Lake Geneva knows how to throw a great party, and the 61st annual Lake Geneva Venetian Fest – sponsored by the Lake Geneva Jaycees and running from Wednesday, August 16th through Sunday, August 20th – is a prime example. Five days of fun in town and along the shores of Geneva Lake awaits with a carnival, an arts and crafts fair, a Saturday water ski show, and the Sunday lighted boat parade complete with fireworks to cap it all off.
The Arts & Crafts Fair is returning to Venetian Fest and features over 110 exhibitors. It runs Saturday from 10am – 5pm and Sunday from 10am – 4pm in Library Park, right along Highway 50/Main Street along the lake on the west edge of downtown, just down from The Riviera. Details…
The Lake Geneva Venetian Festival Carnival offers family fun via “Mr. Ed’s Magical Midways” and is open every day of the festival: Wednesday-Thursday 5pm to 10:30pm, Friday 5pm – 11:30pm, Saturday Noon to 11:30pm, and Sunday Noon to 10:30pm.
Saturday you can experience the Baggo Tourney, which takes place at the Entertainment Pavilion in Flatiron Park. It’s a double elimination straight to 21. It starts at 11:30am Saturday and runs until about 3pm.
Sunday is the topper, with all the Carnival and Arts & Crafts Fair activities, THREE performers covering live music, and the Lake Geneva Jaycees Water Ski Show featuring the Wonder Lake Ski Team. They’ll perform on Geneva Lake right by the Riviera starting at 6pm. At dusk, the Lighted Boat Parade begins with the theme this year being “Rat Pack” for Lake Geneva Venetian Fest’s 61st anniversary. It concludes with fireworks following the parade.
All of this fun is in downtown Lake Geneva, which is easily accessed via U.S. 12 or Highways 50 and 120. Highway 67 brings you close, as it runs along the west side of Geneva Lake. Make it a road trip destination the weekend of August 16th-20th!
Lake Geneva Venetian Fest Address:
Downtown Lake Geneva, centered at Riviera Ballroom
821 Wrigley Drive
Lake Geneva, WI 53147 Website
Subfest in Manitowoc celebrates its 7th annual event July 3-4, 2021, at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, in combination with the annual Four On the Shore along the lakefront! Come celebrate the 4th of July in Manitowoc at this lakeside celebration, including live music all day, food, self-guided submarine tours, fireworks, kid-friendly activities, a parade, and so much more!
Wisconsin Maritime Museum admission is ONLY $4 all day for everyone, thanks to support from Meijer. General grounds will be open, and there will be special ticket pricing for Tall Ship Adventure tours.
Manitowoc is easy to access via I-43, U.S. 10, U.S. 151, or Highway 42. Follow Waldo Blvd. or U.S. 151 from I-43 to get to the downtown and lakefront areas, and be ready for a fantastic time! Don’t forget to pick up some candy and sweets at Beerntsen’s on 8th Street while you’re there (it’s a State Trunk Tour favorite) and explore Manitowoc’s two craft breweries, PetSkull Brewing downtown and Sabbatical Brewing Company on the west side of town!
A Schedule of Events is below!
2021 Subfest Schedule of Events:
Saturday, July 3rd
9:00 am – 5:00 pm – Museum open and self-guided sub tours, $4 admission
5:30 pm – 11:00 pm – Vic Ferrari July 3rd Celebration with The Glam Band
Dusk – Lighted Boat Parade in the River
Approximately 10:00 pm Fireworks
Main Stage Entertainment
6:00 pm – 11:00 pm Rising Phoenix
Sunday, July 4th
9:00 am – 7:00 pm Museum open and self-guided sub tours, $4 admission
9:00 am – 7:00 pm Craft Vendors – YMCA lot
10:00 am Parade
Noon USS Cobia whistle salute
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm Reserved access to the Sub Pub (Purchase tickets here)
11:00 am – 10 pm Food Vendors & Beverage Tent – Baymont/Museum Lot
Four On the Shore Events:
Parking and Transportation Information for Subfest 2021:
The parking lots at the Museum will not be available Sub Fest weekend. There are several public parking lots that will be available after 5:00 pm on Friday and street parking is also available throughout the downtown area. Maritime Drive will be closed off in front of the Museum from 8th street to Buffalo street. Motorcycle parking will be available on Maritime Drive between the Museum and Baymont Hotel. Entrance near the Baymont.
