Heirloom Garden Weekend takes place the weekend of August 20-21, 2016 at Old World Wisconsin, a beautiful place that documents the settlement of 19th- and early 20th-century Wisconsin. It comprises an 1870s crossroads village and 10 ethnic farmsteads located on 576 acres of wooded hills in the Southern Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest in the southwestern corner of Waukesha County.
Throughout Heirloom Garden Weekend you can participate in special programs, walking tours, mini-workshops, family activities and sampling of heirloom plants in and about Old World Wisconsin’s historic gardens. Learn about the gardening practices of early immigrant settlers and get tips for growing and enjoying plants in your garden. Feel free to contact them at 262-594-6301 for more information and times.
Highlights include:
Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in Caldwell Hall enjoy a talk by Jennifer Jordan, UWM Professor and author of “Edible Memory: The Lure of Heirloom Tomatoes and Other Forgotten Foods.” She will discuss “How Tomotoes Became Heirlooms and Apples became Antiques.” Ms. Jordan will be available to sign books following her talk. Books will be available for sale.
Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in Caldwell Hall hear Ellen Penwell, former curator of Collections at Old World Wisconsin, talk about “Dig In! The History of Garden Tools.”
Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in Caldwell Hall Bill Stone of Brightonwoods Orchard will present, “Heirloom Apple Tees in WI” with a tree grafting demo.
For Heirloom Garden Weekend, the cost for adults (18-64) is $19; children (5-17) are $10; children 4 and under are free; Senior citizens (65 and over) are $16. Fees include an all-day tram transportation pass. Parking is free.
You’ll find Old World Wisconsin along Highway 67 on its beautiful drive through Kettle Moraine near Eagle, just south of the junction with Highway 59. U.S. 12 and Highway 20 meet Highway 67 about seven miles to the south.
Address:
Old World Wisconsin
W372 S9727 Wisconsin Highway 67
Eagle, WI 53119
(262) 594-6301 Website
Email: oww@wisconsinhistory.org
Start:
August 20, 2016
End:
August 21, 2016
Venue:
Old World Wisconsin
Phone:
262-594-6301
Address:
W372 S9727 Wisconsin Highway 67, Eagle, WI, 53119, United States
“Where Old West Meets New” is the theme of Viroqua’s Wild West Days, which takes place in town August 19-21 this year in Viroqua. It’s a whole throwback to the frontier days with events happening across the weekend.
Daily Events Include:
* Reenactors
* Main Street Performances
* Old Time Barber
* Childrens Games & Crafts
* Pony Rides
* Stage Coach Rides
* Petting Zoo
* Great Food Vendors
* Saloon To Wet Your Whistle
* Wild Rose Cafe
* Old West & New West Vendors
* Period Displays In An 1800’s Boomtown Setting
Other Special Events include a Western Concert, Rodeo Competitions, Cowboy Church, and – yes – Hog Wraslin’. A Horse-Drawn Parade will klip-klop through downtown Viroqua Friday evening.
Here’s the schedule:
Friday August 19th
6:00 pm Wild West Days All Horse Parade (downtown Viroqua)
7:00 pm Horse Pull
7:00 pm K.G. and The Ranger Concert (Temple Theater)
7:30 pm Maggie Mae & the Heartland Country Band with Eric Nofsinger Concert (Temple Theater)
Saturday August 20th
9:00 am Ranch Rodeo Preliminaries
9:00 am Boomtown Opens
11:00 am Horseshoe Contest
1:00 pm Hog Wrastlin’
6:15 pm Mutton Bustin’
7:00 pm Hell on Hooves Rodeo
Sunday August 21st
7:00 am – 11:00 am Cowboy Breakfast Sponsored by Bethel Home (Hockey Arena across from Wild West Days Grounds)
9:00 am Boomtown Opens
11:00 am Cowboy Church Service
1:15 pm Mutton Bustin’
2:00 pm Bulls & Barrels Rodeo
Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for kids 12 and under. If you collected a plastic water bottle in the area with a special Wild West Days label on it, you can bring it to the festival and receive ONE FREE Kids Admission! The Rodeo is extra, a $15 admission for adults and $5 for kids 6-13. Hog Ras – er, Wrestling is also extra, $3 for adults and $1 for kids (and note: the winner is responsible for processing the hog.)
Viroqua is a jewel in the midst of Wisconsin’s beautiful – and we mean beautiful – Driftless Area. U.S. 14/61 and Highways 27, 56, and 82 all bring you to Viroqua.
Address:
925 Nelson Parkway
Viroqua, WI 54665
(608) 634-2601 Website
Start:
August 19, 2016
End:
August 21, 2016
Venue:
Wild West Days
Phone:
608-634-2601
Address:
925 Nelson Parkway, Viroqua, WI, 54665, United States
Downtown Waukesha, along with being a crazy maze of streets, offers up a lot of fun places. That includes art galleries. For the Waukesha Art Crawl, over 175 artisans at 20 galleries and showplaces, live music, gift shops and more are featured at this seasonal event. Walk the downtown streets to discover your next artistic treasure, shop the boutiques, listen to live music or indulge in food and drink.
The Waukesha Art Crawl for 2016 takes place on the following Saturdays:
March 5th
May 7th
August 6th
October 1st
December 3rd
How do you get into Waukesha? I-94 and Highway 16 bring you to the north side; Highways 59 and 164 round the south and east sides. U.S. 18 cuts right through, take that or East or St. Paul Avenues.
