Burlington is “Chocolate City, USA,” named so for its Nestle plant, which opened in 1965. Chocolate Fest started 22 years later in 1987 and has been delighting chocolate lovers ever since. Although the dates used to move around, it now takes place every Memorial Day weekend – this year, that means May 24-27, 2019.
That’s a lot of chocolate. Good!
Plenty of exhibits on chocolate, demonstrations on chocolate-making, and samples highlight the main theme of the festivals. Music from national and regional acts, family events, and more add to the fun. Need a sugar rush? There’s a cupcake-eating contest if you’re in a hurry for it!
It really is chocolate Jenga…
There’s also a Rotary Carnival, a Chocolate City Bike Ride, fireworks, and a Memorial Day Veterans Day Parade. Chocolate Jenga is a crowd-pleaser – and suspenseful at times! Chocolate carvings, treats, and more add to the tasty fun.
The Burlington Festival Grounds are just off Milwaukee Street (City Highways 36 & 83) along Maryland Avenue near the Fox River and Riverside Park, northeast of downtown. City Highway 11 just to the south, and Highway 142 approaches from the southeast. While in town, you can check out other places like the Spinning Top & Yo-Yo Museum and Fred’s, one of Wisconsin’s legendary burger joints.
Live music and other performances will take place on several stages across the grounds. The Main Stage will include performances from Cherry Pie Thursday night and Bella Cain and Clear Pioneer Friday night. Saturday will feature Squad 51, Chris Jones, Failure to Launch, the Dayrollers, Almight Vinyl, and the Petty Kings (a Tom Petty tribute band) Saturday. Sunday will include 76 Juliet, the Astro Blues Band, the Altered Five Blues Band, and Lunchmoney Bullies. Memorial Day Monday will include The Britins (an amazingly spot-on Beatles cover band), Taylor & Jamie, PF and the Flatheads, and Jeff Walski.
Tickets run $8 for people ages 12 and up, $5 for kids 5-12, and free for children 4 and under. On-grounds parking is also available for $5. Get more details and updates on the Chocolate Fest website.
The Lakefront Artists Fair, taking place the day after First Fridays downtown, is Racine’s first outdoor art fair of the season. Over 100 artists from across the Midwest descend upon the Belle City to showcase their wares and create new ones.
Every year on the first Saturday in May Racine Montessori holds their biggest fundraiser of the year, the Lakefront Artist Fair. Running simultaneously with the Racine Kiwanis Pancake Day at Festival Park, it is an unofficial start to Racine’s summertime festival season.
Artisans from all over the Midwest will show and offer:
Jewelry
Paintings
Pottery
Metal Art
Garden Art
Clothing and more
In addition to a wonderful variety of original art, there are many other reasons to visit the Lakefront Artist Fair:
RMS Raffle, featuring a variety of great prizes
Gift Basket Silent Auction
Artist’s Silent Auction (many participating artists donate an item)
Bake sale
Food Station – Burgers/Brats Chips & Drinks
Bring your family and come join the fun!
You can reach Festival Park by taking Highways 11, 20, 32, or 38 to downtown. Festival Park will be just off the lakefront, near the Racine Art Museum, Monument Square, and other downtown sights.
Racine Lakefront Artists Fair Address:
5 Fifth Street
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 637-7892 Website
Of course, Milwaukee is one of the beer capitals of the world, so you know Milwaukee Beer Week is epic. The city’s longest brewing tradition has risen to a whole new level with an explosion of craft breweries all over the city and suburbs. Participating breweries include Third Space Brewing, Good City Brewing, Milwaukee Brewing Company, New Glarus Brewing Company, 3 Sheeps Brewing from Sheboygan, Central Waters Brewing from Amherst, Founders Brewing, and even some out-of-state craft breweries like Sierra Nevada and Lagunitas.
Milwaukee Beer Week runs Saturday, May 4th – Saturday, May 11th with events at bars and breweries all over the area. A Schedule of Events is below, and you can find out more on their website and also their Facebook page for up-to-date additions and adjustments.
Milwaukee is a fun place to road trip to and around, but if you’re imbibing a lot in Craft Beer Week events remember there are plenty of taxis, Uber and Lyft options, and even some fun, easily rent-able Bublr Bikes you can use to go from event to event. Their hashtag is #MKEBeerWeek.
Milwaukee Craft Beer Week Schedule of Events
2nd Annual Brewers Brunch
May 4 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Stubby’s Gastrogrub and Beer Bar, 2060 N Humboldt Blvd #1 , Milwaukee
Enjoy a flight of coffee infused beer and brunch items including fresh house doughnuts. Local coffee vendors on site sampling and selling their products.
IPA Evolution
May 4 @ 11:00 am – May 11 @ 11:00 pm
Hooligan’s, 2017 E. North Ave. , Milwaukee
Come taste how IPAs have changed over the years with a flight of popular styles. $10.00 Flights and $5.00 Pints.
Haze Craze
May 4 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Rumpus Room, 1030 N Water St., Milwaukee
Stop in and try a huge variety of the latest beer craze, Hazy IPAs. Every draft line will be dedicated to this popular beer style with multiple breweries being represented.
THE GIDDY UP
May 4 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Vanguard, 2659 S Kinnickinnic Avenue, Milwaukee
Vanguard & 3 Sheeps Brewing Co. Present… THE GIDDY UP. Tap Takeover & Patio Party. Beer * Classic Country * Food. Featuring ‘The Long Line Riders’ Performing Live, with ‘Hot Dog’ Classic Country Spin. Plus a whole stable of new and rare beers. FUN.
May the 4th Be With You
May 4 @ 11:00 am – May 5 @ 2:00 am
Oak & Shield Gaming Pub, 600 E Ogden Ave., Milwaukee
One year ago, in a galaxy not so far away…The Oak & Shield Gaming Pub was born. May 4th marks their one hundred and eleventh birthday! (Minus 110 years…) Join Oak & Shield and Milwaukee Brewing Company in celebration with an epic one-year anniversary party, and a kickoff to Craft Beer Week with rare timed trappings all night long, and a Star Wars cosplay contest! 11 AM: Jabba’s Social Game Day- Play big games out on the patio all day…
Water Street Brewery – Throw Back Brewery Tours
May 4 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Water Street Brewery, 1101 N. Water Street, Milwaukee
Visit Milwaukee’s First Brew Pub for tours between 11am-6pm beginning every half hour focusing on the history of the Water Street Brewery and its original three brews Oktoberfest, Victory Amber and Sporten Lager. Throw a few back while you can of the limited release Sporten Lager while on tap for Milwaukee Beer Week. Three Free Samples of WSB Beer included with tours! There will also be free Water Street Brewery swag, and every tour participant receives a free refillable WSB…
FOUNDERS KBS TAPPING
May 4 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Craft Beer Cellar, 1230 George Town Dr. E, Pewaukee
Come join Craft Beer Cellar and the team from Founders Brewing Company for a KBS tapping! Also available will be Blushing Monk, All Day IPA. ad Rubeaus.
Feeling Surly…Throw an Axe
May 4 @ 2:00 pm – May 11 @ 11:00 pm
AXE MKE, 1924 Kenilworth Ave., Milwaukee
Hold an Axe Man in one hand and an Axe in the other while you take out your frustration after a long day. Enjoy a bucket of Surly Brewing cans while you chuck a few axes. Enter for your chance to win a great Surly prize pack.
Tour of WI
May 4 @ 3:00 pm – May 11 @ 8:00 pm
Whos On Third, 1007 N. Old World Third Street, Milwaukee
Stop in all Beer Week long. $15.00 gets you a Usingers brat and a side of cheese curds, paired with pint of any local beer on tap.
MKE Brewing Feature at Groppis
May 4 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
G Groppi Food Market, 1441 E Russell Ave., Milwaukee
Join us for a Milwaukee Beer Week kick off sampling at Groppi Food Market. MKE Brewing will be featured on tap and pouring all their best sellers down in the heart of Bay View. Grab some beer before the Derby gets underway.
Beer Week Brunch
May 5 @ 8:00 am – May 11 @ 3:00 pm
Fuel Cafe: Walkers Point, 630 S 5th Street, Milwaukee
Brunch and Beer pairings will be available all week. Tuesday May 7th the Bell’s Rep will be in offering swag, prizes, and samples.
Crafty Cow Burger Pairing
May 5 @ 11:00 am – May 11 @ 10:00 pm
Crafty Cow Bay View, 2675 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee
For the second year in a row, Third Space and Crafty Cow partner up to bring you a brand new burger. This years creation… Morning in Denver. This burger has a beef patty, topped with Canadian bacon, fried egg, friend onions, and sauteed green peppers. This bad boy is paired up with That’s Gold Kolsch. They will also be creating a brand new poutine to be partied with Happy Place Pale Ale.
Half Way to Halloween
May 5 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Draft & Vessel, 4417 N. Oakland Ave., Milwaukee, WI
We’re half way to Halloween. Come celebrate with a special tapping of Third Space Haunted Barrel. This beer is released every Halloween at Third Space Brewing and is an Imperial Porter aged in Bourbon and Rum barrels with cinnamon, vanilla, coconut, and cocoa nibs. Its like trick or treat in a glass.
Drink Third Space Win Prizes
May 5 @ 12:00 pm – May 11 @ 10:00 pm
Cafe Lulu, 2265 S Howell Ave., Milwaukee
All beer week long, Cafe Lulu is partnering with Third Space Brewing. Three different beers will be on tap all week, and for every Third Space beer you buy, receive an extra raffle ticket to win some awesome prizes. Finish beer week strong with a Tap Takeover on Saturday, May 11 starting at 11am. No purchase necessary to enter to win prizes.
Crafts & Drafts – Spring Beer Fest – Sponsored by Discount Liquor
May 5 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee
This is the 7th Year of Crafts & Drafts and we can’t think of a better way to kick off Milwaukee Beer Week! At Crafts & Drafts, you’ll have a chance to try different beers from an amazing array of breweries, as well as being able to chat with brewery owners, brewmasters, and brewery representatives. Tickets are available for purchase on the Crafts & Drafts website. http://www.craftsanddrafts.org/tickets.html
Good City Tap Takeover
May 5 @ 2:00 pm – 4:05 pm
Smoke Shack, 322 N. Milwaukee Street, Milwaukee
Join us Sunday, May 5th for brunch, lunch, or dinner as we showcase some fun beers brew by Good City Brewing Company. Meet the rep from 2pm to 4pm as she passes out samples and find your favorite beer.
HalfAcre AfterParty Burnhearts
May 5 @ 5:00 pm – May 6 @ 2:00 am
Burnhearts, 2599 S. Logan Ave., Milwaukee
Stop by for our annual Crafts & Drafts after party at Burnhearts featuring a killer line up from Half Acre Beer Co. All welcome, come grab some tasty suds.
