Welcome to the 38th Annual West Bend GERMANfest! This celebration of German Heritage and Gemütlichkeit takes place Thursday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 25th, 2024. GERMANfest is an outdoor festival featuring two stages of continuous ethnic and other music, authentic German food and dancing, Sheepshead tournaments, Kinderzone, fine selection of beer and wine, souvenirs, daily raffles, and more.
Take in all the food, fun, and Festlichkeit that awaits you and others as you enjoy the huge outdoor, tented danced floor, fabulous array of musical guests and of course excellent food and beverages. West Bend Germanfest is easy to find, located centrally on the corners of Walnut and Main Street in the heart of downtown West Bend, rich with history. Highways 33 and 144 meet in downtown West Bend, a few miles east of the U.S. 45 bypass of the city. The original U.S. 45, as Main Street, cuts right past the GERMANfest grounds. Check out Riverside Brewery while you’re there!
West Bend GERMANfest Address:
5th Avenue & Walnut Street
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 338-0690 Website
Friday, August 23rd
Cedar Singers 10:00-11:00am
Goodtime Dutchmen 11:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-2:00pm
John Dietz & the Twin Lakes Trio 12:00-1:00pm, 2:00-3:00pm
Ryan Kautzer Band 3:00pm-4:00pm, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Copper Box 4:00-5:00pm, 6:00-8:00pm
The Nix 8:00pm-11:00pm
Saturday, August 24th
Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt 10:00-11:00am
RiverCity Blaskapelle 11:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-2:00pm
Dave Austin Band 12:00-1:00pm, 2:00pm-3:00pm
Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen 3:00pm-4:00pm, 5:30-6:30pm
Lynn Marie and the Nashville Polka Guys 4:15pm-5:30pm, 6:45pm-8:00pm
Alex Meixner Band 8:00-11:00pm
Sunday, August 25th
The Mike Schneider Band 10:00am-11:00am, 11:45am-1:00pm
Pint Sixed Polkas 11am-11:45am
Lynn Marie and the Nashville Polka Guys 1:00pm-2:30pm, 4:00pm-5:30pm
Alex Meixner Band 2:30pm-4:00pm, 5:30pm-8:00pm
West Bend’s Museum of Wisconsin Art hosts its annual Art & Chalk Fest Saturday, August 17th and Sunday, August 18th. 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.
Saturday, August 17th
10:30 Milwaukee Hittaz Drumline
1:30 Warped Dance Company
3:30 Peter Alt Group
Sunday, Augsut 18th
10:30 Little Priest Singers
1:30 Warped Dance Company
3:30 Sainted Patrons
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
Hudson was the last Wisconsin stop for westbound travelers on the iconic Yellowstone Trail, which in St. Croix County roughly follows the path of today’s U.S. 12. The city celebrates 111 years of history for the Trail on Saturday, August 10th this year with Yellowstone Trail Heritage Day.
The year was 1912 and the auto was gaining popularity. It wasn’t uncommon for horse drawn wagons to share potholes with the automobiles that also traveled the country roads and passed through everything the horses left behind.
A few ambitious folks got together and decided to connect county roads which resulted in the first transcontinental road – The Yellowstone Trail. From “Plymouth Rock to Puget Sound!”
Check out Hudson on August 10th for family fun around town with a Vintage and Class Car Show, Cemetery Walk, Pie and Ice Cream Social, Children’s Activities and a drive on the Yellowstone Trail!
Other activities planned include a Car Show, Children’s Activities, a Pie & Ice Cream Social at First Baptist Church, Historic Downtown Hudson Walking Tours, Cemetery Walk @ Willow River Cemetery, Octagon House Tours, Ciranda Garden Fair, Non-Profit Community Fair, Coco’s Heart Rescue, and more. Check out their website for details.
Looking back at downtown Hudson under the arch that welcomed travelers to and from the original Yellowstone Trail Bridge over the St. Croix River.
Hudson is right along U.S. 12 (which follows portions of the original Yellowstone Trail) and Highway 35. I-94 runs along the south side of town, and Highway 64 is just a few miles north. Check out this beautiful city on the St. Croix River, and for great waterfalls and trails be sure to hit Willow River State Park nearby!
Yellowstone Trail Heritage Day Address:
Various locations in downtown Hudson
Hudson, WI 54016
(715) 386-8411 Website
Watertown Riverfest is back at Riverside Park along the Rock River, Thursday, August 8th through Sunday, August 11th this year! Riverfest is FREE once again this year with plenty of fun, family-friendly activities and live music.
Some Riverfest Events Include:
Riverfest Half Marathon and 5K Saturday morning, 8:30am start Bean Bag Tournament Saturday morning, 10am Craft Fair Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm, with plenty of artists and craftsman display their items in a natural setting on the Riverside Park island Horseshoe Tourament, Saturday, 1:00pm Raft/Kayak Race Saturday 9:30am, Two person raft race on the Rock River from the Main Street bridge at Tivoli Island to Riverside Park Classic Car Show featuring classic automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles Sunday, 9am – 3pm
The Waterski Show is back at Riverfest for 2024!
FULL Watertown Riverfest Schedule of Events
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8TH 4:00 – 10:00pm A Taste of Watertown
4:00 – 8:00pm Face Painting/Body Art
4:00 – 8:00pm Chainsaw Art
4:00 – 9:00pm Bernie Tennis/Caricature Artist
4:00 – 10:00pm RVR Rides (wristband 5-9pm)
4:00 – 5:00pm Happy Hour Drink Specials w/Big Style Brass Band
5:00 – 6:45pm Big Spoon
7:15 – 10:00pm BACK TO THE ’90s featuring COLOR ME BADD, C&C MUSIC FACTORY FEATURING FREEDOM WILLIAMS & YOUNG MC
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9TH
12:00noon – 10:00pm RVR Rides (wristband noon-5pm)
12:00noon – 8:00pm Face Painting/Body Art
12:00noon – 9:00pm Bernie Tennis/Caricature Artist
4:00 – 8:00pm Chainsaw Art
noon – 10:00pm A Taste of Watertown
4:00 – 5:00pm Happy Hour Drink Specials w/Big Style Brass Band
5:00 – 6:30pm COMMOTION – TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
7:00 – 10:00pm BREE MORGAN RELOADED
10:00pm Pyromusical Fireworks & Laser Light Show
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10TH
8:00am Kids Fun Run
8:30am 5K Run
9:00am – 5:00pm Craft Fair
9:00am – 8:00pm Bernie Tennis/Caricature Artist
10:00am Bean Bag Tournament
11:00am – 8:00pm Chainsaw Art
11:00am – 10:00pm A Taste of Watertown
12 Noon – 8:00pm Face Painting / Body Art
12noon – 10:00pm RVR Rides (wristband noon-5pm)
1:00 – 3:00pm Horseshoe Tournament
1:00 – 3:30pm DJ Shawna
1:30 – 2:00pm Milwaukee Bucks Rim Rockers Performance
2:00 – 2:30pm Milwaukee Bucks Bango Mingle and Dance Party
2:30 – 3:00pm Milwaukee Bucks Rim Rockers Performance
3:30 – 6:00pm Pat McCurdy
6:30 – 8:00pm Hypnotized – The Music of Fleetwood Mac
8:30 – 10:00pm STARSHIP, FEATURING MICKEY THOMAS
10:15pm Pyromusical Fireworks & Laser Light Show (RAIN DATE)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11TH
9:00am Tennis Tournament
9:00am – 3:00pm Car Show
9:00am – 5:00pm Craft Fair
11:00am – 1:30pm Chainsaw Art
11:00am – 5:00pm A Taste of Watertown
11:45am – noon Main Street Bridge Naming Ceremony
12noon – 5:00pm Face Painting / Body Art
12noon – 6:00pm RVR Rides (wristband noon-5pm)
12noon – 2:00pm Big Al & the Hi-Fi’s
2:30pm – 5:00pm COUNT’S 77
3:00pm Chainsaw Art Auction
3:30pm – 4:00pm Car Show Awards
5:00pm Raffle Drawing
5:30pm Festival Closes
Watertown is right where Highways 16, 19, and 26 meet. It’s about 7 miles north of I-94
Appleton’s “Mile of Music” Festival (X/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 11 takes place August 1-4, 2024.
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 200 artists and 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 11’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. You can also get the full schedule here – it’s a busy one!
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.
The 79th annual Greek Fest Sheboygan takes place Friday – Sunday, June 28-30, 2024 in Sheboygan’s Deland Park on the shores of Lake Michigan! Greek Fest, sponsored by St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, is three full days of authentic Greek food, pastries, beer and wine, and traditional music.
The dance performances and usual Sunday Liturgy service is BACK in 2024! There will be activities for kids including inflatables, and a Sunday raffle also offers the opportunity to win prizes.
The Greek food including gyros, spinach pies, baklava, hot honey puffs, rotisserie chicken with Greek spices, flaming cheese, and more. The flaming cheese – called Saganaki – is breaded Sartori Fontina cheese served with pita bread. Enjoy a tantalizing hot honey puff or some baklava-topped ice cream. FREE admission, free parking. Opa!!
Craving an art-filled weekend brimming with the most luscious summer fruit? Check out the 40th annual Cedarburg Strawberry Festival, sponsored by BMO Harris Bank, June 22-23, 2024. This free, family-oriented festival is a favorite of many, drawing up to 100,000 people annually to toast the bold and delicious fruit in all its forms, and enjoy some of the most decadent homegrown strawberries in the area.