Manitowoc Subfest & Four on the Shore Address:
Wisconsin Maritime Museum
75 Maritime Drive
Manitowoc, WI 54220
(920) 684-0218 Website
Dragon boat racing is not only one of the fastest growing water sports in the world; it is also one of the most exciting! As one of the largest festivals of its kind, The Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival in Superior holds this community-building tradition on Friday, August 23rd and Saturday, August 24th, 2019.
Watch the races at Barker’s Island, feast on fantastic food, enjoy celebratory music, song and dance, shop the craft fair, and commemorate the weekend with a time-honored awards ceremony.
On the first festival day, Barker’s Island is transformed into a small city where thousands of people from the Midwest U.S. and central Canada join in community, camaraderie and competition. It’s a weekend of live music and dancing, fantastic food, hay rides, children’s crafts and entertainment, and an awards ceremony. Laura Velvet and the Bookhouse Boys will be performing on the Main Stage Friday night from 6:30pm-9:00pm. After that, the Mackie Brothers will perform in the Beer Tent from 9:20pm-11:20pm. Fireworks will light the sky that night, too!
Saturday the 24th begins early with the Optimists Club Breakfast and of course, more boats and parades. Children’s activities begin at 8am, and Dragon Boat Racing begins at 9am. There’s also the Craft Fair, the Stterlling Silver Dance Studio , the Rose Petal Ceremony, Korean Sword Demonstrations, Mark Rubin performing as he does every year, and of course the final race heats and the closing awards ceremony.
You’ll find the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival in Superior just off U.S. 2/53 (2nd Street) close to Highways 13, 35, and I-535.
Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival Address:
Barker’s Island
300 Marina Drive
Superior, WI 54880
(715) 395-6169 Website
Sturgeon Bay welcomes an amazing fleet of tall ships as part of the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Great Lakes 2019 Race Series, making this Tall Ships Sturgeon Bay. On their way back from Green Bay’s festival over the weekend, Sturgeon Bay will be home to these majestic vessels Monday, July 29 and the morning of Tuesday, July 30 as part of Nicolet Bank Tall Ships®, offering a wide variety of entertainment and experiences.
These nine ships will muster by Sherwood Point and then come in under sail tentatively between 3pm and 5pm on Monday, July 29. The ships that are partaking in the Tall Ship Challenge will depart approximately 8am Tuesday morning, July 30. They will sail to Algoma for the start and they will race from there to Kenosha.
Refreshments by the Sturgeon Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau and food by Scats Got Your Tongue will be available at Graham Park Monday evening! Transportation by Door County Trolley will be making the rounds and have stops at the following locations:
Stone Harbor Public Boardwalk (1st and Kentucky)
Corner Cafe (3rd and Louisiana)
CenterPointe Yacht Services (1st Avenue)
Graham Park (1st Avenue and Oregon)
Sawyer Park (Oregon Street Bridge and Neenah Avenue)
Door County Maritime Museum (Michigan and Madison Avenue)
Tall Ships Sturgeon Bay Schedule of Events includes:
Monday, July 29th:
3pm Graham Park SBVC Wine & Beer Tent w/Scat’s Got Your Tongue Food Truck featuring Chef Rob and his special Tall Ship creations.
3pm Graham Park PATH Cookout (brats & hot dogs)
4pm Ships expected to sail into the bay of Sturgeon Bay (3 groups)
4pm Sawyer Park SB Police Cadet cookout (brats, burgers, hot dogs) along with Coastie the Tugboat and US Coast Guard Auxiliary Water Safety Education
4pm Stone Harbor Music & Food on the waterfront patio
5pm Throughout Sturgeon Bay Docks Dockside Docents available to share the history of each Tall Ship
Throughout the afternoon/evening Kayak tours, Segway tours, private sail tours, sunset cruises, and the Swans of Sturgeon Bay paddleboats. Please contact the SBVC at (920) 743-6246 for specific information on tour opportunities.
Tuesday, July 30th:
6-9am CenterPointe Yacht Services (222 1st Avenue) All-you-can-eat breakfast featuring pancakes, pork patties, scrambled eggs, and more! $10 to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Door County.