Beat the Breweries
May 6 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Up Down, 615 E. Brady Street, Milwaukee
Challenge your favorite brewery to a variety of games, for your chance to win a prize package. $12 gets you a pint from any participating brewery, a slice of pizza and 40 tokens
Three Lions Beer Dinner
May 6 @ 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Three Lions Pub, 4515 N Oakland Ave., Milwaukee
Join Three Lions Pub and Third Space Brewing for a one of a kind beer dinner. Specialties and rarities from Third Space Brewing will be paired with brand new creations from Three Lions. Call to reserve your spot today. 414-763-6992.
2nd Annual Wyeast Beer Dinner
May 7 @ 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Wy’east Pizza, 5601 W Vliet St., Milwaukee
For the second year in a row, Third Space Brewing and Wyeast Pizza are teaming up for Milwaukee Beer Week. The amazing kitchen staff at Wyeast will be creating brand new menu items utilizing finished beer, wort, and spent grain. Some rarities, seasonals, and core favorites will be on tap. Come early, and come hungry.
It’s Milwaukee Maifest time! Join the Milwaukee County Park System and neighbors from Milwaukee, Shorewood, Whitefish Bay and other nearby communities for the Official Kick Off to Beer Garden Season with Milwaukee Maifest at Estabrook Park. Festivities get underway on Thursday, May 2 at 5:30pm with the 2019 Maibock Anstich – Followed by Free beer until 6:30pm!
The fun lasts the whole weekend through Sunday, May 5th and includes Live Music, Food, Dance, Contests and Beer! Check out the beautiful trails in the park and the nice views of the Milwaukee River, which flows right past – and below – the Estabook Beer Garden.
The Milwaukee River has a nice rapids as its flows past Estabrook Park and the Beer Garden.
You can easily get to Estabrook Park and the Beer Garden via Estabrook River Parkway, just south of Hampton Avenue and about 3/4 mile north of Highway 190/Capitol Drive. Highway 32 goes along Lake Michigan less than two miles to the east, while Highway 57 and I-43 approach less than two miles to the west. Definitely easy to get to – just look for the huge radio towers in the park!
Milwaukee Maifest Schedule of Events at Estabrook Park Beer Garden
Thursday, May 2, 2019
4:30 PM: Austrian Express Live at Maifest
5:30 PM: 2019 Maibock Anstich – Opening Ceremony, Blessing of the Bock, Keg Tapping
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Free Beer with Friends of Estabrook Mug
6:30 PM: Masskrugstemmen Steinholding Contest
Friday, May 3, 2019
1:30 PM: Kenny Brandt Live in the Beer Garden
5:00 PM: King Solomon Reggae at Milwaukee Maifest
6:30 PM: Masskrugstemmen Steinholding Contest
Saturday, May 4, 2019
1:00 PM: Steve Meisner Band Live at Milwaukee Maifest
2:30 PM: D.A.N.K. German Dance Performance
4:30 PM: Spielmannszug Milwaukee Drum and Bugle Corps
5:00 PM: Blaskapelle Milwaukee Live at Milwaukee Maifest
6:30 PM: Masskrugstemmen Steinholding Contest
Sunday, May 5, 2019
1:00 PM: Squeezettes! Live at Milwaukee Maifest
2:00 PM: German Dance Performance
3:30 PM: Masskrugstemmen Steinholding Contest
The last full weekend in April, the get bEHIND the aRTS Studio Tour offers three days filled with art––inviting guests to explore an entire weekend of creativity in Southeastern Wisconsin.
You’ll get up close and personal with nearly 100 area artists at the 9th annual get beHIND the aRTS. This two-day open house takes you to 32 studios, galleries and artist workspaces in Racine and Kenosha Counties. The purchase of a $5 pin (available at any location) gets you admission to all the sites both days. Tour hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday for Racine County locations and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday for Kenosha County locations. This year’s free Preview Party, with exhibits, art demonstrations, entertainment and an artist meet-and-greet, is 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at 5700 7th Avenue in Kenosha. Click here for the map and more event details on their site.
The weekend kicks off with the art party of the year, the GBTA Preview Party on Friday, April 26 from 6:00 to 10:00pm at 5800 7th Avenue in downtown Kenosha (Kenosha News Building).
On Saturday, April 27, Racine artists’ studios are open to the public, and on Sunday, April 28, Kenosha studios welcomes visitors. Artists’ workplaces are open on both days from 11:00am to 5:00pm.
Pick up your tour maps during the Preview Party or at any studio location the day of the tour.
Highways 11, 20 and 38 bring you to Racine from I-41/94 or Highway 31; Highways 50 and 158 bring you to Kenosha from I-41/94 or Highway 31; and Highway 32 runs along Lake Michigan between the two cities. Should be a nice weekend for a drive and to check out both cities, too!
gET bEHIND the aRTS Hours:
Preview Party in Kenosha at the Kenosha News building, 5800 7th Avenue in downtown Kenosha Friday night, April 26.
Racine, Saturday, April 27, 11 am – 5 pm
Kenosha, Sunday, April 28, 11 am – 5 pm
The Eau Claire Jazz Festival, presented by Eau Claire Jazz, Inc. in partnership with UW-Eau Claire, features jazz music from university groups on campus and nationally-renown guest performances Friday and Saturday evening April 26th & 27th, with a special Thursday night concert the 25th led by Chris Botti! Friday night the 26th will feature Guest Artists Grace Kelly & The New York Voices.
Afterwards, you can enjoy the Airmen of Note, the premiere jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force (and one of the six ensembles that form the Air Force Band.) Based in Washington DC, the Airmen of Note formed in 1950 as a continuation of the military dance band tradition started by Major Glenn Miller, the legendary bandleader and trombonist of the swing era. Some of their accolades include a discography of over 40 albums, performances and recordings with stars like Dizzy Gillespie, Doc Severinsen, and Nancy Wilson, commissioned works from top composers such as Bob Florence, Bob Mintzer, and Sammy Nestico, and reaching the #2 spot in the JazzWeek jazz chart for their holiday recording of “Cool Yule.” The Airmen of Note will perform not only Friday night after Grace Kelly & The New York Voices, but also Saturday at the 4pm awards concert.
Throughout the Eau Claire Jazz Festival, you can check out Student Performances throughout Friday and Saturday, where student combos and big bands will compete for various accolades and prizes including the chance to play on the headline concerts or even win a free instrument for their school.
The Gatsby Gala event lets you step back to the roaring ’20s where you’ll be surrounded by the sights and sounds of the era! The UW-Eau Claire Jazz I and Jazz II ensembles will perform with special guest artists throughout the night. Expect to hear non-stop music including all your favorite classics from the swing era and even charts with a modern take on the style. Come dressed in your favorite 1920’s-inspired black-tie attire and get ready to party! Tickets are separately purchased for this event and can be secured here.
Also Friday night, the Eau Claire Jazz Festival sees downtown Eau Claire transform into a recreation of the historic 52nd street in New York City, a location infamous for its prevalence of jazz clubs and wealth of talent. Over twenty performance venues host concerts all evening long!
As you can tell, there are quite a few reason to check this out. It all happens in the new Pablo Center at the Confluence in downtown Eau Claire, a venue that just opened in Fall 2018 with a 1,200-seat main theater, an adjacent 400-seat theater, and other public and event spaces. Definitely a cool new place to check out as you enjoy great music and everything else Eau Claire has to offer!
Eau Claire Jazz Festival Address:
Pablo Center at the Confluence
128 Graham Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715) 836-4092 Website
Twitter: @ECJazzFest
You can get to Eau Claire via I-94, U.S. 12, U.S. 53, or Highways 37, 93, or 124. Get ticket details, a complete schedule, and more on the Eau Claire Jazzfest website.
Start:
April 25, 2019
End:
April 27, 2019
Venue:
Pablo Center at the Confluence
Phone:
715-836-4092
Address:
126 Graham Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, United States
The Racine Zoo’s annual Eggstravaganza is 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20th at the zoo, right along Highway 32 north of downtown, along the beautiful Lake Michigan lakefront.
Children and parents are invited to have fun hunting for the six “cluck-cluck” doors, playing themed games, enjoying two bouncy houses, cookie decorating and crafts, as as well as up-close animal encounters with the Racine Zoo Animal Ambassadors. Of course, food and beverages will be available for purchase. The Easter Bunny will be on hand to pose for photos at an additional $5 charge.
This “hoppin’ event” will feature:
• A hunt for 6 cluck-cluck doors throughout the Zoo to collect candy
• A photo with our special guest…the Easter Bunny! (digital photo will be emailed to you)
• Bounce houses
• EGG-cellent games
• Fun crafts and yummy snacktivities
• Easter Egg and Cookie Decorating
• Egg Dig
• Hoppin’ Dance Party
• Trunk Hunt (“Easter Style” of Trunk-or-Treat)
You’ll find the Racine Zoo, which is fun any time of year, just north of downtown Racine along Highway 32. Highways 11, 20, and 38 also bring you close. Nearby, you can enjoy North Beach and the shopping, restaurants, and fun to be had in downtown Racine including the Racine Art Museum and Monument Square. To the north, the Wind Point Lighthouse beckons for a beautiful look at history and Lake Michigan; and in various locales around town, you can explore Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture including the famous Johnson Wax Research Tower, Wingspan, and more. Kids might also love the historic fire station along 6th Street near City Hall and interactive exhibits at the Racine Historical Museum. All of the action is about 9-10 miles east of I-41/94; good north-south road trip alternates – if you want to avoid interstate construction zones – include U.S. 45 and Highway 31.
EggStravaganza Address (Racine Zoo)
Racine Zoo
2131 Main Street (Highway 32)
Racine, WI 53402
(262) 636-9189 Website
Start:
April 20, 2019 9:00 am
End:
April 20, 2019 4:30 pm
Venue:
Racine Zoological Society
Phone:
262-636-9189
Address:
2131 N. Main Street, Racine, WI, 53402, United States
The River Falls Roots and Bluegrass Festival is a FREE three-day musical festival located in the heart of downtown River Falls. Enjoy over fifty hours of foot stompin’ Bluegrass, Roots & Cajun at multiple venues! Headliners this year include Kind Country, Dead Horses, Art Stevenson and High Water.
The weekend kicks off with the 4th Annual Beer & Wine Tasting at Junior’s Bar and Restaurant. Enjoy the character of their historic Main Street (Historic Highway 35) as you move from venue to venue to experience both regional and local roots and bluegrass music all weekend long. Enjoy a variety of free workshops and participate in free jam sessions.
Check out the new Roots and Bluegrass Festival Band Contest and the Singer/Songwriter Competition which promises to be an exciting competition among the best of the best. Prizes will be awarded for the top three artists.
You can get to River Falls via Highways 29, 35, or 65. It’s just minutes south of I-94. Don’t miss over 50 hours of foot-stomping bluegrass! Make a weekend out of it!
Start:
April 12, 2019
End:
April 14, 2019
Venue:
Downtown River Falls
Phone:
715-425-2533
Address:
214 N. Main Street, River Falls, WI, 54022, United States
Did you know Wisconsin is fourth in the nation in the production of maple syrup? Phelps Maple Syrup Fest celebrates this sweet and natural concoction on Saturday, April 6th!
Head up Highway 17 to Phelps and get in on the action. Learn more about how and where maple syrup is made, browse local arts & crafts, and tickle your taste buds… not only with maple syrup, but with honey this year, too!