Start:
August 6, 2016 4:00 pm
End:
August 6, 2016 10:00 pm
Venue:
Downtown Waukesha
Phone:
262-542-1522
Address:
337 W. Main Street, Waukesha, WI, 53186, United States
Managed by the Bay View Arts Guild in this dynamic Milwaukee neighborhood, the South Shore Frolics celebrates its 67th year in 2016. Plenty of fun and games (especially for kids) along with bands, a fish fry, an art show, a classic car show, and more in South Shore Park, which is not only a fun park but also a place providing a beautiful view of the bay (hence, the neighborhood name “Bay View”) and downtown Milwaukee.
And if you hear the crowd yell “Blow up the beach!” don’t be alarmed; it’s just that they put on a great fireworks show there, too.
You’ll find the Frolics in South Shore Park, along Highway 32/Superior Street in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood. Highways 38 and 794 also bring you there, and it’s just a two miles east of I-43/94.
Address:
2900 S. Shore Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53207
(414) 482-4270 Website
Start:
July 15, 2016
End:
July 17, 2016
Venue:
South Shore Park
Phone:
414-482-4270
Address:
2900 S. Shore Drive, Milwaukee, WI, 53207, United States
Celebrate Dairy Month, and Wisconsin’s dairy heritage, at Wade House by taking part in cheese, butter and ice cream making in the fashion of the 1860s.
Wade House is an 1850s stagecoach inn built to serve traffic along the plank road that connected Fond du Lac and Sheboygan, tells the story of frontier entrepreneur Sylvanus Wade and his family during the Civil War years. In addition to the inn, the historic site includes the recently reconstructed Herrling sawmill, one of the few working, water-powered sawmills of its kind in the nation. Wade House is also home to the Wesley Jung Carriage Museum, which houses the state’s largest collection of antique carriages and working wagons.
Tickets:
Adults $11; children (5-17) $5.50; students and senior citizens (65 and over) $9.25; family (two adults and two or more dependent children 5-17) $30. Horse-drawn transportation on the site included in ticket cost.
Wade House is along Highway 23 between Fond du Lac and Sheboygan, just west of Plymouth. Highways 57 and 67 come close too! All the details on this event and more on Wade House can be found on their website HERE.
Start:
June 25, 2016 10:00 am
End:
June 26, 2016 5:00 pm
Venue:
Wade House Historic Site
Phone:
920-526-3271
Address:
W7965 State Highway 23, Greenbush, WI, 53026, United States
The Ridge in Lake Geneva combines two greats: craft beer and Chicago Blues! This event will feature unlimited sampling of craft beer from around the US, live blues music and concessions from 1-5pm Saturday, April 23rd at the Ridge Hotel along Highway 50 in Lake Geneva – U.S. 12 and Highway 67 are nearby, too. There will also be a silent auction to benefit the Lakeland Animal Shelter. Check out the details at their website here!
Start:
April 23, 2016 1:00 pm
End:
April 23, 2016 5:00 pm
Venue:
Geneva Ridge Resort
Phone:
262-245-1000
Address:
W4240 State Highway 50, Lake Geneva, WI, 53147, United States
Head to Dodgeville and enjoy authentic Cajun music from visiting LA artists along with music and dance workshops. Cajun food and nightly dances with live bands. This event takes place at Folklore Village, a nationally recognized folk arts and culture center dedicated to enriching lives through time-honored traditions.
Since 1968, thousands of people of all ages have come to Folklore Village to gather with friends, meet new people, to eat, dance, sing and play. Come study with a master fiddler… sing with a gospel choir… dance until midnight… learn to spin wool… feast on jambalaya… join a back porch jam session… plant prairie flowers… or picture yourself as a student in a real 1890 schoolhouse… pass it on.,
Get the full schedule for this Cajun music and dance weekend at their website here. U.S. 18 & 151 and Highway 23 bring you to Dodgeville, the seat of Iowa County.
Start:
April 22, 2016
End:
April 24, 2016
Venue:
Folklore Village
Phone:
608-924-4000
Address:
3210 County Road BB, Dodgeville, WI, 53533, United States
“First Fridays” will provide an opportunity for families to come together to partake in an artistic experience, including unique educational elements for youth ranging from artist-led crafts to hands-on musical experiences. Guests are greeted with an opening band featuring local musicians at 6:00 pm. Dinner will be available for purchase from food trucks, as well as indoors from “After Party” Sponsor, The Stilthouse Restaurant. Other activities include a local handmade art show, kid’s crafts, dancing, cash bar and good times. At 7:00pm, the lights go down and the party turns up as the main act, Comfort Shag, takes the stage for two hours. The Center’s full cash bar and dance floor will multiply the fun. This exciting series is free of charge to members of the Cultural Center and children under 5. Non-member general admission is $5 at the door. Full details can be found on the Cedarburg Cultural Center website.
Historic downtown Cedarburg can be reached via Washington Avenue, which is Historic Highway 57. Today’s Highway 57, as well as Highways 60, 167, and 181, come close. I-43/Highway 32 is also a few miles to the east and you can access Cedarburg via County C (Exit 89).
