PANTHERFEST is over – until next year

More than 8,000 arrived at the Marcus Amphitheater Friday night for UWM’s biggest event of the year: PANTHERFEST.

More than 10,000 tickets were distributed in the days leading up to PANTHERFEST 2008, leading to a bump in attendance of more than 1,000 from last year’s event. A small crowd had gathered at the Marcus Amphitheater gates by noon Friday in anticipation of headlining performances by Lupe Fiasco and Jack’s Mannequin.

“You should know, we’ve signed a contract for five more years,” UWM Chancellor Carlos E. Santiago told a screaming crowd made up of UWM students, as well as faculty, staff and alumni, moments before hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco took the stage.

Five more years of PANTHERFEST is a good thing as far as UWM freshman Tsering Nangyar is concerned. “You guys got to do this again,” he encouraged event organizers as he and a group of friends took photos in front of the Amphitheater, and then jumped on a shuttle back to campus.

“I’m looking at this as a little reward for working hard the last year,” said art education major Jessica Misher. “I did get to see a Lupe Fiasco concert for free, so I’m thinking maybe I should study a little harder – this is an incentive to get the year started right. That’s one way to look at it.”

PANTHERFEST tickets were free for members of the UWM community, but others, including students at other Milwaukee colleges and universities, could purchase tickets for the evening’s festivities.

Marquette University senior Susan Angel was at the Amphitheater to see Jack’s Mannequin, the alt/rock piano band that was Friday’s second headliner. Also in the audience: her sister, a UWM sophomore.

“Not only does this get the attention of UWM students, but at Marquette people pay attention to who’s playing,” Angel said.

Art education major Mackenzie Smith also came out to see Jack’s Mannequin, but was intrigued by the evening’s two-genre format and ended up watching both performances.

“I’m not that into rap,” she said, “but Jack’s Mannequin and Lupe Fiasco at one event is good variety.”

The music might have been the biggest draw for PANTHERFEST attendees, but it wasn’t the only reason to turn up at the Marcus Amphitheater Friday night. In fact, many UWM students didn’t just turn up, they also dressed for the occasion in PANTHERFEST tee shirts and other UWM gear.

One lucky student will be showing off his or her Panther pride for free this school year, thanks to the PANTHERFEST prize drawing. Students had several days to sign up for a chance to win one year of free tuition, textbooks from the UWM bookstore, a one-year supply of Chipotle burritos, the Pulse Smartpen and other prizes. The prizes were awarded after a fireworks display, before Jack’s Mannequin took the stage.

In the hours leading up to the Amphitheater shows, an obstacle course, the Euro Bungee, salsa lessons and sports demonstrations, palm readings and other free activities kept the crowds busy.

“You’re here to have fun, you’re here study, but we’re also here to enjoy a great city,” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett told the crowd.