Phelps Maple Syrup Fest is centered on the grounds of the Phelps school. There will be tree-tapping demonstrations and driving tour or guided bus tours of local sugar bushes to see where this popular treat originates and how sap becomes maple syrup. Furthermore, kid’s games and activities, a wonderful arts and crafts show with over 70 vendors, maple syrup and honey displays, and a maple syrup contest judged by local celebrities makes the Phelps Maple Syrup Fest a great event for the whole family. Be sure to taste the maple syrup goodies available at the Maple Cafe, try your hand at making Maple Taffy on the snow, or bring your homemade maple syrup to enter into the judging contest!
The day’s activities and sugar bush tours are free of charge for all attendees. Interested in learning how to make maple syrup or honey? This will be the first year for a new Beekeepers 101 class and a Maple Syrup 101 class. Each class is $10 per person, with no pre-registration required.
Phelps is a quiet and beautiful little town on the eastern end of North Twin Lake. It’s less than 20 minutes north and east of Eagle River via Highway 17 in Vilas County. Phelps is in the midst of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, right along the border with the U.P. of Michigan.
Welcoming all wine lovers 21 and older! Check out the 2019 Lake Geneva Festival of Wine at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. They have an entire weekend of vintage entertainment planned for all enthusiasts, from social wine drinkers to sommeliers. Eat, drink and learn more about wines from around the world. From their top of the line Blue Chip wine dinner to the Grand Tasting, you can book a weekend package with friends who share your love for wine.
The Grand Tasting is on Saturday, April 6 from 4-6pm. Need an extra hour? Upgrade to our VIP experience to start at 3pm and enjoy a bonus bubbles sampling in the VIP Lounge. We are happy to once again be partnering with the United Way of Walworth County this year. Pull a cork for a great cause! Stop by the cork pull station for your chance to take home 1 of 100 wines. 10% of all wine sales will also be donated to United Way. Don’t forget to order your favorite bottles before you leave! Must be 21 or older to attend.
The Grand Geneva is truly a grand resort, famously once the Playboy Club. It’s located along Highway 50 (near Highway 120) at U.S. 12 on the east end of Lake Geneva. Check out this great event and explore the town while you’re at it!
Check out the event website here for more details and to buy tickets, and see the Schedule of Events below!
Lake Geneva Festival of Wine Address:
Grand Geneva Resort
7036 Grand Geneva Way
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262) 248-8811 Website
Lake Geneva Festival of Wine Schedule of Events
Friday, April 5th
7pm: Blue Chip Wine Dinner – Savor top of the line wines with a reception followed by four courses of delicious food prepared by Grand Geneva’s Executive Chef Nelly Buleje.
$125 per person including tax and gratuity
Click here for menu
8pm: Paint ‘N Sip – Let out your inner artist. Enjoy a glass of wine while participating in a step-by-step painting tutorial, then take home your original masterpiece.
$45 per person
Saturday, April 6th
9am – Yoga and Mimosas – Start the morning with a relaxing yoga session and a mimosa. All skill levels are welcome to relax and learn about the health benefits of wine.
$15 per person
9am – Nature Walk – Enjoy a guided morning hike along the White River Trail. Take a breath of clean country air and enjoy the sights and sounds of the outdoors before all of the wine tasting begins.
Complimentary, no reservation needed
10am: Paint ‘N Sip – Let out your inner artist. Enjoy a glass of wine while participating in a step-by-step painting tutorial, then take home your original masterpiece.
$45 per person
11:30am-12:15pm & 1:30-2:15pm – Wine Tastign Seminars. Learn, interact and taste during two sessions of their Wine Tasting Seminars. Topics include wine blending, meat, cheese, and chocolate pairings and trendy grapes. $25 per person
12:45-2:00pm – Chef Demo Lunch. Watch Grand Geneva Executive Chef Nely Buleje as he shows you his passion for cooking while building a delicious light lunch paired with wines. $45 per person
3pm – VIP Hour. Enjoy an extra hour to sip the 50 bottles of wine carefully selected for this year’s event and enjoy a bonus bubbles sampling in the VIP Lounge. Plus, learn more from chef and wine talks on the half-hour mark, every hour during the Grand Tasting. $110 per person from 3-6pm
4-6pm – Grand Tasting. Eat, drink, and learn at their main event! Meet at the Grand Ballroom to taste a diverse array of wines from around the world, paired with delicious samples of food to match the wine regions. $85 per person
Sunday, April 7th
9am – Yoga and Mimosas – Start the morning with a relaxing yoga session and a mimosa. All skill levels are welcome to relax and learn about the health benefits of wine.
$15 per person
9am – Nature Walk – Enjoy a guided morning hike along the White River Trail. Take a breath of clean country air and enjoy the sights and sounds of the outdoors before all of the wine tasting begins.
Complimentary, no reservation needed
10am-2pm – Sunday Brunch – End the weekend on a high note with our Sunday Champagne Brunch in Geneva ChopHouse from 10am-2pm. Extra bubbly drinks will be served in honor of Lake Geneva Festival of Wine Weekend!
$44.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity
Call (262) 249-4788 for reservations
Start:
April 5, 2019
End:
April 7, 2019
Venue:
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
Phone:
800-558-3417
Address:
7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI, 53147, United States
The lovely and fun city of Chippewa Falls turns 150 this year, and its Chippewa Falls Sesquicentennial Celebration Kickoff was Monday, March 25th. The celebration continues, especially into this weekend!
Okay, sesquicentennial (pronounced “sĕsˌkwĭ-sĕn-tĕnˈē-əl”) is a tricky word. But the events around it for the year will be fun! This first Chippewa Falls Sesquicentennial event to celebrate the city’s incorporation in 1869 is a musical.
You can experience it at the Heyde Center for the Arts and take a step back in time as the Wayward Players, dressed in period costume, sing songs from CHIPPEWA FALLS 1869: THE MUSICAL on the same date that the proclamation that founded the city was signed: March 25th. Browse through historic photographs, enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages, and talk with city officials and historians about the past, present and future of Chippewa Falls. The Chippewa County Historical Society will have books about Chippewa Falls on sale, a table and display of artifacts from the early 1800s, fur trade re-enactors from the Past Passed Here, and more. The Chippewa County Genealogy Society will be on hand with insights on many of the city’s founding families.
At 7:00 p.m. a formal program will be held in the Heyde Center auditorium starting with two songs by the Wayward Players. This will be followed by a brief speech by the Mayor of Chippewa Falls and finally the delivery of the proclamation to Doug Richter, the great-grandson of William Irvine (of Irvine Park fame). Richter will be the Grand Marshal of the August 10, 2019 Pure Water Days Parade in downtown Chippewa Falls. No cost for admission.
The musical continues at the Heyde Center later Thursday, March 28th – Sunday, March 31st. More Sesquicentennial events will follow, and we’ll keep you up to date on them!
Heyde Center for the Arts
3 S. High Street
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
(715) 726-9000 Website
You’ll find the Heyde Center just east (and up the hill) from downtown Chippewa Falls. U.S. 53 and Highway 29 bring you there via freeway and local Business routes. Highways 124 and 178 bring you right in towards downtown!
Start:
March 28, 2019 5:30 pm
End:
March 31, 2019 9:00 pm
Venue:
Heyde Center for the Arts
Phone:
715-726-9000
Address:
3 S. High Street, Chippewa Falls, WI, 54729, United States
The Madison Art Bead & Glass Show hits the Alliant Energy Center Saturday, March 23rd and Sunday, March 24th with classes throughout the weekend and the sales floor open Saturday and Sunday. A huge variety of the crafts will be available for browsing and on sale for purchase. There are Make & Take activities, where six different hands-on projects can be created from six different instructors in a four-hour period. You don’t even need to bring supplies!
Check out the Bead Challenge, or just find pieces of art, beads, or glass creations you’d like to purchase.
It’s all happening at the Madison Art Bead & Glass Show, a perfect stop for artists and creatives of all stripes! It’s right off the Beltline (U.S. 12/18) along Rimrock Road near John Nolen Drive. U.S. 14 & 151 bring you close by, too!
Admission is $7 for one day, $11 for both days. You can buy tickets here.
Hours:
Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Madison Art Bead & Glass Show Address:
Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 838-8011 Website
Start:
March 23, 2019
End:
March 24, 2019
Venue:
Alliant Energy Center
Phone:
608-838-8011
Address:
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, WI, 53713, United States
New London becomes New Dublin. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia user “Leprichauns.”
New London becomes “New Dublin” Monday, March 16th – Saturday, March 21st as the city hosts Wisconsin’s largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade and its annual Irish Fest celebration. The Saturday parade begins at 1pm and features bagpipe bands, marching bands, festive clowns, specialty units, clans, an Irish wake parody, and business floats–up to 125 or more.
New Dublin Irish Fest runs from 11am to 6pm Saturday in a heated tent featuring two Celtic bands, Irish food, beverages, and market booths. Entrance fee for the Irish Fest portion is just $5.
This St. Patrick’s Day in New Dublin celebration is a week-long set of festivities that include an exciting schedule of weeknight activities. Just some examples: Irish caroling, Irish entertainment on stage, and an Irish Céili. Corned beef and cabbage is widely served during the week in area restaurants and pubs with some places usually having entertainment.
Get all the parade and Irish Fest details at NewDublin.com.
U.S. 45 and Highway 54 will bring you to New Dublin… er, New London. Enjoy!!
New London Irishfest & St. Patrick’s Day Parade Address:
Downtown New London
Water Street, Highway 54
New London, WI 54961
(920) 982-3891 Website
New London has a very storied Irish history, hence the strong celebrations. The city is also the Birthplace of the Water Spaniel and has a lot of other small town charm and uniqueness to explore.
EAA Hops & Props is an annual food and beverage-tasting event held at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh along I-41. It’s back for its 15th year in a row and happening Saturday, March 9th!
They say beer tastes better in Oshkosh. Find out for yourself by spending an evening sampling beverages from over 75 breweries from around the world. Microbreweries are present to provide their personal brewing process and history, while entertainment from live bands provides a backdrop for this fun and exciting tasting event.
Go from being a Beer Lover to a Master of Brews by upgrading to VIP status, which includes early admission to a gourmet, five-course meal featuring delectable food and beer pairings including the VIP brewery. Dinner begins at 4:30 p.m.; tickets are close to being sold out!
Please note that you must be 21 years of age or older to attend this event. Admission price also includes museum entrance and commemorative beer glass. I mean, hey, drink for a cause! All funds will support museum activities offered by EAA – programs that engage families in educational opportunities and experiences that motivate and inspire participants of all ages.
Please note that no large bags will be allowed into the museum; all bags are subject to search.
Full details on everything are available on EAA’s Hops & Props website. You can reach the EAA AirVenture Museum via I-41 and Highways 26, 44, or 91; U.S. 45 and Highways 21 and 76 also bring you to Oshkosh. Enjoy – safely!
Feel free to check out the rest of Oshkosh while you’re there. Prime outlet shopping is just across I-41 and there are plenty of fun things to see and do in this college town, including the Paine Art Museum.
