The Wisconsin Fishing Expo arrives at Exhibition Hall in Madison’s Alliant Energy Center February 27 – March 1, 2026 and continues to offer more than 125,000 square feet of exhibits!
You can still expect mom-and-pop fishing vendors with gear that anglers can’t find at box stores. There will also be a tremendous presence from some of the leading national brands in the fishing industry, including Clam, Berkley, Beaver Dam, ACME, Fenwick, Okuma, Gamakatsu, Ray Marine, Garmin, St. Croix, Fishing Hot Spots, Stren, and many, many more. Check out and meet
For boats, over 20 brands will be ready to sell from top bets like Crestliner, Alumacraft, Bass Cat, Yar Craft, Tracker, Ranger, Triton, Smoker Craft, Bennington, and others.
Plenty of Youth Activities will be available, bigger and better than ever. Check it out!
Kids mock Fishing Pond (brown bags .50 a try)
Free Face Painting
Free Balloon Animals
Free Rods, Reels and Gear at Youth Fishing Seminars (limited supply!)
Free Bow Fishing (Shoot at Fish Targets)
Minnow Races
Trout Pond with Tagged Fish for EXTRA PRIZES!
Kids Casting Competition
The Alliant Energy Center is easily accessed via Madison’s Beltline (U.S. 12/18) off John Nolen Drive (Exit 263) or Rimrock Road (Exit 262). U.S. 14 & 151 are close by. You can also come through downtown via U.S. 151 and follow John Nolen Drive down the causeway. There’s so much else to see and do in Madison, too!
Show Hours:
Friday – 1:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Saturday – 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Sunday – 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Admission:
$12.00 for Adults, $10.00 for Military & First Responders, Kids 12 and under are FREE.
A parking fee is charged per car by Dane County. (fee subject to change by Dane County, it’s usually $7 cash.)
Here’s a previous ad for the Wisconsin Fishing Expo:
Wisconsin Fishing Expo Address:
Exhibition Hall at Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Madison, WI 53703
(262) 305-1907 Website
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show runs March 6-8 at the Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center, where State Trunk Tour Highways 59 and 181 meet just south of I-94 in West Allis, Wisconsin. Hundreds of vendors, displays, showcases, special events, and more are available for the outdoor sports lovers across the entire family!
Start:
March 6, 2026 12:00 pm
End:
March 8, 2026 6:00 pm
Venue:
Wisconsin State Fair Exposition Center
Phone:
888-488-4286
Address:
640 S. 84th Street, West Allis, WI, 53214, United States
Canoecopia is the largest paddlesports consumer event in the world. More than 250,000 square feet of kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, outdoor equipment and clothing, all at the best prices of the season, make Canoecopia a “must go” place for gear! Over 100 seminars and clinics make Canoecopia an educational event where you can learn about the perfect gear for your style of paddling, develop skills to get you where you want to go, and discover some of the many places to paddle, both near and far.
If you’re interested in experiencing life on the water, Canoecopia is the best place to spend the weekend! Learn about gear for your style of paddling, develop skills to get you where you want to go, and discover many wonderful places to paddle, both near and far. The hard part may be deciding which to see.
“Meet the folks who make the boats!” Kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, outdoor equipment and clothing, all at the best prices of the season. See what’s new in paddlesports and outdoor equipment, chat with experts about destinations in the Midwest and beyond, discover what’s newest, best and coolest! Admission is $17 for one day, $35 for a three-day pass. Children 17 and under are free. No credit cards; cash or check only at admission. Parking is $8/day, you can save on multiple days here.
You can reach the Alliant Energy Center easily from the Beltline (U.S. 12/18) via John Nolen Drive from the south, from John Nolen Drive from downtown (U.S. 151) or Park Street & Olin Avenues. Of course, U.S. 14, U.S. 151, and Highways 30 and 113 also bring you to Madison, where there’s plenty else to check out!
Check out the newest models of car, trucks, and while admiring the finest classics at the Milwaukee Auto Show! It’s back to Wisconsin State Fair Park Expo Center in West Allis May 14th-17th, 2026 showcasing the latest models, vintage antiques, muscle cars, and more. Over 350 vehicles will be on display; you can take some for test drives!
Cars, trucks, SUVs. Crossovers, Alternate Fuel Vehicles and more will be available to see, touch, sit in, and even test drive. Enjoy the Luxury Lineup, the Exotic Vehicles display, the Bennett Coachworks Showcase, and have some family fun with the Tricky Trails Golf Links right inside the show!
Details on everything available can be found on their website. It’s presented by ADAMM, the Automobile Dealers Association of Mega Milwaukee.
Tickets are $15 for adults 13 and over if they are pre-ordered online ($15 at the gate), Children ages 7-12 are $7.50, Senior Citizens (62+ are $13 . Children under 7 are admitted free. All ticket details are available here. Parking is accessible on area streets and garages, including the Clark Garage at 623 W. Wisconsin Avenue, one block from the Baird Center. Parking is $12 but you can save 40% when you pay in advance. All the details here.
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 July 5th though Labor Day, September 1st (yes, it runs that Monday and that’s the only Monday.)
