Twice a year, the Door County Lighthouse Festival gives you a closer look at the beautiful lighthouses that mark the shores of the Door Peninsula. The spring edition this year is the weekend of June 9th – 11th; the fall will be September 29th – October 1st.
These fundraising Festival weekends include air, land-based, boat, and adventure tours that provide access to all 11 of the treasured lighthouses of Door County and 3 neighbors to the south in Kewaunee County. Many of the tour excursions are unique to the Lighthouse Festival weekends and provide visitors exclusive access to lighthouses not typically open to the public – Chambers Island, Plum Island and Sherwood Point Lighthouses. There are tours for all levels of activity and accessibility. Some tours involve hiking. Boat tours depart from a variety of locations around the Peninsula, including Sister Bay, Gills Rock and Baileys Harbor. A portion of each Lighthouse Festival tour ticket helps fund the Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society, Inc.
These are the Participating Locations, with their open hours during Spring and Fall Lighthouse Festivals. *Please note: If you are planning a self-guided experience, there may be an admission fee or requested donation.
*Door County Maritime Museum, Sturgeon Bay: 9am-5pm, all weekend (S/F)
*Death’s Door Maritime Museum, Gills Rock: 10am-5pm, all weekend (S/F)
*Cana Island Lighthouse, Baileys Harbor: 10am-5pm, all weekend (S/F)
Sherwood Point Lighthouse, Sturgeon Bay: 10am-4pm, Saturday/Sunday (S/F)
Warrens is “Wisconsin’s Cranberry Capital,” so it’s only fitting they host the World’s Largest Cranberry Festival! Held annually since 1973 (with, of course, the exception of 2020), the Warrens Cranberry Festival welcomes over 110,000 visitors each year from places all over the world. Seriously, when we went we met people from Australia and other countries throughout Europe and South America!
Taking place the last full weekend of every September, activities a’plenty abound. Enjoy a guided bus tours of cranberry marshes (brilliant red colors mean you should have your camera ready!) and bogs that show you the harvesting of these tasty, nutritious, UTI-fighting berries.
In town – and the festival truly takes over the whole town – enjoy block after block of vendors, food stands, and beverage stops. Over 1,300 booths of arts & crafts, antique & flea markets, and farm market items can be explored and enjoyed. Plenty of fall produce is available with of course plenty of cranberry-based items including Cranberry Cream Puffs, barbecue sauces with cranberry, cranberry-inspired hot sauces, and more. On Sunday, September 24th at noon the largest band parade in Wisconsin will be featured.
Warrens Cranberry Festival includes contests such as “Crazy for Cranfest”, where guests can win special prizes for crazy or creative costumes. They also have prizes for the Biggest Berry Contest, a Button Design Contest, a Cranberry Chiffon Pie-Eating Contest, a Flower Contest, Marsh Medallion Hunt, a Photography Contest, Quilt & Needlework Contest, Scarecrow Contest, and more.
Getting to Warrens Cranberry Festival (aka Cranfest):
Warrens is a small, pleasant town north of Tomah in Monroe County. To access Warrens, follow I-94 to Exit 135 (County EW) by the Three Bears Resort. U.S. 12, which runs basically parallel to I-94 in this area, also comes close to Warrens. Highways 21 and 173 are just a few miles away, closer to Tomah but they still bring you close. Follow County O or EW into town – there will be plenty of signs!
Get the latest updates from their website, CranFest.com!
It’s a big party in the Belle City! Party on the Pavement is Racine’s biggest one-day festival, and it happens Saturday, September 16th from noon – 7pm in downtown Racine.
Party on the Pavement features things to see and do along more than 12 city blocks. There’s live music on five stages – see below for a full lineup of performers!
International cuisine can be enjoyed throughout Party on the Pavement – including Spanish, Filipino, Italian, Korean, Thai, Japanese, Mexican, Irish, Jamaican and American – available all day long. There’s also a car show, an arts/crafts show, the Touch a Truck equipment displays, the Division BMX Stunt Team, carnival rides and much more.
Party on the Pavement favorite Touch-a-Truck is back this year. Large construction equipment, agricultural equipment, law enforcement vehicles and more will be located in the former Porter’s Lot on Sixth Street for everyone to touch, feel, and sit in or on.
You can also check out aerial arts performances will be held at the end of Sixth Street in front of Pepi’s Pub & Grill, create hands-on art projects from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Racine Art Museum, and see live glass blowing demonstrations at Hot Shop Glass (239 Wisconsin Avenue.)
Admission to the Party on the Pavement grounds is free! Party on the Pavement takes place throughout downtown on Main Street from State Street to 7th Street and all of 6th Street from Lake Avenue to City Hall.
Party on the Pavement Music Lineup:
SC Johnson Stage – Monument Square
12:00pm-2:00pm
3MF, Jazz
2:30pm-4:30pm
Indigo Canyon, Rock
5:00pm-7:00pm
Stone Theory, 70s Rock
Main Street/State Street Stage
12:00pm-2:00pm
Stoned Blues Band, Blues
2:30pm-4:30pm
Tailspin Band, Rock & Blues
5:00pm-7:00pm
Identity Crisis, 80s/90s Rock
Indian Motorcycle of Racine Stage – 522 6th Street
12:00pm-3:00pm
The Fourcast, Acoustic
3:45pm-6:45pm
All the Kings Men, Elvis
7:30pm-10:30pm
Pat McCurdy, Comedy Guitar
Taste of Soul Stage (7th and Park)
12:00pm-Midnight
DJ Mysta Mack
1:30pm-4:00pm
Stone Jam, Old School
4:15pm-4:45pm
Young Bo & LLil Hawk
5:00pm-7:00pm
Lady A
3:00pm-bar close
DJ Phil (inside)
Mexico Lindo Stage (6th St.)
2:00pm-4:00pm
Mariachi Mexico International
4:30pm-5:00pm
Grupo Folklorico-LaPerla Tapatia
5:00pm-7:00pm
Live Music
Pub on Wisconsin Stage
12:00pm-7:00pm
DJ Devious, All genres
Wisconsin’s “Hub City” of Marshfield embraces autumn with Maple Fall Fest, happening Saturday, September 16th and Sunday, September 17th this year. 2023 marks 31 years of Maple Fall Fest, and there’s plenty to see, do, buy, eat, drink, and enjoy.
Maple Fall Fest has been known by many as “the” place to find some of the best original artwork and handmade craft items in the Midwest. Over 100 vendors showcase their wares with original artwork, handmade arts and crafts, Amish specialties, The Maple Village, great food vendors, and their beer garden. The festival will also bring back favorites Mad Dog and Merrill “Grillin’ Buddies,” and family-focused fun for all ages. The legendary Potato Pancake Breakfast is also served each day!
The Kid’s Zone ensures that the younger ones have plenty to do. There’s a petting zoo, inflatable rides and of course all of the treats from the food court.
You won’t end up hungry, with that special pancake breakfast and a huge assortment of food vendors ready to serve pizza, brats, cheese curds, egg rolls, fried pasta, hot dogs, hamburgers, gyros, cream puffs, ice cream, kettlecorn, mouse ears, tacos, and a whole lot more.
Marshfield’s “Hub City” status relates to its location close to the exact center of Wisconsin, and many railroads always converged here. Today, you can take U.S. 10, Highway 13, Highway 80, or Highway 97 to reach Marshfield – it truly is in the center of everything.
Wildwood Park & Zoo
1800 S. Roddis Avenue
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 384-4314 Website
See the full schedule below!
Maple Fall Fest Schedule of Events (tentative, subject to change):
Saturday, September 17th 7am – Noon – Breakfast: Regular and potato pancakes with Wenzel’s Farm Maple Sausage. Takeout available! $10 per person. Age 6 & Under $5 9am-4pm – Kid’s Zone, Inflatables, Arts & Crafts by Discovery Education Station and Chestnut Center for The Arts, Scavenger Hunt 9am-5pm – 150+ Handmade Arts & Crafts Vendors, Amish Specialties, Maple Village, Maple Syrup Products, Food Court & Beer Garden 10am – Performance by Main Street Conservatory of Dance: Jazz Dance Company and Ballet Company 10:30am – Performance by Marshfield Youth Ballet 11:30am – Mad Dog & Merrill – “Grillin’ Buddies” 1pm – Performance and dance lessons by the Country Style Dancers 2pm – Wildwood Zoo Tour – Meet at Zoo East Entrance!
Sunday, September 18th 7am-Noon Breakfast: Regular and potato pancakes with Wenzel’s Farm Maple Sausage. Takeout Available! $10 per person. Age 6 & Under $5 10am-4pm – 150+ Handmade Arts & Crafts Vendors, Amish Specialties, Maple Village, Maple Syrup Products, Food Court & Beer Garden 10am-4pm – Kid’s Zone, Inflatables, Arts & Crafts by Discovery Education Station and Chestnut Center for The Arts, Scavenger Hunt 11:30am – Mad Dog & Merrill – “Grillin’ Buddies” 2pm Zoo Tour – Meet at Zoo East Entrance 2:30pm – Marshfield Monarchs Butterfly Release on Main Stage
Related to Maple Fall Fest is Blue Heron Oktoberfest, which takes place from Noon – 10pm at Blue Heron Brewpub on 14th Street, just up the road from Wildwood Park. Enjoy Hammerschlagen, Yard Jenga, Corn Hole games, a Stein Hoisting Contest, and live music from Modern Throwback Saturday evening starting at 7pm!
The Ariens Art On Wheels Weekend featuring The VSCDA Weekend draws vintage racers from across the U.S. as they take to the track September 15th-17th at Road America. This vintage racing weekend draws over 300 vintage and historic race cars across 11 racing classes to run over the three-day race event. The fan-friendly paddock is open to spectators for close-up views of amazing racing machines prepared to era specifications.
For 2023, the event has a new slate of special guests and plenty of races and activities. See more here:
As part of its commitment to honoring America’s heroes, Road America will also provide free admission to all active, reserve-duty military and veterans with ID all weekend.
Get updates and tickets on the Road America website. Anyone 16 and under gets in FREE with a paying adult. You can take advantage of that offer at the gate with proof of age. Racing runs rain or shine.
You’ll find Road America along Highway 67 just north of Highway 23 and Plymouth and just west of Highway 57 in Sheboygan County.
Road America Address for the Ariens Art On Wheels Weekend:
N7390 Wisconsin Highway 67
Plymouth, WI 53073
(800) 365-7223 Website
Manitowoc celebrates Sputnik Fest due to an out-of-this-world experience on September 5, 1962 when a piece of the Soviet satellite Sputnik IV crashed to earth, just north of downtown right in the middle of 8th Street/U.S. 10/Highway 42. It was still glowing from the heat of re-entry when it landed! A brass ring in the street notes the exact spot of impact. The city celebrates Sputnik Fest to commemorate the glowing visitor’s anniversary, where you’ll see some interesting costumes and space-related activities. Basically at Sputnik Fest, science fiction rules the day – even though Sputnik itself was very real. See 5 Things about Sputnikfest in Manitowoc (and why you should go) for more on that.
Circle marks the spot where a piece of Sputnik landed. It’s the whole reason for Sputnik Fest.
The landing site of that piece of Sputnikfest – which inspired this whole thing – is right in front of the Rahr-West Art Museum, which hosts the event and holds a cast from the original piece of the spacecraft – the original was returned to the Russians – that is available for viewing all year.
The festival draws plenty of space fans – with Star Wars and Star Trek characters well-represented – costume contests, music, go-kart racing down 8th Street (there’s a bit of a hill towards the heart of downtown), food, drinks, and even an “alien drop”, where hundreds of mini-alien figures are dropped from a cherry picker – some with prizes. Even the hosting group, the Rahr-West Art Museum, calls it a “wacky tacky” weekend. Music from bands like Bazooka Joe add to the fun! Family fun continues with the Cosmic Kids Creation Station, which offers tye-dye, clay painting, and rocket building, plus live statues, portrait paintings, and more.
Sputnikfest Schedule of Events:
11:00-2:00PM DJ
11:30AM Photo Op with Sputnikfest Police (courtesy of the Masquers theater company)
12:00-5:00PM Art Space and Children’s Games
12:00-Noon 5K Art Walk/Run https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Manitowoc/Sputnikfest5KWalkRun
1:00-3:00PM Meet and Greet with 501st Wisconsin Garrison
12:00PM Lakeshore 1st Robotics
2:00-6:00PM Musical entertainment by XPOSED 4 HEADS
Get more details here from the Manitowoc/Two Rivers Convention & Visitors Bureau!
