Ashley For The Arts celebrates music, art, and supporting nearby communities with a spectacular three-day event August 7-9, 2025. It takes place in Arcadia – home to Ashley Furniture – in the city’s 54-acre Memorial Park, which known for its Soldier’s Walk, one of the premier war memorials in the U.S. outside of Washington, D.C.
Arcadia is right along the Chippewa River nestled in the gorgeous hills of Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, where Highways 93 and 95 meet. The drive alone is worth it! Ashley for the Arts itself is a non-profit event, stacked with a star-studded lineup of musical entertainment as well as numerous family-friendly activities and some new additions to the venue. It’s one of Wisconsin’s largest charity events, growing from 300 attendees in 2009 to more than 50,000, with of course the exception of 2020, when the event had to skip a year.
With four stages this year, you won’t miss a beat! The Main Stage will host headline entertainment, the Amphitheater will portray participating school performances as well as entertaining circus acts, the Pavilion stage hosts early to mid-day side-stage performances and the Soldier’s Walk stage will create a unique ambiance for local bands to perform outdoors the second half of the day.
Ashley for the Arts’ headline lineup will include ZZ Top, Darius Rucker, Brad Paisley, Daughtry, Third Eye Blind, Chris Jenson, Neon Trees, The Castellows, Red – A Taylor Swift Tribute, area high school choirs and even an extreme juggling show! Truly something for everyone.
The three-day festival will also feature upbeat musical performances; in addition, 11 area schools will participate in the event’s activities and demonstrate the region’s student talent through performances on Friday and Saturday.
You can also enjoy a variety of off-stage entertainment including a living statue, balloon sculptors, Root Berry juggling and sword swallowing, a mariachi band, silly stilt walkers, an interactive drum circle, Magician Professor Pinkerton, and many more entertaining audiences throughout the grounds.
The park features nearly 100 art and craft vendors, a new interactive art space, a classic car show, two air parks including bouncy houses and obstacle courses, even a kid’s fitness course. Ashley for the Arts also hosts the Pursuit of a Cure 5K run/walk on Thursday and a spectacular firework display on Saturday.
From mini donuts to barbeque to gyros and frybread, an expanded selection of food trucks will decorate Memorial Park Drive along with Arcadia’s staple charcoal chicken, grilled to perfection in North America’s largest indoor chicken pit. A newly added beer garden, next to the main stage, will offer specialty beer and wine options for the adult audience. Event parking is free along with free bus shuttles to and from the grounds; including the county campground (Pietrek Park) just five miles north of Arcadia. Highways 93 and 95 bring you to town!
Ashley For the Arts Address:
Memorial Park
551 Memorial Park Drive
Arcadia, WI 54612
(608) 863-6700 Website
Marshfield is known as “Hub City” and its 19th annual Hub City Days celebrates the city’s heritage, present, and future. Check out a weekend of fun July 24-26, 2025, including a big screen movie shown right on Central Avenue and Wenzel Family Plaza!
The massive Car & Bike Show, Family Zone with bounce houses and kids’ games, the Craft Show, the Brew Fest and Beer Garden, tons of live music and more are all ready!
The Hub City Brew Fest will feature craft beers from all over Wisconsin and the Midwest! The Car Show will be right on Central Avenue (Historic Highway 13).
You can reach Marshfield via U.S. 10 or Highways 13, 80, and 97. It’s right in the center of Wisconsin, hence the name “Hub City”!
Hub City Days Schedule:
Thursday, July 24th
DOWNTOWN BUSINESS AFTER 5
5 – 7 PM | Elk’s Club
Main Street welcomes MACCI’s monthly business networking event downtown to kick off Hub City Days! Enjoy live music with Curtis Samuel, appetizers, and drinks.
Questions? Contact MACCI: (715) 384-3454
MOVIE IN THE PLAZA
Dusk | Wenzel Family Plaza
Grab some fundraiser concessions alfresco in the Wenzel Family Plaza. Don’t forget your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and your fam! Movie hint: “Smile, Smile,”, Rated PG
Books will be given to kids in attendance thanks to the generosity of the Friends of Marshfield Public Library. (One per household while supplies last.)