Start:
April 1, 2016 4:00 pm
End:
April 1, 2016 11:00 pm
Venue:
Cedarburg Cultural Center
Phone:
262-375-3676
Address:
W62 N546 Washington Avenue, Cedarburg, WI, 53012, United States
This is a great time to check out the Bull Falls Brewery just southeast of central Wausau!
The Bull Falls Bock Fest will kick off at 1pm on Saturday, March 19th immediately following the 8th Annual Bull Falls Brewery Never Forgotten Honor Flight 5K Run/Walk. It will begin with the ceremonial tapping of the 2015 Bull Falls Bock Lager, their traditional full-bodied dark bock lager beer. Beginning at 1pm there will be music in the Biergarten by Led West and great food provided by local American Legion Post 10.
Their crack Karmel Kaiser staff will be assisting customers who want their beer caramelized with a red hot poker by the fire! It’s an outdoor event, so dress for the weather! This will be a well-attended event, snow or shine. All proceeds for this event will be donated to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight.
Updated details are available on the Bull Falls Brewery website. You’ll find the brewery southeast of downtown Wausau, just east of Business U.S. 51. I-39, U.S. 51, and Highways 29 and 52 all bring you to Wausau.
Start:
March 19, 2016 1:00 pm
End:
March 19, 2016 6:00 pm
Venue:
Bull Falls Brewery
Phone:
715-842-2337
Address:
901 E. Thomas Street, Wausau, WI, 54403, United States
In conjunction with the Southport Quilters Guild Annual Members Quilt Show, the Guild will sponsor activities at the Kenosha Public Museum in downtown Kenosha’s HarborPark District.
The Kenosha Public Museum is a natural sciences and fine and decorative arts museum with over 80,000 collections, including 1,200 works in fine arts. Exhibit programming includes mammoths, world cultures, Native Americans, zoology, geology, fossils, and fine and decorative arts.
For National Quilting Day, here’s the schedule:
9am-Noon – Quilting Workshop with Kathy Tracy of Country Lane Quilts. Please contact the Museum at 262-653-4140 to find out if space is still available.
10am-5pm – “Scrappy Days are Here Again!” and “Pieces of Poetry” quilt challenge by Southport Quilters Guild members on display in DaimlerChrysler Hall
10:30am-1:30pm – Quilting demonstrations by members of the Guild and family activities
2pm – “A Little History of Quilting” presentation by Kathy Tracy . The presentation takes you through different periods in American history showing examples of quilts with different styles and techniques. It includes a PowerPoint presentation, a trunk show of quilts from her books, and time for questions. Free tickets will be available the day of the presentation beginning at 10am. Seating is limited – first come, first served.
The Kenosha Public Museum can be accessed by taking Highways 32, 50, or 158 into the city’s HarborPark District, which sits right along Lake Michigan on the east side of downtown. Make a day of it and check out everything else down there!
Start:
March 19, 2016 9:00 am
End:
March 19, 2016 5:00 pm
Venue:
Kenosha Public Museum
Phone:
262-653-4140
Address:
5500 First Avenue, Kenosha, WI, 53140, United States
Beer has a long, illustrious history as the centerpiece of many parties and events, especially here in Milwaukee. With this in mind, the Milwaukee Public Museum on Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee will open its doors after hours and add another chapter to that story. The Milwaukee Public Museum’s 18th Annual Food & Froth Fest will be held on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 from 7 – 10 p.m.
Food & Froth will feature over 200 different beers from more than 70 breweries, including Midwest treasures such as Summit Brewing Co., which is making its Food & Froth debut, and international favorites like Germany’s Krombacher Brauerei. Nibble on tasty bites from Screamin’ Sicilian frozen pizza, sampling a fully loaded pizza perfect for pairing with beer, as well as many other treats from local restaurants and caterers. Additionally there will be live music on all three exhibit floors, including a performance by The Whiskey Belles.
Food & Froth tickets are $75 for members and $125 for VIP tickets. VIP tickets include 5:30 p.m. entrance into the special VIP room filled with exclusive craft beers, a smorgasbord of unlimited savories and sweets, and 6:00 p.m. early entry into the event.
Tickets are available by calling (414) 278-2728 or (888) 700-9069 during museum hours. Admission fee covers all food, beer and live entertainment. You must be at least 21 years of age to attend, and a valid identification and ticket are required for entrance into the event.
The Milwaukee Public Museum is right along U.S. 18 (Wells Street) in downtown Milwaukee, within blocks of I-43, I-94, the south end of Highway 145, and also close to Highway 32 (Broadway/Milwaukee Street), Highway 38 (5th/6th Street south of downtown), Highway 59 (National Avenue), and I-794.
Start:
February 20, 2016 7:00 pm
End:
February 20, 2016 10:00 pm
Venue:
Milwaukee Public Museum
Phone:
414-278-2728
Address:
800 W. Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, United States
The second smallest county in Wisconsin hosts one of the last FREE county fairs in the Midwest. The 157th edition of the Ozaukee County Fair takes place August 3-6, 2016 at Fireman’s Park in Cedarburg.
Plenty of animals, exhibits, rides, and more punctuate this fair. They have some great musical acts too, including the Charlie Daniels Band for Friday night, August 5th!
The Ozaukee County Fair can be found along Washington Avenue in Cedarburg, just south of Highway 60, just east of Highway 181, and a few miles west of I-43 and Highways 32 & 57.