The Cedarburg Strawberry Festival’s many food vendors are sure to please any palate, boasting about an extensive Food Court near the Community Center, offering everything from summer favorites like hamburgers, chicken, BBQ and roasted corn, to sweet treats and specialty foods. Festival Food Court’s exclusive favorites include the “Original” Strawberry Brat, Strawberry Chicken Wrap, and strawberry shortcake. Wander through the Festival for other locally made delicacies such as strawberry pie, strawberry crepes, strawberry slushies and chocolate-covered strawberries. Schmit’s Berry Farm, a local grower, provides the festival with the most ripe and juicy strawberries, available for purchase by the quart.
For attendees with a taste for wine, Cedar Creek Winery’s Strawberry Blush Wine is a must – this and the winery’s other award-winning wines can be purchased by the glass throughout the Cedarburg Strawberry Festival.
Wander down Washington Avenue and you’ll see why “Art is a Tradition” in Cedarburg. Fondly referred to as “Arts on the Avenue,” Strawberry Festival highlights more than 250 of the best local and Midwest artists who bring their combined perspectives, skills, and thousands of works of arts to the streets of Cedarburg, including paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, fiber art, fine glass, woodwork, mixed media, and photography. Art on the Avenue is a combined effort of four local organizations, the Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedar Creek Settlement Merchant’s Association, the Ozaukee Art Center and the Cedarburg Art Museum, and offers one-of-a-kind works of art from functional to surreal, from witty to the elegantly decorative, as well as the opportunity to meet most of the artists in person.
Cedar Creek Settlement events at the north end of town include live bands, food, and features a new Cedar Creek Marketplace as well as a merchant’s marketplace and indoor shopping. The Sunday Morning Strawberry Pancake Breakfast will be worth checking out. The popular breakfast takes place on the north end of the Festival grounds from 8:00-11:00 a.m. and is served by the Cedar Creek Settlement merchants. More than 1,000 customers get their fill of mouthwatering strawberry pancakes while listening to live music outside along Cedar Creek.
Live music all over the Festival’s Historic District satisfies every audiophile all day Saturday and Sunday. The best place to enjoy the live music is at the Gruber Law Office Main Stage – Festival Food Court which will feature rockin’ fun cover bands like Our House and Life in a Tree. Enjoy live music into the evening with extended hours until 8:30 p.m on Saturday, June 25th. The Beer Garden offers shaded seating and is in close proximity to the main Festival Food Court.
For the littlest strawberry-lovers, Henry’s Kids Korner at Cedar Creek Park offers Jo-Don Farms pony rides and petting zoo, inflatable bounce houses, food and tons of other activities and vendors. One of the most popular events is the CedarQuacker 500 sponsored by Port Washington State Bank, where hundreds of rubber ducks are launched into the creek in a race to the finish Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m.
You can check out a little more of Historic Cedarburg with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ozaukee County’s “Berry Big” 5K Run/Walk, which kicks off in Cedar Creek Park on Saturday at 8:15 a.m. for the timed runners and 8:25 a.m. for fun runners/walkers. The route circles through the neighborhoods that surround the downtown area.
If you tire of walking, take a ride on the Country Aire Rides Tractor Hayride Shuttle that travels around the festival route. Off the festival footprint, the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts will feature exhibits and fun family activities.
You’ll find the Cedarburg Strawberry Festival in Cedarburg’s historic downtown along Washington Avenue (historic Highway 57), a few miles north of Highway 167, just east of Highway 181, and south of Highway 60.
Cedarburg Strawberry Festival Address:
Downtown Cedarburg
Washington Avenue
Cedarburg, WI 53012
(262) 377-5856 Website
Hayward hosts Musky Fest Friday, June 21st through Sunday, June 23rd with a huge celebration that offers over 120 handmade art and crafts booths, sidewalk sales, live music on Friday and Saturday nights, kids’ games and entertainment including a carnival, a 5k and 10k run/walk, parade, Musky Queen Scholarship program and the Hayward Lions Club fishing contest. The theme in 2024 is “For the Love of Musky!”
As you may know (and if you don’t, now you will), Hayward is home to the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and includes the World’s Largest Musky that you can explore and even climb up into. Musky Fest is fun for the whole family as it celebrates the musky, fishing, the North Woods, and so much more. U.S. 63 and Highways 27 and 77 bring you to this beautiful town!
11am – 3pm
Face Painting and Balloon Animals on Second Street sponsored by Frandsen Bank
10am – 5pm
Caricatures by Rachel near the Sevenwinds Casino Main Stage in Downtown Hayward
10am – 5pm
Speed Ball Throw on Third Street presented by the Knights of Columbus
10am – 5pm Fishing Contest Booth Open for Registrations near the Food Court on Main Street – Presented by Muskies Inc. – Hayward Lakes Chapter & Hayward Bass Club
10am – 10pm
Hayward Lions Club and Hayward Rotary Club’s Beer and Brat Tents Open
11am – 3pm
Meet & Greet with Hall of Fame Fisherman Babe Winkelman
11am – 10pm
Carnival Open at the Fuller Building Lot Courtesy of St. Joe’s Catholic Church
12pm – 4pm
Carnival Wrist Band Hours, all ages $25 each
12pm – 4pm
Learn to Fish Event at Shue’s Pond – Courtesy of the Wisconsin DNR
Noon
Mini, Little Miss, & Junior Musky Queen Presentation Presented by the Hayward Dairy Queen on the Sevenwinds Casino Main Stage in Downtown Hayward
4pm Fishing Contest Raffle & Prize Ceremony at the Fishing Contest Booth on Main Street Presented by Muskies Inc. – Hayward Lakes Chapter & Hayward Bass Club
Well, THIS is an interestingly-named event: the Roofing of the Goats Parade takes place in Sister Bay on Saturday, June 8th, 2024 at 11:00 am right along Highway 42.
All goats are invited to participate in the 10th annual Roofing of the Goats parade! Don’t have a goat? Then line up and watch the famous Al Johnson’s goats while they head down the streets to climb up onto the sod roof. They will be joined by many of their local Door County goat friends who will also be at the festivities. Goat costumes, goatees, Viking hats, and other creative endeavors are encouraged. The parade begins at the corner of Mill Road and Highway 42 in downtown Sister Bay, and goes a trot, kick and a leap down the road to Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant. The parade culminates with the roofing of the first goats of the season at Al Johnson’s (weather permitting – the goats don’t go on the roof in rain or snow). The Goat Parade will be followed by Al Johnson’s annual Goat Fest, located at Stabbur Beer Garden, next to the restaurant. Goat Fest will feature all day festivities including: live music, kid’s games, various beverages, great food, and a Swedish Pancake Eating contest. Other businesses throughout town will also be celebrating with specials.
Returning this year is the Goat Drop Contest. You can help support the Northern Door Food Pantry and have some fun. With a purchase of a goat drop sticker, you will be entered in to win a Trek Fat Tire Cruiser bike from Husby’s and Flanigan’s Distributing, a $100 gift card from Al Johnson’s, or a Lunch and Farm Tour from Door County Creamery. Stickers will be placed on the street along the parade route. To win, a Goat must make a deposit on your sticker during the Goat parade. All proceeds will go to the Northern Door Food Pantry at the Sister Bay Baptist Church. Stickers will be available for purchase at the parade, or if you can’t attend you can still join in on the fun and purchase your stickers online. You do not need to be present to win! Buy your stickers HERE.
Parade line up begins on the southeast corner of Highway 42 (N. Bay Shore Dr.) and Mill Road, and begins at 11:00 a.m. Don’t be late…the goats walk fast!
After the parade, Goat Fest at Al Johnson’s will begin, and includes Live Music, Kids Games and Crafts, a Swedish Pancake Eating Contest and more.
Sister Bay Roofing of the Goats Parade Address:
Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik
10698 N. Bay Shore Road (Highway 42)
Sister Bay, WI 54234
(920) 854-2626 Website
Start:
June 8, 2024 10:30 am
End:
June 8, 2024 5:00 pm
Venue:
Al Johnson's Swedish Butik
Phone:
920-854-2626
Address:
10698 N. Bay Shore Road, Sister Bay, WI, 54234, United States
Sparta holds some notable festivals, and Butterfest is the biggest one of the year. Along with plenty of butter, the festival features numerous events.
Among them: the A&P Carnival, one of the Midwest’s best. There’s also a craft and flea market, a quilt show, softball tournaments, a cornhole bean bag tournament, dance demonstrations, firemen’s water fights, a milking contest, stage entertainment, and much more. The Miss Sparta Pageant will be held during the event, one of the sanctioned events where the winner can then compete in Miss Wisconsin.
It runs Thursday June 6th through Sunday, June 9th. The Butterfest Parade takes place Sunday at 12:30pm. The whole event takes place at Memorial Park in Sparta. I-90 and Highways 16, 21, 27, and 71 bring you there! (Heck, so does the Elroy-Sparta Trail!)
Live music includes Larry’s Drifters on Thursday, the Pat Watters Band on Friday, High Mileage on Saturday, and The Dweebs on Sunday!