Sputnikfest Address:
Rahr-West Art Museum
610 N. 8th Street (8th & Park, U.S. 10 & Business 42)
Manitowoc, WI 54220 Website
Along the Wisconsin-Illinois border you can go back to the 16th century at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. A plethora of entertainment, great food, performances, and a marketplace filled with crafts, art, musical instruments, clothes, jewelry, and more await. You’ll find plenty of colorful characters in period costumery, performers twirling fire, people mashing their mouths into giant turkey legs, wandering minstrels, swordfights, jousting… the list goes on and on. It’s a great summer weekend activity just west of Kenosha on the Illinois border!
Bristol Renaissance Faire runs Saturdays and Sundays now though Labor Day (yes, it runs that Monday and that’s the only Monday.)
The Kid’s Kingdom is a newer addition, including the Castle Stage where children can get knighted, a face-painting area (don’t worry, it washes off eventually), hobbit houses, an entrance area with five huge thrones that provide great photo opportunities, and an air-conditioned rest area.
A giant turkey leg slathered in barbecue sauce is an essential part of the Bristol Renaissance Faire experience, but they also offer everything from Cornish pasties and bakery goods to vegan items and gelato. The number of entertainment stages now totals sixteen. Comedic sword-fighting, ropewalking, juggling, fire-whipping, acrobatics, chalk art, a variety of musicians, and more. The Marketplace offers the work of nearly 175 artisans and crafters; you can find Scottish kilts, leather masks, bamboo flutes, jester socks, stage-combat-approved swords, steampunkery, and much more. Glass blowing and blacksmithing activities frequently happen in the Marketplace as well as a variety of other crafting.
Tickets range from $40 for adults to $15 for children ages 5-12. Seniors (62+) and Military with ID are $38. Kids 4 and under are free. Season passes can be purchased for $225. You can also get discounted tickets at Menard’s and if you join Friends of the Faire you can also get discounts. U.S. 41, I-41/94, Highway 165, and the state line border the “Fairegrounds,” with U.S. 45 and Highway 50 also getting you close!
Bristol Renaissance Faire Location:
12550 120th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53142
(877) 395-7773 Website
One of three “State Fairs” in Wisconsin, the Central Wisconsin State Fair takes place in Marshfield August 22-27, 2023 on the grounds that also feature the “World’s Largest Round Barn.” The Central Wisconsin State Fair has also been refreshing its equipment with new rides and games to enhance the experience!
Headliners include:
The Dweebs (free concert in the Family Tent), Tuesday night, August 22nd
.38 Special Wednesday night, August 23rd
Hairball Thursday night, August 24th
Scotty McCreery Friday night, August 25th
Rice’s Bull Riding & Barrel Racing Saturday night, August 26th
Demolition Derby, Sunday, August 27th at 2pm
This Fair also features 4-H and open class exhibits, free grandstand entertainment with gate admission, the Round Barn Express train, Junior Fair Market Animal Sale, 11th annual Kiss a Critter Contest, the Dress-A-Cow Contest, midway carnival rides, commercial exhibits and special programs, food and beer gardens, and more. This six-day extravaganza is definitely worth checking out if you want to hit the lovely city of Marshfield in the central part of the state (hence, the event’s name).
Central Wisconsin State Fair’s Round Barn Express Train
U.S. 10 and Highways 13, 80, and 97 all hit Marshfield, Wisconsin (“Hub City”) and the Central Wisconsin State Fair grounds are on the south side of town, a few blocks east of Central Avenue (Bus. Hwy 13) and the Wildwood Zoo. Also check out Central Avenue and the downtown district, the Blue Heron Brewpub, and a plenty of other things and to see and do around Hub City. Get more ideas from Visit Marshfield here!
Check their website for the complete entertainment lineup, ticket specials, and more!
Central Wisconsin State Fair Address:
Wood County Fairgrounds
513 E. 17th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 387-1261 Website
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
“Feast with the Beasts” at the Milwaukee County Zoo! Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a la Carte, presented by Meijer, runs Thursday, August 17th through Sunday August 20th. Check out 27 area restaurants with palate-pleasing offers and national and local bands performing throughout Zoo grounds, including Vertical Horizon Thursday night,
Plenty of family-friendly activities are also available throughout the grounds, and of course the Milwaukee County Zoo’s remarkable collection of 2,100+ animals you can see and learn about. It’s one of the best family activities of the year.
Crafty kids can show their artistic side with Kohl’s Color Wheels, a mobile art experience. You can also enjoy a glass of wine, while listening to local bands at the Giraffe Village Wine Tent, sponsored by Champion Windows & Sunrooms. On top of that, you can visit the Brick Dinos exhibit, sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets, which includes interactive LEGO® play-scapes and more. Admission is $3 per person.
Zoo A La Carte Music Schedule:
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Jake Williams (90s, R&B, modern, & classics)
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jon Rouse (Classic rock)
7 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Vertical Horizon (Alternative rock)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Driving Buddies (Pop, rock, & country)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jordan and Ernie (Bluegrass)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Andrea and The Mods (70s, 80s, & more)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Geoff Landon Duo (Country hits)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Xeno and Joe (Classic hits)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Brady Lee (Pop country)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Phil Norby (Acoustic classics)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Sam and Cookie (Folk, classic rock, & bluegrass)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Grimm Brothers Trio (Classic hits)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Steve Cohen and Jim Ohlschmidt (Twisted acoustic blues)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. JC Munguía (Latin music)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Diamond (Neil Diamond & more)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Carmen and Kostia (Pop vocals with piano)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Anthony Deutsch (Pianist, vocalist, & composer)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Friday, August 18, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Kris and Dani Crow (Harmonies & great banter)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Trapper Schoepp Band (Singer-songwriter)
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Eli Young Band (Country)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Ebert and Grass (Classics)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jessie Haines (Singer-songwriter)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Barbieri and the Rockin’ Krakens (Classic rock hits)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Scott E. Berendt Trio (Acoustic rock & pop)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bad Medicine (80s party rock)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. The Playlist (Top 40 hits)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Rudy and Vee (Acoustic duo)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Michael Sean (Wisconsin musical mainstay)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Frogwater (Celtic bluegrass fusion)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Keshena Armon (Singer-songwriter)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Katy Ambrose (Dynamic piano stylings)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bath (Classic to modern pop and rock)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. The Morrison Sessions (Roots rock & roll)
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Record Company (Rock)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Busted Mullet (Rock)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bruce Humphries and the Rockabilly Rebels (Rockabilly)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Our House (50s, 60s, 70s, & more)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Chris Haise Duo (Indie folk rock)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Belle Weather (Orchestral indie folk rock)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Ronnie Nyles (Singer-songwriter)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Patrick Van Bibber (Guitarist, singer-songwriter)
2:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Jake Warne Duo (Singer-songwriters)
6:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Barbieri (Classic hits)
Sunday, August 20, 2023 Miller Lite Caribou Stage
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Joe 2.0 (The world’s original rockestra)
5 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Hypnotized (Milwaukee’s Fleetwood Mac Tribute)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 3 p.m. Another One (Grateful Dead tribute)
4 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Crossfire (Country rock)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Ronnie Nyles (Singer-songwriter)
4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Brooklynn Marti (Singer-songwriter)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Barbara Stephan and Peter Mac Duo (Singer-songwriters)
4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Admission rates (includes all bands and activities):
Adults: $17
Juniors (ages 3 to 12): $14
Children (ages 2 and under): FREE
Parking: $14
We talked with Jenny Diliberti from the Zoo a while back about this event and the Zoo’s history, animals, new designs, and more in this State Trunk Tour Podcast:
Milwaukee area restaurants at Zoo A La Carte include:
A la Crepes
Bear Garden
Brew City Snowballs
Bubble Waffle Shoppes
Café el Sol (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Caribou Beverage Bar
Catalano Corn (vegetarian)
Cedar Crest Ice Cream Parlor
Chillwaukee Pops (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
C-Viche
Funnel Cake Factory
Giraffe Beverage Bar
Giraffe Wine Bar
Golden Grill
Hot Potato
La Masa (vegetarian)
Leinie Lodge
Mama Bev’s Bakery
MIL-WOK-EE (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Nothing Bundt Cakes (gluten-free)
Nourish 414 (vegetarian, gluten-free)
OOZ
Penguin Beverage Bar
Pig Tailz (vegetarian)
Roll MKE (vegetarian)
Salentini’s Pizza
Saz’s (gluten-free)
Scrima’s Woodfired Pizza (gluten-free)
Shawarma House (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
The Coop
The Snack Barn
Thunder Bay Grille (vegetarian, gluten-free)
Tots on the Street (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Ultimate Confections Desserts featuring Suzy’s Cream Cheesecakes
Watering Hole Root Beer Floats
West End Snacks
Wild Burger
Woody’s Custard
Wong’s Wok
Zoo A La Carte at the Milwaukee County Zoo Address:
10001 W. Bluemound Road (U.S. 18)
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 256-5466 Website
The Zoo is surrounded by U.S. 18/Bluemound Road on the north, I-41/US. 45 on the east, I-94 on the south, and Highway 100 on the west. Despite the Zoo Interchange construction, it’s still easy to get to!
The World’s Largest celebration of Celtic music and culture, the 42nd Milwaukee Irish Fest happens Thursday, August 17th through Sunday, August 20th on Milwaukee’s lakefront! An amazing array of musical artists in Irish and Celtic music fill several stages.
Other Irish Fest activities include a Baking Contest, Photo and Poetry Contests, and “Red Hair & Freckles” Contest, a “Celtic Canines” exhibit, the Jameson Lounge (for whiskey tastings), a Marketplace filled with Irish crafts and other items from over 90 vendors, a Cultural Village, and much more.
Saturday the 19th features a 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. Later that day you can enjoy the Lesaffre/Red Star Yeast Baking Contest. Dog lovers can check out Milwaukee Irish Fest’s Celtic Canine Area; this unique area gives you the chance to see and pet some of Ireland’s most popular dog breeds, meet and talk with some of the Midwest’s top breeders, and learn about grooming, general care and training. The Irish dog breeds include Irish Wolfhounds, Irish Terriers, Irish Red Setters, Irish Red and White Setters, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, Irish Water Spaniels, Kerry Blue Terriers and Kerry Beagles. The Celtic Canines will be on display Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For a full lineup of activities and deals for everything else, check out the Irish Fest website!
You can reach Irish Fest at Henry Maier Festival Park (aka the Summerfest grounds) along Milwaukee’s lakefront via I-794 and U.S. 18 most directly. Highways 32, 38, 59, and 145 all bring you within a mile of the grounds.
Milwaukee Irish Fest Address:
Henry Maier Festival Park (aka Summerfest Grounds)
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 476-3378 Website
The 70th annual Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival is BACK at Angell Park this year, taking place Wednesday, August 16th through Sunday, August 20th, 2023!
Enjoy a carnival-midway complete with a wide variety of games and rides, food booths, live bands, a “kiddie korner” with large inflatables, family entertainment, a beer shelter, and much more! Of course fresh, locally-grown sweet corn is available to enjoy. Check out parades and live music, including:
12:00pm Melodyia Piano Academy
2:00pm Marc LaMere Music
3:00pm Kicks Unlimited
4:00pm Clarisse Tobia Music
5:00pm Culture Celebration: Bringing Our Community Together
Sunday, August 20th on the Family Stage:
12:00pm Fusion Dance Academy
1:00pm Limanya Drum & Dance
2:00pm Sun Prairie Cheer
3:00pm Prairie Strummers
Angell Park is a beautiful historic park adjacent to Sun Prairie’s downtown. It’s also home to the Angell Park Speedway, a 1/3 dirt oval that dates back to 1903! You can reach Angell Park via Highway 19 through the city. From the U.S. 151 bypass, follow Main Street or the Highway 19 exit. You can also easily reach Angell Park via County N north from I-94 at the Cottage Grove exit.
Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival Address:
Angell Park & Angell Park Speedway
300 Park Street
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 837-4547 Website
West Bend’s Museum of Wisconsin Art hosts its annual Art & Chalk Fest Saturday, August 19th and Sunday, August 20th. This free, outdoor, fine arts festival features 65+ fine artists selling their work and 15+ chalk artists from across the nation creating masterpieces before your eyes!