Don’t forget EAA’s AirVenture, happening July 22-28 this year, featuring the Blue Angels! Wittman Field will become one of the world’s busiest airports for a week and you’ll get to see and experience everything from historic to cutting-edge experimental aviation machines. There will be military fighters, classic airplanes, commercial jets, and creative inventions everywhere.
EAA Hops & Props Address:
EAA AirVenture Museum
3000 Poberezny Road
Oshkosh, WI 54902
(920) 426-6541 Website
Start:
March 9, 2019 4:30 pm
End:
March 9, 2019 10:00 pm
Venue:
EAA AirVenture Museum
Phone:
920-426-6541
Address:
3000 Poberezny Road, Oshkosh, WI, 54902, United States
Belle City Brewfest convenes in downtown Racine Saturday, March 9th! Over 90 varieties of craft brews from 40 breweries will descend on Festival Hall at the Civic Centre showcasing their brands for unlimited tastings of beer and cider, including newer local breweries like Racine Brewing Company just down the street, R’Noggin Brewing of Kenosha, and more! There will also be live entertainment and beer seminars; judge the Homebrew Competition, enjoy live music from Mean Jake, and all in all just have a great Saturday!
Tickets are $25 in advance or $35 at the gate. Tickets include a souvenir cup and live entertainment along with a complete festival guide. Designated drivers can get in for $8 and get free soda or water plus full access to all beer seminars and the live entertainment. You can go to the Belle City Brewfest website or buy them directly from Ticketmaster here. A portion of the proceeds benefit Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin.
Belle City Brewfest will take place inside Festival Hall at Racine Civic Centre, which is right downtown and close to other favorite venues like the Racine Art Museum, Reefpoint Marina, even the Kewpee for burgers. Stay updated with their Facebook page.
You can get to downtown Racine from I-41/94 or Highway 31 via Highways 11, 20, 32, and 38.
Belle City Brewfest Address:
Festival Hall, Racine Civic Centre
5 5th Street
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 636-9229 Website
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade Milwaukee winds through downtown from noon until about 1:30pm on Saturday, March 9th! It’s the 53rd Annual Shamrock Club of Wisconsin St. Patrick’s Day Parade with live Irish music, dance, food, beverages and more all afternoon. We’re pretty sure you can find corned beef, for example…
*** STT Tidbit: Milwaukee’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade dates back to 1843; it’s the 6th oldest such parade in the nation. **
Check out one of the best St Patrick’s Day Parades in the country and the grandest parade in Wisconsin. The Parade will feature 140+ units and includes local politicians and celebrities, floats, bagpipe and marching bands and Irish and Celtic organizations. It’s the perfect event for the whole family, because on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish!
Before the parade, there’s an 8:30am mass at St. Patrick’s Church at 723 W. Washington Street just south of downtown. After the parade, the Shamrock Club Post-Parade Party will take place at the Irish Cultural & Heritage Center at 2133 W. Wisconsin Avenue, just west of downtown and the Marquette University campus. It’s Milwaukee’s Largest Family Parade Day Party and features four stages of entertainment. There’s a $2 admission fee ($10 family maximum) and children 10 and younger are free. There will be plenty of food and beverages too!
The parade itself starts at noon on 3rd and Wisconsin and finishes at Water and Highland. It will actually go over portions of U.S. 18 and Highway 32 in the city. I-43/94 and Highways 38, 57, 59, and 145 also bring you within blocks of the parade route.
The Milwaukee St. Patrick’s Day Parade website has full details on all the events. It’s definitely a fun way to spend a Saturday and prepare for St. Patrick’s Day (and week, based on the timing of the parade!)
The Shamrock
Milwaukee’s Largest Family Parade Day Party
Four stages of entertainment
$2 admission | children 10 & younger free
Family maximum cost is $10
Food & beverages
Start:
March 9, 2019 11:00 am
End:
March 9, 2019 5:00 pm
Venue:
Downtown Milwaukee
Phone:
414-276-6696
Address:
300 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
Cedar Creek Winery features its annual Open House Saturday, March 9th and Sunday, March 10th, 2019. Enjoy two festive and celebratory days, with Spring right around corner (we can only hope, after the February we’ve had!)
They say everything’s coming up roses, so enjoy a rose when you go… and some Rosé! Enjoy barrel tastings of vintages, live jazz, cooking-with-wine demonstrations and samplings, wine tastings, a live benefit auction, special events, food samplings, spring showcases and more in the shops at Cedar Creek Settlement. Other highlights include daily cooking demos and samplings with local chefs, along with grapevine pruning demonstrations and wine tastings. Barrel taste their Wisconsin-grown Marquette wine and their new dry white wine with winemaker Philippe, which takes place on Saturday.
Shops in Cedar Creek and nearby stores up and down Washington, as well as adjacent places like the new Rebellion Brewing USA, make for plenty of options to visit when you’re in Cedarburg, too!
Cellar Hours: Saturday 10am – 4pm | Sunday 11am – 4pm Store Hours: Saturday and Sunday 10am – 5pm
Cedar Creek Winery Open House Address:
Cedar Creek Winery
N70W6340 Bridge Road
Cedarburg, WI 53012
(262) 377-8020 Website
Check out some spring fun in historic Cedarburg, along Historic Highway 57 (Washington Avenue) just north of Highway 167 and south of Highway 60. Highway 181 is just to the west. It’s only about 10-12 minutes off I-43/Highway 32, and it’s a great little town!
See the Schedule of Events below!
Cedar Creek Winery Open House Schedule of Events
Saturday, March 9th
10am-4pm: Self-Guided Tours (Cellar)
10am-4pm: WI Cheese Sampling (Cellar)
11:00am: Barrel Tasting (Cellar)
1pm: Grapevine Pruning Demonstration
2pm: Barrel Tasting (Cellar)
3pm: Cooking with Wine Demonstration (Cellar)
Sunday, March 10th
10am-4pm: Self-Guided Tours (Cellar)
10am-4pm: WI Cheese Sampling (Cellar)
11:30am: Barrel Tasting (Cellar)
1pm: Cooking with Wine Demonstration (Cellar)
2pm: Barrel Tasting (Cellar)
3pm: Cooking with Wine Demonstration (Cellar)
The United States Championship Cheese Contest® is the nation’s premier technical cheese, butter, and yogurt competition. 2019 marks the 20th biennial edition, hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. Lambeau Field in Green Bay hosts the United States Championship Cheese Contest March 5-7, 2019 and the term “cheeseheads” will never be the same!
March 5-6: Watch the Preliminary Rounds FREE!
The U.S. Championship Cheese Contest is free and open to the public during the preliminary rounds of judging which take place on Tuesday, March 5th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Wednesday, March 6th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The judging takes place in the Atrium at the Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The announcement of the 2019 United States Champion will happen in the evening on March 7, at Cheese Champion.
March 7: Meet the Experts and Taste the Winners!
The Championship round takes place Thursday, March 7 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the KI Convention Center in downtown Green Bay (333 Main Street.) This is a ticketed event, with all tickets sold in advance. You can buy yours for $30 starting in January.
Thousands of cheeses will compete for the elusive U.S. Championship Cheese crown, but of course only one can win. Entries are evaluated by a team of skilled technical judges from across the nation. Starting from a maximum possible 100 points, deductions are made for various defects found by each judge. Defects are noted in the areas of flavor, body and texture, salt, color, finish, packaging, and other appropriate attributes. A Gold medal, Silver medal and Bronze medal are awarded to the three highest scoring entries in each class. You can be there to watch it happen and you taste 40 of the best cheeses in the country! Mix and match your favorite beer and cheese pairings, and meet and mingle with 45 of the top cheese judges in the United States.
Worth noting is that the 2019 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest is open to only 400 attendees, with all tickets sold in advance. You’ll enjoy complimentary beer and cheese pairings, samples of at least 40 cheeses, and cash bar. So hurry!
United States Championship Cheese Contest Address:
Lambeau Field
1265 N. Lombardi Avenue
Green Bay, WI 54304
(920) Website
Start:
March 5, 2019 9:00 am
End:
March 8, 2019 9:00 pm
Venue:
Lambeau Field
Phone:
608-286-1001
Address:
1265 Lombardi Avenue, Green Bay, WI, 54304, United States
That’s an attention getter, right? Watch winter come to a climactic end as the greatest event on ice wraps up the season. Thousands of Weenie enthusiasts come annually to watch the fastest sleds compete for top speed of the day while eating up those great Klement’s Hot Dogs and drinking down an ice cold Pepsi or Budweiser beer. Watch as dozens of people get the first swim of the year in Lake Namakagon at the Frozen Weenie Polar Bear Plunge, win prizes at the many games and enjoy great music while taking it all in. This event is the highlight of winter and rooms fill up quickly. Don’t miss out on this fantastic family event.
Held to raise funds for the Great Divide Ambulance Service, the Namakagon Volunteer Fire Department and other area charities and not-for-profits, this event holds the record for the longest line of hot dog cookers over one fire in the world. With events like snowmobile speed runs, ice drags, crooked weenie obstacle course, and snow drags all on Lake Namakagon, there is more than enough fun for everyone.
All the action for the World’s Largest Weenie Roast takes place Saturday, March 2nd in Cable, along County M near U.S. 63 at the Lakewoods Resort & Forest Ridge Golf Course. Get all the event details here!
World’s Longest Weenie Roast Address:
Lakewoods Resort & Forest Ridge Golf Course
21540 County Road M
Cable, WI 54821
(715) 794-2561 Website
Date:
March 2, 2019
Venue:
Lakewoods Resort & Forest Ridge Golf Course
Phone:
715-794-2561
Address:
21540 County Road M, Cable, WI, 54821, United States
The Northwoods Blizzard Blast is a “flurry of winter fun for everyone” in Conover, between Eagle River and Land O’Lakes along Highway 32 & U.S. 45 in the heart of the North Woods! Activities in Conover Community Park include ice bowling, the Dogsled Dash, recliner racing, sledding, face painting, fireworks, horse drawn sleigh rides, snow carving, snowshoe baseball, and an Artisan Bazaar in the adjacent Conover Community Center. Check out related events in Phelps and Land O’Lakes, too!
The Blizzard Blast Bazaar hosts numerous artisans and exhibitors with hand-crafted items, talents on display, food and beverages, and more. Admission is free for the Bazaar all day.
Recliner races. Not as relaxing as most recliner activities.
All of this activity is in Vilas County north of Eagle River. Follow U.S. 45 & Highway 32 north from Eagle River, past where Highway 17 veers off for its ride to Phelps. Conover is about 15 minutes north of Eagle River, and Land O’Lakes (plus the source of the Wisconsin River in Lac Vieax Desert) is just north of Conover.