Sparta Butterfest Address:
Memorial Park
Pine Street
Sparta, WI 54656 Map Website
Sparta Butterfest Schedule of Events
THURSDAY, JUNE 6:
A&P Carnival, 5-10pm
Corporate Sponsors Reception, 5:30pm • Fest Tent
Fest Tent – opening 7pm • Larry’s Drifters
Military Night – All active duty military free with Military ID
Food Tent
FRIDAY, JUNE 7:
Softball Tournament
Arts, Crafts, Fleamarket and Antiques • 4pm-dusk
Quilt Show Registration – 3pm
Food Tent
A&P Carnival, 5-11pm
Bingo 4-8pm
Fest Tent – opening 8pm • Pat Watters Band •
SATURDAY, JUNE 8:
Arts, Crafts, Fleamarket and Antiques • throughout the day, beginning 10am
A&P Carnival • Throughout the day • WRISTBANDS • Get a $20 wristband and ride from 12-5pm
Softball Tournament – throughout the day
Food Tent
Pancake and Sausage Breakfast • 7am-10am • At the cheese curd concession stand
3 Person Rotary Golf Tournament • 9am
Poker Run • Registration 9-11am
Quilt Show • 10am-5pm with a Demonstration at 2pm
Fest Tent – opening 12pm • Music provided by Mike Harris
New Age Wrestling, Fest Tent, 2pm
Firemen’s Waterfights • 1pm (registration at noon)
DJ Trivia, 1-3pm
Miss Wisconsin Send Off Party, 12pm in the Fest Tent
Milking Contest • 1:00pm
Kids Craft Area • 2-4pm
Bingo 2-6pm
Car Show • 1pm-6pm
Cornhole Bean Bag Tournament • 2pm
Quilting Demonstration • 2pm
Kid’s Bike Decorating Contest in the Arts and Crafts area • 2pm • Judging at 4:30pm
Fest Tent 8pm Entertainment – High Mileage
SUNDAY, JUNE 9:
Softball Tournament • Throughout the day
Food Tent • Throughout the day
Arts, Crafts, Fleamarket and Antiques • Throughout the day • 10am-6pm
A&P Carnival • Throughout the day 12pm-8pm
Quilt Show • 12-4pm • Maplewood School
Fest Tent opens at 12:00pm
Parade • 12:30pm
Fest Tent 4pm-8pm Entertainment – The Dweebs
Bingo 3-5pm
Cows on the Concourse is a celebrated tradition that kicks off June Dairy Month in Dane County. At this free and family-friendly event, kids and adults can meet and greet cows and baby calves from local dairy farms.
Check out Cows on the Concourse as you peruse the Dane County Farmers’ Market on Saturday, June 1, 2024 and enjoy live music, tasty food, fun games, and real, live cows!
Cows on the Concourse celebrates Wisconsin’s dairy industry, which contributes more than $43.4 billion to our state’s economy – Wisconsin is truly “America’s Dairyland.”
Activities
Cow Zone
Get up close and personal with two different herds of cows and baby calves from several dairy breeds. You can even pet them! Joining the cows are local Wisconsin farmers and other “Moo Experts” to answer all your questions.
Get MOOving & Fit Zone
Kids, check out our athletic stations and learn how dairy products are a part of healthy lifestyle and keep your bodies strong. Don’t forget to fuel up with ice-cold milk after you exercise!
Ed’Moo’cation Zone
Dairy is a rich tradition in Wisconsin, but how did it get to be that way? In this youth-friendly station, learn how dairy has become the cornerstone of Wisconsin’s economy as well as how all the great dairy products have become signature treats for folks in the Badger State.
Cows on the Concourse Big Cheese Zone
Sink your teeth into a melt-in-your-mouth grilled cheese sandwich for only $2. Don’t forget to grab a bottle of ice-cold milk to wash it down!
My Dairyland Scavenger Hunt
Join in the My Dairyland Scavenger Hunt and visit each zone at Cows on the Concourse. Learn fun dairy facts and record your answers for a chance to win a free souvenir t-shirt while supplies last.
Saturday Science
Can’t get enough dairy? Hop on a school bus for an excursion to the Town Center at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery on the UW-Madison campus. You will learn about the science of dairy foods and even do some sampling too!
A free shuttle will travel between the two locations, departing every 20 minutes between 10 a.m. and noon.
Saturday Science will include a bonus stop for the My Dairyland Scavenger Hunt.When you complete the My Dairyland Scavenger Hunt at Cows on the Concourse, take your question card to Saturday Science and earn a token for a scoop of Culver’s custard while supplies last!
Cows on the Concourse Address:
Capitol Square, 2 E. Main Street
Madison, WI 53703 Website
Their website has even more details. Check it out Saturday, June 1st from 8am-1pm on the Capitol Square in Madison. U.S. 12, 14, 18 and Highways 30 and 113 all bring you to the city, and U.S. 151 takes you right to the Square!
The 2024 Spring Fiber Extravaganza is a great opportunity to enjoy a road trip and learn about fiber farms around Manitowoc and Sheboygan Counties. The Extravaganza consist of a self-guided scenic road trip with roughly 30 minutes of driving time to three different fiber farms in or near Manitowoc County to visit alpacas, goats, llamas, sheep, ducks, turkeys and more. It runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday May 3rd-5th and takes place at these three farms:
All three invite you to visit the farms, meet the animals, learn more about agriculture, and shop their stores or vendors. This is FREE, open-house style event at all of the farms.
For everyone’s enjoyment and safety, children must be supervised at all times, no smoking or running is allowed, and safety rules at each farm must be strictly followed.
Spring Fiber Extravaganza Location Map:
A trip along Highway 147, which runs between Two Rivers and Maribel, is a fun one for this event. You can easily head down I-43 to Velvet Sheep Farms, which is just off Highway 42 northwest of the interchange. While you’re road tripping in the area, check out great food and beverages at locations throughout Manitowoc County along the Wisconsin Coastal Food Trail. You can also explore downtown Two Rivers with its vibrant shops, Nashotah Beach, Historic Rogers Street Fishing Village, the Washington House (birthplace of the ice cream sundae), and more. Closer to Maribel, stop off Highway 147 and up County R just a mile or so and explore Cherney Maribel Caves County Park, which offers great hiking trails and showcases the Niagara Escarpment beautifully. Down at Velvet Sheep Farms, you’re right by Sheboygan with its bustling downtown complete with museums, theater, a busy and fun harborfront district, wide variety of restaurant cuisine, and more right down Highway 42. If you crave breweries on this road trip, Cool City Brewing is one block off Highway 42 in Two Rivers, Manitowoc features PetSkull Brewing, Sabbatical Brewing, and Craft Creek Brewing. In Sheboygan, a visit to 3 Sheeps Brewing is a must!
Happy road tripping on the Spring Fiber Extravaganza… who knows what else it can lead to??
“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!
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
Chippewa Falls’ annual Springfest hits the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds the weekend of May 19-20, 2023! It’s a family friendly event with over 40 exhibitors showing and selling their Spring and Summer products and services. Enjoy great food, from deep fried cheese curds to State Fair French fries, brick oven pizzas, prime rib sandwiches and so much more!
There’s plenty of family fun including a petting zoo, inflatables, a bonfire, and plenty of other activities for kids and grown-ups alike.
Plenty of live music will be available too, in either of two heated tents, the Main Stage and the Kwik Trip Party Tent. Here’s the main lineup so far:
Friday, May 19th, 7:30pm, Boogie & the Yo-Yo’z
Saturday, May 20th, 7:30 pm, The John Stone Band from Nashville
Tickets can be purchased at The Leinie Lodge, Select Kwik Trip Stores in the Chippewa Falls area, The Chippewa YMCA or online at the Chippewa Falls Rotary Club’s Facebook page.
Springfest Tickets and Pricing:
Friday, May 19th:
FREE General Gate Admission
FREE Parking
Gates open at 4pm
Vendors Open at 4 – 8 pm Expo Hall A
5pm: Brady Luke Band in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
7:30pm: Boogie & The Yo-Yo’z on the Main Stage (Tickets)
11pm: Brady Luke Band (round two!)
Saturday, May 20th:
$5 General Gate Admission
FREE Parking
$20 Advance Boogie and the Yo-Yo’z Concert* (includes General Gate Admission)
$25 Day of Show Boogie and the Yo-Yo’z Concert (includes General Gate Admission)
$75 VIP Concert (Includes: Free Beverages & Snacks from 7-11pm, Exclusive Family Fare VIP Tent Access, Separate Entrance to Concert, Front of Stage Access During Show! Free parking & gate admission. Meet and Greet opportunity [Artist Approved])
Gates open at 11am
12 Noon: The Gators in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
2pm: Chi-Hi Wire Choir, the Chippewa Falls High School students take the stage in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
2:30pm: Howard “Guitar” Luedtke and Blue Max in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
5pm: Bumblefist in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
7:30pm headliner: The John Stone Band – the “King of Broadway” from Nashville (Tickets)
11pm: Bumblefist in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
You can find the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds just off Highway 124 on Edward Street, just north of the Leinenkugel Brewery and across from the beautiful Irvine Park & Zoo. It’s less than a mile north of downtown Chippewa Falls, where Business Highway 29 and Business U.S. 53 meet.
Chippewa Falls Springfest Address:
Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds (along Highway 124)
225 Edward Street
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
(715) 723-2861 Website
Ice Castles are back in Lake Geneva! Tickets are on sale now.
Lake Geneva is beautiful and fun enough already, but with the Ice Castles coming again after such a crazy 2022, this winter it gets even better! Seven days a week starting soon through early March – weather permitting – the massive ice castles compound can be explored and enjoyed by the whole family. The artistic project got underway in November, one of several projects in North America by Ice Castles LLC, a Utah-based company with similar projects in Colorado, New Hampshire, and Utah. One of the most unique and amazing facts about the Ice Castles is that they are literally built by hand. They grow more than 5,000 icicles each day that they harvest and sculpt together. These Ice Castles create life-size winter playgrounds, with illuminated inside the castles at night with color-changing LED lights that twinkle to music. You can explore ice-carved tunnels, fountains, slides, frozen thrones, and towering ice formations. This is truly something to dazzle the entire family. This mega-complex of ice will be at the Geneva National Resort and Club, just west of downtown Lake Geneva off Highway 50, a little east of Highway 67. How long will it last? Depends on the weather, of course, but they’ll keep it open into March if they can. You can keep up with the construction of Ice Castles and weather conditions, which will be continuously updated, on their website.