Friday, July 25th
SHOP HOP
5 – 7 PM | Downtown Marshfield
Streets will be closed to traffic Central Ave – Veteran’s to 4th St. for pedestrians to enjoy evening shopping and dining downtown.
+ Wander the streets to discover more!
Win Hub City Brew Fest tickets! *Shop downtown this evening and bring your receipt to the Main Street Marshfield tent at Wenzel Family Plaza between 7-9 p.m. You’ll receive an entry for each receipt you show with your 21+ ID. Winners will be announced at 9 p.m. Tickets will be held at Hub City Brew Fest for those not present for the announcement.*
BIKE CRUISE & BIKE ACTIVITIES
5:30-7 PM | Downtown Marshfield
Enjoy a group bicycle ride into downtown from a predetermined Marshfield trail location (TBD). Once downtown, park your bike to shop & dine or enjoy a variety of bike activities set up on Central Ave, including a safety station, local trail updates, summer community ride info, and the bikeshare program. All group ride participants earn a free ice cream at Hiller’s Ice Cream Bike, located near Northside Cycle.
HUB CITY CONCERT SERIES FEATURING ADAM GRUEL AND THE SPACE BURRITOS
7 – 10 PM | Wenzel Family Plaza
Grab your picnic blanket or lawn chairs for a leisurely night out on the grass. Main Street Marshfield will be selling beer, seltzer, and soft drinks to raise funds for downtown events and programming!
Saturday, July 26th
CAR SHOW
10 AM – 3 PM | Downtown Marshfield
The Hub City Days Car Show spans over 10 city blocks, features 500+ car/bike entries, a live DJ, kids games, tons of door prizes, free t-shirts for veterans, veteran appreciation raffle (2 PM), and kids-only raffle (2 PM). It’s the car show you can’t miss! Car show vehicle awards are presented at 3 PM. Car show vehicle registration is free with a suggested donation of a non-perishable food item.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT & BEER GARDEN
11 AM – 11 PM | Wenzel Family Plaza
Enjoy live music with no cover charge! Bands will play 11 AM to 11 PM thanks to our day stage sponsor, Prevail Bank, and main stage sponsors, Marshfield Insurance & West Bend.
11 AM – 3 PM Live Music: Modern Throwback
3 – 7 PM Live Music: Tim Dorsey
7 – 11 PM Live Music: Shirts and Skins
Rain location: Central WI Fairgrounds Expo Building
HUB CITY BREW FEST
12 – 3 PM | Wenzel Family Plaza
Participants receive a souvenir pint glass. Enjoy seating and beer tasting exclusive to Brew Fest attendees. $30/ticket. Tickets on sale here: eventbrite.com
Rain location: Central WI Fairgrounds Expo Building
HORSE POWER SHOW
10 AM – 3 PM | Upham Mansion
Visit the Governor Upham House and walk through an exhibit of horse-drawn carriages dating from the early 1900s.
FAMILY ZONE
10 AM – 3 PM | Veteran’s Park
Find family fun at the Family Zone! Kiddie Cars, Marshfield Fire Dept, Hiller’s Bounce Houses, face painting, and more all in the relaxing shade of Veteran’s Park. Reis Martial Arts’ demonstrations will begin at 11AM. Performances by Main Street Conservatory of Dance will begin at 12PM and 1PM.
NEW: HUB CITY DAYS CRAFT SHOW
10 AM – 3 PM | 100 Block of South Central Avenue Peruse local craft vendors conveniently located near live music and the start of the car show. Wander through the sidewalks to see what local shops have in store for the day and take something home to commemorate the event.
You can easily reach Marshfield via U.S. 10 or Highways 13, 80, and 97. Head to the Hub!
Check out our State Trunk Tour Marshfield Podcast with Matt McLean from VISIT Marshfield, where we talk Hub City Days, the city and all the things to do and see in it, here or stream it below!