7-10am Graham Park SBVC Cherry Mimosa to cheer the ships departure.
8am Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club Sail training foundation demonstration
8 am Morning Colors at the US Coast Guard Station
8 am Door County Maritime Museum opens early for indoor viewing (with paid admission)
Tall Ships Sturgeon Bay Address:
Ships will muster around Sherwood Point (map below), and a close street address would be
Sherwood Point Lighthouse
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 Website
Green Bay once again has been awarded the honor of hosting a fleet of tall ships as part of the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Great Lakes 2019 Race Series. One of only 11 ports in North America and one of 7 in the USA, the Port of Green Bay will be home to nine majestic vessels July 26-28 as part of Nicolet Bank Tall Ships®, offering a wide variety of entertainment and experiences.
Dockside touring ships allow event-goers to learn about each ship’s rich history and meet the crew. Sailing ships offer even more of an experience as they hoist their anchor and sail down the river to the mouth of the bay. Daily programming includes a full day of entertainment that is sure to make lasting memories. In addition to sail excursions and on-board tours, this year a variety of on-board experiences will be available for purchase.
Activities include:
Day and sunset sail excursions
Friday night on-board Green Bay Gamblers Fireworks viewing
Appledore IV 3-hour sailing experience out to the Bay of Green Bay
Onboard, dockside ship tours
George Kress Foundation Educational Stage
Tundraland Entertainment Stage
Dunkin’ Kids Zone
Oneida Nation Welcome Center
Ticket Star Family Day is Sunday, July 28, where kids ages 5-12 are only $5
Port of Green Bay Boardwalk
North Coast Marine Manufacturing Alliance Ship Yard
The World’s Largest Rubber Duck – presented by Miron Construction
Art in the Schools Project featuring area high school art students
Maritime Vendor Village
Greater Green Bay Convention & Visitor Bureau Trolley service
For parking, you can use metered and un-metered street parking throughout downtown. Parking lots and ramps plus bicycle parking are also available. Limited ADA parking will be available at Leicht Park on a first come, first served basis. The Neville Museum, across the street from the festival, will be selling parking and will have ADA spaces available also on a first come first served basis.
Parking shuttles, powered by the Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, will be running from the Main Street Ramp (East) and Larsen Green (West side near Titletown Brewery) and the Neville Museum near the festival entrance.
Leicht Memorial Park is along the Fox River in downtown Green Bay, right where U.S. 141 (Main/Dousman Streets) crosses the river. Highway 29 crosses just to the south. Titletown Brewing Company is right next door. I-43’s massive Leo Frigo Bridge leapfrogs the area a few blocks to the north. I-41 and Highways 32, 54, 57, and 172 also bring you to Green Bay so you can enjoy this massive event!
Tall Ships Address:
Leicht Memorial Park
128 Dousman Street (U.S. 141)
Green Bay, WI 54303 Website
Sister Bay has a beautiful marina along the waters of Green Bay. Hit the end of Highway 57 along Highway 42 for Marina Fest, which features live entertainment, plenty of food and drink, a water ski show by the Waterboard Warriors, a fireworks show, easy access to Al Johnson’s show you can watch goats on the roof, and more!
Date:
September 5, 2015
Venue:
Sister Bay Marina
Phone:
920-854-4457
Address:
817 N. Bay Shore Drive, Sister Bay, WI, 54234, United States
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events › Boats
August 20, 2023
Lake Geneva Venetian Fest
The Entertainment Pavilion includes a beer tent and stage for live music. Here’s the Music Schedule:
Wednesday 8/16: Bella Cain, 8pm-midnight
Thursday 8/17: Modern Day Romeos, 8pm-midnight
Friday 8/18: Kelly Daniels, 8pm-midnight
Saturday 8/19: Jack Whittle Band, 3pm-6pm
Saturday 8/19: Too Hype Crew, 8pm-midnight
Sunday 8/20: Rock Central, Noon-3pm
Sunday 8/20: Big Al Wetzel Band, 3pm-6pm
Sunday 8/20: Dirty Canteen, 8pm-midnight
The Arts & Crafts Fair is returning to Venetian Fest and features over 110 exhibitors. It runs Saturday from 10am – 5pm and Sunday from 10am – 4pm in Library Park, right along Highway 50/Main Street along the lake on the west edge of downtown, just down from The Riviera. Details…
The Lake Geneva Venetian Festival Carnival offers family fun via “Mr. Ed’s Magical Midways” and is open every day of the festival: Wednesday-Thursday 5pm to 10:30pm, Friday 5pm – 11:30pm, Saturday Noon to 11:30pm, and Sunday Noon to 10:30pm.