Tickets are on sale now. Admission prices are:
WEEKDAYS (Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday): General Admission, ages 12 and up: $25 Child Admission, ages 4-11: $17 Children 3 and younger: Free
WEEKENDS (Friday – Sunday): General Admission, ages 12 and up: $29 Child Admission, ages 4-11: $22 Children 3 and younger: Free
Be prepared to hit U.S. 12 or Highways 50, 67, or 120 to get to Lake Geneva and experience Ice Castles Wisconsin and the magic of the winter season!
Photo courtesy of Facebook.com/TheIceCastles
Ice Castles Lake Geneva Address:
Geneva National Resort & Club 1091 Hidden Cottage Circle Lake Geneva, WI 53147 (262) 248-4416 Website
Pulled from their website, here are some “Tips for a great experience” to Ice Castles Lake Geneva:
Wear Boots! The walking surface inside Ice Castles is made of crushed ice. Walking in boots is definitely best.
Buy Tickets Before You Arrive! When you buy a ticket, you buy an arrival time. They ask that you arrive within your 30-minute time window. Once you are inside Ice Castles you can stay as long as you’d like.
You can save some trees when you buy your tickets online; they’ll send you an email with a unique QR code, so there’s no need to print your tickets. They scan the code right from your phone.
Photos are encouraged (and they want to see them! #icecastles) but they ask that you please leave photography equipment such as tripods and lights at home.
Sleds are great, and they highly recommend bringing a small sled to pull children instead of a stroller. It is extremely difficult to push a stroller through Ice Castles – think of it like trying to push a stroller on a sandy beach)
The Plymouth Arts Center, touting Plymouth as the “Cheese Capital of the World,” is doing its 16th annual Big Cheese Drop and New Year’s Eve party on Saturday, December 31st and is ready for the biggest one yet!
This should make national news (again), since it’s been on the list for the top 10 things to do on New Year’s Eve for many years. All the details are on the Plymouth Arts Center website. While in downtown Plymouth, admire all the cool murals and decor along the historic downtown blocks, filled with great shops, restaurants, bars, and more.
Why is Plymouth the “Cheese Capital”? Well, it’s rooted in the fact that the price of cheese in the United States was designated at the Wisconsin Cheese Exchange in downtown Plymouth, beginning in 1918. The Cheese Exchange pricing and standards were the platform for cheese pricing until 1956. During these decades Plymouth became known as “Cheeseville” because of the cheese storage facilities, the processing of cheese and shipping of product throughout the country. Today, over 15% of the cheese consumed in the U.S. goes through the city.
Follow Highways 23, 57, or 67 to get to Plymouth and check out this unique way to ring in 2021. Check out a brief video clip of last year’s party below!
Address for the Big Cheese Drop in Plymouth for New Year’s Eve:
Plymouth Arts Center
520 E. Mill Street
Plymouth, WI 53073
(920) 892-8409 Website
The 2nd annual Jingle & Mingle at City Green in downtown Sheboygan is a family-friendly event that includes entertainment, a marketplace, a brat fry, trolley rides, and of course, Santa!
Make plans to visit Santa and his elves from 12:30pm – 2:00pm and 2:30pm -4:00pm.
The Marketplace is open from Noon to 4 :00pm with crafters, sweet treats, and a traditional brat fry.
Warm up around the bonfire while you roast a tasty s’more or two.
Climb aboard the trolley for rides around town and mingle through the local shops. The Holiday Open House will be happening in select downtown, riverfront and South Pier businesses to help with your holiday shopping.
Help us decorate our tree with handmade ornaments or write your letter to Santa and we’ll deliver it to the North Pole.
Participate in the ugly sweater contest to win prizes.
The Marketplace is open from Noon to 6pm with crafters, sweet treats, and a traditional Sheboygan Jaycees Brat Fry. Marketplace Vendors include:
Comfort & Joy Wooden Ornaments
Crafters Attic (soaps, lotions & more)
Fat Cat 3D creations
Hope Church Bake Sale
Infernal Candles
Mz.Nita’s Kitchen (desserts & baked goods)
Nap Time Treasures (wire jewelry)
She Sews Creations (purses, wallets, backpacks, kids pouches)
Sit back and relax for a bit with some holiday entertainment.
Jingle & Mingle Schedule of Events:
12:15 PM: Storytime with Santa.
12:30 PM: The Kohler High School Madrigal Singers
1 PM: Ugly Sweater Contest
1:30 PM: South High School Singers
2 PM: Lutheran High School Chamber Choir
2:30 PM: Noah & Grace
3 PM: Livie
You can get to City Green and downtown Sheboygan via Highways 23, 28, or 42 in from I-43. Just head towards the lake and make your way to 8th Street, City Green is right at the New York Avenue intersection. While in Sheboygan, you can check out so many fun attractions, restaurants, and more. They include the John Michael Kohler Arts Center – practically adjacent to City Green – the Above & Beyond Children’s Museum, also within blocks of City Green, the Harbor District along the Sheboygan River, North Beach, Maywood Environmental Park and 3 Sheeps Brewing on the north side (both just off Highway 42), and much more.
Jingle & Mingle Address:
City Green, downtown Sheboygan
710 New York Avenue
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 335-0060 Website
The largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibit in North America is back, bigger, and better than ever! More than 100 photorealistic dinosaurs are ready to delight families when Jurassic Quest roars into Wisconsin State Fair Park Friday, September 16th through Sunday, September 18th, 2022.
Jurassic Quest offers some of the most beloved and unique experiences for the whole family including more than 100 life-like dinosaurs, dinosaur themed rides, live dinosaur shows, interactive science and art activities, a “Triceratots” soft play area for our littlest explorers, bounce houses and inflatable attractions (socks required), photo opportunities, and more.
Walk and drive through the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic periods to see the dinos that ruled on land, and “deep dive” into the “Ancient Oceans” exhibit to come face to face with the largest apex predator that ever existed – a moving, life-size, 50-foot-long megalodon. Meet the babies, hatched only at Jurassic Quest: Cammie the Camarasaurus, Tyson the T-Rex and Trixie the Triceratops – and, you may even catch one of our star dino trainers: Safari Sarah, Dino Dustin, Captain Caleb, Prehistoric Nick or Park Ranger Marty!
The Jurassic Quest herd of animatronic dinos – from the largest predators to playful baby dinos – are displayed in realistic scenes with some that move and roar, allowing guests to experience them as they were when they roamed the earth billions of years ago.
Jurassic Quest works in collaboration with leading paleontologists to ensure each dinosaur is painstakingly replicated in every detail, from coloration to teeth size, to textured skin, fur or feathers, drawing on the latest research about how we understand dinosaurs and ancient giants of the sea looked and moved.
Tickets are timed entry — reserve online to ensure desired date and time. Tickets are also available on-site and include a 100% ticket guarantee that in the event of a show cancellation or postponement for any reason, ticket purchases will be automatically refunded for the full purchase amount. Tickets are for a timed arrival window, and advance ticket purchase is strongly encouraged.
Guests can walk through the dinosaur experience at their own pace, and strollers are permitted.
General admission tickets include access to the dinosaur and marine exhibits, arts and crafts activities, and dinosaur shows. There are rides and activities that require activity tickets available on site for $5 each, or guests can upgrade to the Kids Unlimited Rides ticket (the best value for children ages 2-12). Green screen photography and animal art tattoos are available at a separate cost. Entry is free for children under age 2.
You can easily get to Wisconsin State Fair Park via I-94, Highway 59, or Highway 181 – they surround the park! U.S. 18 and I-41/U.S. 45/I-894 get you close for connections.
Jurassic Quest Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Park
640 S. 84th Street
West Allis, WI 53214 Website
One of three “State Fairs” in Wisconsin, the Central Wisconsin State Fair takes place in Marshfield August 23-28, 2022 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:
Hotel California, a Tribute to the Eagles Wednesday night, August 24th
This Fair also features Mad Dog & Merrill and Pumpkin Bowling as a new thing this year. Tons of arts & crafts vendors will be there, and you can enjoy the Saturday & Sunday Pancake Breakfast with local maple syrup from 7am – noon. As usual, Central Wisconsin State Fair hosts the 4-H and open class exhibits, free grandstand entertainment with gate admission, the Round Barn Express train, Junior Fair Market Animal Sale, 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
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events › Family
August 22, 2024 – August 25, 2024
West Bend GERMANFest
Welcome to the 38th Annual West Bend GERMANfest! This celebration of German Heritage and Gemütlichkeit takes place Thursday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 25th, 2024. GERMANfest is an outdoor festival featuring two stages of continuous ethnic and other music, authentic German food and dancing, Sheepshead tournaments, Kinderzone, fine selection of beer and wine, souvenirs, daily raffles, and more.
Take in all the food, fun, and Festlichkeit that awaits you and others as you enjoy the huge outdoor, tented danced floor, fabulous array of musical guests and of course excellent food and beverages. West Bend Germanfest is easy to find, located centrally on the corners of Walnut and Main Street in the heart of downtown West Bend, rich with history. Highways 33 and 144 meet in downtown West Bend, a few miles east of the U.S. 45 bypass of the city. The original U.S. 45, as Main Street, cuts right past the GERMANfest grounds. Check out Riverside Brewery while you’re there!