Art activities for all ages are offered throughout the weekend along with live entertainment and music, food vendors, a beer garden, an art raffle, and free admission for the weekend to the Museum of Wisconsin Art. You can create your own chalk masterpiece on the concrete canvas of Veterans Avenue. Cool off inside the museum with art projects and grab an interactive family guide to explore the Among the Wonders of the Dells exhibition! The MOWA Shop will also be open to shop more Wisconsin art along with an outdoor booth.
The Food and Beer Garden will offer beers from Lakefront Brewery, wines and sangria, soda, water, and more. Food selections include Just Smokin’ Barbecue, the Falafel Guys, Lovely & Tasty Walking Taco, Cousins Subs, Laughing Mountain Popcorn, Nosh Nook, CS Foods, Purple Door Ice Cream, J. Wade Confections, the Nutman Company, and Concoctions.
9:30–12:00 | The Fainting Room
1:00–4:00 | Lead Bottom Band
4:00–4:30 | West Bend Dance Tumbling Troupe
Sunday, July 28, 2019
10:00–12:30 | Matthew Haeffel
1:00–3:30 | The Freques
3:30–4:00 | Awards Ceremony
You’ll find the Museum of Wisconsin Art along the east banks of the Milwaukee River in downtown West Bend. It’s along the Eisenbahn State Trail, just south of Highway 33/Washington Avenue. Highway 144 comes in from the north and west; the U.S. 45 freeway bypass is less than two miles to the west. Nearby, you can also enjoy shopping in downtown West Bend, local brews at the Riverside Brewery, custard at the Toucan on Highway 144, and more.
Art & Chalk Fest Address:
Museum of Wisconsin Art
205 Veterans Avenue
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 334-9639 Website
Ashley For The Arts celebrates music, art, and supporting nearby communities with a spectacular three-day event August 10-12, 2023. It takes place in Arcadia – home to Ashley Furniture – in the city’s 54-acre Memorial Park, which known for its Soldier’s Walk, one of the premier war memorials in the U.S. outside of Washington, D.C.
Arcadia is right along the Chippewa River nestled in the gorgeous hills of Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, where Highways 93 and 95 meet. The drive alone is worth it! Ashley for the Arts itself is a non-profit event, stacked with a star-studded lineup of musical entertainment as well as numerous family-friendly activities and some new additions to the venue. It’s one of Wisconsin’s largest charity events, growing from 300 attendees in 2009 to more than 50,000, with of course the exception of 2020, when the event had to skip a year.
With four stages this year, you won’t miss a beat! The Main Stage will host headline entertainment, the Amphitheater will portray participating school performances as well as entertaining circus acts, the Pavilion stage hosts early to mid-day side-stage performances and the Soldier’s Walk stage will create a unique ambiance for local bands to perform outdoors the second half of the day.
Ashley for the Arts’ headline lineup will include Sawyer Brown, Trace Adkins, Jake Owen, and REO Speedwagon on Friday, plus Raelynn, Walk the Moon, Tyler Hubbard, and OneRepublic on Saturday. Side Stages will include a wide variety of acts including Restless Road, Boogie & The Yo-Yoz, the Johnny Holm Band, The Mondays, Wonderstate, Last Call, Big Oil, Buckwild, area high school choirs, even an extreme juggling show! Truly something for everyone.
The three-day festival will also feature upbeat musical performances; in addition, 11 area schools will participate in the event’s activities and demonstrate the region’s student talent through performances on Friday and Saturday.
You can also enjoy a variety of off-stage entertainment including a living statue, balloon sculptors, Root Berry juggling and sword swallowing, a mariachi band, silly stilt walkers, an interactive drum circle, Magician Professor Pinkerton, and many more entertaining audiences throughout the grounds.
The park features nearly 100 art and craft vendors, a new interactive art space, a classic car show, two air parks including bouncy houses and obstacle courses, even a kid’s fitness course. Ashley for the Arts also hosts the Pursuit of a Cure 5K run/walk on Thursday and a spectacular firework display on Saturday.
From mini donuts to barbeque to gyros and frybread, an expanded selection of food trucks will decorate Memorial Park Drive along with Arcadia’s staple charcoal chicken, grilled to perfection in North America’s largest indoor chicken pit. A newly added beer garden, next to the main stage, will offer specialty beer and wine options for the adult audience. Event parking is free along with free bus shuttles to and from the grounds; including the county campground (Pietrek Park) just five miles north of Arcadia. Highways 93 and 95 bring you to town!
Ashley For the Arts Address:
Memorial Park
551 Memorial Park Drive
Arcadia, WI 54612
(608) 863-6700 Website
One of the nation’s great fairs, the Wisconsin State Fair runs August 3-13, 2023 on the Wisconsin State Fair Park grounds in West Allis. Everything from the animals to rides, concerts, exhibits, and tasty food and beverages are yours for the taking!
Updates to the Central Mall area include with a new look and ample seating. The rides and games at SpinCity are in full swing, and they include a super assortment of over 40 rides and 25 games with chances to win plenty of prizes!
The Fairgrounds will have plenty of street performers and entertainers, but of course the excellent live music is a huge draw. There are two primary performance stages at Wisconsin State Fair: the Main Stage, which uses the Milwaukee Mile track and bleachers for seating, and the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater, which is near the Central Mall.
Main Stage headliners at Wisconsin State Fair include:
Thursday, August 3rd: Journey Unauthorized
Friday, August 4th: Here Come The Mummies
Saturday, August 5th: Here Come The Mummies
Sunday, August 6th: Geru y Su Legión 7
Monday, August 7th: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
Tuesday, August 8th: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
Wednesday, August 9th: Hairbangers Ball
Thursday, August 10th: Too Hype Crew
Friday, August 11th: Great White
Saturday, August 12th: The Entertainer
Sunday, August 13th: Pat McCurdy
As always, the State Fair will feature a huge variety of animals from farms all across the state, letting you learn more about and even interact with some – from cows to chickens and rabbits to llamas, ostrich, goats, and more! Check out prize-winning exhibits, including art competitions, farming competitions, even one for the best alcohol-infused pie. Other exhibits include those for barn quilts, horticulture, textile, craft, and culinary exhibits, and even the Young People’s Art Exhibit.
ALL. THE. FOOD.
You will not go hungry: favorite foods at the Fair include the roasted corn, corn dogs, flavored milks, all kinds of creative deep-fried foods, sausages, as much as you can imagine on a stick, and the legendary Wisconsin cream puffs that become a “must have” for attendees needing their true dairy (and carb) fix! They get more eclectic with things like deep-fried bull testicles (listed as “Rocky Mountain Oysters” on the menu at Big Sky Country Bar & Grill), ants on a stick (literally), and earthworm and cricket jerky. But hey, it’s up to you. This year’s “Sporkies” winner is the Peño Pretzel Popper Brat from Gertrude’s Pretzels.
OTHER FOODS at State Fair include an Apple Crunch Cheesecake Quesadilla from the Mexican Grill, BBQ Mac Tater Tots from Jayme’s Chipstix, the Caramel Turtle Pretzel at Gertrude’s Fresh Pretzels, Loaded Baked Potato with Bacon Pizza from Pistol Pete’s, Prime Rib Sliders at Leadfoots Race Bar & Grill, the Unicorn Beer Float at Slim McGinn’s Irish Pub, and about 60 other choices!
The Milwaukee Mile race track, which hosts races, auto testing, and more throughout the year is just one of the places you can park – which is cool, since you can walk on and check out this legendary oval, the oldest continuously operating raceway in the world.
Get more details here. This is definitely one of the best State Fairs in the nation!
Check out this map of Wisconsin State Fair… you can enlarge it by clicking on it or get a printable .pdf HERE.
Wisconsin State Fair Park is in West Allis, less than ten minutes from downtown Milwaukee. Bordered on the south by Highway 59/Greenfield Ave., on the west by Highway 181/84th Street, on the north by I-94, and on the east by 76th Street. U.S. 18/Bluemound Road comes close to the north, I-41/U.S. 45 and then Highway 100 skim by 2 miles to the west, and Highway 175 is about 2 miles east as it passes Miller Park. There are a lot of great ways to get to the Park!
Wisconsin State Fair Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Park
640 S. 84th Street (Highway 181 at Highway 59)
West Allis, WI 53214
(414) 266-7000 Website
Appleton’s “Mile of Music” Festival (Twitter: @MileofMusicFest) serves up original singer-songwriters, combos and multi-piece bands showcasing Americana music at both its most colorful and its very best. Genres include roots and indie rock, country, gospel, soul, R&B, jazz and folk. This year’s Mile of Music 10 takes place August 3-6, 2023.
This grassroots festival was co-founded by Appleton marketing executive Dave Willems and Appleton/Nashville-based national recording artist and Grammy nominee Cory Chisel in 2013. Willems Marketing & Events continues to run Mile of Music, with the support of over 100 community organizations and sponsors. Presenting sponsor Fox Communities Credit Union and other major sponsors have allowed this event to be FREE.
Mile of Music is noted as a “handcrafted artisan festival” with over 700 acts across 40 venues spanning a mile… of music (hence the name!)
Brett Newski performs at Mile of Music in Appleton.
Venues vary and include coffee shops, bars, parks, restaurants, museums and other public spaces. with more of them outdoors in the wake of the pandemic we all had to deal with. Some of Mile 10’s biggest artists will perform at the Main Stage in Houdini Plaza, one of the festival’s most popular venues. Remember, Harry Houdini spent time in Appleton and claimed it as his hometown!
Local brewpub Stone Arch will offer up its artisan Mile of Music Americana Pale Ale to add to the flavor of the festival. Music fans who love bicycling can work off those beer calories and indulge their music passions with Bike to the Beat. Added fun includes the Tub of Tunes giveaway, where one lucky attendee will win a bathtub full of CDs and vinyl from Mile 10 artists.
Check it out all weekend in Appleton. Their website has the complete lineup, and you can also download their special app for updates, details on all the events, and more. I-41, U.S. 10, and Highways 47, 96, and 125 bring you to the Mile of Music in the downtown area.
7000apart
A Song Before We Go
Abby Holliday
About You
Acoustic Guitar Workshop
ADAMAH
Adeem the Artist
Adrian+Meredith
Adriel Denae
Afro-Cuban Drumming & Dance
Age of Fable
Ali Holder
Alisa Amador
All Abilities Inclusive Music-Making
Altered Five Blues Band
Amelia Ford
Americana: Sing, Step, and Play
Angela Perley
Anna Moss
Anna Rose
Annie Sumi
Anthony D’Amato
Arts Fishing Club
Ashley Virginia
Audiodacity
Auralai
Baked Shrimp
Balinese Gamelan: Gongs, Drums, and Metallophones
Bascom Hill
Bayo
Bee Taylor
Before Dawn
Ben Harold & The Rising
Ben Mulwana
Benny Bassett
Beth Bombara
Betsy Ade & The Well-Known Strangers
BLKBOK
Blue Ranger
Boy Howdy and the Electric Ranch Hands
Brazilian Samba Drumming (ages 10-adult)
Brian Dunne
Brian Fechino
Buffalo Rose
Caiola
Calvin Arsenia
Carnage The Executioner
Casii Stephan
Cave Paintings
Cayli
Certainly So
Chelsea Lyn Meyer
Chris Haise Band
Chris Jourdan
Christopher Gold
Christopher Gold and The New Old Things
Claire Kelly
Cody James
Cool Waters Band
Coral Moons
Cory Chisel
Cousin Arthur
Crys Matthews
Danielle Nicole Band
Danni Nicholls
darn it.
Decoda Chamber Music Festival ft. Ben Mulwana
Decoda Chamber Music Festival ft. BLKBOK
Decoda Chamber Music Festival ft. Calvin Arsenia
Decoda Chamber Music Festival ft. Decoda
Decoda Chamber Music Festival showcase ft. Ben Mulwana, BLKBOK, & Calvin Arsenia
Didjeridu Workshop
Diggstown
Don DiLego
Drumming & Dance from Ghana
Drumming & Dance from Guinea
Emily Zeck
Emma Peridot
Eric Pedigo
Eric W. Krueger
Eric W. Krueger & the Sheesh
Evan Bartels
Evoked
Fantastic Cat
Feed the Dog
First Steps in Music
Flagship Romance
Fox and Bones
Fox Royale
Free Dirt
Gabe Lee
Girl & The Gunn
Girl Blue
Hang Ten
HAPPY LANDING
Hello June
Hillary Reynolds
Hip Hop Workshop with MxL
Holly and the Nice Lions
Horace Greene
Humbird
Ifdakar
ILL GENESI
Isiah & The New People
J.E. Sunde
Jackson Mankowski
Jamie Kent
Jay Byrd
JD Eicher
Jenny Teator
Jesse Lynn Madera
Jessica Pounds
Jimi W.