Northwoods Blizzard Blast Addresses:
Conover Community Park
4697 Park Circle, just off U.S. 45/Hwy 32
Conover, WI 54519
(715) 891-6254 Website
Blizzard Blast Schedule of Events in Conover (subject to updates and changes):
Wed-Sat SNOW SCULPTING COMPETITION -$100 prize! $25 (team)
9am-4pm ARTISAN BAZAAR Free
9am-4pm FACE PAINTING Varies
10am-4pm HORSE DRAWN SCENIC RIDES $2-$5
10:15am X-COUNTRY FUN SKI & TRAIL TOUR $10
10am-4pm SLAP SHOT HOCKEY-Shot on goal, win a prize! $1
10am-4pm ICE BOWLING-Bowl at strike, win a prize! $1
10am-4pm WINTER CARNIVAL GAMES FOR KIDS $1 each
10am-4pm PONY RIDES $2
10am-4pm YOUTH ARCHERY DEMO Free
10am-4pm SNOW ART FUN FOR KIDS Free
10am-4pm SNOWBOARD DEMO & INSTRUCTION Free
10am-2pm SNOWSHOE BASEBALL GAMES Free
10pm-4pm SNOWSHOE DEMO BY HIKER BOX Free
12pm-3pm KID’S DOGSLED DASH-win a Musher’s Medal $2
10am-2:30 RECLINER RACE QUALIFYING LAPS $1
3pm RECLINER RACE FINALS-$100 prize! (register by 2:30pm) $20 (team of 3)
4 pm TROPHY PRESENTATION Free
Sandwiches, S’mores, snacks, soda & beer are available all day.
Toasty bonfires and heated restrooms are located throughout the park.
Start:
February 16, 2019 10:00 am
End:
February 16, 2019 6:00 pm
Venue:
Conover Community Park
Phone:
715-547-8120
Address:
4697 Park Circle, Conover, WI, 54519, United States
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events › Festival
May 24, 2019 – May 27, 2019
Chocolate Fest in Burlington
Burlington is “Chocolate City, USA,” named so for its Nestle plant, which opened in 1965. Chocolate Fest started 22 years later in 1987 and has been delighting chocolate lovers ever since. Although the dates used to move around, it now takes place every Memorial Day weekend – this year, that means May 24-27, 2019.
There’s also a Rotary Carnival, a Chocolate City Bike Ride, fireworks, and a Memorial Day Veterans Day Parade. Chocolate Jenga is a crowd-pleaser – and suspenseful at times! Chocolate carvings, treats, and more add to the tasty fun.
The Burlington Festival Grounds are just off Milwaukee Street (City Highways 36 & 83) along Maryland Avenue near the Fox River and Riverside Park, northeast of downtown. City Highway 11 just to the south, and Highway 142 approaches from the southeast. While in town, you can check out other places like the Spinning Top & Yo-Yo Museum and Fred’s, one of Wisconsin’s legendary burger joints.
Live music and other performances will take place on several stages across the grounds. The Main Stage will include performances from Cherry Pie Thursday night and Bella Cain and Clear Pioneer Friday night. Saturday will feature Squad 51, Chris Jones, Failure to Launch, the Dayrollers, Almight Vinyl, and the Petty Kings (a Tom Petty tribute band) Saturday. Sunday will include 76 Juliet, the Astro Blues Band, the Altered Five Blues Band, and Lunchmoney Bullies. Memorial Day Monday will include The Britins (an amazingly spot-on Beatles cover band), Taylor & Jamie, PF and the Flatheads, and Jeff Walski.
Tickets run $8 for people ages 12 and up, $5 for kids 5-12, and free for children 4 and under. On-grounds parking is also available for $5. Get more details and updates on the Chocolate Fest website.
Have a chocolatey good time!
Chocolate Fest Address:
681 Maryland Avenue (Business Highway 36)
Burlington, WI 53105
(262) 763-7185
Website
May 4, 2019
Lakefront Artists Fair, Racine
Every year on the first Saturday in May Racine Montessori holds their biggest fundraiser of the year, the Lakefront Artist Fair. Running simultaneously with the Racine Kiwanis Pancake Day at Festival Park, it is an unofficial start to Racine’s summertime festival season.
Artisans from all over the Midwest will show and offer:
Jewelry
Paintings
Pottery
Metal Art
Garden Art
Clothing and more
In addition to a wonderful variety of original art, there are many other reasons to visit the Lakefront Artist Fair:
RMS Raffle, featuring a variety of great prizes
Gift Basket Silent Auction
Artist’s Silent Auction (many participating artists donate an item)
Bake sale
Food Station – Burgers/Brats Chips & Drinks
Bring your family and come join the fun!
You can reach Festival Park by taking Highways 11, 20, 32, or 38 to downtown. Festival Park will be just off the lakefront, near the Racine Art Museum, Monument Square, and other downtown sights.
Racine Lakefront Artists Fair Address:
5 Fifth Street
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 637-7892
Website
May 4, 2019 – May 11, 2019
Milwaukee Beer Week
Milwaukee Beer Week runs Saturday, May 4th – Saturday, May 11th with events at bars and breweries all over the area. A Schedule of Events is below, and you can find out more on their website and also their Facebook page for up-to-date additions and adjustments.
Milwaukee is a fun place to road trip to and around, but if you’re imbibing a lot in Craft Beer Week events remember there are plenty of taxis, Uber and Lyft options, and even some fun, easily rent-able Bublr Bikes you can use to go from event to event. Their hashtag is #MKEBeerWeek.
Milwaukee Craft Beer Week Schedule of Events
2nd Annual Brewers Brunch
May 4 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Stubby’s Gastrogrub and Beer Bar, 2060 N Humboldt Blvd #1 , Milwaukee
Enjoy a flight of coffee infused beer and brunch items including fresh house doughnuts. Local coffee vendors on site sampling and selling their products.
IPA Evolution
May 4 @ 11:00 am – May 11 @ 11:00 pm
Hooligan’s, 2017 E. North Ave. , Milwaukee
Come taste how IPAs have changed over the years with a flight of popular styles. $10.00 Flights and $5.00 Pints.
Haze Craze
May 4 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Rumpus Room, 1030 N Water St., Milwaukee
Stop in and try a huge variety of the latest beer craze, Hazy IPAs. Every draft line will be dedicated to this popular beer style with multiple breweries being represented.
THE GIDDY UP
May 4 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Vanguard, 2659 S Kinnickinnic Avenue, Milwaukee
Vanguard & 3 Sheeps Brewing Co. Present… THE GIDDY UP. Tap Takeover & Patio Party. Beer * Classic Country * Food. Featuring ‘The Long Line Riders’ Performing Live, with ‘Hot Dog’ Classic Country Spin. Plus a whole stable of new and rare beers. FUN.
May the 4th Be With You
May 4 @ 11:00 am – May 5 @ 2:00 am
Oak & Shield Gaming Pub, 600 E Ogden Ave., Milwaukee
One year ago, in a galaxy not so far away…The Oak & Shield Gaming Pub was born. May 4th marks their one hundred and eleventh birthday! (Minus 110 years…) Join Oak & Shield and Milwaukee Brewing Company in celebration with an epic one-year anniversary party, and a kickoff to Craft Beer Week with rare timed trappings all night long, and a Star Wars cosplay contest! 11 AM: Jabba’s Social Game Day- Play big games out on the patio all day…
Water Street Brewery – Throw Back Brewery Tours
May 4 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Water Street Brewery, 1101 N. Water Street, Milwaukee
Visit Milwaukee’s First Brew Pub for tours between 11am-6pm beginning every half hour focusing on the history of the Water Street Brewery and its original three brews Oktoberfest, Victory Amber and Sporten Lager. Throw a few back while you can of the limited release Sporten Lager while on tap for Milwaukee Beer Week. Three Free Samples of WSB Beer included with tours! There will also be free Water Street Brewery swag, and every tour participant receives a free refillable WSB…
FOUNDERS KBS TAPPING
May 4 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Craft Beer Cellar, 1230 George Town Dr. E, Pewaukee
Come join Craft Beer Cellar and the team from Founders Brewing Company for a KBS tapping! Also available will be Blushing Monk, All Day IPA. ad Rubeaus.
Feeling Surly…Throw an Axe
May 4 @ 2:00 pm – May 11 @ 11:00 pm
AXE MKE, 1924 Kenilworth Ave., Milwaukee
Hold an Axe Man in one hand and an Axe in the other while you take out your frustration after a long day. Enjoy a bucket of Surly Brewing cans while you chuck a few axes. Enter for your chance to win a great Surly prize pack.
Tour of WI
May 4 @ 3:00 pm – May 11 @ 8:00 pm
Whos On Third, 1007 N. Old World Third Street, Milwaukee
Stop in all Beer Week long. $15.00 gets you a Usingers brat and a side of cheese curds, paired with pint of any local beer on tap.
MKE Brewing Feature at Groppis
May 4 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
G Groppi Food Market, 1441 E Russell Ave., Milwaukee
Join us for a Milwaukee Beer Week kick off sampling at Groppi Food Market. MKE Brewing will be featured on tap and pouring all their best sellers down in the heart of Bay View. Grab some beer before the Derby gets underway.
Beer Week Brunch
May 5 @ 8:00 am – May 11 @ 3:00 pm
Fuel Cafe: Walkers Point, 630 S 5th Street, Milwaukee
Brunch and Beer pairings will be available all week. Tuesday May 7th the Bell’s Rep will be in offering swag, prizes, and samples.
Crafty Cow Burger Pairing
May 5 @ 11:00 am – May 11 @ 10:00 pm
Crafty Cow Bay View, 2675 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee
For the second year in a row, Third Space and Crafty Cow partner up to bring you a brand new burger. This years creation… Morning in Denver. This burger has a beef patty, topped with Canadian bacon, fried egg, friend onions, and sauteed green peppers. This bad boy is paired up with That’s Gold Kolsch. They will also be creating a brand new poutine to be partied with Happy Place Pale Ale.
Half Way to Halloween
May 5 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Draft & Vessel, 4417 N. Oakland Ave., Milwaukee, WI
We’re half way to Halloween. Come celebrate with a special tapping of Third Space Haunted Barrel. This beer is released every Halloween at Third Space Brewing and is an Imperial Porter aged in Bourbon and Rum barrels with cinnamon, vanilla, coconut, and cocoa nibs. Its like trick or treat in a glass.
Drink Third Space Win Prizes
May 5 @ 12:00 pm – May 11 @ 10:00 pm
Cafe Lulu, 2265 S Howell Ave., Milwaukee
All beer week long, Cafe Lulu is partnering with Third Space Brewing. Three different beers will be on tap all week, and for every Third Space beer you buy, receive an extra raffle ticket to win some awesome prizes. Finish beer week strong with a Tap Takeover on Saturday, May 11 starting at 11am. No purchase necessary to enter to win prizes.
Crafts & Drafts – Spring Beer Fest – Sponsored by Discount Liquor
May 5 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Serb Hall, 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee
This is the 7th Year of Crafts & Drafts and we can’t think of a better way to kick off Milwaukee Beer Week! At Crafts & Drafts, you’ll have a chance to try different beers from an amazing array of breweries, as well as being able to chat with brewery owners, brewmasters, and brewery representatives. Tickets are available for purchase on the Crafts & Drafts website. http://www.craftsanddrafts.org/tickets.html
Good City Tap Takeover
May 5 @ 2:00 pm – 4:05 pm
Smoke Shack, 322 N. Milwaukee Street, Milwaukee
Join us Sunday, May 5th for brunch, lunch, or dinner as we showcase some fun beers brew by Good City Brewing Company. Meet the rep from 2pm to 4pm as she passes out samples and find your favorite beer.