West Bend GERMANfest Address:
5th Avenue & Walnut Street
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 338-0690
Website
2024 West Bend GERMANfest Music Lineup
Thursday, August 22nd
Liquid Crush 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Rebel Grace 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Friday, August 23rd
Cedar Singers 10:00-11:00am
Goodtime Dutchmen 11:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-2:00pm
John Dietz & the Twin Lakes Trio 12:00-1:00pm, 2:00-3:00pm
Ryan Kautzer Band 3:00pm-4:00pm, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Copper Box 4:00-5:00pm, 6:00-8:00pm
The Nix 8:00pm-11:00pm
Saturday, August 24th
Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt 10:00-11:00am
RiverCity Blaskapelle 11:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-2:00pm
Dave Austin Band 12:00-1:00pm, 2:00pm-3:00pm
Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen 3:00pm-4:00pm, 5:30-6:30pm
Lynn Marie and the Nashville Polka Guys 4:15pm-5:30pm, 6:45pm-8:00pm
Alex Meixner Band 8:00-11:00pm
Sunday, August 25th
The Mike Schneider Band 10:00am-11:00am, 11:45am-1:00pm
Pint Sixed Polkas 11am-11:45am
Lynn Marie and the Nashville Polka Guys 1:00pm-2:30pm, 4:00pm-5:30pm
Alex Meixner Band 2:30pm-4:00pm, 5:30pm-8:00pm
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
August 17, 2024 – August 18, 2024
Art & Chalk Fest, West Bend
West Bend’s Museum of Wisconsin Art hosts its annual Art & Chalk Fest Saturday, August 17th and Sunday, August 18th. 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, August 17th
10:30 Milwaukee Hittaz Drumline
1:30 Warped Dance Company
3:30 Peter Alt Group
Sunday, Augsut 18th
10:30 Little Priest Singers
1:30 Warped Dance Company
3:30 Sainted Patrons
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
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
August 10, 2024
Yellowstone Trail Heritage Day
Hudson was the last Wisconsin stop for westbound travelers on the iconic Yellowstone Trail, which in St. Croix County roughly follows the path of today’s U.S. 12. The city celebrates 111 years of history for the Trail on Saturday, August 10th this year with Yellowstone Trail Heritage Day.
The year was 1912 and the auto was gaining popularity. It wasn’t uncommon for horse drawn wagons to share potholes with the automobiles that also traveled the country roads and passed through everything the horses left behind.
A few ambitious folks got together and decided to connect county roads which resulted in the first transcontinental road – The Yellowstone Trail. From “Plymouth Rock to Puget Sound!”
Check out Hudson on August 10th for family fun around town with a Vintage and Class Car Show, Cemetery Walk, Pie and Ice Cream Social, Children’s Activities and a drive on the Yellowstone Trail!
Other activities planned include a Car Show, Children’s Activities, a Pie & Ice Cream Social at First Baptist Church, Historic Downtown Hudson Walking Tours, Cemetery Walk @ Willow River Cemetery, Octagon House Tours, Ciranda Garden Fair, Non-Profit Community Fair, Coco’s Heart Rescue, and more. Check out their website for details.
Hudson is right along U.S. 12 (which follows portions of the original Yellowstone Trail) and Highway 35. I-94 runs along the south side of town, and Highway 64 is just a few miles north. Check out this beautiful city on the St. Croix River, and for great waterfalls and trails be sure to hit Willow River State Park nearby!
Yellowstone Trail Heritage Day Address:
Various locations in downtown Hudson
Hudson, WI 54016
(715) 386-8411
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
August 8, 2024 – August 11, 2024
Watertown Riverfest
Watertown Riverfest is back at Riverside Park along the Rock River, Thursday, August 8th through Sunday, August 11th this year! Riverfest is FREE once again this year with plenty of fun, family-friendly activities and live music.
Some Riverfest Events Include:
Riverfest Half Marathon and 5K Saturday morning, 8:30am start
Bean Bag Tournament Saturday morning, 10am
Craft Fair Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm, with plenty of artists and craftsman display their items in a natural setting on the Riverside Park island
Horseshoe Tourament, Saturday, 1:00pm
Raft/Kayak Race Saturday 9:30am, Two person raft race on the Rock River from the Main Street bridge at Tivoli Island to Riverside Park
Classic Car Show featuring classic automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles Sunday, 9am – 3pm
FULL Watertown Riverfest Schedule of Events
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8TH
4:00 – 10:00pm A Taste of Watertown
4:00 – 8:00pm Face Painting/Body Art
4:00 – 8:00pm Chainsaw Art
4:00 – 9:00pm Bernie Tennis/Caricature Artist
4:00 – 10:00pm RVR Rides (wristband 5-9pm)
4:00 – 5:00pm Happy Hour Drink Specials w/Big Style Brass Band
5:00 – 6:45pm Big Spoon
7:15 – 10:00pm BACK TO THE ’90s featuring COLOR ME BADD, C&C MUSIC FACTORY FEATURING FREEDOM WILLIAMS & YOUNG MC
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9TH
12:00noon – 10:00pm RVR Rides (wristband noon-5pm)
12:00noon – 8:00pm Face Painting/Body Art
12:00noon – 9:00pm Bernie Tennis/Caricature Artist
4:00 – 8:00pm Chainsaw Art
noon – 10:00pm A Taste of Watertown
4:00 – 5:00pm Happy Hour Drink Specials w/Big Style Brass Band
5:00 – 6:30pm COMMOTION – TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
7:00 – 10:00pm BREE MORGAN RELOADED
10:00pm Pyromusical Fireworks & Laser Light Show
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10TH
8:00am Kids Fun Run
8:30am 5K Run
9:00am – 5:00pm Craft Fair
9:00am – 8:00pm Bernie Tennis/Caricature Artist
10:00am Bean Bag Tournament
11:00am – 8:00pm Chainsaw Art
11:00am – 10:00pm A Taste of Watertown
12 Noon – 8:00pm Face Painting / Body Art
12noon – 10:00pm RVR Rides (wristband noon-5pm)
1:00 – 3:00pm Horseshoe Tournament
1:00 – 3:30pm DJ Shawna
1:30 – 2:00pm Milwaukee Bucks Rim Rockers Performance
2:00 – 2:30pm Milwaukee Bucks Bango Mingle and Dance Party
2:30 – 3:00pm Milwaukee Bucks Rim Rockers Performance
3:30 – 6:00pm Pat McCurdy
6:30 – 8:00pm Hypnotized – The Music of Fleetwood Mac
8:30 – 10:00pm STARSHIP, FEATURING MICKEY THOMAS
10:15pm Pyromusical Fireworks & Laser Light Show (RAIN DATE)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11TH
9:00am Tennis Tournament
9:00am – 3:00pm Car Show
9:00am – 5:00pm Craft Fair
11:00am – 1:30pm Chainsaw Art
11:00am – 5:00pm A Taste of Watertown
11:45am – noon Main Street Bridge Naming Ceremony
12noon – 5:00pm Face Painting / Body Art
12noon – 6:00pm RVR Rides (wristband noon-5pm)
12noon – 2:00pm Big Al & the Hi-Fi’s
2:30pm – 5:00pm COUNT’S 77
3:00pm Chainsaw Art Auction
3:30pm – 4:00pm Car Show Awards
5:00pm Raffle Drawing
5:30pm Festival Closes
Watertown is right where Highways 16, 19, and 26 meet. It’s about 7 miles north of I-94
Watertown Riverfest Address:
916 Labaree Street
Watertown, WI 53098
Website
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August 1, 2024 – August 4, 2024
Mile of Music
Appleton’s “Mile of Music” Festival (X/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 11 takes place August 1-4, 2024.
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 200 artists and 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 11’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. You can also get the full schedule here – it’s a busy one!
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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June 28, 2024 – June 30, 2024
Greek Fest, Sheboygan
The 79th annual Greek Fest Sheboygan takes place Friday – Sunday, June 28-30, 2024 in Sheboygan’s Deland Park on the shores of Lake Michigan! Greek Fest, sponsored by St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, is three full days of authentic Greek food, pastries, beer and wine, and traditional music.
The dance performances and usual Sunday Liturgy service is BACK in 2024! There will be activities for kids including inflatables, and a Sunday raffle also offers the opportunity to win prizes.
The Greek food including gyros, spinach pies, baklava, hot honey puffs, rotisserie chicken with Greek spices, flaming cheese, and more. The flaming cheese – called Saganaki – is breaded Sartori Fontina cheese served with pita bread. Enjoy a tantalizing hot honey puff or some baklava-topped ice cream. FREE admission, free parking. Opa!!
Greek Fest Hours: Friday 5pm – 8pm Saturday 11am – 8pm Sunday 11am – 6pm
Greek Fest Sheboygan Address:
Deland Park
901 Broughton Drive
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(800) 457-9497
Website
Updates and details are available on their website. Get to Sheboygan via I-43, Highways 23, 28, or 42. Deland Park is east of downtown right along Lake Michigan. It’s a beautiful park, and everything from gyros to baklava only makes it better! While in Sheboygan, check out the Harbor District, 8th Street downtown, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, the Above & Beyond Children’s Museum, 3 Sheeps Brewery, and much more. The Visit Sheboygan Visitor Center on 8th Street has more for you… stop by and check it out!
Map of Deland Park in Sheboygan:
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June 22, 2024 – June 23, 2024
Cedarburg Strawberry Festival
Craving an art-filled weekend brimming with the most luscious summer fruit? Check out the 40th annual Cedarburg Strawberry Festival, sponsored by BMO Harris Bank, June 22-23, 2024. This free, family-oriented festival is a favorite of many, drawing up to 100,000 people annually to toast the bold and delicious fruit in all its forms, and enjoy some of the most decadent homegrown strawberries in the area.
For attendees with a taste for wine, Cedar Creek Winery’s Strawberry Blush Wine is a must – this and the winery’s other award-winning wines can be purchased by the glass throughout the Cedarburg Strawberry Festival.
Wander down Washington Avenue and you’ll see why “Art is a Tradition” in Cedarburg. Fondly referred to as “Arts on the Avenue,” Strawberry Festival highlights more than 250 of the best local and Midwest artists who bring their combined perspectives, skills, and thousands of works of arts to the streets of Cedarburg, including paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, fiber art, fine glass, woodwork, mixed media, and photography. Art on the Avenue is a combined effort of four local organizations, the Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedar Creek Settlement Merchant’s Association, the Ozaukee Art Center and the Cedarburg Art Museum, and offers one-of-a-kind works of art from functional to surreal, from witty to the elegantly decorative, as well as the opportunity to meet most of the artists in person.
