Summerfest's 'Big Gig'

With huge names like Kanye West, Katy Perry, Britney Spears, and Kid Rock set to perform at this year's 'star-studded' Summerfest, the precise countdown to the World's Largest Music Festival can't go fast enough for some fans.

The annual Milwaukee music festival is a magnet for everyone in the music industry, from the tried and true to the absolute new. The hottest artists will often incorporate a Summerfest performance into their tours, and up and coming indie labels will use the opportunity to try and break into the business.

This summer's festival will be packed with both as the feature celebrity performers conquer the 23,000 person Marcus Amphitheater and the tens of lesser known but equally talented artists spread across the surrounding stages.

In addition to music, the festival will sponsor a number of family friendly events like Children's Fest Day and even house a new area, the Kohl's Captivation Station, which will 'feature kid-friendly performances and educational experiences.'

So it's no wonder that excitement cannot be contained as fans wait out the two remaining days until the festival's Wednesday's opening.

The official Facebook page boasts over a hundred thousand fans, a far cry from many other music festivals' thousand or so, and is constantly being updated with the latest free ticket contests and giveaways.

Further perpetuating the eagerness with which fans await performances by Jason Mraz, Sara Bareilles, Toby Keith, and the like are the Summerfest Insider video series, the Naming Contest, and the Commemorative Paver Program.

The Insider videos, or 'social media video clips,' gives viewers an inside look at the planning and programming stages of the 2011 festival, with the more recent ones aimed at keeping 'Fest-goers connected to the latest and greatest Summerfest news, updates and inside information.'

Over the past few weeks, fans have also been voting on a name for the exclusive Summerfest beer, 'the hoppy, yet balanced, India Pale Ale,' by Tenth and Blake Beer Company. The winning name, 'Big Gig IPA,' was officially introduced today.

And for the more sentimental (and those willing to dish out some extra dollars), Summerfest's Commemorative Paver Program allows fans to purchase bricks, inscribe them with personal prayers or messages, and have them take their place at the new Beat Street Plaza.

But it's not just the official Summerfest promoters hyping the anticipation; the online magazine OnMilwaukee put out its annual list of 100 things to do at SummerFest. Tips range from friendly reminders about following the dress code to adhering to the rules and regulations of the festival, as well as remembering to 'bring your own toilet paper,' and romantic suggestions such as, 'Sneak a kiss near the lake.'

Even the Summerfest app for iPhone and Android allows you to personalize your concert schedule, navigate the grounds, and visit the artists webpages. And if this pre-festival fun isn't enough for you, just remember Summerfest begins in two days.