HalfAcre AfterParty Burnhearts
May 5 @ 5:00 pm – May 6 @ 2:00 am
Burnhearts, 2599 S. Logan Ave., Milwaukee
Stop by for our annual Crafts & Drafts after party at Burnhearts featuring a killer line up from Half Acre Beer Co. All welcome, come grab some tasty suds.
Beat the Breweries
May 6 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Up Down, 615 E. Brady Street, Milwaukee
Challenge your favorite brewery to a variety of games, for your chance to win a prize package. $12 gets you a pint from any participating brewery, a slice of pizza and 40 tokens
Three Lions Beer Dinner
May 6 @ 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Three Lions Pub, 4515 N Oakland Ave., Milwaukee
Join Three Lions Pub and Third Space Brewing for a one of a kind beer dinner. Specialties and rarities from Third Space Brewing will be paired with brand new creations from Three Lions. Call to reserve your spot today. 414-763-6992.
2nd Annual Wyeast Beer Dinner
May 7 @ 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Wy’east Pizza, 5601 W Vliet St., Milwaukee
For the second year in a row, Third Space Brewing and Wyeast Pizza are teaming up for Milwaukee Beer Week. The amazing kitchen staff at Wyeast will be creating brand new menu items utilizing finished beer, wort, and spent grain. Some rarities, seasonals, and core favorites will be on tap. Come early, and come hungry.
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
May 2, 2019 – May 5, 2019
Milwaukee Maifest at Estabrook Park Beer Garden
It’s Milwaukee Maifest time! Join the Milwaukee County Park System and neighbors from Milwaukee, Shorewood, Whitefish Bay and other nearby communities for the Official Kick Off to Beer Garden Season with Milwaukee Maifest at Estabrook Park. Festivities get underway on Thursday, May 2 at 5:30pm with the 2019 Maibock Anstich – Followed by Free beer until 6:30pm!
The fun lasts the whole weekend through Sunday, May 5th and includes Live Music, Food, Dance, Contests and Beer! Check out the beautiful trails in the park and the nice views of the Milwaukee River, which flows right past – and below – the Estabook Beer Garden.
You can easily get to Estabrook Park and the Beer Garden via Estabrook River Parkway, just south of Hampton Avenue and about 3/4 mile north of Highway 190/Capitol Drive. Highway 32 goes along Lake Michigan less than two miles to the east, while Highway 57 and I-43 approach less than two miles to the west. Definitely easy to get to – just look for the huge radio towers in the park!
Scroll down for a Schedule of Events.
Estabrook Park Beer Garden
4620 Estabrook Parkway
Milwaukee, WI 53217
(414) 219-9065
Website
Estabrook Park Beer Garden Facebook Page
Milwaukee Maifest Schedule of Events at Estabrook Park Beer Garden
Thursday, May 2, 2019
4:30 PM: Austrian Express Live at Maifest
5:30 PM: 2019 Maibock Anstich – Opening Ceremony, Blessing of the Bock, Keg Tapping
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Free Beer with Friends of Estabrook Mug
6:30 PM: Masskrugstemmen Steinholding Contest
Friday, May 3, 2019
1:30 PM: Kenny Brandt Live in the Beer Garden
5:00 PM: King Solomon Reggae at Milwaukee Maifest
6:30 PM: Masskrugstemmen Steinholding Contest
Saturday, May 4, 2019
1:00 PM: Steve Meisner Band Live at Milwaukee Maifest
2:30 PM: D.A.N.K. German Dance Performance
4:30 PM: Spielmannszug Milwaukee Drum and Bugle Corps
5:00 PM: Blaskapelle Milwaukee Live at Milwaukee Maifest
6:30 PM: Masskrugstemmen Steinholding Contest
Sunday, May 5, 2019
1:00 PM: Squeezettes! Live at Milwaukee Maifest
2:00 PM: German Dance Performance
3:30 PM: Masskrugstemmen Steinholding Contest
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April 27, 2019 – April 28, 2019
Get bEHIND the aRTS Studio Tour
The last full weekend in April, the get bEHIND the aRTS Studio Tour offers three days filled with art––inviting guests to explore an entire weekend of creativity in Southeastern Wisconsin.
You’ll get up close and personal with nearly 100 area artists at the 9th annual get beHIND the aRTS. This two-day open house takes you to 32 studios, galleries and artist workspaces in Racine and Kenosha Counties. The purchase of a $5 pin (available at any location) gets you admission to all the sites both days. Tour hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday for Racine County locations and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday for Kenosha County locations. This year’s free Preview Party, with exhibits, art demonstrations, entertainment and an artist meet-and-greet, is 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at 5700 7th Avenue in Kenosha. Click here for the map and more event details on their site.
The weekend kicks off with the art party of the year, the GBTA Preview Party on Friday, April 26 from 6:00 to 10:00pm at 5800 7th Avenue in downtown Kenosha (Kenosha News Building).
On Saturday, April 27, Racine artists’ studios are open to the public, and on Sunday, April 28, Kenosha studios welcomes visitors. Artists’ workplaces are open on both days from 11:00am to 5:00pm.
Pick up your tour maps during the Preview Party or at any studio location the day of the tour.
Highways 11, 20 and 38 bring you to Racine from I-41/94 or Highway 31; Highways 50 and 158 bring you to Kenosha from I-41/94 or Highway 31; and Highway 32 runs along Lake Michigan between the two cities. Should be a nice weekend for a drive and to check out both cities, too!
gET bEHIND the aRTS Hours:
Preview Party in Kenosha at the Kenosha News building, 5800 7th Avenue in downtown Kenosha Friday night, April 26.
Racine, Saturday, April 27, 11 am – 5 pm
Kenosha, Sunday, April 28, 11 am – 5 pm
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April 25, 2019 – April 27, 2019
Eau Claire Jazz Festival
The Eau Claire Jazz Festival, presented by Eau Claire Jazz, Inc. in partnership with UW-Eau Claire, features jazz music from university groups on campus and nationally-renown guest performances Friday and Saturday evening April 26th & 27th, with a special Thursday night concert the 25th led by Chris Botti! Friday night the 26th will feature Guest Artists Grace Kelly & The New York Voices.
Afterwards, you can enjoy the Airmen of Note, the premiere jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force (and one of the six ensembles that form the Air Force Band.) Based in Washington DC, the Airmen of Note formed in 1950 as a continuation of the military dance band tradition started by Major Glenn Miller, the legendary bandleader and trombonist of the swing era. Some of their accolades include a discography of over 40 albums, performances and recordings with stars like Dizzy Gillespie, Doc Severinsen, and Nancy Wilson, commissioned works from top composers such as Bob Florence, Bob Mintzer, and Sammy Nestico, and reaching the #2 spot in the JazzWeek jazz chart for their holiday recording of “Cool Yule.” The Airmen of Note will perform not only Friday night after Grace Kelly & The New York Voices, but also Saturday at the 4pm awards concert.
The Gatsby Gala event lets you step back to the roaring ’20s where you’ll be surrounded by the sights and sounds of the era! The UW-Eau Claire Jazz I and Jazz II ensembles will perform with special guest artists throughout the night. Expect to hear non-stop music including all your favorite classics from the swing era and even charts with a modern take on the style. Come dressed in your favorite 1920’s-inspired black-tie attire and get ready to party! Tickets are separately purchased for this event and can be secured here.
Also Friday night, the Eau Claire Jazz Festival sees downtown Eau Claire transform into a recreation of the historic 52nd street in New York City, a location infamous for its prevalence of jazz clubs and wealth of talent. Over twenty performance venues host concerts all evening long!
As you can tell, there are quite a few reason to check this out. It all happens in the new Pablo Center at the Confluence in downtown Eau Claire, a venue that just opened in Fall 2018 with a 1,200-seat main theater, an adjacent 400-seat theater, and other public and event spaces. Definitely a cool new place to check out as you enjoy great music and everything else Eau Claire has to offer!
Pablo Center at the Confluence
128 Graham Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715) 836-4092
Website
Twitter: @ECJazzFest
You can get to Eau Claire via I-94, U.S. 12, U.S. 53, or Highways 37, 93, or 124. Get ticket details, a complete schedule, and more on the Eau Claire Jazzfest website.
April 20, 2019
Eggstravaganza at Racine Zoo
The Racine Zoo’s annual Eggstravaganza is 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20th at the zoo, right along Highway 32 north of downtown, along the beautiful Lake Michigan lakefront.
Children and parents are invited to have fun hunting for the six “cluck-cluck” doors, playing themed games, enjoying two bouncy houses, cookie decorating and crafts, as as well as up-close animal encounters with the Racine Zoo Animal Ambassadors. Of course, food and beverages will be available for purchase. The Easter Bunny will be on hand to pose for photos at an additional $5 charge.
This “hoppin’ event” will feature:
• A hunt for 6 cluck-cluck doors throughout the Zoo to collect candy
• A photo with our special guest…the Easter Bunny! (digital photo will be emailed to you)
• Bounce houses
• EGG-cellent games
• Fun crafts and yummy snacktivities
• Easter Egg and Cookie Decorating
• Egg Dig
• Hoppin’ Dance Party
• Trunk Hunt (“Easter Style” of Trunk-or-Treat)
EggStravaganza Admission Rates:
Zoo Members: FREE
Adults: $8
Child 3-15: $6
Seniors 62 & Older: $7
2 & Younger: FREE
You’ll find the Racine Zoo, which is fun any time of year, just north of downtown Racine along Highway 32. Highways 11, 20, and 38 also bring you close. Nearby, you can enjoy North Beach and the shopping, restaurants, and fun to be had in downtown Racine including the Racine Art Museum and Monument Square. To the north, the Wind Point Lighthouse beckons for a beautiful look at history and Lake Michigan; and in various locales around town, you can explore Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture including the famous Johnson Wax Research Tower, Wingspan, and more. Kids might also love the historic fire station along 6th Street near City Hall and interactive exhibits at the Racine Historical Museum. All of the action is about 9-10 miles east of I-41/94; good north-south road trip alternates – if you want to avoid interstate construction zones – include U.S. 45 and Highway 31.
EggStravaganza Address (Racine Zoo)
Racine Zoo
2131 Main Street (Highway 32)
Racine, WI 53402
(262) 636-9189
Website
April 12, 2019 – April 14, 2019
River Falls Roots & Bluegrass Festival
The weekend kicks off with the 4th Annual Beer & Wine Tasting at Junior’s Bar and Restaurant. Enjoy the character of their historic Main Street (Historic Highway 35) as you move from venue to venue to experience both regional and local roots and bluegrass music all weekend long. Enjoy a variety of free workshops and participate in free jam sessions.
Check out the new Roots and Bluegrass Festival Band Contest and the Singer/Songwriter Competition which promises to be an exciting competition among the best of the best. Prizes will be awarded for the top three artists.