Cedar Creek Settlement events at the north end of town include live bands, food, and features a new Cedar Creek Marketplace as well as a merchant’s marketplace and indoor shopping. The Sunday Morning Strawberry Pancake Breakfast will be worth checking out. The popular breakfast takes place on the north end of the Festival grounds from 8:00-11:00 a.m. and is served by the Cedar Creek Settlement merchants. More than 1,000 customers get their fill of mouthwatering strawberry pancakes while listening to live music outside along Cedar Creek.
Live music all over the Festival’s Historic District satisfies every audiophile all day Saturday and Sunday. The best place to enjoy the live music is at the Gruber Law Office Main Stage – Festival Food Court which will feature rockin’ fun cover bands like Our House and Life in a Tree. Enjoy live music into the evening with extended hours until 8:30 p.m on Saturday, June 25th. The Beer Garden offers shaded seating and is in close proximity to the main Festival Food Court.
For the littlest strawberry-lovers, Henry’s Kids Korner at Cedar Creek Park offers Jo-Don Farms pony rides and petting zoo, inflatable bounce houses, food and tons of other activities and vendors. One of the most popular events is the CedarQuacker 500 sponsored by Port Washington State Bank, where hundreds of rubber ducks are launched into the creek in a race to the finish Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m.
You can check out a little more of Historic Cedarburg with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ozaukee County’s “Berry Big” 5K Run/Walk, which kicks off in Cedar Creek Park on Saturday at 8:15 a.m. for the timed runners and 8:25 a.m. for fun runners/walkers. The route circles through the neighborhoods that surround the downtown area.
If you tire of walking, take a ride on the Country Aire Rides Tractor Hayride Shuttle that travels around the festival route. Off the festival footprint, the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts will feature exhibits and fun family activities.
Cedarburg Strawberry Festival Schedule of Events (.pdf)
You’ll find the Cedarburg Strawberry Festival in Cedarburg’s historic downtown along Washington Avenue (historic Highway 57), a few miles north of Highway 167, just east of Highway 181, and south of Highway 60.
Cedarburg Strawberry Festival Address:
Downtown Cedarburg
Washington Avenue
Cedarburg, WI 53012
(262) 377-5856
Website
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June 21, 2024 – June 23, 2024
Hayward Musky Fest
Hayward hosts Musky Fest Friday, June 21st through Sunday, June 23rd with a huge celebration that offers over 120 handmade art and crafts booths, sidewalk sales, live music on Friday and Saturday nights, kids’ games and entertainment including a carnival, a 5k and 10k run/walk, parade, Musky Queen Scholarship program and the Hayward Lions Club fishing contest. The theme in 2024 is “For the Love of Musky!”
As you may know (and if you don’t, now you will), Hayward is home to the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and includes the World’s Largest Musky that you can explore and even climb up into. Musky Fest is fun for the whole family as it celebrates the musky, fishing, the North Woods, and so much more. U.S. 63 and Highways 27 and 77 bring you to this beautiful town!
Musky Fest Schedule of Events:
Friday, June 21st
Sidewalk Sales @ Downtown Hayward & Area Retail Stores
Handmade Art & Craft Show, Food, Refreshments & Live Entertainment
Hayward Area High School Bass Team Casting Game & Fundraiser on Third Street
Professional Chalk Art on Second Street presented by Deerfoot Lodge & Resort
Hayward Sports Center Hockey Activity Station on Fourth Street
Family Friendly Activity Zone at the Frandsen Bank Green Lot presented by Hayward Wesleyan Church
Woodland Dance Troupe Native American Dancers on the Sevenwinds Casino Main Stage in Downtown Hayward
Family Chalk Art Area on Second Street sponsored by Tamarack Health Hayward Medical Center
Face Painting and Balloon Animals on Second Street sponsored by Frandsen Bank
Caricatures by Rachel near the Sevenwinds Casino Main Stage in Downtown Hayward
Speed Ball Throw on Third Street presented by the Knights of Columbus
Fishing Contest Booth Open for Registrations near the Food Court on Main Street – Presented by Muskies Inc. – Hayward Lakes Chapter & Hayward Bass Club
Hayward Lions Club and Hayward Rotary Club’s Beer and Brat Tents Open
Meet & Greet with Hall of Fame Fisherman Babe Winkelman
Carnival Open at the Fuller Building Lot Courtesy of St. Joe’s Catholic Church
Carnival Wrist Band Hours, all ages $25 each
Learn to Fish Event at Shue’s Pond – Courtesy of the Wisconsin DNR
Mini, Little Miss, & Junior Musky Queen Presentation Presented by the Hayward Dairy Queen on the Sevenwinds Casino Main Stage in Downtown Hayward
Watermelon Eating Contest presented by Marketplace Foods
Live Music by Sean & Ian Okamoto on the Sevenwinds Casino Main Stage in Downtown Hayward – Sponsored by Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University
Annual Musky Fest Car Show presented and hosted by Don Johnson’s Hayward Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (3pm Check-In)
Carnival Wrist Band Hours, all ages $25 each
Musky Queen Crowning Ceremony Presented by the Hayward Dairy Queen on the Sevenwinds Casino Main Stage in Downtown Hayward
Hayward Hawks vs. Blue Hills Beasts – Larry Somerville Field
FREE Live Music by Steve Beguhn on the Sevenwinds Casino Main Stage in Downtown Hayward – Sponsored by Eddy’s on Third
Saturday, June 22nd
Sawyer County Dairy Breakfast @ Sawyer County Fairgrounds
Sidewalk Sales @ Downtown Hayward & Area Retail Stores
Handmade Art & Craft Show, Food, Refreshments & Live Entertainment
Professional Chalk Art on Second Street presented by Deerfoot Lodge & Resort
Hayward Sports Center Hockey Activity Station on Fourth Street
Family Chalk Art Area on Second Street sponsored by Tamarack Health Hayward Medical Center
Face Painting and Balloon Animals on Second Street sponsored by Frandsen Bank
Sawyer County Wood Chop in the Firehall Municipal Lot on Dakota Avenue
Caricatures by Rachel near the Sevenwinds Casino Main Stage in Downtown Hayward
Speed Ball Throw on Third Street presented by the Knights of Columbus
Hayward Lions Club and Hayward Rotary Club’s Beer and Brat Tents Open
Rod Lundberg Games – presented by Northwest Connection Family Resource Center at the Frandsen Bank Green Lot
Carnival Open at the Fuller Building Lot Courtesy of St. Joe’s Catholic Church
Dairy Queen Dilly Bar Eating Contest
Family Friendly Activity Zone at the Frandsen Bank Green Lot presented by Hayward Wesleyan Church
Carnival Wrist Band Hours, all ages $25 each
Shue’s Pond is Open for Fishing – Courtesy of the Wisconsin DNR
Hula Hoop Contest
Live Music by The Sixes on the Sevenwinds Casino Main Stage in Downtown Hayward – Sponsored by Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University
Fishing Contest Raffle & Prize Ceremony at the Fishing Contest Booth on Main Street Presented by Muskies Inc. – Hayward Lakes Chapter & Hayward Bass Club
4th Annual Musky Fest Cornhole Tournament Presented by Ignite Dispensary
Carnival Wrist Band Hours, all ages $25 each
Hayward Hawks vs. Haugen Knights – Larry Somerville Field
Get Hooked: Blood Hook Screening Extravaganza at The Park Center
FREE Live Music by Six to Midnight on the Sevenwinds Casino Main Stage in Downtown Hayward – Sponsored by Angler’s Bar & Grill
Sunday, June 23rd
Musky Fest 5K Run/Walk and 10K Run– Presented by the Tamarack Health Hayward Medical Center
Minnow Run for kids 12 and under in front of Frandsen Bank and Trust
Sidewalk Sales @ Downtown Hayward & Area Retail Stores
Hayward Lions Club and Hayward Rotary Club’s Beer and Brat Tents Open
Food Concessions on Main Street Open
Carnival Open at the Fuller Building Lot
74th Annual Musky Festival Grand Parade
Presented by: Nelson Lumber & Floor to Ceiling
Parade Route: Main Street to Second Street to Dakota Ave
Hayward Musky Fest Address:
Downtown Hayward
Hayward, WI 54843
(715) 634-8662
Website
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June 8, 2024
Sister Bay Roofing of the Goats Parade
Well, THIS is an interestingly-named event: the Roofing of the Goats Parade takes place in Sister Bay on Saturday, June 8th, 2024 at 11:00 am right along Highway 42.
All goats are invited to participate in the 10th annual Roofing of the Goats parade! Don’t have a goat? Then line up and watch the famous Al Johnson’s goats while they head down the streets to climb up onto the sod roof. They will be joined by many of their local Door County goat friends who will also be at the festivities. Goat costumes, goatees, Viking hats, and other creative endeavors are encouraged. The parade begins at the corner of Mill Road and Highway 42 in downtown Sister Bay, and goes a trot, kick and a leap down the road to Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant. The parade culminates with the roofing of the first goats of the season at Al Johnson’s (weather permitting – the goats don’t go on the roof in rain or snow). The Goat Parade will be followed by Al Johnson’s annual Goat Fest, located at Stabbur Beer Garden, next to the restaurant. Goat Fest will feature all day festivities including: live music, kid’s games, various beverages, great food, and a Swedish Pancake Eating contest. Other businesses throughout town will also be celebrating with specials.