Last minute shopping deals, entertainment, horse-drawn wagon rides, food and even Santa! Join the fun throughout downtown Hartford, where the deals get better as the night goes on… and it does last until midnight!
In addition to the specials offered by the merchants, there are crafters and vendors to help you with those last-minute holiday gifts. And at the main corner of Highways 60 and 83, you’ll find a State Trunk Tour favorite, The Mineshaft – Wisconsin’s largest restaurant.
To celebrate the coming “holidaze”, Eau Claire’s Holidaze Arts Festival – which has been around for 26 years – will feature over 100 quality fine art and crafts exhibitors each fairing hand made goods that make for good shopping for yourself or someone on your list. It takes place in downtown Eau Claire, where there’s plenty else to do, Friday afternoon November 20th into the evening and all day Saturday, November 21st.
Get the full lineup of artists and activities at their website, Holidazearts.com.
I-94, U.S. 12 & 53, and Highways 37 and 93 bring you to Eau Claire!
Start:
November 20, 2015 3:00 pm
End:
November 21, 2015 4:00 pm
Venue:
The Linsmore Hotel
Phone:
715-832-6942
Address:
333 Gibson Street, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, United States
The annual Holiday Art Fair in Madison is an excellent showcase of contemporary fine art and craft during the gift-giving season. This juried show includes over 85 artists exhibiting ceramics, fiber art, glass, jewelry, paintings, prints, photographs, and more. The festive event will also feature performances by local arts organizations throughout the weekend, holiday refreshments, Rediscovered Arts & Treasures Sale, silent auction, and the popular Gourmet Gallery filled with treats for every taste.
The Holiday Art Fair is held at the MMoCA, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. It’s right on State Street downtown, close to U.S. 151/Washington Avenue. Of course, I-39, 90, and 94, U.S. 12, 14, 18, 51, and Highways 30 and 113 all bring you into Madison!
Admission to the Holiday Art Fair is $6, with children under 12 admitted free. Their website has all the details and the full lineup!
Start:
November 20, 2015 2:30 pm
End:
November 22, 2015 3:00 pm
Venue:
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
Phone:
608-257-0158
Address:
227 State Street, Madison, WI, 53703, United States
The River Falls area comes alive when you take part in the Fall Finds and Barn Tour! Enjoy a leisurely tour of the beautiful Wisconsin countryside while you experience a diverse mix of shopping in rustic barns and downtown shops in and around River Falls. Find eclectic & handmade items, fine art, unique gifts, antiques, functional wares, local harvest and preserves, furniture, festive holiday, garden art & so much more, including:
– 125 on Main
– Over 30 artists and eclectic mix of holiday, harvest, repurposed, vintage and more.
– Holidays at Blue Ridge – over 20 artists’ original artwork, jewelry, edibles and more.
– Our Neighbor’s Old Barn – eclectic mix of gifts, vintage, furniture and fun.
– Garden Divas – unique gifts, harvest, holiday, garden, fair trade, vintage, local and more.
– Holidays on the Kinni – artists group and antiques, restored, harvest, holiday gifts and more.
– Riverwalk Art and Antiques – antiques, vintage, home, local gifts, edibles and more.
River Falls is in Pierce County, where Highways 29, 35, and 65 meet.
For over 30 years Eau Claire’s International Folk Fair has been one of the largest celebrations of culture and heritage. This celebration includes cultural and educational exhibits, traditional music, dance, clothing, and food from over 40 countries. International students along with community groups participate in the fair. Admission is free. Many groups sell food or cultural items to raise money for their organization.
Tied in with UW-Eau Claire’s Center for International Education, this event will be held Sunday, November 8th from noon-4pm in the Davies Center on Roosevelt. I-94, U.S. 12, U.S. 53, and Highways 37 and 93 all bring you to Eau Claire – and check out the new renovations downtown while you’re at it!
Start:
November 8, 2015 12:00 pm
End:
November 8, 2015 4:00 pm
Venue:
Davies Center, UW-Eau Claire
Phone:
715-836-3727
Address:
100 Roosevelt Avenue, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, United States
Downtown Oshkosh comes alive the first Saturday of each month when art galleries and businesses open their doors to feature artwork of all varieties and genres. Hundreds of art lovers descend downtown to enjoy, mingling with quite a few college students to make it interesting!
Next Gallery Walk is November 7th; after that, December 5th. Officially, it runs 6-9pm but the fun doesn’t stop at 9.
Oshkosh hugs the western shore of Lake Winnebago and is directly reached by U.S. 45 and Highways 21, 44, and 76. Highway 91 gets you close (via 44) and several exits off I-41 bring you downtown, including 9th Street and Highway 44.
Start:
November 7, 2015 6:00 pm
End:
November 7, 2015 9:00 pm
Venue:
Downtown Oshkosh
Phone:
920-303-9200
Address:
445 N. Main Street, Oshkosh, WI, 54901, United States
Noted “Rascal” author Sterling North hailed from Edgerton (he graduated HS there in 1925), so they celebrate him with the annual Sterling North Book and Film Festival! This year’s takes place on Saturday, November 7th at Edgerton High School.
Year by year, Edgerton works to transform their reputation towards being a literary capitol and Wisconsin’s book town. We might be in a small town, but we think big! Each and every year the festival gets a little bigger and a lot better. It celebrates the eternal significance of the written word and works to open the world of literature to children of all ages. Meet a variety of authors and filmmakers, including Jerry Apps, Michael Perry, Kathleen Ernst, Jamie Swenson, John Garofolo, Susan Wehrley, Patty Loew, Rob Gard, and more.