Automobile manufacturing took place in Kenosha for more than 100 years. The Kenosha County Historical Society (aka the Kenosha History Center) celebrates the area’s industrial history, including how Kenosha’s auto-making legacy shaped history through the 20th Century. Both the Museum and the Kenosha Homecoming Car Show help celebrate this legacy.
The Kenosha Homecoming Car Show is a signature event in the Kenosha Area. Typically held every three years, the celebration runs July 22-27, 2025 with a variety of events across multiple locations. The big car show/swap meet is Saturday, July 26. This is among the largest AMC shows in the world!
Bring your car to show it, or just come as a spectator. The Kenosha History Center recommends car owners and swap meet vendors preregister for the show/swap meet. Cars and Vendors can also register the day of the show.
Kenosha Homecoming Car Show Schedule of Events
Thursday 7/24 4PM – 8PM: Evening Car Cruise-in at AMC Factory Site, off of 22nd Avenue and 30th Avenue. For the first time ever, the Homecoming Car Show Thursday Night Cruise-in will be held on the site where it all started. All Kenosha-made automobiles are invited to attend an evening cruise-in on the Nash/AMC/Chrysler Factory Site (now the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood). Bring your car back to where it was manufactured; it is sure to be a nostalgic evening. The event will be part of the City of Kenosha’s 175th Anniversary Celebration. All Kenosha-made vehicles will enter from 56th Street. Spectator parking will be announced soon.
Friday 7/25 8AM – 4PM: Homecoming Car Show Swap Meet at Kennedy Park, 4051 5th Avenue. Fee for vendors.
10AM – Noon: Gremlin Event at Jeffery Elementary School, 4011 87th Street
4PM: Homecoming Car Show Parade starts at Southport Park, 7501 2nd Avenue. Staging starts around 3PM. The parade will travel west on 78th Street, right on 7th Avenue, and continue through Downtown Kenosha. It will continue on 6th Avenue, right into Pennoyer Park, continue through Kennedy Park, and continue through Simmons Island Park. The parade ends at the Kenosha History Center Block Party, 220 51st Place.
4PM – 8PM: Kenosha Homecoming Block Party at Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Place. The road will be closed to all other traffic. Vehicles coming to the 2025 Kenosha Homecoming Car Show at Kennedy Park on July 26 can register their car at the museum that evening and save time and hassle the next morning. Registration packets can also be picked up for anyone who pre-registered. The museum and gift shop will be open until 7PM and stocked full of AMC/Nash T-shirts and other keepsakes. Food trucks will be on-site.
Saturday 7/26 8AM – 4PM: 2025 Kenosha Homecoming Car Show & Swap Meet at Kennedy Park, 4051 5th Avenue. Fee for show cars and vendors.
Sunday 7/27 9AM: Racing at Great Lakes Dragaway, 18411 1st Street. Fee for spectators and race cars.
You can get to downtown Kenosha, Simmons Island, and the Kenosha History Center via Highway 32 (Sheridan Road, named for Fort Sheridon just down the way in northern Illinois), Highway 50 (75th Street coming in from I-41/94, also Roosevelt and 63rd Streets as you approach downtown), and Highway 158 (52nd Street). It’s a 10-12 minute drive or so east of I-41/94 and 5-7 minute drive east from Highway 31, which skirts the west side of the city.
Kenosha Homecoming Week and Car Show Address:
Kenosha History Center (and other locations)
220 51st Place
Kenosha, WI 53142 Website
It’s Milwaukee’s annual French festival, one of the largest French celebrations in the United States, and it’s tres magnifique! This FREE four-day bash attracts over 250,000 visitors each year. In 2025, Bastille Days runs Thursday, July 17th through Sunday, July 20th. Set around Cathedral Square on the east side of downtown, Bastille Days begins with a 5K “Storm the Bastille” run on Thursday night and then plenty of live music, an international marketplace, chef and wine demos, French and Cajun cuisine, roaming busker entertainment and a signature 43-foot Eiffel Tower replica offering hourly light shows.