Returning this year is the Goat Drop Contest. You can help support the Northern Door Food Pantry and have some fun. With a purchase of a goat drop sticker, you will be entered in to win a Trek Fat Tire Cruiser bike from Husby’s and Flanigan’s Distributing, a $100 gift card from Al Johnson’s, or a Lunch and Farm Tour from Door County Creamery. Stickers will be placed on the street along the parade route. To win, a Goat must make a deposit on your sticker during the Goat parade. All proceeds will go to the Northern Door Food Pantry at the Sister Bay Baptist Church. Stickers will be available for purchase at the parade, or if you can’t attend you can still join in on the fun and purchase your stickers online. You do not need to be present to win! Buy your stickers HERE.
Parade line up begins on the southeast corner of Highway 42 (N. Bay Shore Dr.) and Mill Road, and begins at 11:00 a.m. Don’t be late…the goats walk fast!
After the parade, Goat Fest at Al Johnson’s will begin, and includes Live Music, Kids Games and Crafts, a Swedish Pancake Eating Contest and more.
Sister Bay Roofing of the Goats Parade Address:
Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik
10698 N. Bay Shore Road (Highway 42)
Sister Bay, WI 54234
(920) 854-2626
Website
June 6, 2024 – June 9, 2024
Sparta Butterfest
Sparta holds some notable festivals, and Butterfest is the biggest one of the year. Along with plenty of butter, the festival features numerous events.
Among them: the A&P Carnival, one of the Midwest’s best. There’s also a craft and flea market, a quilt show, softball tournaments, a cornhole bean bag tournament, dance demonstrations, firemen’s water fights, a milking contest, stage entertainment, and much more. The Miss Sparta Pageant will be held during the event, one of the sanctioned events where the winner can then compete in Miss Wisconsin.
It runs Thursday June 6th through Sunday, June 9th. The Butterfest Parade takes place Sunday at 12:30pm. The whole event takes place at Memorial Park in Sparta. I-90 and Highways 16, 21, 27, and 71 bring you there! (Heck, so does the Elroy-Sparta Trail!)
Live music includes Larry’s Drifters on Thursday, the Pat Watters Band on Friday, High Mileage on Saturday, and The Dweebs on Sunday!
Sparta Butterfest Address:
Memorial Park
Pine Street
Sparta, WI 54656
Map
Website
Sparta Butterfest Schedule of Events
THURSDAY, JUNE 6:
A&P Carnival, 5-10pm
Corporate Sponsors Reception, 5:30pm • Fest Tent
Fest Tent – opening 7pm • Larry’s Drifters
Military Night – All active duty military free with Military ID
Food Tent
FRIDAY, JUNE 7:
Softball Tournament
Arts, Crafts, Fleamarket and Antiques • 4pm-dusk
Quilt Show Registration – 3pm
Food Tent
A&P Carnival, 5-11pm
Bingo 4-8pm
Fest Tent – opening 8pm • Pat Watters Band •
SATURDAY, JUNE 8:
Arts, Crafts, Fleamarket and Antiques • throughout the day, beginning 10am
A&P Carnival • Throughout the day • WRISTBANDS • Get a $20 wristband and ride from 12-5pm
Softball Tournament – throughout the day
Food Tent
Pancake and Sausage Breakfast • 7am-10am • At the cheese curd concession stand
3 Person Rotary Golf Tournament • 9am
Poker Run • Registration 9-11am
Quilt Show • 10am-5pm with a Demonstration at 2pm
Fest Tent – opening 12pm • Music provided by Mike Harris
New Age Wrestling, Fest Tent, 2pm
Firemen’s Waterfights • 1pm (registration at noon)
DJ Trivia, 1-3pm
Miss Wisconsin Send Off Party, 12pm in the Fest Tent
Milking Contest • 1:00pm
Kids Craft Area • 2-4pm
Bingo 2-6pm
Car Show • 1pm-6pm
Cornhole Bean Bag Tournament • 2pm
Quilting Demonstration • 2pm
Kid’s Bike Decorating Contest in the Arts and Crafts area • 2pm • Judging at 4:30pm
Fest Tent 8pm Entertainment – High Mileage
SUNDAY, JUNE 9:
Softball Tournament • Throughout the day
Food Tent • Throughout the day
Arts, Crafts, Fleamarket and Antiques • Throughout the day • 10am-6pm
A&P Carnival • Throughout the day 12pm-8pm
Quilt Show • 12-4pm • Maplewood School
Fest Tent opens at 12:00pm
Parade • 12:30pm
Fest Tent 4pm-8pm Entertainment – The Dweebs
Bingo 3-5pm
June 1, 2024
Cows on the Concourse
Check out Cows on the Concourse as you peruse the Dane County Farmers’ Market on Saturday, June 1, 2024 and enjoy live music, tasty food, fun games, and real, live cows!
Cows on the Concourse celebrates Wisconsin’s dairy industry, which contributes more than $43.4 billion to our state’s economy – Wisconsin is truly “America’s Dairyland.”
Activities
Cow Zone
Get up close and personal with two different herds of cows and baby calves from several dairy breeds. You can even pet them! Joining the cows are local Wisconsin farmers and other “Moo Experts” to answer all your questions.
Get MOOving & Fit Zone
Kids, check out our athletic stations and learn how dairy products are a part of healthy lifestyle and keep your bodies strong. Don’t forget to fuel up with ice-cold milk after you exercise!
Ed’Moo’cation Zone
Dairy is a rich tradition in Wisconsin, but how did it get to be that way? In this youth-friendly station, learn how dairy has become the cornerstone of Wisconsin’s economy as well as how all the great dairy products have become signature treats for folks in the Badger State.
Cows on the Concourse Big Cheese Zone
Sink your teeth into a melt-in-your-mouth grilled cheese sandwich for only $2. Don’t forget to grab a bottle of ice-cold milk to wash it down!
My Dairyland Scavenger Hunt
Join in the My Dairyland Scavenger Hunt and visit each zone at Cows on the Concourse. Learn fun dairy facts and record your answers for a chance to win a free souvenir t-shirt while supplies last.
Saturday Science
Can’t get enough dairy? Hop on a school bus for an excursion to the Town Center at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery on the UW-Madison campus. You will learn about the science of dairy foods and even do some sampling too!
A free shuttle will travel between the two locations, departing every 20 minutes between 10 a.m. and noon.
Saturday Science will include a bonus stop for the My Dairyland Scavenger Hunt.When you complete the My Dairyland Scavenger Hunt at Cows on the Concourse, take your question card to Saturday Science and earn a token for a scoop of Culver’s custard while supplies last!
Cows on the Concourse Address:
Capitol Square, 2 E. Main Street
Madison, WI 53703
Website
Their website has even more details. Check it out Saturday, June 1st from 8am-1pm on the Capitol Square in Madison. U.S. 12, 14, 18 and Highways 30 and 113 all bring you to the city, and U.S. 151 takes you right to the Square!
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May 3, 2024 – May 5, 2024
Spring Fiber Extravaganza!
The 2024 Spring Fiber Extravaganza is a great opportunity to enjoy a road trip and learn about fiber farms around Manitowoc and Sheboygan Counties. The Extravaganza consist of a self-guided scenic road trip with roughly 30 minutes of driving time to three different fiber farms in or near Manitowoc County to visit alpacas, goats, llamas, sheep, ducks, turkeys and more. It runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday May 3rd-5th and takes place at these three farms:
All three invite you to visit the farms, meet the animals, learn more about agriculture, and shop their stores or vendors. This is FREE, open-house style event at all of the farms.
For everyone’s enjoyment and safety, children must be supervised at all times, no smoking or running is allowed, and safety rules at each farm must be strictly followed.
Spring Fiber Extravaganza Location Map:
A trip along Highway 147, which runs between Two Rivers and Maribel, is a fun one for this event. You can easily head down I-43 to Velvet Sheep Farms, which is just off Highway 42 northwest of the interchange. While you’re road tripping in the area, check out great food and beverages at locations throughout Manitowoc County along the Wisconsin Coastal Food Trail. You can also explore downtown Two Rivers with its vibrant shops, Nashotah Beach, Historic Rogers Street Fishing Village, the Washington House (birthplace of the ice cream sundae), and more. Closer to Maribel, stop off Highway 147 and up County R just a mile or so and explore Cherney Maribel Caves County Park, which offers great hiking trails and showcases the Niagara Escarpment beautifully. Down at Velvet Sheep Farms, you’re right by Sheboygan with its bustling downtown complete with museums, theater, a busy and fun harborfront district, wide variety of restaurant cuisine, and more right down Highway 42. If you crave breweries on this road trip, Cool City Brewing is one block off Highway 42 in Two Rivers, Manitowoc features PetSkull Brewing, Sabbatical Brewing, and Craft Creek Brewing. In Sheboygan, a visit to 3 Sheeps Brewing is a must!
Happy road tripping on the Spring Fiber Extravaganza… who knows what else it can lead to??
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August 20, 2023
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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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
May 20, 2023
Springfest, Chippewa Falls
Chippewa Falls’ annual Springfest hits the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds the weekend of May 19-20, 2023! It’s a family friendly event with over 40 exhibitors showing and selling their Spring and Summer products and services. Enjoy great food, from deep fried cheese curds to State Fair French fries, brick oven pizzas, prime rib sandwiches and so much more!
There’s plenty of family fun including a petting zoo, inflatables, a bonfire, and plenty of other activities for kids and grown-ups alike.
Plenty of live music will be available too, in either of two heated tents, the Main Stage and the Kwik Trip Party Tent. Here’s the main lineup so far:
Friday, May 19th, 7:30pm, Boogie & the Yo-Yo’z
Saturday, May 20th, 7:30 pm, The John Stone Band from Nashville
You’ll also be able to enjoy Leininkugel’s Springfest Kubb Championship! What’s Kubb?? Find out here!