Jon Tyler Wiley & His Virginia Choir
Joshua Ray Walker
Joy Clark
Julie Williams
Kaiti Jones
Kal Schimmers
Kat and the Hurricane
Katie Boeck
Katy Guillen & The Drive
Kelly Steward
Kelsey Miles
Ken Yates
Kiss the Tiger
Kristin Andreassen & Chris Eldridge
Kurt Gunn
Kyle Megna & Dave LeBlanc
Kyle Megna & The Brass Monsoons
Lemon Sky
Lilli Lewis
Listening Party
Little Bird
Los Ritmos de Mariachi
LowDown Brass Band
Luke Callen
Luma Knotty
Lunar Moth
Mae Simpson
Making Movies
Marielle Kraft
Marina City
Mark Erelli
Marty Paschke
May Erlewine
Me Like Bees
Meaghan Farrell
Megan Slankard
MEOWBOYS
MET on the Bus
Michael Grabner
Michaela Anne
Mike Montali
Mike Munson
Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts
Miles Over Mountains
Mindful Music-Making: Sing, Explore, and Contemplate
Mo Lowda & the Humble
Mom Rock
More Then Merry
Motherfolk
Mya Byrne & Swan Real
Nathan Kalish
NEWSKI
Nicholas Raymond
Nick Franclik
Nigel Wearne
Nikki Morgan
Nomads
North Wind and The Sun
Old Oaks
Ordinary Elephant
Oshima Brothers
Paisley Fields
Palm Ghosts
Pat Byrne
Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps
Paul Childers
pBone Jam
PEGASIS
Pepper Said
Peridot
Precious Metals
Próxima Parada
Rachael Davis
Rachel Baiman
Radio Free Honduras
Radkey
Redshift Headlights
Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band
Remember Jones
Sam Ness
Sarah Peacock
She Returns From War
Sinking Lessons
SIRSY
Sister Winchester
Sit Kitty Sit
Sleepy Gaucho
SloCoast
Songwriting Workshop with Wade Fernandez
Soultru
Sound Together: Song Circle for Community & Belonging
South for Winter
South Rail
Southeast Asian Dance Workshop
Sprig of That
Stay Outside
Stephanie Joanna
Steve Everett
Steve Poltz
Stories That Move (ages 2-10 & caregivers)
Stories That Sing (ages 2-10 & caregivers)
String Band Jam (Intermediate/Advanced)
Super 400
Supper Club
Sway Wild
Sweet Lizzy Project
TAE
TAE & The Neighborly
Tedious & Brief
The Astronomers
The BOSE Troubadours feat: JD Eicher, Paul Childers, Megan Slankard, and Sarah Peacock
The Brevet
The Brothers Footman
The Driftless Revelers
The End of America (TEOA)
The Gentlemen Grifters
The Heavy Heavy
The Lately
The Lavender Project
The Mascot Theory
The MilBillies
The Mile Jam – Festival After Party
The Other 22 Hours Podcast live taping with Michaela Anne & Aaron Shafer-Haiss ft. Jamie Kent
The Present Age
The Psycodelics
The Rough & Tumble
The Short Pay Riders
The Stews
The Thing
The Tunes
The Vegabonds
the Wishbone Breakers
Tom Mackell
Trash Panda
Trash Pandas
Traveling Suitcase
Twan Mack
Tyler Sj.
Ukulele Workshop (ages 10-adult)
Valley Fox
VOLK
Walden
Walt Hamburger & The Bad Puns
Welshly Arms
Whitehorse
Wild Heart Club
Wire and Nail
Wise Jennings
Wonky Tonk feat. Wiggly Shadows
Writers Round Friday feat: Adriel Denae, Hillary Reynolds, May Erlewine, and Rachael Davis
Writers Round Saturday feat: Joy Clark, Julie Williams, Nikki Morgan and Soultru
Writers Round Thursday feat: Jackson Mankowski, Kurt Gunn, Michael Grabner, and Nicholas Raymond
Wurk
Zach Pietrini
Appleton is easily accessible via I-41, U.S. 10, Highways 15, 47, 96, or, of course 125 – because if you’re on Highway 125, you’re in Appleton already. Highway 441 provides a bypass around the city that allows you to enter from points east and south.
EAA AirVenture is the World’s Largest Fly-In! What CAN’T you experience here? It’s rolling for 2023 and better than ever!
EAA stands for Experimental Aircraft Association. It was founded in 1953 by Paul Poberezny for a community of passionate aviation enthusiasts that promote and support recreational flying. Today, EAA has over 200,000 members throughout the world. EAA AirVenture is their biggest event, welcoming members and other flight enthusiasts to Oshkosh for a week every year… and it’s a total blast! Over 650,000 people from 92 countries attended EAA AirVenture in 2022 as over 10,000 aircraft flew in and out of Oshkosh.
Whether you come to fly or just watch, you experience the world’s greatest aviation celebration. Warbirds. Vintage. Homebuilts, Ultralights, even the Blue Angels! Enjoy all kinds of planes, aerobatics, hands-on workshops, and celebrations. AirVenture draws flight enthusiasts from across the globe, briefly turning Oshkosh’s Wittman Regional Airport into the busiest airport in the world in terms of takeoffs and landings.
EAA AirVenture runs a full week, from Monday, July 24th – Sunday, July 30th, 2023. Regular features and attractions include air shows and aircraft neighborhoods where you can check out full assortments of plane types and styles. Some of the planes and their pilots offer rides for unbelievable views of the Oshkosh area, Lake Winnebago, and more! Plus, there’s KidVenture for the young ones, the Aviators Club, Aviation Gateway Park, the Pathways Pavilion, and more.
Here’s an example of some of the air show performances you’ll see at EAA AirVenture:
Be sure to check out the EAA AirVenture Museum while you’re there. Hit I-41, U.S. 45, or Highways 21, 26, 44, 76, or 91 to get you to Oshkosh to take in all the fun of EAA’s AirVenture!
Marshfield is known as “Hub City” and its 18th annual Hub City Days celebrates the city’s heritage, present, and future. Check out a weekend of fun July 27-29, 2023, including a big screen movie shown right on Central Avenue and Wenzel Family Plaza!
The massive Car & Bike Show, Family Zone with bounce houses and kids’ games, the Craft Show, the Brew Fest and Beer Garden, tons of live music and more are all ready!
The Hub City Brew Fest will feature craft beers from all over Wisconsin and the Midwest! The Car Show will be right on Central Avenue (Historic Highway 13).
You can reach Marshfield via U.S. 10 or Highways 13, 80, and 97. It’s right in the center of Wisconsin, hence the name “Hub City”!
Hub City Days Schedule:
THURSDAY, JULY 27
DOWNTOWN BUSINESS AFTER 5
5 – 7 PM | Elk’s Club
Main Street welcomes MACCI’s monthly business networking event downtown to kick off Hub City Days! Enjoy live music with Curtis Samuel, appetizers, and drinks.
Questions? Contact MACCI: (715) 384-3454
MOVIE IN THE PLAZA
Dusk | Wenzel Family Plaza
Grab some fundraiser concessions alfresco in the Wenzel Family Plaza. Don’t forget your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and your fam! Movie hint: “Smile, Smile,🐊”, Rated PG
Books will be given to kids in attendance thanks to the generosity of the Friends of Marshfield Public Library. (One per household while supplies last.)
FRIDAY, JULY 28
SHOP HOP
5 – 7 PM | Downtown Marshfield
Streets will be closed to traffic Central Ave – Veteran’s to 4th St. for pedestrians to enjoy evening shopping and dining downtown.
+ Wander the streets to discover more!
Win Hub City Brew Fest tickets! *Shop downtown this evening and bring your receipt to the Main Street Marshfield tent at Wenzel Family Plaza between 7-9 p.m. You’ll receive an entry for each receipt you show with your 21+ ID. Winners will be announced at 9 p.m. Tickets will be held at Hub City Brew Fest for those not present for the announcement.*
BIKE CRUISE & BIKE ACTIVITIES
5:30-7 PM | Downtown Marshfield
Enjoy a group bicycle ride into downtown from a predetermined Marshfield trail location (TBD). Once downtown, park your bike to shop & dine or enjoy a variety of bike activities set up on Central Ave, including a safety station, local trail updates, summer community ride info, and the bikeshare program. All group ride participants earn a free ice cream at Hiller’s Ice Cream Bike, located near Northside Cycle.
HUB CITY CONCERT SERIES FEATURING ADAM GRUEL AND THE SPACE BURRITOS
7 – 10 PM | Wenzel Family Plaza
Grab your picnic blanket or lawn chairs for a leisurely night out on the grass. Main Street Marshfield will be selling beer, seltzer, and soft drinks to raise funds for downtown events and programming!
SATURDAY, JULY 29
CAR SHOW
10 AM – 3 PM | Downtown Marshfield
The Hub City Days Car Show spans over 10 city blocks, features 500+ car/bike entries, a live DJ, kids games, tons of door prizes, free t-shirts for veterans, veteran appreciation raffle (2 PM), and kids-only raffle (2 PM). It’s the car show you can’t miss! Car show vehicle awards are presented at 3 PM. Car show vehicle registration is free with a suggested donation of a non-perishable food item.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT & BEER GARDEN
11 AM – 11 PM | Wenzel Family Plaza
Enjoy live music with no cover charge! Bands will play 11 AM to 11 PM thanks to our day stage sponsor, Prevail Bank, and main stage sponsors, Marshfield Insurance & West Bend.
11 AM – 3 PM Live Music: Modern Throwback
3 – 7 PM Live Music: Tim Dorsey
7 – 11 PM Live Music: Shirts and Skins
Rain location: Central WI Fairgrounds Expo Building
HUB CITY BREW FEST
12 – 3 PM | Wenzel Family Plaza
Participants receive a souvenir pint glass. Enjoy seating and beer tasting exclusive to Brew Fest attendees. $30/ticket. Tickets on sale here: eventbrite.com
Rain location: Central WI Fairgrounds Expo Building
HORSE POWER SHOW
10 AM – 3 PM | Upham Mansion
Visit the Governor Upham House and walk through an exhibit of horse-drawn carriages dating from the early 1900s.
FAMILY ZONE
10 AM – 3 PM | Veteran’s Park
Find family fun at the Family Zone! Kiddie Cars, Marshfield Fire Dept, Hiller’s Bounce Houses, face painting, and more all in the relaxing shade of Veteran’s Park. Reis Martial Arts’ demonstrations will begin at 11AM. Performances by Main Street Conservatory of Dance will begin at 12PM and 1PM.
NEW: HUB CITY DAYS CRAFT SHOW
10 AM – 3 PM | 100 Block of South Central Avenue Peruse local craft vendors conveniently located near live music and the start of the car show. Wander through the sidewalks to see what local shops have in store for the day and take something home to commemorate the event.
You can easily reach Marshfield via U.S. 10 or Highways 13, 80, and 97. Head to the Hub!
Check out our State Trunk Tour Marshfield Podcast with Matt McLean from VISIT Marshfield, where we talk Hub City Days, the city and all the things to do and see in it, here or stream it below!
Port Fish Days is BACK to being a multi-day festival! This fun weekend, which for a long time has featured “The World’s Largest One-Day Outdoor Fish Fry,” offers a TON of fun in the beautiful downtown and harbor areas of Port Washington.
Okay, along with the fish fry, we’re talking lots of fun: music on four stages, rides, fireworks, and plenty of other cool stuff like soccer water fights all along Port Washington’s beautiful harbor on Lake Michigan, where even on a hot day it tends to be nice and comfortable.
Port Fish Day in 2023 begins on Thursday, July 13th and runs through Saturday, July 15th with a variety of events each day and night. It begins with the Corn Hole Tournament Thursday evening with music Friday afternoon into the evening by Nate Horlache.
Saturday is the busy day – it begins with a nice calorie burn in the form of the Coal Dock Park Portal Run/Walk/Roll at 8am. Starting at 10am, the Beer Garden, Arts & Crafts Show, and Family Zone activities fire up at Upper Lake Park. Coal Dock and Upper Lake Park essentially flank downtown Port Washington, with all of their shops, restaurants, and marina activities in between.
Along with the Beer Garden, Arts & Crafts Show, and Family Zone from 10am – 8pm in Upper Lake Park, Port Washington hosts the Downtown Parade from 11am – 12:30pm up Franklin Street. Upper Lake Park adds its Car, Bike & Truck Show at noon, lasting through 5pm.