If you love the power of words, this event is for you! Variety is the name of the game and there’s a lot to do – and read! A full schedule of events is available on their website.
You can get to Edgerton, in Rock County just south of Dane County, via U.S. 51, I-39/90, and Highway 59.
Start:
November 7, 2015 9:00 am
End:
November 7, 2015 5:00 pm
Venue:
Edgerton High School
Address:
200 Elm High Drive, Edgerton, WI, 53534, United States
Held on the campus of UW-Waukesha, this two-day event features national and local authors presenting sessions about their work including children’s and young adult authors; features include book readings and signings, cookbook stage with demonstrations and special programming.
The UW-Waukesha campus is just south and west of the County T/I-94 interchange, near Highways 16, 59, 164 and U.S. 18.
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events › Festival
August 20, 2016 – August 21, 2016
Heirloom Garden Weekend
Heirloom Garden Weekend takes place the weekend of August 20-21, 2016 at Old World Wisconsin, a beautiful place that documents the settlement of 19th- and early 20th-century Wisconsin. It comprises an 1870s crossroads village and 10 ethnic farmsteads located on 576 acres of wooded hills in the Southern Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest in the southwestern corner of Waukesha County.
Throughout Heirloom Garden Weekend you can participate in special programs, walking tours, mini-workshops, family activities and sampling of heirloom plants in and about Old World Wisconsin’s historic gardens. Learn about the gardening practices of early immigrant settlers and get tips for growing and enjoying plants in your garden. Feel free to contact them at 262-594-6301 for more information and times.
Highlights include:
Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in Caldwell Hall enjoy a talk by Jennifer Jordan, UWM Professor and author of “Edible Memory: The Lure of Heirloom Tomatoes and Other Forgotten Foods.” She will discuss “How Tomotoes Became Heirlooms and Apples became Antiques.” Ms. Jordan will be available to sign books following her talk. Books will be available for sale.
Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in Caldwell Hall hear Ellen Penwell, former curator of Collections at Old World Wisconsin, talk about “Dig In! The History of Garden Tools.”
Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in Caldwell Hall Bill Stone of Brightonwoods Orchard will present, “Heirloom Apple Tees in WI” with a tree grafting demo.
For Heirloom Garden Weekend, the cost for adults (18-64) is $19; children (5-17) are $10; children 4 and under are free; Senior citizens (65 and over) are $16. Fees include an all-day tram transportation pass. Parking is free.
You’ll find Old World Wisconsin along Highway 67 on its beautiful drive through Kettle Moraine near Eagle, just south of the junction with Highway 59. U.S. 12 and Highway 20 meet Highway 67 about seven miles to the south.
Address:
Old World Wisconsin
W372 S9727 Wisconsin Highway 67
Eagle, WI 53119
(262) 594-6301
Website
Email: oww@wisconsinhistory.org
August 19, 2016 – August 21, 2016
Wild West Days
“Where Old West Meets New” is the theme of Viroqua’s Wild West Days, which takes place in town August 19-21 this year in Viroqua. It’s a whole throwback to the frontier days with events happening across the weekend.
Daily Events Include:
* Reenactors
* Main Street Performances
* Old Time Barber
* Childrens Games & Crafts
* Pony Rides
* Stage Coach Rides
* Petting Zoo
* Great Food Vendors
* Saloon To Wet Your Whistle
* Wild Rose Cafe
* Old West & New West Vendors
* Period Displays In An 1800’s Boomtown Setting
Other Special Events include a Western Concert, Rodeo Competitions, Cowboy Church, and – yes – Hog Wraslin’. A Horse-Drawn Parade will klip-klop through downtown Viroqua Friday evening.
Here’s the schedule:
Friday August 19th
6:00 pm Wild West Days All Horse Parade (downtown Viroqua)
7:00 pm Horse Pull
7:00 pm K.G. and The Ranger Concert (Temple Theater)
7:30 pm Maggie Mae & the Heartland Country Band with Eric Nofsinger Concert (Temple Theater)
Saturday August 20th
9:00 am Ranch Rodeo Preliminaries
9:00 am Boomtown Opens
11:00 am Horseshoe Contest
1:00 pm Hog Wrastlin’
6:15 pm Mutton Bustin’
7:00 pm Hell on Hooves Rodeo
Sunday August 21st
7:00 am – 11:00 am Cowboy Breakfast Sponsored by Bethel Home (Hockey Arena across from Wild West Days Grounds)
9:00 am Boomtown Opens
11:00 am Cowboy Church Service
1:15 pm Mutton Bustin’
2:00 pm Bulls & Barrels Rodeo
Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for kids 12 and under. If you collected a plastic water bottle in the area with a special Wild West Days label on it, you can bring it to the festival and receive ONE FREE Kids Admission! The Rodeo is extra, a $15 admission for adults and $5 for kids 6-13. Hog Ras – er, Wrestling is also extra, $3 for adults and $1 for kids (and note: the winner is responsible for processing the hog.)
Viroqua is a jewel in the midst of Wisconsin’s beautiful – and we mean beautiful – Driftless Area. U.S. 14/61 and Highways 27, 56, and 82 all bring you to Viroqua.