The event is known for the impromptu street performers, roaming minstrels, and a variety of interactive and musical entertainment. Bastille Days also boasts a wide variety of some of the best restaurant vendors in Milwaukee!
Check out Bastille Days wine tastings where you can let your taste buds explore and compare delicious wines from around the world! A wine specialist will guide you through the taste test with selected wines from 5 countries. A separate ticket is needed for each tasting, and seating is limited to 76 per tasting. You’ll find all these tastings at the NE corner of Cathedral Square Park along Jackson Street – look for the tent!
The festival covers the blocks around Cathedral Square, including along Wells, Kilbourn, Jefferson, and Jackson Streets. U.S. 18 and Highway 32 actually detour around the festival, which is one of the largest French festivals in the nation. I-43/94, I-794, and Highways 38, 59, and 145 all bring you close. Grab your beret and check it out!
Thousands line up for the “Storm the Bastille” 5K Run & Walk at Bastille Days in Milwaukee
Bastille Days Hours:
Thursday July 17- 11am-11:30pm
Friday July 18- 11am-11:30pm
Saturday July 19- 10am-11:30pm
(Kid’s Day Activities 10am – 3pm)
Sunday July 20- 11am-8pm
Bastille Days Address:
825 N. Jefferson Street/Cathedral Square
Milwaukee, WI 53202 Website
Hayward hosts the 65th annual Lumberjack World Championships July 17-19, 2025! The Lumberjack World Championships began in 1960 as a way to acknowledge the rich history of the logging industry across the United States. Once again, over 21 events will offer international competition showcasing the best sawing, chopping, speed climbing, log rolling, boom-running & more! It’s great family fun.
More than 100 lumberjacks and lumberjills vie for more than $50,000 in prize money, making this one of the largest paybacks for lumberjack competition in the world – and of course, world records in these events could be set – they often have!
Up to 12,000 spectators enjoy the action in Hayward.
Opening night – Thursday, August 1st – is Mountain Dew Family Night, with special family pricing for admission ($45 for two adults and up to four children) and other specials. Other ticket packages run around $53 for three days’ worth of admission.
Getting to Hayward means a beautiful drive through the North Woods – just what we like! Hayward is along U.S. 63 on the drive from Spooner to Ashland; it’s also where Highways 27 and 77 meet up. While in town, check out the great trails, shopping, the World’s Largest Musky at the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, the Angry Minnow Brewpub, and more!
Hayward Lumberjack World Championships Address:
15670 West County Road B
Hayward, WI 54843
(715) 634-2484 Website
Lumberjack World Championships Schedule of Events
Thursday, July 17
Quarterfinal Competition
8:00 – 11:00am – Amateur Log Rolling
11:30am – LWC Festival Grounds Open to Ticket Holders, Swinging Axe Beer Tent open, Food & Unique Vendors, All Day Family Fun, Try Log Rolling!
11:35am – Qualifying Competitions for Chopping and Sawing Events; ongoing
Noon – Professional Log Rolling Preliminaries
3:00pm-5:00pm – Happy Hour & Live Music in Swinging Axe Beer Garden by Steve Beguhn, American Idol Finalist
3:45pm – Boom Running Qualifiers
5:30pm – Opening Ceremonies and Professional Quaterfinal Competition
Hot Saw
60-Foot Speed Climb
Women’s Underhand Chop
Men’s Log Roll
60-Foot Speed Climb
Men’s Standing Block Chop
Jill & Jill Cross Cut Sawing
Women’s Boom Run
Springboard Chop
90-Foot Speed Climb
Master’s Underhand Chop
Intermission
90-Foot Speed Climb
Women’s Standing Block Chop
Men’s Single Buck Saw
Women’s Log Roll
Jack & Jill Double Buck Saw
90-Foot Speed Climb
Men’s Log Roll
Women’s Single Buck Saw
Men’s Underhand Chop
Men’s Boom Run
Team Relay
Friday, July 18
Semifinal Competition
8:00 – 11:00am – Amateur Log Rolling
11:30am – LWC Festival Grounds Open to Ticket Holders, Swinging Axe Beer Tent open, Food & Unique Vendors, All Day Family Fun, Try Log Rolling!