The River Falls Roots & Bluegrass Festival website has more details and updates.
You can get to River Falls via Highways 29, 35, or 65. It’s just minutes south of I-94. Don’t miss over 50 hours of foot-stomping bluegrass! Make a weekend out of it!
April 6, 2019
Phelps Maple Syrup Fest
Head up Highway 17 to Phelps and get in on the action. Learn more about how and where maple syrup is made, browse local arts & crafts, and tickle your taste buds… not only with maple syrup, but with honey this year, too!
Phelps Maple Syrup Fest is centered on the grounds of the Phelps school. There will be tree-tapping demonstrations and driving tour or guided bus tours of local sugar bushes to see where this popular treat originates and how sap becomes maple syrup. Furthermore, kid’s games and activities, a wonderful arts and crafts show with over 70 vendors, maple syrup and honey displays, and a maple syrup contest judged by local celebrities makes the Phelps Maple Syrup Fest a great event for the whole family. Be sure to taste the maple syrup goodies available at the Maple Cafe, try your hand at making Maple Taffy on the snow, or bring your homemade maple syrup to enter into the judging contest!
Phelps is a quiet and beautiful little town on the eastern end of North Twin Lake. It’s less than 20 minutes north and east of Eagle River via Highway 17 in Vilas County. Phelps is in the midst of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, right along the border with the U.P. of Michigan.
Phelps Maple Syrup Fest Address:
4451 Old School Road
Phelps, WI 54554
(715) 545-3800
Website
Facebook page
April 5, 2019 – April 7, 2019
Lake Geneva Festival of Wine
Welcoming all wine lovers 21 and older! Check out the 2019 Lake Geneva Festival of Wine at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. They have an entire weekend of vintage entertainment planned for all enthusiasts, from social wine drinkers to sommeliers. Eat, drink and learn more about wines from around the world. From their top of the line Blue Chip wine dinner to the Grand Tasting, you can book a weekend package with friends who share your love for wine.
The Grand Tasting is on Saturday, April 6 from 4-6pm. Need an extra hour? Upgrade to our VIP experience to start at 3pm and enjoy a bonus bubbles sampling in the VIP Lounge. We are happy to once again be partnering with the United Way of Walworth County this year. Pull a cork for a great cause! Stop by the cork pull station for your chance to take home 1 of 100 wines. 10% of all wine sales will also be donated to United Way. Don’t forget to order your favorite bottles before you leave! Must be 21 or older to attend.
The Grand Geneva is truly a grand resort, famously once the Playboy Club. It’s located along Highway 50 (near Highway 120) at U.S. 12 on the east end of Lake Geneva. Check out this great event and explore the town while you’re at it!
Check out the event website here for more details and to buy tickets, and see the Schedule of Events below!
Lake Geneva Festival of Wine Address:
Grand Geneva Resort
7036 Grand Geneva Way
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262) 248-8811
Website
Lake Geneva Festival of Wine Schedule of Events
Friday, April 5th
7pm: Blue Chip Wine Dinner – Savor top of the line wines with a reception followed by four courses of delicious food prepared by Grand Geneva’s Executive Chef Nelly Buleje.
$125 per person including tax and gratuity
Click here for menu
8pm: Paint ‘N Sip – Let out your inner artist. Enjoy a glass of wine while participating in a step-by-step painting tutorial, then take home your original masterpiece.
$45 per person
Saturday, April 6th
9am – Yoga and Mimosas – Start the morning with a relaxing yoga session and a mimosa. All skill levels are welcome to relax and learn about the health benefits of wine.
$15 per person
9am – Nature Walk – Enjoy a guided morning hike along the White River Trail. Take a breath of clean country air and enjoy the sights and sounds of the outdoors before all of the wine tasting begins.
Complimentary, no reservation needed
10am: Paint ‘N Sip – Let out your inner artist. Enjoy a glass of wine while participating in a step-by-step painting tutorial, then take home your original masterpiece.
$45 per person
11:30am-12:15pm & 1:30-2:15pm – Wine Tastign Seminars. Learn, interact and taste during two sessions of their Wine Tasting Seminars. Topics include wine blending, meat, cheese, and chocolate pairings and trendy grapes. $25 per person
12:45-2:00pm – Chef Demo Lunch. Watch Grand Geneva Executive Chef Nely Buleje as he shows you his passion for cooking while building a delicious light lunch paired with wines. $45 per person
3pm – VIP Hour. Enjoy an extra hour to sip the 50 bottles of wine carefully selected for this year’s event and enjoy a bonus bubbles sampling in the VIP Lounge. Plus, learn more from chef and wine talks on the half-hour mark, every hour during the Grand Tasting. $110 per person from 3-6pm
4-6pm – Grand Tasting. Eat, drink, and learn at their main event! Meet at the Grand Ballroom to taste a diverse array of wines from around the world, paired with delicious samples of food to match the wine regions. $85 per person
9am – Yoga and Mimosas – Start the morning with a relaxing yoga session and a mimosa. All skill levels are welcome to relax and learn about the health benefits of wine.
$15 per person
9am – Nature Walk – Enjoy a guided morning hike along the White River Trail. Take a breath of clean country air and enjoy the sights and sounds of the outdoors before all of the wine tasting begins.
Complimentary, no reservation needed
10am-2pm – Sunday Brunch – End the weekend on a high note with our Sunday Champagne Brunch in Geneva ChopHouse from 10am-2pm. Extra bubbly drinks will be served in honor of Lake Geneva Festival of Wine Weekend!
$44.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity
Call (262) 249-4788 for reservations
March 28, 2019 – March 31, 2019
Chippewa Falls Sesquicentennial Celebration Kickoff
The lovely and fun city of Chippewa Falls turns 150 this year, and its Chippewa Falls Sesquicentennial Celebration Kickoff was Monday, March 25th. The celebration continues, especially into this weekend!
Okay, sesquicentennial (pronounced “sĕsˌkwĭ-sĕn-tĕnˈē-əl”) is a tricky word. But the events around it for the year will be fun! This first Chippewa Falls Sesquicentennial event to celebrate the city’s incorporation in 1869 is a musical.
You can experience it at the Heyde Center for the Arts and take a step back in time as the Wayward Players, dressed in period costume, sing songs from CHIPPEWA FALLS 1869: THE MUSICAL on the same date that the proclamation that founded the city was signed: March 25th. Browse through historic photographs, enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages, and talk with city officials and historians about the past, present and future of Chippewa Falls. The Chippewa County Historical Society will have books about Chippewa Falls on sale, a table and display of artifacts from the early 1800s, fur trade re-enactors from the Past Passed Here, and more. The Chippewa County Genealogy Society will be on hand with insights on many of the city’s founding families.
At 7:00 p.m. a formal program will be held in the Heyde Center auditorium starting with two songs by the Wayward Players. This will be followed by a brief speech by the Mayor of Chippewa Falls and finally the delivery of the proclamation to Doug Richter, the great-grandson of William Irvine (of Irvine Park fame). Richter will be the Grand Marshal of the August 10, 2019 Pure Water Days Parade in downtown Chippewa Falls. No cost for admission.
The musical continues at the Heyde Center later Thursday, March 28th – Sunday, March 31st. More Sesquicentennial events will follow, and we’ll keep you up to date on them!
Chippewa Falls Sesquicentennial Celebration Kickoff Address:
Heyde Center for the Arts
3 S. High Street
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
(715) 726-9000
Website
You’ll find the Heyde Center just east (and up the hill) from downtown Chippewa Falls. U.S. 53 and Highway 29 bring you there via freeway and local Business routes. Highways 124 and 178 bring you right in towards downtown!
March 23, 2019 – March 24, 2019
Madison Art, Bead & Glass Show
Check out the Bead Challenge, or just find pieces of art, beads, or glass creations you’d like to purchase.
It’s all happening at the Madison Art Bead & Glass Show, a perfect stop for artists and creatives of all stripes! It’s right off the Beltline (U.S. 12/18) along Rimrock Road near John Nolen Drive. U.S. 14 & 151 bring you close by, too!
Admission is $7 for one day, $11 for both days. You can buy tickets here.
Hours:
Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Madison Art Bead & Glass Show Address:
Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 838-8011
Website
March 18, 2019 – March 23, 2019
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Irish Fest, New London
New London becomes “New Dublin” Monday, March 16th – Saturday, March 21st as the city hosts Wisconsin’s largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade and its annual Irish Fest celebration. The Saturday parade begins at 1pm and features bagpipe bands, marching bands, festive clowns, specialty units, clans, an Irish wake parody, and business floats–up to 125 or more.
New Dublin Irish Fest runs from 11am to 6pm Saturday in a heated tent featuring two Celtic bands, Irish food, beverages, and market booths. Entrance fee for the Irish Fest portion is just $5.
This St. Patrick’s Day in New Dublin celebration is a week-long set of festivities that include an exciting schedule of weeknight activities. Just some examples: Irish caroling, Irish entertainment on stage, and an Irish Céili. Corned beef and cabbage is widely served during the week in area restaurants and pubs with some places usually having entertainment.
Get all the parade and Irish Fest details at NewDublin.com.
U.S. 45 and Highway 54 will bring you to New Dublin… er, New London. Enjoy!!
New London Irishfest & St. Patrick’s Day Parade Address:
Downtown New London
Water Street, Highway 54
New London, WI 54961
(920) 982-3891
Website
New London has a very storied Irish history, hence the strong celebrations. The city is also the Birthplace of the Water Spaniel and has a lot of other small town charm and uniqueness to explore.
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March 9, 2019
EAA Hops & Props
They say beer tastes better in Oshkosh. Find out for yourself by spending an evening sampling beverages from over 75 breweries from around the world. Microbreweries are present to provide their personal brewing process and history, while entertainment from live bands provides a backdrop for this fun and exciting tasting event.
Go from being a Beer Lover to a Master of Brews by upgrading to VIP status, which includes early admission to a gourmet, five-course meal featuring delectable food and beer pairings including the VIP brewery. Dinner begins at 4:30 p.m.; tickets are close to being sold out!
Please note that you must be 21 years of age or older to attend this event. Admission price also includes museum entrance and commemorative beer glass. I mean, hey, drink for a cause! All funds will support museum activities offered by EAA – programs that engage families in educational opportunities and experiences that motivate and inspire participants of all ages.
Please note that no large bags will be allowed into the museum; all bags are subject to search.
Full details on everything are available on EAA’s Hops & Props website. You can reach the EAA AirVenture Museum via I-41 and Highways 26, 44, or 91; U.S. 45 and Highways 21 and 76 also bring you to Oshkosh. Enjoy – safely!
Feel free to check out the rest of Oshkosh while you’re there. Prime outlet shopping is just across I-41 and there are plenty of fun things to see and do in this college town, including the Paine Art Museum.
Don’t forget EAA’s AirVenture, happening July 22-28 this year, featuring the Blue Angels! Wittman Field will become one of the world’s busiest airports for a week and you’ll get to see and experience everything from historic to cutting-edge experimental aviation machines. There will be military fighters, classic airplanes, commercial jets, and creative inventions everywhere.