Address:
925 Nelson Parkway
Viroqua, WI 54665
(608) 634-2601
Website
August 6, 2016
Waukesha Art Crawl
Downtown Waukesha, along with being a crazy maze of streets, offers up a lot of fun places. That includes art galleries. For the Waukesha Art Crawl, over 175 artisans at 20 galleries and showplaces, live music, gift shops and more are featured at this seasonal event. Walk the downtown streets to discover your next artistic treasure, shop the boutiques, listen to live music or indulge in food and drink.
Check out WaukeshaArt.com for all the updates and details!
The Waukesha Art Crawl for 2016 takes place on the following Saturdays:
March 5th
May 7th
August 6th
October 1st
December 3rd
How do you get into Waukesha? I-94 and Highway 16 bring you to the north side; Highways 59 and 164 round the south and east sides. U.S. 18 cuts right through, take that or East or St. Paul Avenues.
July 15, 2016 – July 17, 2016
South Shore Frolics
Managed by the Bay View Arts Guild in this dynamic Milwaukee neighborhood, the South Shore Frolics celebrates its 67th year in 2016. Plenty of fun and games (especially for kids) along with bands, a fish fry, an art show, a classic car show, and more in South Shore Park, which is not only a fun park but also a place providing a beautiful view of the bay (hence, the neighborhood name “Bay View”) and downtown Milwaukee.
And if you hear the crowd yell “Blow up the beach!” don’t be alarmed; it’s just that they put on a great fireworks show there, too.
You’ll find the Frolics in South Shore Park, along Highway 32/Superior Street in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood. Highways 38 and 794 also bring you there, and it’s just a two miles east of I-43/94.
Address:
2900 S. Shore Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53207
(414) 482-4270
Website
June 25, 2016 – June 26, 2016
1860s Dairy Days at Wade House
Celebrate Dairy Month, and Wisconsin’s dairy heritage, at Wade House by taking part in cheese, butter and ice cream making in the fashion of the 1860s.
Wade House is an 1850s stagecoach inn built to serve traffic along the plank road that connected Fond du Lac and Sheboygan, tells the story of frontier entrepreneur Sylvanus Wade and his family during the Civil War years. In addition to the inn, the historic site includes the recently reconstructed Herrling sawmill, one of the few working, water-powered sawmills of its kind in the nation. Wade House is also home to the Wesley Jung Carriage Museum, which houses the state’s largest collection of antique carriages and working wagons.
Tickets:
Adults $11; children (5-17) $5.50; students and senior citizens (65 and over) $9.25; family (two adults and two or more dependent children 5-17) $30. Horse-drawn transportation on the site included in ticket cost.
Wade House is along Highway 23 between Fond du Lac and Sheboygan, just west of Plymouth. Highways 57 and 67 come close too! All the details on this event and more on Wade House can be found on their website HERE.
April 23, 2016
Craft Brews & Chicago Blues Festival at The Ridge in Lake Geneva
The Ridge in Lake Geneva combines two greats: craft beer and Chicago Blues! This event will feature unlimited sampling of craft beer from around the US, live blues music and concessions from 1-5pm Saturday, April 23rd at the Ridge Hotel along Highway 50 in Lake Geneva – U.S. 12 and Highway 67 are nearby, too. There will also be a silent auction to benefit the Lakeland Animal Shelter. Check out the details at their website here!
April 22, 2016 – April 24, 2016
Cajun Music & Dance Weekend
Head to Dodgeville and enjoy authentic Cajun music from visiting LA artists along with music and dance workshops. Cajun food and nightly dances with live bands. This event takes place at Folklore Village, a nationally recognized folk arts and culture center dedicated to enriching lives through time-honored traditions.
Since 1968, thousands of people of all ages have come to Folklore Village to gather with friends, meet new people, to eat, dance, sing and play. Come study with a master fiddler… sing with a gospel choir… dance until midnight… learn to spin wool… feast on jambalaya… join a back porch jam session… plant prairie flowers… or picture yourself as a student in a real 1890 schoolhouse… pass it on.,
Get the full schedule for this Cajun music and dance weekend at their website here. U.S. 18 & 151 and Highway 23 bring you to Dodgeville, the seat of Iowa County.
April 1, 2016
“First Fridays” at the Cedarburg Cultural Center featuring Comfort Shag
“First Fridays” will provide an opportunity for families to come together to partake in an artistic experience, including unique educational elements for youth ranging from artist-led crafts to hands-on musical experiences. Guests are greeted with an opening band featuring local musicians at 6:00 pm. Dinner will be available for purchase from food trucks, as well as indoors from “After Party” Sponsor, The Stilthouse Restaurant. Other activities include a local handmade art show, kid’s crafts, dancing, cash bar and good times. At 7:00pm, the lights go down and the party turns up as the main act, Comfort Shag, takes the stage for two hours. The Center’s full cash bar and dance floor will multiply the fun. This exciting series is free of charge to members of the Cultural Center and children under 5. Non-member general admission is $5 at the door. Full details can be found on the Cedarburg Cultural Center website.
Historic downtown Cedarburg can be reached via Washington Avenue, which is Historic Highway 57. Today’s Highway 57, as well as Highways 60, 167, and 181, come close. I-43/Highway 32 is also a few miles to the east and you can access Cedarburg via County C (Exit 89).