11:35am – Qualifying Competitions for chopping and sawing; ongoing
Noon – Professional Log Rolling Competitions
3:00pm – 5:00pm – Happy Hour & Live Music – Swinging Axe Beer Garden Music by Molly & the Danger Band
5:30pm – Opening Ceremonies and Professional Semi-Final Competition
Hot Saw
60-Foot Speed Climb
Men’s Log Roll
60-Foot Speed Climb
Women’s Underhand Chop
Women’s Boom Run
Men’s Standing Block Chop
Jill & Jill Double Buck Saw
Springboard Chop
Master’s Underhand Chop
Intermission
90-Foot Speed Climb
Men’s Single Buck Saw
Women’s Standing Block Chop
Women’s Log Roll
90-Foot Speed Climb
Jack & Jill Double Buck Saw
90-Foot Speed Climb
Men’s Log Roll
Women’s Single Buck Saw
Men’s Underhand Chop
Men’s Boom Run
Team Relay
Saturday, July 19
Final World Championship Competition
8:00am – Lumberjack Run 5K Run/Walk – Start and Finish at the Lumberjack Bowl (15670 W County Road B, Hayward, WI 54843)
11:30am – LWC Festival Grounds Open to Ticket Holders, Swinging Axe Beer Tent open, Food & Unique Vendors, All Day Family Fun, Try Log Rolling!
Noon – Professional Log Rolling Competitions and Small Finals Wood Chopping Competitions
1:30pm – Axe Throwing Competition
3:00pm – 5:00pm – Happy Hour & Live Music – Swinging Axe Beer Garden with Live Music by Little Way
5:30pm – Opening Ceremonies and World Championships Finals Competition
The annual Blue Ox Music Festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin offers an intimate Bluegrass and Americana music experience from June 26-28. 2025. Founded in 2015, both the festival and campgrounds are family owned and operated by a team striving for a music festival experience designed to be welcoming and approachable for people of all ages. Blue Ox features over 35 artists spread across 3 days on three stages and on-site camping.
Blue Ox 2025 Experience/Activities include:
The Soul Sanctuary: A wellness tent featuring yoga, sonic Ceremony, sound healing, meditation, breathwork, reiki and more.
Instrument Workshops: Learn more about Bluegrass, Americana, Roots and traditional string genres of music from instructors who are musicians themselves. 2021 instructors include The High 48s and Nora Brown.
Potluck Pickin Area: Bring your instruments and meetup with fellow musicians for campground jam sessions hosted by the Potluck String Band.
Late Night Sets: From Midnight – 2AM enjoy music on the Backwoods Stage, located in the heart of the campground.
Beverage Options: Blue Ox 2021 official Breweries: Founders Brewery & Summit Brewing. Also on tap: Odell Brewing, New Belgium, Dogfish Head, Earth Rider and Third Space. Seltzers by Founders Brewery and Ciders by Milk & Honey Cider. Wollersheim Wines and Signature cocktails featuring Tattersall distillery Liquor will be available. (Non-alcoholic options will be provided by Food Vendors).
Fire/Flow Performing Artists: The Torch Sisters performing Sat, August 21st at 10PM
Art In the Pines Art Installations: An assortment of unique and engaging art created and installed by regional artists spread around the campground and within the festival bowl.
Over the past five years the Blue Ox Music Festival has featured artists such as Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Greensky Bluegrass, The Sam Bush Band, Peter Rowan, Drive by Truckers, The Del McCoury Band, Billy Strings, Margo Price, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Devil Makes Three, Trampled By Turtles, Railroad Earth, Tyler Childers, Son Volt and many more…
You can even check out the Blue Ox Podcast to find out more about the artists, venue, things to do, and more!
Tickets are available in a variety of pricing and combinations, find out more here.
