Waterfest at Riverside Park — Local services in Oshkosh

Our first experience here was on 7/12/17 for Huey Lewis AND the News. We drove down from Green Bay and got there around 6:30. Parking wasn't super convenient, but we found a free spot about 5 blocks away. I had no concerns about the security, the neighborhood was fine. Entrance was pretty painless. KIDS GET IN FREE WITH ADULT TICKET PURCHASE!!!

There's a large area for the VIP tickets right in front of the stage, the rest is open lawn on a grade. If you're not in VIP, bring chairs. Otherwise, you'll either be sitting lower than everyone with no view, or standing in front of seated people and obstructing their view.

By the time we got there, it was full to about the 80% mark, so we were way back. There weren't any video screens, so you could make out bodies moving around on stage, but no facial features or anything. But the sound was great (I'm a former sound guy, for what it's worth) and the crowd was considerate around us. We had our two younger kids with us and I never had the urge to punch anyone, which is slightly unusual.

They serve soda, beer, and wine on site. Food selection was burgers, brats, pizza, cheese curds and some sort of bread sticks. Reasonable prices, considering they have you held hostage. Bathrooms seemed adequate and clean, with a few porta-johns for additional capacity.

We definitely plan on going again in the future. With the free kids tickets, it was...

Shows here have gone down the crapper. Parking is 8 bucks in an abandoned parking lot that I wouldn't park a pedal bike in. Most of the elite that make their way to this side of town don't use it anyways. They like to save the 8 bucks for the extra beer or wine and block peoples driveways during the events so they can blow out the back way after tossing them back. It is located in the section 8 project Oshkosh is pushing so don't let it fool you. The neighborhood is only nice to the end of the parking lot. Lock your doors up and probably a good idea to take the least nice car you own. If you are traveling here to see a show I wouldn't bother. Pick a different venue. Considering this place sits empty for all but maybe 25 days a year I think its a horrible waste of resources in a town that needs roads paved and so many other things done. This was part of the ongoing pipe dream of some higher ups in this town that this place is going to become some type of touring attraction if they pull enough industry out of it and turn the commercial buildings into beer gardens. If you do make it here make sure you enjoy the river walk along one of the most disgusting rivers in the state. If its a hot day it usually will smell like garbage. Just a heads up for you to plan your...

I have loved music by the river in Oshkosh for many years. The fact that local groups can raise funds through the concessions is wonderful. In the past there has been a wide variety of genre play at Waterfest. I hope more of that will continue in order to reach a broader audience and mix of ages and people. The price: you get a lot for your money if you get there early to take advantage of general discounts; veterans are well appreciated, education too...student rates would be a nice thing to bring more families in. Speaking of education, what about a mini-workshop for young musicians before the concerts begin? A q&a for student musicians? The food quality is TOP NOTCH and who doesn't like Kettle Korn? I highly recommend checking...