March 19, 2016
Bull Falls Brewery Bock Fest
This is a great time to check out the Bull Falls Brewery just southeast of central Wausau!
The Bull Falls Bock Fest will kick off at 1pm on Saturday, March 19th immediately following the 8th Annual Bull Falls Brewery Never Forgotten Honor Flight 5K Run/Walk. It will begin with the ceremonial tapping of the 2015 Bull Falls Bock Lager, their traditional full-bodied dark bock lager beer. Beginning at 1pm there will be music in the Biergarten by Led West and great food provided by local American Legion Post 10.
Their crack Karmel Kaiser staff will be assisting customers who want their beer caramelized with a red hot poker by the fire! It’s an outdoor event, so dress for the weather! This will be a well-attended event, snow or shine. All proceeds for this event will be donated to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight.
Updated details are available on the Bull Falls Brewery website. You’ll find the brewery southeast of downtown Wausau, just east of Business U.S. 51. I-39, U.S. 51, and Highways 29 and 52 all bring you to Wausau.
National Quilt Day in Kenosha
In conjunction with the Southport Quilters Guild Annual Members Quilt Show, the Guild will sponsor activities at the Kenosha Public Museum in downtown Kenosha’s HarborPark District.
The Kenosha Public Museum is a natural sciences and fine and decorative arts museum with over 80,000 collections, including 1,200 works in fine arts. Exhibit programming includes mammoths, world cultures, Native Americans, zoology, geology, fossils, and fine and decorative arts.
For National Quilting Day, here’s the schedule:
9am-Noon – Quilting Workshop with Kathy Tracy of Country Lane Quilts. Please contact the Museum at 262-653-4140 to find out if space is still available.
10am-5pm – “Scrappy Days are Here Again!” and “Pieces of Poetry” quilt challenge by Southport Quilters Guild members on display in DaimlerChrysler Hall
10:30am-1:30pm – Quilting demonstrations by members of the Guild and family activities
2pm – “A Little History of Quilting” presentation by Kathy Tracy . The presentation takes you through different periods in American history showing examples of quilts with different styles and techniques. It includes a PowerPoint presentation, a trunk show of quilts from her books, and time for questions. Free tickets will be available the day of the presentation beginning at 10am. Seating is limited – first come, first served.
The Kenosha Public Museum can be accessed by taking Highways 32, 50, or 158 into the city’s HarborPark District, which sits right along Lake Michigan on the east side of downtown. Make a day of it and check out everything else down there!
February 20, 2016
Food & Froth at the Milwaukee Public Museum
Beer has a long, illustrious history as the centerpiece of many parties and events, especially here in Milwaukee. With this in mind, the Milwaukee Public Museum on Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee will open its doors after hours and add another chapter to that story. The Milwaukee Public Museum’s 18th Annual Food & Froth Fest will be held on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 from 7 – 10 p.m.
Food & Froth will feature over 200 different beers from more than 70 breweries, including Midwest treasures such as Summit Brewing Co., which is making its Food & Froth debut, and international favorites like Germany’s Krombacher Brauerei. Nibble on tasty bites from Screamin’ Sicilian frozen pizza, sampling a fully loaded pizza perfect for pairing with beer, as well as many other treats from local restaurants and caterers. Additionally there will be live music on all three exhibit floors, including a performance by The Whiskey Belles.
Food & Froth tickets are $75 for members and $125 for VIP tickets. VIP tickets include 5:30 p.m. entrance into the special VIP room filled with exclusive craft beers, a smorgasbord of unlimited savories and sweets, and 6:00 p.m. early entry into the event.
Tickets are available by calling (414) 278-2728 or (888) 700-9069 during museum hours. Admission fee covers all food, beer and live entertainment. You must be at least 21 years of age to attend, and a valid identification and ticket are required for entrance into the event.
Proceeds benefit the Museum’s exhibits and educational programs. Get all the details here!
The Milwaukee Public Museum is right along U.S. 18 (Wells Street) in downtown Milwaukee, within blocks of I-43, I-94, the south end of Highway 145, and also close to Highway 32 (Broadway/Milwaukee Street), Highway 38 (5th/6th Street south of downtown), Highway 59 (National Avenue), and I-794.
January 16, 2016
Ozaukee County Fair
The second smallest county in Wisconsin hosts one of the last FREE county fairs in the Midwest. The 157th edition of the Ozaukee County Fair takes place August 3-6, 2016 at Fireman’s Park in Cedarburg.
Plenty of animals, exhibits, rides, and more punctuate this fair. They have some great musical acts too, including the Charlie Daniels Band for Friday night, August 5th!
The Ozaukee County Fair can be found along Washington Avenue in Cedarburg, just south of Highway 60, just east of Highway 181, and a few miles west of I-43 and Highways 32 & 57.
Check their website for all the latest updates.
December 18, 2015
Downtown Hartford Midnight Madness
Last minute shopping deals, entertainment, horse-drawn wagon rides, food and even Santa! Join the fun throughout downtown Hartford, where the deals get better as the night goes on… and it does last until midnight!
In addition to the specials offered by the merchants, there are crafters and vendors to help you with those last-minute holiday gifts. And at the main corner of Highways 60 and 83, you’ll find a State Trunk Tour favorite, The Mineshaft – Wisconsin’s largest restaurant.
Check the Downtown Hartford website for complete updates!
