature music from 5:00 - 10:00 in what the festival organizers call The Grand Hooley. It's a nice idea and very well attended last night...not that you'll see it happen in KC any time soon. We can barely get opn by Friday at 5:00, let alone 24 hours earlier. That's not because we're slackers mind you. But Milwaukee has a leg or two or possibly three up on us in many ways, infrastructure-wise, that make it possible for them.

One, they have no street closures to deal with and all the attendant pains in our arse that come with them. Can't set up that stage until the street's closed. Can't close the street until the city says so. Etc. Two, they have a long list of other things they don't have to set up (or tear down) every year that we do. Fencing. Gates. Main stages. Lights. Sound. Vendor tents. Generators. Bathrooms. Etc. Etc. Etc. The grounds here are just about ideal and wee designed for and are used as festival sites pretty much all summer long. Our grounds are office, retail, residential, park and street space.

If it sounds like I'm jealous, it's because...well, I sort of am. It's an amazing set up. In addition to all the nuts and bolts, bricks and mortar perks, it's a beautiful spot. Where Tommy and I are with his Shamrocker game, we're an underhanded stone's toss from the banks of Lake Michigan. It's lovely.

Now does Milwaukee win in the infrastructure comparison. Not entirely. You want to park anywhere near the fest? Ten bucks, minimum. KC has thousands of free covered, patrolled parking spaces on site. The official fest hotel? At the airport, ride the shuttle. In KC? Stroll from the Hyatt through an air conditioned elevated walkway or pretty much step out your door at the Westin. Giant statue of George Washington on a horse? Not here, buddy.

This is a wonderful set up, and a great festival with a deservedly great reputation. And it's run by some of the nicest, friendliest folks you'll ever meet. It's always a good time here. But all in all...I'll take Cowtown.