Summerfest crowd pleased with clearer weather Friday night

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- After a week of uncertain air quality conditions, the second weekend of Summerfest is going off without a hitch.

For seemingly the first time all week, the haze and smoke parted to allow blue sky and sunshine to come through.

People at Summerfest told us they've been checking the weather closely all week and hoping for the best, and they're happy with Friday night's conditions.

Those who have been coming here for years say the crowds and atmosphere at Summerfest are starting to feel like they did before the pandemic.

Summerfest organizers said they're pleased with the size of the crowd. But they also said they measure success not by the size of the crowds, but by the quality of the festival.

Final numbers won't be released until after the third weekend.

Everyone Friday night seemed to be having a great time, but the air quality and wildfire smoke was definitely top of mind.

Mya Chier of Berlin, WI said, "It’s much better today. I was looking at the weather all week, but it’s much better today."

Joe Palessi told us, "With the air quality, I can definitely feel it on my lungs. But otherwise, it’s a good temperature, a good breeze by the lake."

And Ben Cesarz of Milwaukee said, "I love this place. You hear music all over the place. You get to walk around in the fresh air, even though it’s a little tough to breathe right now."

We heard stories from people who traveled from Milwaukee, some who traveled from Delaware, even the story of a man who traveled 29 hours from Asia to be at Summerfest. All of them were happy the weather is cooperating.