NEW in 2023 is the Dinosaur Exhibit!
Tickets can be purchased at The Leinie Lodge, Select Kwik Trip Stores in the Chippewa Falls area, The Chippewa YMCA or online at the Chippewa Falls Rotary Club’s Facebook page.
Springfest Tickets and Pricing:
Friday, May 19th:
FREE General Gate Admission
FREE Parking
Gates open at 4pm
Vendors Open at 4 – 8 pm Expo Hall A
5pm: Brady Luke Band in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
7:30pm: Boogie & The Yo-Yo’z on the Main Stage (Tickets)
11pm: Brady Luke Band (round two!)
Saturday, May 20th:
$5 General Gate Admission
FREE Parking
$20 Advance Boogie and the Yo-Yo’z Concert* (includes General Gate Admission)
$25 Day of Show Boogie and the Yo-Yo’z Concert (includes General Gate Admission)
$75 VIP Concert (Includes: Free Beverages & Snacks from 7-11pm, Exclusive Family Fare VIP Tent Access, Separate Entrance to Concert, Front of Stage Access During Show! Free parking & gate admission. Meet and Greet opportunity [Artist Approved])
Gates open at 11am
12 Noon: The Gators in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
2pm: Chi-Hi Wire Choir, the Chippewa Falls High School students take the stage in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
2:30pm: Howard “Guitar” Luedtke and Blue Max in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
5pm: Bumblefist in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
7:30pm headliner: The John Stone Band – the “King of Broadway” from Nashville (Tickets)
11pm: Bumblefist in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
You can find the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds just off Highway 124 on Edward Street, just north of the Leinenkugel Brewery and across from the beautiful Irvine Park & Zoo. It’s less than a mile north of downtown Chippewa Falls, where Business Highway 29 and Business U.S. 53 meet.
Chippewa Falls Springfest Address:
Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds (along Highway 124)
225 Edward Street
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
(715) 723-2861
Website
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January 13, 2023 – March 10, 2023
Ice Castles Lake Geneva
Ice Castles are back in Lake Geneva! Tickets are on sale now.
Lake Geneva is beautiful and fun enough already, but with the Ice Castles coming again after such a crazy 2022, this winter it gets even better! Seven days a week starting soon through early March – weather permitting – the massive ice castles compound can be explored and enjoyed by the whole family. The artistic project got underway in November, one of several projects in North America by Ice Castles LLC, a Utah-based company with similar projects in Colorado, New Hampshire, and Utah. One of the most unique and amazing facts about the Ice Castles is that they are literally built by hand. They grow more than 5,000 icicles each day that they harvest and sculpt together. These Ice Castles create life-size winter playgrounds, with illuminated inside the castles at night with color-changing LED lights that twinkle to music. You can explore ice-carved tunnels, fountains, slides, frozen thrones, and towering ice formations. This is truly something to dazzle the entire family. This mega-complex of ice will be at the Geneva National Resort and Club, just west of downtown Lake Geneva off Highway 50, a little east of Highway 67. How long will it last? Depends on the weather, of course, but they’ll keep it open into March if they can. You can keep up with the construction of Ice Castles and weather conditions, which will be continuously updated, on their website.
Tickets are on sale now. Admission prices are:
WEEKDAYS (Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday): General Admission, ages 12 and up: $25 Child Admission, ages 4-11: $17 Children 3 and younger: Free
WEEKENDS (Friday – Sunday): General Admission, ages 12 and up: $29 Child Admission, ages 4-11: $22 Children 3 and younger: Free
Be prepared to hit U.S. 12 or Highways 50, 67, or 120 to get to Lake Geneva and experience Ice Castles Wisconsin and the magic of the winter season!
Ice Castles Lake Geneva Address:
Geneva National Resort & Club
1091 Hidden Cottage Circle
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262) 248-4416
Website
Pulled from their website, here are some “Tips for a great experience” to Ice Castles Lake Geneva:
Find out more about Lake Geneva HERE.
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December 31, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Plymouth’s New Years’ Eve “Cheese Drop”
The Plymouth Arts Center, touting Plymouth as the “Cheese Capital of the World,” is doing its 16th annual Big Cheese Drop and New Year’s Eve party on Saturday, December 31st and is ready for the biggest one yet!
This should make national news (again), since it’s been on the list for the top 10 things to do on New Year’s Eve for many years. All the details are on the Plymouth Arts Center website. While in downtown Plymouth, admire all the cool murals and decor along the historic downtown blocks, filled with great shops, restaurants, bars, and more.
Why is Plymouth the “Cheese Capital”? Well, it’s rooted in the fact that the price of cheese in the United States was designated at the Wisconsin Cheese Exchange in downtown Plymouth, beginning in 1918. The Cheese Exchange pricing and standards were the platform for cheese pricing until 1956. During these decades Plymouth became known as “Cheeseville” because of the cheese storage facilities, the processing of cheese and shipping of product throughout the country. Today, over 15% of the cheese consumed in the U.S. goes through the city.
Follow Highways 23, 57, or 67 to get to Plymouth and check out this unique way to ring in 2021. Check out a brief video clip of last year’s party below!
Address for the Big Cheese Drop in Plymouth for New Year’s Eve:
Plymouth Arts Center
520 E. Mill Street
Plymouth, WI 53073
(920) 892-8409
Website
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December 3, 2022
Jingle & Mingle, Sheboygan
The 2nd annual Jingle & Mingle at City Green in downtown Sheboygan is a family-friendly event that includes entertainment, a marketplace, a brat fry, trolley rides, and of course, Santa!
Jingle & Mingle Schedule of Events:
12:15 PM: Storytime with Santa.
12:30 PM: The Kohler High School Madrigal Singers
1 PM: Ugly Sweater Contest
1:30 PM: South High School Singers
2 PM: Lutheran High School Chamber Choir
2:30 PM: Noah & Grace
3 PM: Livie
You can get to City Green and downtown Sheboygan via Highways 23, 28, or 42 in from I-43. Just head towards the lake and make your way to 8th Street, City Green is right at the New York Avenue intersection. While in Sheboygan, you can check out so many fun attractions, restaurants, and more. They include the John Michael Kohler Arts Center – practically adjacent to City Green – the Above & Beyond Children’s Museum, also within blocks of City Green, the Harbor District along the Sheboygan River, North Beach, Maywood Environmental Park and 3 Sheeps Brewing on the north side (both just off Highway 42), and much more.
Jingle & Mingle Address:
City Green, downtown Sheboygan
710 New York Avenue
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 335-0060
Website
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September 17, 2022 – September 18, 2022
Jurassic Quest
The largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibit in North America is back, bigger, and better than ever! More than 100 photorealistic dinosaurs are ready to delight families when Jurassic Quest roars into Wisconsin State Fair Park Friday, September 16th through Sunday, September 18th, 2022.
Jurassic Quest offers some of the most beloved and unique experiences for the whole family including more than 100 life-like dinosaurs, dinosaur themed rides, live dinosaur shows, interactive science and art activities, a “Triceratots” soft play area for our littlest explorers, bounce houses and inflatable attractions (socks required), photo opportunities, and more.
Walk and drive through the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic periods to see the dinos that ruled on land, and “deep dive” into the “Ancient Oceans” exhibit to come face to face with the largest apex predator that ever existed – a moving, life-size, 50-foot-long megalodon. Meet the babies, hatched only at Jurassic Quest: Cammie the Camarasaurus, Tyson the T-Rex and Trixie the Triceratops – and, you may even catch one of our star dino trainers: Safari Sarah, Dino Dustin, Captain Caleb, Prehistoric Nick or Park Ranger Marty!
The Jurassic Quest herd of animatronic dinos – from the largest predators to playful baby dinos – are displayed in realistic scenes with some that move and roar, allowing guests to experience them as they were when they roamed the earth billions of years ago.
Jurassic Quest works in collaboration with leading paleontologists to ensure each dinosaur is painstakingly replicated in every detail, from coloration to teeth size, to textured skin, fur or feathers, drawing on the latest research about how we understand dinosaurs and ancient giants of the sea looked and moved.
Tickets are timed entry — reserve online to ensure desired date and time. Tickets are also available on-site and include a 100% ticket guarantee that in the event of a show cancellation or postponement for any reason, ticket purchases will be automatically refunded for the full purchase amount. Tickets are for a timed arrival window, and advance ticket purchase is strongly encouraged.
Guests can walk through the dinosaur experience at their own pace, and strollers are permitted.
General admission tickets include access to the dinosaur and marine exhibits, arts and crafts activities, and dinosaur shows. There are rides and activities that require activity tickets available on site for $5 each, or guests can upgrade to the Kids Unlimited Rides ticket (the best value for children ages 2-12). Green screen photography and animal art tattoos are available at a separate cost. Entry is free for children under age 2.
You can easily get to Wisconsin State Fair Park via I-94, Highway 59, or Highway 181 – they surround the park! U.S. 18 and I-41/U.S. 45/I-894 get you close for connections.
Jurassic Quest Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Park
640 S. 84th Street
West Allis, WI 53214
Website
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August 28, 2022
Central Wisconsin State Fair 2022
One of three “State Fairs” in Wisconsin, the Central Wisconsin State Fair takes place in Marshfield August 23-28, 2022 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 Mad Dog & Merrill and Pumpkin Bowling as a new thing this year. Tons of arts & crafts vendors will be there, and you can enjoy the Saturday & Sunday Pancake Breakfast with local maple syrup from 7am – noon. As usual, Central Wisconsin State Fair hosts the 4-H and open class exhibits, free grandstand entertainment with gate admission, the Round Barn Express train, Junior Fair Market Animal Sale, 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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