Saturday you can experience the Baggo Tourney, which takes place at the Entertainment Pavilion in Flatiron Park. It’s a double elimination straight to 21. It starts at 11:30am Saturday and runs until about 3pm.
Sunday is the topper, with all the Carnival and Arts & Crafts Fair activities, THREE performers covering live music, and the Lake Geneva Jaycees Water Ski Show featuring the Wonder Lake Ski Team. They’ll perform on Geneva Lake right by the Riviera starting at 6pm. At dusk, the Lighted Boat Parade begins with the theme this year being “Rat Pack” for Lake Geneva Venetian Fest’s 61st anniversary. It concludes with fireworks following the parade.
All of this fun is in downtown Lake Geneva, which is easily accessed via U.S. 12 or Highways 50 and 120. Highway 67 brings you close, as it runs along the west side of Geneva Lake. Make it a road trip destination the weekend of August 16th-20th!
Lake Geneva Venetian Fest Address:
821 Wrigley Drive
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
July 3, 2021 – July 4, 2021
Subfest & Four on the Shore in Manitowoc
Subfest in Manitowoc celebrates its 7th annual event July 3-4, 2021, at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, in combination with the annual Four On the Shore along the lakefront! Come celebrate the 4th of July in Manitowoc at this lakeside celebration, including live music all day, food, self-guided submarine tours, fireworks, kid-friendly activities, a parade, and so much more!
Wisconsin Maritime Museum admission is ONLY $4 all day for everyone, thanks to support from Meijer. General grounds will be open, and there will be special ticket pricing for Tall Ship Adventure tours.
Manitowoc is easy to access via I-43, U.S. 10, U.S. 151, or Highway 42. Follow Waldo Blvd. or U.S. 151 from I-43 to get to the downtown and lakefront areas, and be ready for a fantastic time! Don’t forget to pick up some candy and sweets at Beerntsen’s on 8th Street while you’re there (it’s a State Trunk Tour favorite) and explore Manitowoc’s two craft breweries, PetSkull Brewing downtown and Sabbatical Brewing Company on the west side of town!
A Schedule of Events is below!
2021 Subfest Schedule of Events:
Saturday, July 3rd
9:00 am – 5:00 pm – Museum open and self-guided sub tours, $4 admission
5:30 pm – 11:00 pm – Vic Ferrari July 3rd Celebration with The Glam Band
Dusk – Lighted Boat Parade in the River
Approximately 10:00 pm Fireworks
Main Stage Entertainment
6:00 pm – 11:00 pm Rising Phoenix
Sunday, July 4th
9:00 am – 7:00 pm Museum open and self-guided sub tours, $4 admission
9:00 am – 7:00 pm Craft Vendors – YMCA lot
10:00 am Parade
Noon USS Cobia whistle salute
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm Reserved access to the Sub Pub (Purchase tickets here)
11:00 am – 10 pm Food Vendors & Beverage Tent – Baymont/Museum Lot
Four On the Shore Events:
Parking and Transportation Information for Subfest 2021:
The parking lots at the Museum will not be available Sub Fest weekend. There are several public parking lots that will be available after 5:00 pm on Friday and street parking is also available throughout the downtown area. Maritime Drive will be closed off in front of the Museum from 8th street to Buffalo street. Motorcycle parking will be available on Maritime Drive between the Museum and Baymont Hotel. Entrance near the Baymont.
Manitowoc Subfest & Four on the Shore Address:
Wisconsin Maritime Museum
75 Maritime Drive
Manitowoc, WI 54220
(920) 684-0218
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
August 23, 2019 – August 24, 2019
Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival
Dragon boat racing is not only one of the fastest growing water sports in the world; it is also one of the most exciting! As one of the largest festivals of its kind, The Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival in Superior holds this community-building tradition on Friday, August 23rd and Saturday, August 24th, 2019.
