The third and final weekend of Summerfest is always bittersweet, but at least it went out with a fireworks-filled bang at Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee from July 2-4, capping off hundreds of artists across 11 stages for practically $30 per date, plus additional ticket options for the even larger acts inside the American Family Insurance Amphitheater.

Cross genre A-lister, the “Beautifully Broken” Jelly Roll, raised a toast to America on Independence Day, filling much of the American Family Insurance Amphitheater with fellow country/hip-hop friends Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line and Three 6 Mafia.

Earlier on, the festivities featured its own patriotic-themed program celebrating of America’s 250th birthday, hosted by Sarah Pancheri, President and Chief Executive Officer for Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., and Karen Davidson, the great granddaughter of William A. Davidson, co-founder of presenting partners Harley-Davidson.

Together with other community leaders, they offered a considerable check to Center For Veterans Issues, then passed the microphone to Jenny Thiel for a radiant rendition of “God Bless America” and Wisconsin’s own heartland rockers the BoDeans come an apropos sing-a-long of “Closer To Free.”

Generally speaking, post-apocalyptic prog rockers Muse made more history by kicking off “The Wow! Signal” Tour, currently shaping up to be yet another exhilarating and explosive chapter of heavy “Hysteria,” joined in this instance by the self-produced indie pop of Julia Wolf and Israeli alternative rockers Temper City.

As the breakout side stage star of last year’s Summerfest, it was no surprise to see folksy pop singer/songwriter Alex Warren quickly ascend and slay the AFI Amphitheater, where he not only brought the bulk of a blockbuster debut, “You’ll Be Alright, Kid,” but previewed the August 28 album “Wildchild.”

Joining him was rising star in her own right Noah Cyrus, who’s clearly following in the footsteps of a famous family thanks to a captivating blend of county, folk and pop off “I Want My Loved Ones To Go With Me,” “The Hardest Part” and “The End Of Everything.”

Meanwhile, British R&B singer/songwriter Ella Mai was smooth and sophisticated under the BMO Pavilion as she pondered “Do You Still Love Me?” on back through the Grammy Award-winning groove “Boo’d Up.”

As one third of Run-DMC, Rev Run (Joseph Simmons) has amassed his fair share of accolades, including being a signifiant force in hip-hop’s entire foundation, which was on ample display in both group and solo contexts as he rapped or spun behind the turntable.

Local native and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Harrison made a similar impact on the new wave, post-punk, art pop and worldbeat scenes as a member of Talking Heads and The Modern Lovers, though he specifically saluted the former’s “I Zimbra,” “Psycho Killer” and “This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)” in honor of its 50th anniversary.

Fresh off a politically neutral appearance at the otherwise polarizing Great American State Fair, Flo Rida rolled right along and blasted out pop/hip-hop/dance bangers such as “In The Ayer,” “Where Them Girls At” and “Low” as the massive, overflowing crowd went crazy.

There was also a plethora of bands, including the grungy jams of Spin Doctors, the funk metal-infused Living Colour, pop/punkers All Time Low, the entertaining aggression of Buckcherry and Chicago’s own electro/soul/pop party Poi Dog Pondering, who may have collectively signaled Summerfest’s conclusion, but at least that means next year’s 59th edition is already on its way.

Deanna Glatczak contributed to this review.

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For a list of upcoming shows at Summerfest, visit Summerfest.com.