The Kid’s Kingdom features 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
Calendar of Events
Upcoming Events › Expo
February 27, 2026 – March 1, 2026
Wisconsin Fishing Expo
You can still expect mom-and-pop fishing vendors with gear that anglers can’t find at box stores. There will also be a tremendous presence from some of the leading national brands in the fishing industry, including Clam, Berkley, Beaver Dam, ACME, Fenwick, Okuma, Gamakatsu, Ray Marine, Garmin, St. Croix, Fishing Hot Spots, Stren, and many, many more. Check out and meet
For boats, over 20 brands will be ready to sell from top bets like Crestliner, Alumacraft, Bass Cat, Yar Craft, Tracker, Ranger, Triton, Smoker Craft, Bennington, and others.
Plenty of Youth Activities will be available, bigger and better than ever. Check it out!
The Alliant Energy Center is easily accessed via Madison’s Beltline (U.S. 12/18) off John Nolen Drive (Exit 263) or Rimrock Road (Exit 262). U.S. 14 & 151 are close by. You can also come through downtown via U.S. 151 and follow John Nolen Drive down the causeway. There’s so much else to see and do in Madison, too!
Show Hours:
Friday – 1:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Saturday – 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Sunday – 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Admission:
$12.00 for Adults, $10.00 for Military & First Responders, Kids 12 and under are FREE.
A parking fee is charged per car by Dane County. (fee subject to change by Dane County, it’s usually $7 cash.)
Here’s a previous ad for the Wisconsin Fishing Expo:
Wisconsin Fishing Expo Address:
Exhibition Hall at Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Madison, WI 53703
(262) 305-1907
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
March 6, 2026 – March 8, 2026
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show runs March 6-8 at the Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center, where State Trunk Tour Highways 59 and 181 meet just south of I-94 in West Allis, Wisconsin. Hundreds of vendors, displays, showcases, special events, and more are available for the outdoor sports lovers across the entire family!
March 13, 2026 – March 15, 2026
Canoecopia
Canoecopia is the largest paddlesports consumer event in the world. More than 250,000 square feet of kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, outdoor equipment and clothing, all at the best prices of the season, make Canoecopia a “must go” place for gear! Over 100 seminars and clinics make Canoecopia an educational event where you can learn about the perfect gear for your style of paddling, develop skills to get you where you want to go, and discover some of the many places to paddle, both near and far.
If you’re interested in experiencing life on the water, Canoecopia is the best place to spend the weekend! Learn about gear for your style of paddling, develop skills to get you where you want to go, and discover many wonderful places to paddle, both near and far. The hard part may be deciding which to see.
“Meet the folks who make the boats!” Kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, outdoor equipment and clothing, all at the best prices of the season. See what’s new in paddlesports and outdoor equipment, chat with experts about destinations in the Midwest and beyond, discover what’s newest, best and coolest! Admission is $17 for one day, $35 for a three-day pass. Children 17 and under are free. No credit cards; cash or check only at admission. Parking is $8/day, you can save on multiple days here.
You can reach the Alliant Energy Center easily from the Beltline (U.S. 12/18) via John Nolen Drive from the south, from John Nolen Drive from downtown (U.S. 151) or Park Street & Olin Avenues. Of course, U.S. 14, U.S. 151, and Highways 30 and 113 also bring you to Madison, where there’s plenty else to check out!
Canoecopia Hours:
Friday: 4pm – 9pm
Saturday: 9am – 6pm
Sunday: 10am – 5pm
Canoecopia Address:
Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 267-3976
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
May 14, 2026 – May 17, 2026
Milwaukee Auto Show
Check out the newest models of car, trucks, and while admiring the finest classics at the Milwaukee Auto Show! It’s back to Wisconsin State Fair Park Expo Center in West Allis May 14th-17th, 2026 showcasing the latest models, vintage antiques, muscle cars, and more. Over 350 vehicles will be on display; you can take some for test drives!
Details on everything available can be found on their website. It’s presented by ADAMM, the Automobile Dealers Association of Mega Milwaukee.
Tickets are $15 for adults 13 and over if they are pre-ordered online ($15 at the gate), Children ages 7-12 are $7.50, Senior Citizens (62+ are $13 . Children under 7 are admitted free. All ticket details are available here.
Parking is accessible on area streets and garages, including the Clark Garage at 623 W. Wisconsin Avenue, one block from the Baird Center. Parking is $12 but you can save 40% when you pay in advance. All the details here.
Hours:
Thursday Noon – 9pm
Friday & Saturday 10am – 9pm
Sunday 10am – 6pm
It’s a great auto show and easily accessible via I-94 and Highways 59 and 181. U.S. 18, I-41/U.S. 45/I-894, and Highway 100 all bring you close!
Milwaukee Auto Show Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Expo Center
8200 W. Greenfield Avenue/Highway 59
West Allis, WI 53214
(414) 908-6000
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
July 11, 2026 – September 6, 2026
Bristol Renaissance Faire
Bristol Renaissance Faire runs Saturdays and Sundays July 5th though Labor Day, September 1st (yes, it runs that Monday and that’s the only Monday.)
The Kid’s Kingdom features 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
Back to StateTrunkTour.com