EAA Hops & Props Address:
EAA AirVenture Museum
3000 Poberezny Road
Oshkosh, WI 54902
(920) 426-6541
Website
Belle City Brewfest
Belle City Brewfest convenes in downtown Racine Saturday, March 9th! Over 90 varieties of craft brews from 40 breweries will descend on Festival Hall at the Civic Centre showcasing their brands for unlimited tastings of beer and cider, including newer local breweries like Racine Brewing Company just down the street, R’Noggin Brewing of Kenosha, and more! There will also be live entertainment and beer seminars; judge the Homebrew Competition, enjoy live music from Mean Jake, and all in all just have a great Saturday!
Tickets are $25 in advance or $35 at the gate. Tickets include a souvenir cup and live entertainment along with a complete festival guide. Designated drivers can get in for $8 and get free soda or water plus full access to all beer seminars and the live entertainment. You can go to the Belle City Brewfest website or buy them directly from Ticketmaster here. A portion of the proceeds benefit Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin.
Belle City Brewfest will take place inside Festival Hall at Racine Civic Centre, which is right downtown and close to other favorite venues like the Racine Art Museum, Reefpoint Marina, even the Kewpee for burgers. Stay updated with their Facebook page.
You can get to downtown Racine from I-41/94 or Highway 31 via Highways 11, 20, 32, and 38.
Belle City Brewfest Address:
Festival Hall, Racine Civic Centre
5 5th Street
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 636-9229
Website
Participating brewers include:
…and more!
More from Real Racine
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St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Milwaukee
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade Milwaukee winds through downtown from noon until about 1:30pm on Saturday, March 9th! It’s the 53rd Annual Shamrock Club of Wisconsin St. Patrick’s Day Parade with live Irish music, dance, food, beverages and more all afternoon. We’re pretty sure you can find corned beef, for example…
*** STT Tidbit: Milwaukee’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade dates back to 1843; it’s the 6th oldest such parade in the nation. **
Check out one of the best St Patrick’s Day Parades in the country and the grandest parade in Wisconsin. The Parade will feature 140+ units and includes local politicians and celebrities, floats, bagpipe and marching bands and Irish and Celtic organizations. It’s the perfect event for the whole family, because on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish!
Before the parade, there’s an 8:30am mass at St. Patrick’s Church at 723 W. Washington Street just south of downtown. After the parade, the Shamrock Club Post-Parade Party will take place at the Irish Cultural & Heritage Center at 2133 W. Wisconsin Avenue, just west of downtown and the Marquette University campus. It’s Milwaukee’s Largest Family Parade Day Party and features four stages of entertainment. There’s a $2 admission fee ($10 family maximum) and children 10 and younger are free. There will be plenty of food and beverages too!
The parade itself starts at noon on 3rd and Wisconsin and finishes at Water and Highland. It will actually go over portions of U.S. 18 and Highway 32 in the city. I-43/94 and Highways 38, 57, 59, and 145 also bring you within blocks of the parade route.
The Milwaukee St. Patrick’s Day Parade website has full details on all the events. It’s definitely a fun way to spend a Saturday and prepare for St. Patrick’s Day (and week, based on the timing of the parade!)
The Shamrock
Milwaukee’s Largest Family Parade Day Party
Four stages of entertainment
$2 admission | children 10 & younger free
Family maximum cost is $10
Food & beverages
March 9, 2019 – March 10, 2019
Cedar Creek Winery Open House
Cedar Creek Winery features its annual Open House Saturday, March 9th and Sunday, March 10th, 2019. Enjoy two festive and celebratory days, with Spring right around corner (we can only hope, after the February we’ve had!)
They say everything’s coming up roses, so enjoy a rose when you go… and some Rosé! Enjoy barrel tastings of vintages, live jazz, cooking-with-wine demonstrations and samplings, wine tastings, a live benefit auction, special events, food samplings, spring showcases and more in the shops at Cedar Creek Settlement. Other highlights include daily cooking demos and samplings with local chefs, along with grapevine pruning demonstrations and wine tastings. Barrel taste their Wisconsin-grown Marquette wine and their new dry white wine with winemaker Philippe, which takes place on Saturday.
Shops in Cedar Creek and nearby stores up and down Washington, as well as adjacent places like the new Rebellion Brewing USA, make for plenty of options to visit when you’re in Cedarburg, too!
Cellar Hours: Saturday 10am – 4pm | Sunday 11am – 4pm
Store Hours: Saturday and Sunday 10am – 5pm
Cedar Creek Winery Open House Address:
Cedar Creek Winery
N70W6340 Bridge Road
Cedarburg, WI 53012
(262) 377-8020
Website
Check out some spring fun in historic Cedarburg, along Historic Highway 57 (Washington Avenue) just north of Highway 167 and south of Highway 60. Highway 181 is just to the west. It’s only about 10-12 minutes off I-43/Highway 32, and it’s a great little town!
See the Schedule of Events below!
Cedar Creek Winery Open House Schedule of Events
Saturday, March 9th
10am-4pm: Self-Guided Tours (Cellar)
10am-4pm: WI Cheese Sampling (Cellar)
11:00am: Barrel Tasting (Cellar)
1pm: Grapevine Pruning Demonstration
2pm: Barrel Tasting (Cellar)
3pm: Cooking with Wine Demonstration (Cellar)
Sunday, March 10th
10am-4pm: Self-Guided Tours (Cellar)
10am-4pm: WI Cheese Sampling (Cellar)
11:30am: Barrel Tasting (Cellar)
1pm: Cooking with Wine Demonstration (Cellar)
2pm: Barrel Tasting (Cellar)
3pm: Cooking with Wine Demonstration (Cellar)
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March 5, 2019 – March 8, 2019
United States Championship Cheese Contest
The United States Championship Cheese Contest® is the nation’s premier technical cheese, butter, and yogurt competition. 2019 marks the 20th biennial edition, hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. Lambeau Field in Green Bay hosts the United States Championship Cheese Contest March 5-7, 2019 and the term “cheeseheads” will never be the same!
March 5-6: Watch the Preliminary Rounds FREE!
The U.S. Championship Cheese Contest is free and open to the public during the preliminary rounds of judging which take place on Tuesday, March 5th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Wednesday, March 6th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The judging takes place in the Atrium at the Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The announcement of the 2019 United States Champion will happen in the evening on March 7, at Cheese Champion.
March 7: Meet the Experts and Taste the Winners!
The Championship round takes place Thursday, March 7 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the KI Convention Center in downtown Green Bay (333 Main Street.) This is a ticketed event, with all tickets sold in advance. You can buy yours for $30 starting in January.
Thousands of cheeses will compete for the elusive U.S. Championship Cheese crown, but of course only one can win. Entries are evaluated by a team of skilled technical judges from across the nation. Starting from a maximum possible 100 points, deductions are made for various defects found by each judge. Defects are noted in the areas of flavor, body and texture, salt, color, finish, packaging, and other appropriate attributes. A Gold medal, Silver medal and Bronze medal are awarded to the three highest scoring entries in each class. You can be there to watch it happen and you taste 40 of the best cheeses in the country! Mix and match your favorite beer and cheese pairings, and meet and mingle with 45 of the top cheese judges in the United States.
Worth noting is that the 2019 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest is open to only 400 attendees, with all tickets sold in advance. You’ll enjoy complimentary beer and cheese pairings, samples of at least 40 cheeses, and cash bar. So hurry!
United States Championship Cheese Contest Address:
Lambeau Field
1265 N. Lombardi Avenue
Green Bay, WI 54304
(920)
Website
March 2, 2019
World’s Longest Weenie Roast
“The World’s Longest Weenie Roast!”
Held to raise funds for the Great Divide Ambulance Service, the Namakagon Volunteer Fire Department and other area charities and not-for-profits, this event holds the record for the longest line of hot dog cookers over one fire in the world. With events like snowmobile speed runs, ice drags, crooked weenie obstacle course, and snow drags all on Lake Namakagon, there is more than enough fun for everyone.
All the action for the World’s Largest Weenie Roast takes place Saturday, March 2nd in Cable, along County M near U.S. 63 at the Lakewoods Resort & Forest Ridge Golf Course. Get all the event details here!
World’s Longest Weenie Roast Address:
Lakewoods Resort & Forest Ridge Golf Course
21540 County Road M
Cable, WI 54821
(715) 794-2561
Website
February 16, 2019
Northwoods Blizzard Blast
The Northwoods Blizzard Blast is a “flurry of winter fun for everyone” in Conover, between Eagle River and Land O’Lakes along Highway 32 & U.S. 45 in the heart of the North Woods! Activities in Conover Community Park include ice bowling, the Dogsled Dash, recliner racing, sledding, face painting, fireworks, horse drawn sleigh rides, snow carving, snowshoe baseball, and an Artisan Bazaar in the adjacent Conover Community Center. Check out related events in Phelps and Land O’Lakes, too!
The Blizzard Blast Bazaar hosts numerous artisans and exhibitors with hand-crafted items, talents on display, food and beverages, and more. Admission is free for the Bazaar all day.
All of this activity is in Vilas County north of Eagle River. Follow U.S. 45 & Highway 32 north from Eagle River, past where Highway 17 veers off for its ride to Phelps. Conover is about 15 minutes north of Eagle River, and Land O’Lakes (plus the source of the Wisconsin River in Lac Vieax Desert) is just north of Conover.
Northwoods Blizzard Blast Addresses:
Conover Community Park
4697 Park Circle, just off U.S. 45/Hwy 32
Conover, WI 54519
(715) 891-6254
Website
Blizzard Blast Schedule of Events in Conover (subject to updates and changes):
Wed-Sat SNOW SCULPTING COMPETITION -$100 prize! $25 (team)
9am-4pm ARTISAN BAZAAR Free
9am-4pm FACE PAINTING Varies
10am-4pm HORSE DRAWN SCENIC RIDES $2-$5
10:15am X-COUNTRY FUN SKI & TRAIL TOUR $10
10am-4pm SLAP SHOT HOCKEY-Shot on goal, win a prize! $1
10am-4pm ICE BOWLING-Bowl at strike, win a prize! $1
10am-4pm WINTER CARNIVAL GAMES FOR KIDS $1 each
10am-4pm PONY RIDES $2
10am-4pm YOUTH ARCHERY DEMO Free
10am-4pm SNOW ART FUN FOR KIDS Free
10am-4pm SNOWBOARD DEMO & INSTRUCTION Free
10am-2pm SNOWSHOE BASEBALL GAMES Free
10pm-4pm SNOWSHOE DEMO BY HIKER BOX Free
12pm-3pm KID’S DOGSLED DASH-win a Musher’s Medal $2
10am-2:30 RECLINER RACE QUALIFYING LAPS $1
3pm RECLINER RACE FINALS-$100 prize! (register by 2:30pm) $20 (team of 3)
4 pm TROPHY PRESENTATION Free
Sandwiches, S’mores, snacks, soda & beer are available all day.
Toasty bonfires and heated restrooms are located throughout the park.