Live music starts up in Lower Lake Park with performances from Zach Steinbach, Letter 8, and headliners The Love Monkeys – get more details here. It all caps off at 7pm in Rotary Park along the water with the Fireworks Watch Party.
Port Fish Day is focused around the beautiful harbor area in downtown Port Washington. Highways 32 and 33 bring you right into downtown Port, just east of I-43 and Highway 57, a few miles north of Highway 60.
Further details are on their website. While in Port Washington, be sure to check out Coal Dock Park, raise a glass at Inventors Brewpub, trace the history of the Blues, shop Duluth Trading Company or any of the local stores downtown, and enjoy the lakefront! Of course you can check out Allen Edmonds Shoe Outlet on the north side of town or get some exercise on the Interurban Trail, which cuts right through town.
Port Fish Day Address:
Port Washington Harbor
100 N. Franklin Street (Highway 32)
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-0900 Website
Start:
July 14, 2023
End:
July 15, 2023
Venue:
Port Washington Harbor
Phone:
262-284-0900
Address:
100 N. Franklin Street, Port Washington, WI, 53074, United States
Long known as the Spooner Block Party and now known as Freedom Music Fest Wisconsin, this incredible music event is designed to celebrate and benefit those who keep us and our country safe and free. While offering a great lineup of rock and country acts, Freedom Music Fest is focused on giving back to regional military, law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS teams. It’s a celebration and a fund raiser that offers plenty to enjoy in the beautiful North Woods at the height of summer.
Freedom Music Fest takes place Saturday, July 1st, 2023 on the Washburn County Fairgrounds on the south side of the city of Spooner. Doors open at 4pm with a lineup that includes The Smokin’ Loons at 4:15, GB Leighton at 5:30, BlackHawk at 7:30, and headliner .38 Special at 9:30pm! Food and beverage vendors from the area will be there, including local craft brewery Round Man Brewing Company, Big Daddy’s Diner in Spooner, Lamoureux Concessions from Hayward, Lucky 8’s Grill, B & D’s BBQ, and more. Check out this podcast episode to find out more in detail.
Tickets range from $40 for general admission to $90 for reserved seating. VIP tickets are available in a variety of packages from $120 to $1,200 for a front row table for four. Compare and Buy Tickets Here.
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events
September 29, 2023 – October 1, 2023
Door County Lighthouse Festival
Twice a year, the Door County Lighthouse Festival gives you a closer look at the beautiful lighthouses that mark the shores of the Door Peninsula. The spring edition this year is the weekend of June 9th – 11th; the fall will be September 29th – October 1st.
These fundraising Festival weekends include air, land-based, boat, and adventure tours that provide access to all 11 of the treasured lighthouses of Door County and 3 neighbors to the south in Kewaunee County. Many of the tour excursions are unique to the Lighthouse Festival weekends and provide visitors exclusive access to lighthouses not typically open to the public – Chambers Island, Plum Island and Sherwood Point Lighthouses. There are tours for all levels of activity and accessibility. Some tours involve hiking. Boat tours depart from a variety of locations around the Peninsula, including Sister Bay, Gills Rock and Baileys Harbor. A portion of each Lighthouse Festival tour ticket helps fund the Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society, Inc.
These are the Participating Locations, with their open hours during Spring and Fall Lighthouse Festivals. *Please note: If you are planning a self-guided experience, there may be an admission fee or requested donation.
Learn details and prices of the tours, and purchase tour tickets at: DoorCountyTickets.com
Door County Lighthouse Festival Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
September 23, 2023 – September 24, 2023
Warrens Cranberry Festival
Warrens is “Wisconsin’s Cranberry Capital,” so it’s only fitting they host the World’s Largest Cranberry Festival! Held annually since 1973 (with, of course, the exception of 2020), the Warrens Cranberry Festival welcomes over 110,000 visitors each year from places all over the world. Seriously, when we went we met people from Australia and other countries throughout Europe and South America!
Taking place the last full weekend of every September, activities a’plenty abound. Enjoy a guided bus tours of cranberry marshes (brilliant red colors mean you should have your camera ready!) and bogs that show you the harvesting of these tasty, nutritious, UTI-fighting berries.
Warrens Cranberry Festival includes contests such as “Crazy for Cranfest”, where guests can win special prizes for crazy or creative costumes. They also have prizes for the Biggest Berry Contest, a Button Design Contest, a Cranberry Chiffon Pie-Eating Contest, a Flower Contest, Marsh Medallion Hunt, a Photography Contest, Quilt & Needlework Contest, Scarecrow Contest, and more.
Getting to Warrens Cranberry Festival (aka Cranfest):
Warrens is a small, pleasant town north of Tomah in Monroe County. To access Warrens, follow I-94 to Exit 135 (County EW) by the Three Bears Resort. U.S. 12, which runs basically parallel to I-94 in this area, also comes close to Warrens. Highways 21 and 173 are just a few miles away, closer to Tomah but they still bring you close. Follow County O or EW into town – there will be plenty of signs!
Get the latest updates from their website, CranFest.com!
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September 16, 2023
Party on the Pavement, Racine
It’s a big party in the Belle City! Party on the Pavement is Racine’s biggest one-day festival, and it happens Saturday, September 16th from noon – 7pm in downtown Racine.
Party on the Pavement features things to see and do along more than 12 city blocks. There’s live music on five stages – see below for a full lineup of performers!
International cuisine can be enjoyed throughout Party on the Pavement – including Spanish, Filipino, Italian, Korean, Thai, Japanese, Mexican, Irish, Jamaican and American – available all day long. There’s also a car show, an arts/crafts show, the Touch a Truck equipment displays, the Division BMX Stunt Team, carnival rides and much more.
Party on the Pavement favorite Touch-a-Truck is back this year. Large construction equipment, agricultural equipment, law enforcement vehicles and more will be located in the former Porter’s Lot on Sixth Street for everyone to touch, feel, and sit in or on.
You can also check out aerial arts performances will be held at the end of Sixth Street in front of Pepi’s Pub & Grill, create hands-on art projects from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Racine Art Museum, and see live glass blowing demonstrations at Hot Shop Glass (239 Wisconsin Avenue.)
Admission to the Party on the Pavement grounds is free! Party on the Pavement takes place throughout downtown on Main Street from State Street to 7th Street and all of 6th Street from Lake Avenue to City Hall.
Party on the Pavement Music Lineup:
SC Johnson Stage – Monument Square
12:00pm-2:00pm
3MF, Jazz
2:30pm-4:30pm
Indigo Canyon, Rock
5:00pm-7:00pm
Stone Theory, 70s Rock
Main Street/State Street Stage
12:00pm-2:00pm
Stoned Blues Band, Blues
2:30pm-4:30pm
Tailspin Band, Rock & Blues
5:00pm-7:00pm
Identity Crisis, 80s/90s Rock
Indian Motorcycle of Racine Stage – 522 6th Street
12:00pm-3:00pm
The Fourcast, Acoustic
3:45pm-6:45pm
All the Kings Men, Elvis
7:30pm-10:30pm
Pat McCurdy, Comedy Guitar
Taste of Soul Stage (7th and Park)
12:00pm-Midnight
DJ Mysta Mack
1:30pm-4:00pm
Stone Jam, Old School
4:15pm-4:45pm
Young Bo & LLil Hawk
5:00pm-7:00pm
Lady A
3:00pm-bar close
DJ Phil (inside)
Mexico Lindo Stage (6th St.)
2:00pm-4:00pm
Mariachi Mexico International
4:30pm-5:00pm
Grupo Folklorico-LaPerla Tapatia
5:00pm-7:00pm
Live Music
Pub on Wisconsin Stage
12:00pm-7:00pm
DJ Devious, All genres
It’s all presented by the Downtown Racine Corporation. Highway 20, 32, and 38 are right there!
Party on the Pavement Address:
It covers 12 blocks, but it’s centered on Monument Square, 534 Main Street
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 634-6002
Website
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September 16, 2023 – September 17, 2023
Marshfield Maple Fall Fest
Maple Fall Fest has been known by many as “the” place to find some of the best original artwork and handmade craft items in the Midwest. Over 100 vendors showcase their wares with original artwork, handmade arts and crafts, Amish specialties, The Maple Village, great food vendors, and their beer garden. The festival will also bring back favorites Mad Dog and Merrill “Grillin’ Buddies,” and family-focused fun for all ages. The legendary Potato Pancake Breakfast is also served each day!
The Kid’s Zone ensures that the younger ones have plenty to do. There’s a petting zoo, inflatable rides and of course all of the treats from the food court.
You won’t end up hungry, with that special pancake breakfast and a huge assortment of food vendors ready to serve pizza, brats, cheese curds, egg rolls, fried pasta, hot dogs, hamburgers, gyros, cream puffs, ice cream, kettlecorn, mouse ears, tacos, and a whole lot more.
Marshfield’s “Hub City” status relates to its location close to the exact center of Wisconsin, and many railroads always converged here. Today, you can take U.S. 10, Highway 13, Highway 80, or Highway 97 to reach Marshfield – it truly is in the center of everything.
Maple Fall Fest takes place at Marshfield’s beautiful Wildwood Zoo and Park, just off Central Avenue (Business 13). Check out some great places to stay in Marshfield, too!
Marshfield Maple Fall Fest Address:
Wildwood Park & Zoo
1800 S. Roddis Avenue
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 384-4314
Website
See the full schedule below!
Maple Fall Fest Schedule of Events (tentative, subject to change):
Saturday, September 17th
7am – Noon – Breakfast: Regular and potato pancakes with Wenzel’s Farm Maple Sausage. Takeout available! $10 per person. Age 6 & Under $5
9am-4pm – Kid’s Zone, Inflatables, Arts & Crafts by Discovery Education Station and Chestnut Center for The Arts, Scavenger Hunt
9am-5pm – 150+ Handmade Arts & Crafts Vendors, Amish Specialties, Maple Village, Maple Syrup Products, Food Court & Beer Garden
10am – Performance by Main Street Conservatory of Dance: Jazz Dance Company and Ballet Company
10:30am – Performance by Marshfield Youth Ballet
11:30am – Mad Dog & Merrill – “Grillin’ Buddies”
1pm – Performance and dance lessons by the Country Style Dancers
2pm – Wildwood Zoo Tour – Meet at Zoo East Entrance!
Sunday, September 18th
7am-Noon Breakfast: Regular and potato pancakes with Wenzel’s Farm Maple Sausage. Takeout Available! $10 per person. Age 6 & Under $5
10am-4pm – 150+ Handmade Arts & Crafts Vendors, Amish Specialties, Maple Village, Maple Syrup Products, Food Court & Beer Garden
10am-4pm – Kid’s Zone, Inflatables, Arts & Crafts by Discovery Education Station and Chestnut Center for The Arts, Scavenger Hunt
11:30am – Mad Dog & Merrill – “Grillin’ Buddies”
2pm Zoo Tour – Meet at Zoo East Entrance
2:30pm – Marshfield Monarchs Butterfly Release on Main Stage
Related to Maple Fall Fest is Blue Heron Oktoberfest, which takes place from Noon – 10pm at Blue Heron Brewpub on 14th Street, just up the road from Wildwood Park. Enjoy Hammerschlagen, Yard Jenga, Corn Hole games, a Stein Hoisting Contest, and live music from Modern Throwback Saturday evening starting at 7pm!
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September 15, 2023 – September 17, 2023
Road America Ariens Art on Wheels Weekend
The Ariens Art On Wheels Weekend featuring The VSCDA Weekend draws vintage racers from across the U.S. as they take to the track September 15th-17th at Road America. This vintage racing weekend draws over 300 vintage and historic race cars across 11 racing classes to run over the three-day race event. The fan-friendly paddock is open to spectators for close-up views of amazing racing machines prepared to era specifications.
For 2023, the event has a new slate of special guests and plenty of races and activities. See more here:
As part of its commitment to honoring America’s heroes, Road America will also provide free admission to all active, reserve-duty military and veterans with ID all weekend.
Get updates and tickets on the Road America website. Anyone 16 and under gets in FREE with a paying adult. You can take advantage of that offer at the gate with proof of age. Racing runs rain or shine.
You’ll find Road America along Highway 67 just north of Highway 23 and Plymouth and just west of Highway 57 in Sheboygan County.