Watch the races at Barker’s Island, feast on fantastic food, enjoy celebratory music, song and dance, shop the craft fair, and commemorate the weekend with a time-honored awards ceremony.
On the first festival day, Barker’s Island is transformed into a small city where thousands of people from the Midwest U.S. and central Canada join in community, camaraderie and competition. It’s a weekend of live music and dancing, fantastic food, hay rides, children’s crafts and entertainment, and an awards ceremony. Laura Velvet and the Bookhouse Boys will be performing on the Main Stage Friday night from 6:30pm-9:00pm. After that, the Mackie Brothers will perform in the Beer Tent from 9:20pm-11:20pm. Fireworks will light the sky that night, too!
Saturday the 24th begins early with the Optimists Club Breakfast and of course, more boats and parades. Children’s activities begin at 8am, and Dragon Boat Racing begins at 9am. There’s also the Craft Fair, the Stterlling Silver Dance Studio , the Rose Petal Ceremony, Korean Sword Demonstrations, Mark Rubin performing as he does every year, and of course the final race heats and the closing awards ceremony.
You’ll find the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival in Superior just off U.S. 2/53 (2nd Street) close to Highways 13, 35, and I-535.
Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival Address:
Barker’s Island
300 Marina Drive
Superior, WI 54880
(715) 395-6169
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
July 29, 2019 – July 30, 2019
Nicolet Bank Tall Ships Parade of Sail Salute, Sturgeon Bay
These nine ships will muster by Sherwood Point and then come in under sail tentatively between 3pm and 5pm on Monday, July 29. The ships that are partaking in the Tall Ship Challenge will depart approximately 8am Tuesday morning, July 30. They will sail to Algoma for the start and they will race from there to Kenosha.
Refreshments by the Sturgeon Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau and food by Scats Got Your Tongue will be available at Graham Park Monday evening! Transportation by Door County Trolley will be making the rounds and have stops at the following locations:
Tall Ships Sturgeon Bay Schedule of Events includes:
Monday, July 29th:
Throughout the afternoon/evening Kayak tours, Segway tours, private sail tours, sunset cruises, and the Swans of Sturgeon Bay paddleboats. Please contact the SBVC at (920) 743-6246 for specific information on tour opportunities.
Tuesday, July 30th:
Tall Ships Sturgeon Bay Address:
Ships will muster around Sherwood Point (map below), and a close street address would be
Sherwood Point Lighthouse
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
July 26, 2019 – July 28, 2019
Tall Ships Festival, Green Bay
Dockside touring ships allow event-goers to learn about each ship’s rich history and meet the crew. Sailing ships offer even more of an experience as they hoist their anchor and sail down the river to the mouth of the bay. Daily programming includes a full day of entertainment that is sure to make lasting memories. In addition to sail excursions and on-board tours, this year a variety of on-board experiences will be available for purchase.
Activities include:
For parking, you can use metered and un-metered street parking throughout downtown. Parking lots and ramps plus bicycle parking are also available. Limited ADA parking will be available at Leicht Park on a first come, first served basis. The Neville Museum, across the street from the festival, will be selling parking and will have ADA spaces available also on a first come first served basis.
Parking shuttles, powered by the Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, will be running from the Main Street Ramp (East) and Larsen Green (West side near Titletown Brewery) and the Neville Museum near the festival entrance.
Leicht Memorial Park is along the Fox River in downtown Green Bay, right where U.S. 141 (Main/Dousman Streets) crosses the river. Highway 29 crosses just to the south. Titletown Brewing Company is right next door. I-43’s massive Leo Frigo Bridge leapfrogs the area a few blocks to the north. I-41 and Highways 32, 54, 57, and 172 also bring you to Green Bay so you can enjoy this massive event!
Tall Ships Address:
Leicht Memorial Park
128 Dousman Street (U.S. 141)
Green Bay, WI 54303
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
September 5, 2015
Marina Fest
Sister Bay has a beautiful marina along the waters of Green Bay. Hit the end of Highway 57 along Highway 42 for Marina Fest, which features live entertainment, plenty of food and drink, a water ski show by the Waterboard Warriors, a fireworks show, easy access to Al Johnson’s show you can watch goats on the roof, and more!