November 20, 2015 – November 21, 2015
Holidaze Arts Festival
To celebrate the coming “holidaze”, Eau Claire’s Holidaze Arts Festival – which has been around for 26 years – will feature over 100 quality fine art and crafts exhibitors each fairing hand made goods that make for good shopping for yourself or someone on your list. It takes place in downtown Eau Claire, where there’s plenty else to do, Friday afternoon November 20th into the evening and all day Saturday, November 21st.
Get the full lineup of artists and activities at their website, Holidazearts.com.
I-94, U.S. 12 & 53, and Highways 37 and 93 bring you to Eau Claire!
November 20, 2015 – November 22, 2015
Holiday Art Fair, Madison
The annual Holiday Art Fair in Madison is an excellent showcase of contemporary fine art and craft during the gift-giving season. This juried show includes over 85 artists exhibiting ceramics, fiber art, glass, jewelry, paintings, prints, photographs, and more. The festive event will also feature performances by local arts organizations throughout the weekend, holiday refreshments, Rediscovered Arts & Treasures Sale, silent auction, and the popular Gourmet Gallery filled with treats for every taste.
The Holiday Art Fair is held at the MMoCA, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. It’s right on State Street downtown, close to U.S. 151/Washington Avenue. Of course, I-39, 90, and 94, U.S. 12, 14, 18, 51, and Highways 30 and 113 all bring you into Madison!
Admission to the Holiday Art Fair is $6, with children under 12 admitted free. Their website has all the details and the full lineup!
November 20, 2015 – November 22, 2015
Falls Finds and Barn Tour
The River Falls area comes alive when you take part in the Fall Finds and Barn Tour! Enjoy a leisurely tour of the beautiful Wisconsin countryside while you experience a diverse mix of shopping in rustic barns and downtown shops in and around River Falls. Find eclectic & handmade items, fine art, unique gifts, antiques, functional wares, local harvest and preserves, furniture, festive holiday, garden art & so much more, including:
– 125 on Main
– Over 30 artists and eclectic mix of holiday, harvest, repurposed, vintage and more.
– Holidays at Blue Ridge – over 20 artists’ original artwork, jewelry, edibles and more.
– Our Neighbor’s Old Barn – eclectic mix of gifts, vintage, furniture and fun.
– Garden Divas – unique gifts, harvest, holiday, garden, fair trade, vintage, local and more.
– Holidays on the Kinni – artists group and antiques, restored, harvest, holiday gifts and more.
– Riverwalk Art and Antiques – antiques, vintage, home, local gifts, edibles and more.
River Falls is in Pierce County, where Highways 29, 35, and 65 meet.
Check their event website for more details!
November 8, 2015
International Folk Fair
For over 30 years Eau Claire’s International Folk Fair has been one of the largest celebrations of culture and heritage. This celebration includes cultural and educational exhibits, traditional music, dance, clothing, and food from over 40 countries. International students along with community groups participate in the fair. Admission is free. Many groups sell food or cultural items to raise money for their organization.
See their web page for all the details.
Tied in with UW-Eau Claire’s Center for International Education, this event will be held Sunday, November 8th from noon-4pm in the Davies Center on Roosevelt. I-94, U.S. 12, U.S. 53, and Highways 37 and 93 all bring you to Eau Claire – and check out the new renovations downtown while you’re at it!
November 7, 2015
Oshkosh Gallery Walk
Downtown Oshkosh comes alive the first Saturday of each month when art galleries and businesses open their doors to feature artwork of all varieties and genres. Hundreds of art lovers descend downtown to enjoy, mingling with quite a few college students to make it interesting!
Next Gallery Walk is November 7th; after that, December 5th. Officially, it runs 6-9pm but the fun doesn’t stop at 9.
Oshkosh hugs the western shore of Lake Winnebago and is directly reached by U.S. 45 and Highways 21, 44, and 76. Highway 91 gets you close (via 44) and several exits off I-41 bring you downtown, including 9th Street and Highway 44.
Edgerton Sterling North Book & Film Festival
Noted “Rascal” author Sterling North hailed from Edgerton (he graduated HS there in 1925), so they celebrate him with the annual Sterling North Book and Film Festival! This year’s takes place on Saturday, November 7th at Edgerton High School.
Year by year, Edgerton works to transform their reputation towards being a literary capitol and Wisconsin’s book town. We might be in a small town, but we think big! Each and every year the festival gets a little bigger and a lot better. It celebrates the eternal significance of the written word and works to open the world of literature to children of all ages. Meet a variety of authors and filmmakers, including Jerry Apps, Michael Perry, Kathleen Ernst, Jamie Swenson, John Garofolo, Susan Wehrley, Patty Loew, Rob Gard, and more.
If you love the power of words, this event is for you! Variety is the name of the game and there’s a lot to do – and read! A full schedule of events is available on their website.
You can get to Edgerton, in Rock County just south of Dane County, via U.S. 51, I-39/90, and Highway 59.
November 6, 2015 – November 7, 2015
Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books
Held on the campus of UW-Waukesha, this two-day event features national and local authors presenting sessions about their work including children’s and young adult authors; features include book readings and signings, cookbook stage with demonstrations and special programming.
The UW-Waukesha campus is just south and west of the County T/I-94 interchange, near Highways 16, 59, 164 and U.S. 18.
Get the full lineup of authors, events, and more at their website, sewibookfest.com.