Road America Address for the Ariens Art On Wheels Weekend:
N7390 Wisconsin Highway 67
Plymouth, WI 53073
(800) 365-7223
Website
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September 9, 2023
Sputnik Fest
The festival draws plenty of space fans – with Star Wars and Star Trek characters well-represented – costume contests, music, go-kart racing down 8th Street (there’s a bit of a hill towards the heart of downtown), food, drinks, and even an “alien drop”, where hundreds of mini-alien figures are dropped from a cherry picker – some with prizes. Even the hosting group, the Rahr-West Art Museum, calls it a “wacky tacky” weekend. Music from bands like Bazooka Joe add to the fun! Family fun continues with the Cosmic Kids Creation Station, which offers tye-dye, clay painting, and rocket building, plus live statues, portrait paintings, and more.
Sputnikfest Schedule of Events:
11:00-2:00PM DJ
11:30AM Photo Op with Sputnikfest Police (courtesy of the Masquers theater company)
12:00-5:00PM Art Space and Children’s Games
12:00-Noon 5K Art Walk/Run https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Manitowoc/Sputnikfest5KWalkRun
1:00-3:00PM Meet and Greet with 501st Wisconsin Garrison
12:00PM Lakeshore 1st Robotics
2:00-6:00PM Musical entertainment by XPOSED 4 HEADS
Get more details here from the Manitowoc/Two Rivers Convention & Visitors Bureau!
Sputnikfest Address:
Rahr-West Art Museum
610 N. 8th Street (8th & Park, U.S. 10 & Business 42)
Manitowoc, WI 54220
Website
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September 2, 2023 – September 4, 2023
Bristol Renaissance Faire
Bristol Renaissance Faire runs Saturdays and Sundays now though Labor Day (yes, it runs that Monday and that’s the only Monday.)
The Kid’s Kingdom is a newer addition, including the Castle Stage where children can get knighted, a face-painting area (don’t worry, it washes off eventually), hobbit houses, an entrance area with five huge thrones that provide great photo opportunities, and an air-conditioned rest area.
A giant turkey leg slathered in barbecue sauce is an essential part of the Bristol Renaissance Faire experience, but they also offer everything from Cornish pasties and bakery goods to vegan items and gelato. The number of entertainment stages now totals sixteen. Comedic sword-fighting, ropewalking, juggling, fire-whipping, acrobatics, chalk art, a variety of musicians, and more. The Marketplace offers the work of nearly 175 artisans and crafters; you can find Scottish kilts, leather masks, bamboo flutes, jester socks, stage-combat-approved swords, steampunkery, and much more. Glass blowing and blacksmithing activities frequently happen in the Marketplace as well as a variety of other crafting.
Tickets range from $40 for adults to $15 for children ages 5-12. Seniors (62+) and Military with ID are $38. Kids 4 and under are free. Season passes can be purchased for $225. You can also get discounted tickets at Menard’s and if you join Friends of the Faire you can also get discounts. U.S. 41, I-41/94, Highway 165, and the state line border the “Fairegrounds,” with U.S. 45 and Highway 50 also getting you close!
Bristol Renaissance Faire Location:
12550 120th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53142
(877) 395-7773
Website
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August 25, 2023 – August 27, 2023
Central Wisconsin State Fair
One of three “State Fairs” in Wisconsin, the Central Wisconsin State Fair takes place in Marshfield August 22-27, 2023 on the grounds that also feature the “World’s Largest Round Barn.” The Central Wisconsin State Fair has also been refreshing its equipment with new rides and games to enhance the experience!
Headliners include:
This Fair also features 4-H and open class exhibits, free grandstand entertainment with gate admission, the Round Barn Express train, Junior Fair Market Animal Sale, 11th annual Kiss a Critter Contest, the Dress-A-Cow Contest, midway carnival rides, commercial exhibits and special programs, food and beer gardens, and more. This six-day extravaganza is definitely worth checking out if you want to hit the lovely city of Marshfield in the central part of the state (hence, the event’s name).
U.S. 10 and Highways 13, 80, and 97 all hit Marshfield, Wisconsin (“Hub City”) and the Central Wisconsin State Fair grounds are on the south side of town, a few blocks east of Central Avenue (Bus. Hwy 13) and the Wildwood Zoo. Also check out Central Avenue and the downtown district, the Blue Heron Brewpub, and a plenty of other things and to see and do around Hub City. Get more ideas from Visit Marshfield here!
Check their website for the complete entertainment lineup, ticket specials, and more!
Central Wisconsin State Fair Address:
Wood County Fairgrounds
513 E. 17th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 387-1261
Website
Find out more about Marshfield in this episode of our State Trunk Tour Podcast!
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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
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Zoo A La Carte at the Milwaukee County Zoo
“Feast with the Beasts” at the Milwaukee County Zoo! Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a la Carte, presented by Meijer, runs Thursday, August 17th through Sunday August 20th. Check out 27 area restaurants with palate-pleasing offers and national and local bands performing throughout Zoo grounds, including Vertical Horizon Thursday night,
Plenty of family-friendly activities are also available throughout the grounds, and of course the Milwaukee County Zoo’s remarkable collection of 2,100+ animals you can see and learn about. It’s one of the best family activities of the year.
Crafty kids can show their artistic side with Kohl’s Color Wheels, a mobile art experience. You can also enjoy a glass of wine, while listening to local bands at the Giraffe Village Wine Tent, sponsored by Champion Windows & Sunrooms. On top of that, you can visit the Brick Dinos exhibit, sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets, which includes interactive LEGO® play-scapes and more. Admission is $3 per person.
Zoo A La Carte Music Schedule:
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Jake Williams (90s, R&B, modern, & classics)
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jon Rouse (Classic rock)
7 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Vertical Horizon (Alternative rock)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Driving Buddies (Pop, rock, & country)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jordan and Ernie (Bluegrass)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Andrea and The Mods (70s, 80s, & more)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Geoff Landon Duo (Country hits)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Xeno and Joe (Classic hits)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Brady Lee (Pop country)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Phil Norby (Acoustic classics)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Sam and Cookie (Folk, classic rock, & bluegrass)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Grimm Brothers Trio (Classic hits)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Steve Cohen and Jim Ohlschmidt (Twisted acoustic blues)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. JC Munguía (Latin music)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Diamond (Neil Diamond & more)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Carmen and Kostia (Pop vocals with piano)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Anthony Deutsch (Pianist, vocalist, & composer)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Friday, August 18, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Kris and Dani Crow (Harmonies & great banter)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Trapper Schoepp Band (Singer-songwriter)
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Eli Young Band (Country)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Ebert and Grass (Classics)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jessie Haines (Singer-songwriter)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Barbieri and the Rockin’ Krakens (Classic rock hits)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Scott E. Berendt Trio (Acoustic rock & pop)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bad Medicine (80s party rock)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. The Playlist (Top 40 hits)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Hearthfire (Irish roots & rock)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Joey Gleesing (Top 40 hits)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Scott Hlavenka Duo (Acoustic gypsy jazz)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Rudy and Vee (Acoustic duo)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Michael Sean (Wisconsin musical mainstay)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Frogwater (Celtic bluegrass fusion)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Keshena Armon (Singer-songwriter)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Katy Ambrose (Dynamic piano stylings)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bath (Classic to modern pop and rock)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. The Morrison Sessions (Roots rock & roll)
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Record Company (Rock)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Tangled Lines (Roots, rock, & Americana)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Kitty Soft Paw (Indie rock & soul)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. V-Funk (Funk)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Busted Mullet (Rock)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bruce Humphries and the Rockabilly Rebels (Rockabilly)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Our House (50s, 60s, 70s, & more)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Chris Haise Duo (Indie folk rock)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Belle Weather (Orchestral indie folk rock)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Ronnie Nyles (Singer-songwriter)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Patrick Van Bibber (Guitarist, singer-songwriter)
2:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Jake Warne Duo (Singer-songwriters)
6:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Barbieri (Classic hits)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Christopher’s Project Duo (Jazz, R&B, pop, & swing)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Marcya Daneille (Jazz & soul)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Sunday, August 20, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Joe 2.0 (The world’s original rockestra)
5 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Hypnotized (Milwaukee’s Fleetwood Mac Tribute)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 3 p.m. Another One (Grateful Dead tribute)
4 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Crossfire (Country rock)
Zoofari Stage
12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Shuga Blu (R&B, soul, & pop)
4:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Lovin Kind (Classic rock)
Lakeview Stage
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Beautiful Collide (Blues, jazz, & light rock)
4:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. The Lounge Dogs (Acoustic hits, classics, sing-alongs)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Ronnie Nyles (Singer-songwriter)
4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Brooklynn Marti (Singer-songwriter)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Barbara Stephan and Peter Mac Duo (Singer-songwriters)
4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Admission rates (includes all bands and activities):
Adults: $17
Juniors (ages 3 to 12): $14
Children (ages 2 and under): FREE
Parking: $14
We talked with Jenny Diliberti from the Zoo a while back about this event and the Zoo’s history, animals, new designs, and more in this State Trunk Tour Podcast:
Milwaukee area restaurants at Zoo A La Carte include:
A la Crepes
Bear Garden
Brew City Snowballs
Bubble Waffle Shoppes
Café el Sol (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Caribou Beverage Bar
Catalano Corn (vegetarian)
Cedar Crest Ice Cream Parlor
Chillwaukee Pops (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
C-Viche
Funnel Cake Factory
Giraffe Beverage Bar
Giraffe Wine Bar
Golden Grill
Hot Potato
La Masa (vegetarian)
Leinie Lodge
Mama Bev’s Bakery
MIL-WOK-EE (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Nothing Bundt Cakes (gluten-free)
Nourish 414 (vegetarian, gluten-free)
OOZ
Penguin Beverage Bar
Pig Tailz (vegetarian)
Roll MKE (vegetarian)
Salentini’s Pizza
Saz’s (gluten-free)
Scrima’s Woodfired Pizza (gluten-free)
Shawarma House (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
The Coop
The Snack Barn
Thunder Bay Grille (vegetarian, gluten-free)
Tots on the Street (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Ultimate Confections Desserts featuring Suzy’s Cream Cheesecakes
Watering Hole Root Beer Floats
West End Snacks
Wild Burger
Woody’s Custard
Wong’s Wok
Zoo A La Carte at the Milwaukee County Zoo Address:
10001 W. Bluemound Road (U.S. 18)
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 256-5466
Website
The Zoo is surrounded by U.S. 18/Bluemound Road on the north, I-41/US. 45 on the east, I-94 on the south, and Highway 100 on the west. Despite the Zoo Interchange construction, it’s still easy to get to!
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Irish Fest Milwaukee
The World’s Largest celebration of Celtic music and culture, the 42nd Milwaukee Irish Fest happens Thursday, August 17th through Sunday, August 20th on Milwaukee’s lakefront! An amazing array of musical artists in Irish and Celtic music fill several stages.
Other Irish Fest activities include a Baking Contest, Photo and Poetry Contests, and “Red Hair & Freckles” Contest, a “Celtic Canines” exhibit, the Jameson Lounge (for whiskey tastings), a Marketplace filled with Irish crafts and other items from over 90 vendors, a Cultural Village, and much more.
Saturday the 19th features a 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. Later that day you can enjoy the Lesaffre/Red Star Yeast Baking Contest. Dog lovers can check out Milwaukee Irish Fest’s Celtic Canine Area; this unique area gives you the chance to see and pet some of Ireland’s most popular dog breeds, meet and talk with some of the Midwest’s top breeders, and learn about grooming, general care and training. The Irish dog breeds include Irish Wolfhounds, Irish Terriers, Irish Red Setters, Irish Red and White Setters, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, Irish Water Spaniels, Kerry Blue Terriers and Kerry Beagles. The Celtic Canines will be on display Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For a full lineup of activities and deals for everything else, check out the Irish Fest website!
You can reach Irish Fest at Henry Maier Festival Park (aka the Summerfest grounds) along Milwaukee’s lakefront via I-794 and U.S. 18 most directly. Highways 32, 38, 59, and 145 all bring you within a mile of the grounds.
Milwaukee Irish Fest Address:
Henry Maier Festival Park (aka Summerfest Grounds)
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 476-3378
Website
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Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival
The 70th annual Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival is BACK at Angell Park this year, taking place Wednesday, August 16th through Sunday, August 20th, 2023!
Enjoy a carnival-midway complete with a wide variety of games and rides, food booths, live bands, a “kiddie korner” with large inflatables, family entertainment, a beer shelter, and much more! Of course fresh, locally-grown sweet corn is available to enjoy. Check out parades and live music, including:
The Dirtybirds
Supertuesday
Kings of Radio
La Movida (the radio station)
Saturday, August 19th on the Family Stage:
12:00pm Melodyia Piano Academy
2:00pm Marc LaMere Music
3:00pm Kicks Unlimited
4:00pm Clarisse Tobia Music
5:00pm Culture Celebration: Bringing Our Community Together
Sunday, August 20th on the Family Stage:
12:00pm Fusion Dance Academy
1:00pm Limanya Drum & Dance
2:00pm Sun Prairie Cheer
3:00pm Prairie Strummers
Angell Park is a beautiful historic park adjacent to Sun Prairie’s downtown. It’s also home to the Angell Park Speedway, a 1/3 dirt oval that dates back to 1903! You can reach Angell Park via Highway 19 through the city. From the U.S. 151 bypass, follow Main Street or the Highway 19 exit. You can also easily reach Angell Park via County N north from I-94 at the Cottage Grove exit.
Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival Address:
Angell Park & Angell Park Speedway
300 Park Street
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 837-4547
Website
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August 19, 2023 – August 20, 2023
Art & Chalk Fest, West Bend
West Bend’s Museum of Wisconsin Art hosts its annual Art & Chalk Fest Saturday, August 19th and Sunday, August 20th. This free, outdoor, fine arts festival features 65+ fine artists selling their work and 15+ chalk artists from across the nation creating masterpieces before your eyes!
Art activities for all ages are offered throughout the weekend along with live entertainment and music, food vendors, a beer garden, an art raffle, and free admission for the weekend to the Museum of Wisconsin Art. You can create your own chalk masterpiece on the concrete canvas of Veterans Avenue. Cool off inside the museum with art projects and grab an interactive family guide to explore the Among the Wonders of the Dells exhibition! The MOWA Shop will also be open to shop more Wisconsin art along with an outdoor booth.
The Food and Beer Garden will offer beers from Lakefront Brewery, wines and sangria, soda, water, and more. Food selections include Just Smokin’ Barbecue, the Falafel Guys, Lovely & Tasty Walking Taco, Cousins Subs, Laughing Mountain Popcorn, Nosh Nook, CS Foods, Purple Door Ice Cream, J. Wade Confections, the Nutman Company, and Concoctions.
Live Entertainment Schedule:
Saturday, July 27, 2019
9:30–12:00 | The Fainting Room
1:00–4:00 | Lead Bottom Band
4:00–4:30 | West Bend Dance Tumbling Troupe
Sunday, July 28, 2019
10:00–12:30 | Matthew Haeffel
1:00–3:30 | The Freques
3:30–4:00 | Awards Ceremony
You’ll find the Museum of Wisconsin Art along the east banks of the Milwaukee River in downtown West Bend. It’s along the Eisenbahn State Trail, just south of Highway 33/Washington Avenue. Highway 144 comes in from the north and west; the U.S. 45 freeway bypass is less than two miles to the west. Nearby, you can also enjoy shopping in downtown West Bend, local brews at the Riverside Brewery, custard at the Toucan on Highway 144, and more.
Art & Chalk Fest Address:
Museum of Wisconsin Art
205 Veterans Avenue
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 334-9639
Website
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August 10, 2023 – August 12, 2023
Ashley for the Arts
Ashley For The Arts celebrates music, art, and supporting nearby communities with a spectacular three-day event August 10-12, 2023. It takes place in Arcadia – home to Ashley Furniture – in the city’s 54-acre Memorial Park, which known for its Soldier’s Walk, one of the premier war memorials in the U.S. outside of Washington, D.C.
With four stages this year, you won’t miss a beat! The Main Stage will host headline entertainment, the Amphitheater will portray participating school performances as well as entertaining circus acts, the Pavilion stage hosts early to mid-day side-stage performances and the Soldier’s Walk stage will create a unique ambiance for local bands to perform outdoors the second half of the day.
Ashley for the Arts’ headline lineup will include Sawyer Brown, Trace Adkins, Jake Owen, and REO Speedwagon on Friday, plus Raelynn, Walk the Moon, Tyler Hubbard, and OneRepublic on Saturday. Side Stages will include a wide variety of acts including Restless Road, Boogie & The Yo-Yoz, the Johnny Holm Band, The Mondays, Wonderstate, Last Call, Big Oil, Buckwild, area high school choirs, even an extreme juggling show! Truly something for everyone.
The three-day festival will also feature upbeat musical performances; in addition, 11 area schools will participate in the event’s activities and demonstrate the region’s student talent through performances on Friday and Saturday.
You can also enjoy a variety of off-stage entertainment including a living statue, balloon sculptors, Root Berry juggling and sword swallowing, a mariachi band, silly stilt walkers, an interactive drum circle, Magician Professor Pinkerton, and many more entertaining audiences throughout the grounds.
The park features nearly 100 art and craft vendors, a new interactive art space, a classic car show, two air parks including bouncy houses and obstacle courses, even a kid’s fitness course. Ashley for the Arts also hosts the Pursuit of a Cure 5K run/walk on Thursday and a spectacular firework display on Saturday.
From mini donuts to barbeque to gyros and frybread, an expanded selection of food trucks will decorate Memorial Park Drive along with Arcadia’s staple charcoal chicken, grilled to perfection in North America’s largest indoor chicken pit. A newly added beer garden, next to the main stage, will offer specialty beer and wine options for the adult audience. Event parking is free along with free bus shuttles to and from the grounds; including the county campground (Pietrek Park) just five miles north of Arcadia. Highways 93 and 95 bring you to town!
Ashley For the Arts Address:
Memorial Park
551 Memorial Park Drive
Arcadia, WI 54612
(608) 863-6700
Website
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August 8, 2023 – August 13, 2023
Wisconsin State Fair
One of the nation’s great fairs, the Wisconsin State Fair runs August 3-13, 2023 on the Wisconsin State Fair Park grounds in West Allis. Everything from the animals to rides, concerts, exhibits, and tasty food and beverages are yours for the taking!
Updates to the Central Mall area include with a new look and ample seating. The rides and games at SpinCity are in full swing, and they include a super assortment of over 40 rides and 25 games with chances to win plenty of prizes!
The Fairgrounds will have plenty of street performers and entertainers, but of course the excellent live music is a huge draw. There are two primary performance stages at Wisconsin State Fair: the Main Stage, which uses the Milwaukee Mile track and bleachers for seating, and the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater, which is near the Central Mall.
Main Stage headliners at Wisconsin State Fair include:
Thursday, August 3rd: Alabama with special guest Exile
Friday, August 4th: Shaggy with Salt-N-Pepa
Saturday, August 5th: Jeff Dunham
Sunday, August 6th: Tommy James & The Shondells with Little Anthony
Monday, August 7th: For King + Country with Katy Nichole
Tuesday, August 8th: Kidz Bop Never Stop Live Tour
Wednesday, August 9th: Halestorm with New Years Day
Thursday, August 10th: REO Speedwagon with Edwin McCain
Friday, August 11th: Ludacris with Symba
Saturday, August 12th: Lindsey Stirling with Walk Off the Earth
Sunday, August 13th: Trace Adkins
Bank Five Nine Stage headliners include:
Thursday, August 3rd: Journey Unauthorized
Friday, August 4th: Here Come The Mummies
Saturday, August 5th: Here Come The Mummies
Sunday, August 6th: Geru y Su Legión 7
Monday, August 7th: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
Tuesday, August 8th: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
Wednesday, August 9th: Hairbangers Ball
Thursday, August 10th: Too Hype Crew
Friday, August 11th: Great White
Saturday, August 12th: The Entertainer
Sunday, August 13th: Pat McCurdy
You will not go hungry: favorite foods at the Fair include the roasted corn, corn dogs, flavored milks, all kinds of creative deep-fried foods, sausages, as much as you can imagine on a stick, and the legendary Wisconsin cream puffs that become a “must have” for attendees needing their true dairy (and carb) fix! They get more eclectic with things like deep-fried bull testicles (listed as “Rocky Mountain Oysters” on the menu at Big Sky Country Bar & Grill), ants on a stick (literally), and earthworm and cricket jerky. But hey, it’s up to you. This year’s “Sporkies” winner is the Peño Pretzel Popper Brat from Gertrude’s Pretzels.
OTHER FOODS at State Fair include an Apple Crunch Cheesecake Quesadilla from the Mexican Grill, BBQ Mac Tater Tots from Jayme’s Chipstix, the Caramel Turtle Pretzel at Gertrude’s Fresh Pretzels, Loaded Baked Potato with Bacon Pizza from Pistol Pete’s, Prime Rib Sliders at Leadfoots Race Bar & Grill, the Unicorn Beer Float at Slim McGinn’s Irish Pub, and about 60 other choices!
The Milwaukee Mile race track, which hosts races, auto testing, and more throughout the year is just one of the places you can park – which is cool, since you can walk on and check out this legendary oval, the oldest continuously operating raceway in the world.
Get more details here. This is definitely one of the best State Fairs in the nation!
Check out this map of Wisconsin State Fair… you can enlarge it by clicking on it or get a printable .pdf HERE.
Wisconsin State Fair Park is in West Allis, less than ten minutes from downtown Milwaukee. Bordered on the south by Highway 59/Greenfield Ave., on the west by Highway 181/84th Street, on the north by I-94, and on the east by 76th Street. U.S. 18/Bluemound Road comes close to the north, I-41/U.S. 45 and then Highway 100 skim by 2 miles to the west, and Highway 175 is about 2 miles east as it passes Miller Park. There are a lot of great ways to get to the Park!
Wisconsin State Fair Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Park
640 S. 84th Street (Highway 181 at Highway 59)
West Allis, WI 53214
(414) 266-7000
Website
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August 6, 2023
Mile of Music
Appleton’s “Mile of Music” Festival (Twitter: @MileofMusicFest) serves up original singer-songwriters, combos and multi-piece bands showcasing Americana music at both its most colorful and its very best. Genres include roots and indie rock, country, gospel, soul, R&B, jazz and folk. This year’s Mile of Music 10 takes place August 3-6, 2023.
This grassroots festival was co-founded by Appleton marketing executive Dave Willems and Appleton/Nashville-based national recording artist and Grammy nominee Cory Chisel in 2013. Willems Marketing & Events continues to run Mile of Music, with the support of over 100 community organizations and sponsors. Presenting sponsor Fox Communities Credit Union and other major sponsors have allowed this event to be FREE.
Mile of Music is noted as a “handcrafted artisan festival” with over 700 acts across 40 venues spanning a mile… of music (hence the name!)
Venues vary and include coffee shops, bars, parks, restaurants, museums and other public spaces. with more of them outdoors in the wake of the pandemic we all had to deal with. Some of Mile 10’s biggest artists will perform at the Main Stage in Houdini Plaza, one of the festival’s most popular venues. Remember, Harry Houdini spent time in Appleton and claimed it as his hometown!
Local brewpub Stone Arch will offer up its artisan Mile of Music Americana Pale Ale to add to the flavor of the festival. Music fans who love bicycling can work off those beer calories and indulge their music passions with Bike to the Beat. Added fun includes the Tub of Tunes giveaway, where one lucky attendee will win a bathtub full of CDs and vinyl from Mile 10 artists.
They even have their own radio station, Mile of Music Radio. Listen to it here!
Check it out all weekend in Appleton. Their website has the complete lineup, and you can also download their special app for updates, details on all the events, and more. I-41, U.S. 10, and Highways 47, 96, and 125 bring you to the Mile of Music in the downtown area.
Here’s the full Mile of Music Artist List for 2023, and you can connect to the Schedule here!
7000apart
A Song Before We Go
Abby Holliday
About You
Acoustic Guitar Workshop
ADAMAH
Adeem the Artist
Adrian+Meredith
Adriel Denae
Afro-Cuban Drumming & Dance
Age of Fable
Ali Holder
Alisa Amador
All Abilities Inclusive Music-Making
Altered Five Blues Band
Amelia Ford
Americana: Sing, Step, and Play
Angela Perley
Anna Moss
Anna Rose
Annie Sumi
Anthony D’Amato
Arts Fishing Club
Ashley Virginia
Audiodacity
Auralai
Baked Shrimp
Balinese Gamelan: Gongs, Drums, and Metallophones
Bascom Hill
Bayo
Bee Taylor
Before Dawn
Ben Harold & The Rising
Ben Mulwana
Benny Bassett
Beth Bombara
Betsy Ade & The Well-Known Strangers
BLKBOK
Blue Ranger
Boy Howdy and the Electric Ranch Hands
Brazilian Samba Drumming (ages 10-adult)
Brian Dunne
Brian Fechino
Buffalo Rose
Caiola
Calvin Arsenia
Carnage The Executioner
Casii Stephan
Cave Paintings
Cayli
Certainly So
Chelsea Lyn Meyer
Chris Haise Band
Chris Jourdan
Christopher Gold
Christopher Gold and The New Old Things
Claire Kelly
Cody James
Cool Waters Band
Coral Moons
Cory Chisel
Cousin Arthur
Crys Matthews
Danielle Nicole Band
Danni Nicholls
darn it.
Decoda Chamber Music Festival ft. Ben Mulwana
Decoda Chamber Music Festival ft. BLKBOK
Decoda Chamber Music Festival ft. Calvin Arsenia
Decoda Chamber Music Festival ft. Decoda
Decoda Chamber Music Festival showcase ft. Ben Mulwana, BLKBOK, & Calvin Arsenia
Didjeridu Workshop
Diggstown
Don DiLego
Drumming & Dance from Ghana
Drumming & Dance from Guinea
Emily Zeck
Emma Peridot
Eric Pedigo
Eric W. Krueger
Eric W. Krueger & the Sheesh
Evan Bartels
Evoked
Fantastic Cat
Feed the Dog
First Steps in Music
Flagship Romance
Fox and Bones
Fox Royale
Free Dirt
Gabe Lee
Girl & The Gunn
Girl Blue
Hang Ten
HAPPY LANDING
Hello June
Hillary Reynolds
Hip Hop Workshop with MxL
Holly and the Nice Lions
Horace Greene
Humbird
Ifdakar
ILL GENESI
Isiah & The New People
J.E. Sunde
Jackson Mankowski
Jamie Kent
Jay Byrd
JD Eicher
Jenny Teator
Jesse Lynn Madera
Jessica Pounds
Jimi W.
Jon Tyler Wiley & His Virginia Choir
Joshua Ray Walker
Joy Clark
Julie Williams
Kaiti Jones
Kal Schimmers
Kat and the Hurricane
Katie Boeck
Katy Guillen & The Drive
Kelly Steward
Kelsey Miles
Ken Yates
Kiss the Tiger
Kristin Andreassen & Chris Eldridge
Kurt Gunn
Kyle Megna & Dave LeBlanc
Kyle Megna & The Brass Monsoons
Lemon Sky
Lilli Lewis
Listening Party
Little Bird
Los Ritmos de Mariachi
LowDown Brass Band
Luke Callen
Luma Knotty
Lunar Moth
Mae Simpson
Making Movies
Marielle Kraft
Marina City
Mark Erelli
Marty Paschke
May Erlewine
Me Like Bees
Meaghan Farrell
Megan Slankard
MEOWBOYS
MET on the Bus
Michael Grabner
Michaela Anne
Mike Montali
Mike Munson
Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts
Miles Over Mountains
Mindful Music-Making: Sing, Explore, and Contemplate
Mo Lowda & the Humble
Mom Rock
More Then Merry
Motherfolk
Mya Byrne & Swan Real
Nathan Kalish
NEWSKI
Nicholas Raymond
Nick Franclik
Nigel Wearne
Nikki Morgan
Nomads
North Wind and The Sun
Old Oaks
Ordinary Elephant
Oshima Brothers
Paisley Fields
Palm Ghosts
Pat Byrne
Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps
Paul Childers
pBone Jam
PEGASIS
Pepper Said
Peridot
Precious Metals
Próxima Parada
Rachael Davis
Rachel Baiman
Radio Free Honduras
Radkey
Redshift Headlights
Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band
Remember Jones
Sam Ness
Sarah Peacock
She Returns From War
Sinking Lessons
SIRSY
Sister Winchester
Sit Kitty Sit
Sleepy Gaucho
SloCoast
Songwriting Workshop with Wade Fernandez
Soultru
Sound Together: Song Circle for Community & Belonging
South for Winter
South Rail
Southeast Asian Dance Workshop
Sprig of That
Stay Outside
Stephanie Joanna
Steve Everett
Steve Poltz
Stories That Move (ages 2-10 & caregivers)
Stories That Sing (ages 2-10 & caregivers)
String Band Jam (Intermediate/Advanced)
Super 400
Supper Club
Sway Wild
Sweet Lizzy Project
TAE
TAE & The Neighborly
Tedious & Brief
The Astronomers
The BOSE Troubadours feat: JD Eicher, Paul Childers, Megan Slankard, and Sarah Peacock
The Brevet
The Brothers Footman
The Driftless Revelers
The End of America (TEOA)
The Gentlemen Grifters
The Heavy Heavy
The Lately
The Lavender Project
The Mascot Theory
The MilBillies
The Mile Jam – Festival After Party
The Other 22 Hours Podcast live taping with Michaela Anne & Aaron Shafer-Haiss ft. Jamie Kent
The Present Age
The Psycodelics
The Rough & Tumble
The Short Pay Riders
The Stews
The Thing
The Tunes
The Vegabonds
the Wishbone Breakers
Tom Mackell
Trash Panda
Trash Pandas
Traveling Suitcase
Twan Mack
Tyler Sj.
Ukulele Workshop (ages 10-adult)
Valley Fox
VOLK
Walden
Walt Hamburger & The Bad Puns
Welshly Arms
Whitehorse
Wild Heart Club
Wire and Nail
Wise Jennings
Wonky Tonk feat. Wiggly Shadows
Writers Round Friday feat: Adriel Denae, Hillary Reynolds, May Erlewine, and Rachael Davis
Writers Round Saturday feat: Joy Clark, Julie Williams, Nikki Morgan and Soultru
Writers Round Thursday feat: Jackson Mankowski, Kurt Gunn, Michael Grabner, and Nicholas Raymond
Wurk
Zach Pietrini
Appleton is easily accessible via I-41, U.S. 10, Highways 15, 47, 96, or, of course 125 – because if you’re on Highway 125, you’re in Appleton already. Highway 441 provides a bypass around the city that allows you to enter from points east and south.
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July 30, 2023
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AirVenture is the World’s Largest Fly-In! What CAN’T you experience here? It’s rolling for 2023 and better than ever!
EAA stands for Experimental Aircraft Association. It was founded in 1953 by Paul Poberezny for a community of passionate aviation enthusiasts that promote and support recreational flying. Today, EAA has over 200,000 members throughout the world. EAA AirVenture is their biggest event, welcoming members and other flight enthusiasts to Oshkosh for a week every year… and it’s a total blast! Over 650,000 people from 92 countries attended EAA AirVenture in 2022 as over 10,000 aircraft flew in and out of Oshkosh.
Whether you come to fly or just watch, you experience the world’s greatest aviation celebration. Warbirds. Vintage. Homebuilts, Ultralights, even the Blue Angels! Enjoy all kinds of planes, aerobatics, hands-on workshops, and celebrations. AirVenture draws flight enthusiasts from across the globe, briefly turning Oshkosh’s Wittman Regional Airport into the busiest airport in the world in terms of takeoffs and landings.
EAA AirVenture runs a full week, from Monday, July 24th – Sunday, July 30th, 2023. Regular features and attractions include air shows and aircraft neighborhoods where you can check out full assortments of plane types and styles. Some of the planes and their pilots offer rides for unbelievable views of the Oshkosh area, Lake Winnebago, and more! Plus, there’s KidVenture for the young ones, the Aviators Club, Aviation Gateway Park, the Pathways Pavilion, and more.
Plenty of activities run all day. But into the evening, concerts, feature films, and special programs take place to keep the fun going. It’s a full week of camaraderie. Here’s an “insider guide” (their words) on some what’s happening all week.
Here’s an example of some of the air show performances you’ll see at EAA AirVenture:
Be sure to check out the EAA AirVenture Museum while you’re there. Hit I-41, U.S. 45, or Highways 21, 26, 44, 76, or 91 to get you to Oshkosh to take in all the fun of EAA’s AirVenture!
Ticket prices vary, check this out for all the details. Kids 18 and under are admitted FREE, courtesy of Boeing!
EAA AirVenture Address:
Wittman Regional Airport
525 W. 20th Avenue
Oshkosh, WI 54902
Website
Fly over to AirVenture.org for all the info!
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July 28, 2023 – July 29, 2023
Hub City Days
The massive Car & Bike Show, Family Zone with bounce houses and kids’ games, the Craft Show, the Brew Fest and Beer Garden, tons of live music and more are all ready!
The Hub City Brew Fest will feature craft beers from all over Wisconsin and the Midwest! The Car Show will be right on Central Avenue (Historic Highway 13).
You can reach Marshfield via U.S. 10 or Highways 13, 80, and 97. It’s right in the center of Wisconsin, hence the name “Hub City”!
Hub City Days Schedule:
THURSDAY, JULY 27
FRIDAY, JULY 28
SATURDAY, JULY 29
Find out more here from Visit Marshfield.
You can easily reach Marshfield via U.S. 10 or Highways 13, 80, and 97. Head to the Hub!
Check out our State Trunk Tour Marshfield Podcast with Matt McLean from VISIT Marshfield, where we talk Hub City Days, the city and all the things to do and see in it, here or stream it below!
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July 14, 2023 – July 15, 2023
Port Fish Days
Okay, along with the fish fry, we’re talking lots of fun: music on four stages, rides, fireworks, and plenty of other cool stuff like soccer water fights all along Port Washington’s beautiful harbor on Lake Michigan, where even on a hot day it tends to be nice and comfortable.
Port Fish Day in 2023 begins on Thursday, July 13th and runs through Saturday, July 15th with a variety of events each day and night. It begins with the Corn Hole Tournament Thursday evening with music Friday afternoon into the evening by Nate Horlache.
Saturday is the busy day – it begins with a nice calorie burn in the form of the Coal Dock Park Portal Run/Walk/Roll at 8am. Starting at 10am, the Beer Garden, Arts & Crafts Show, and Family Zone activities fire up at Upper Lake Park. Coal Dock and Upper Lake Park essentially flank downtown Port Washington, with all of their shops, restaurants, and marina activities in between.
Live music starts up in Lower Lake Park with performances from Zach Steinbach, Letter 8, and headliners The Love Monkeys – get more details here. It all caps off at 7pm in Rotary Park along the water with the Fireworks Watch Party.
Port Fish Day is focused around the beautiful harbor area in downtown Port Washington. Highways 32 and 33 bring you right into downtown Port, just east of I-43 and Highway 57, a few miles north of Highway 60.
Further details are on their website. While in Port Washington, be sure to check out Coal Dock Park, raise a glass at Inventors Brewpub, trace the history of the Blues, shop Duluth Trading Company or any of the local stores downtown, and enjoy the lakefront! Of course you can check out Allen Edmonds Shoe Outlet on the north side of town or get some exercise on the Interurban Trail, which cuts right through town.
Port Fish Day Address:
Port Washington Harbor
100 N. Franklin Street (Highway 32)
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-0900
Website
July 1, 2023
Freedom Music Fest Wisconsin
Long known as the Spooner Block Party and now known as Freedom Music Fest Wisconsin, this incredible music event is designed to celebrate and benefit those who keep us and our country safe and free. While offering a great lineup of rock and country acts, Freedom Music Fest is focused on giving back to regional military, law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS teams. It’s a celebration and a fund raiser that offers plenty to enjoy in the beautiful North Woods at the height of summer.
Freedom Music Fest takes place Saturday, July 1st, 2023 on the Washburn County Fairgrounds on the south side of the city of Spooner. Doors open at 4pm with a lineup that includes The Smokin’ Loons at 4:15, GB Leighton at 5:30, BlackHawk at 7:30, and headliner .38 Special at 9:30pm! Food and beverage vendors from the area will be there, including local craft brewery Round Man Brewing Company, Big Daddy’s Diner in Spooner, Lamoureux Concessions from Hayward, Lucky 8’s Grill, B & D’s BBQ, and more. Check out this podcast episode to find out more in detail.
Tickets range from $40 for general admission to $90 for reserved seating. VIP tickets are available in a variety of packages from $120 to $1,200 for a front row table for four. Compare and Buy Tickets Here.
Also in Spooner you can check out the Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum, Round Man Brewing Company, Spooner Railroad Park, and more in this city and seat of Washburn County that they call “Crossroads of the North” since U.S. 53, U.S. 63, and Highways 70 and 253 converge there.
Freedom Music Fest Wisconsin Address:
Washburn County Fairgrounds
8000 W. Beaver Brooke Avenue (just off U.S. 63)
Spooner, WI 54801
Email for more info
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