The Pines Music Park, where Blue Ox Music Festival is held, is just southwest of Eau Claire on the west side of the Chippewa River, opposite Highway 85. I-94 and Highway 37 connections bring you there. U.S. 12, U.S. 53, and Highway 93 also bring you to Eau Claire.
Blue Ox Music Festival Address:
The Pines Music Park
5024 Crescent Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 602-4440 Website
The Lakefront Festival of Art (LFOA) is one of the premier art festivals in the country. This family-friendly festival at the world-famous Milwaukee Art Museum features over 170 national artists with art for sale in a variety of media, including paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography, printmaking, wood, ceramics, fiber, and more. The artists display and sell right on Milwaukee’s beautiful lakefront, both indoors and outside under a series of white tents. Features on the grounds include a sculpture garden, children’s art activities, entertainment, artist demonstrations and food/beverage vendors.
Since 1963, LFOA has been a primary fundraiser for the Milwaukee Art Museum and organized with the help of Friends of Art volunteers. Over 1,300 individuals volunteer annually to help organize and operate events like the Lakefront Festival of Art. FOA’s fundraising efforts have helped the Museum to bring numerous world-class exhibitions to Milwaukee, acquire several hundred pieces of art for its Collection, underwrite audio guides for visitors, as well as produce artful and educational programming.
The Milwaukee Art Museum is home to a rich collection of over 30,000 works of art, the Milwaukee Art Museum is located on the shores of Lake Michigan. Its campus includes the Santiago Calatrava–designed Quadracci Pavilion, annually showcasing three feature exhibitions, and the Eero Saarinen–designed Milwaukee County War Memorial Center and David Kahler‒designed addition. The Museum’s Collection Galleries, having opened in 2017, add nearly 2,500 world-class works of art on view.
Enjoy a fun-filled weekend of art, food, music, and activities for all ages. Support the arts by shopping paintings, ceramics, fiber, metalwork, and jewelry from more than 100 artists from across the nation. Sample Milwaukee flavor from local restaurants, and lounge in the sunshine in the Beer Garden or Wine Garden.
The festival continues, rain or shine. Come prepared by bringing your umbrella. Admission includes access to the Museum—stop in to explore the galleries and join a drop-in tour.
The Lakefront Festival of the Arts runs from 10am-10pm on Friday, June 13th, 10am-7pm on Saturday, June 14th, and 10am-5pm on Sunday, June 15th.
You’ll find this beautiful art festival right at the end of U.S. 18, with I-794, I-43/94, and Highways 32, 38, 59, and 145 all bringing you close!
Admission:
Advance tickets $22 (click here to buy online)
Adults $27
Seniors/students $20
Museum Members $10 (Member kids under 18 are free)
Three-day pass $45 ($40 in advance online)
Free for kids age 12 and under, veterans, active military, and Wisconsin K-12 teachers (with ID)
Lakefront Festival of Art Address:
Milwaukee Art Museum
700 N. Art Museum Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202 Website
South Milwaukee hosts quite a cool thing Saturday, May 31st and Sunday, June 1st: Crusherfest! Named for native son and professional wrestler Reggie “Da Crusher” Lisowski, Crusher Fest is a Wild combination of fun and competitive activities, promising “cold beer, polka, live wrestling, and more!”
Mr. Saloon Competition
Da Crusher loved talking about his days growing up around saloons on the rough and tumble blue collar streets of South Milwaukee, and the Mr. Saloon Competition salutes this with Keg Holding, Trivia, Throw-the-Drunk, Sausage Eating, and Beer Drinking – among other things – all in the pursuit of being crowned Crusherfest’s Mr. Saloon and walking away with a championship belt. The event will take place at Crusherfest on Sunday, June 4th starting at 1pm. Men and women are welcome to participate. Participants must be over the age of 21 and bring a photo ID with their birthdate to the event. Participants must bring a smartphone to the event. Give it a try!
Crusherfest welcomes vendors offering everything from cigars to retro outfits, jewelry to signs and artwork. They include Hollyville, Thurston’s, Lake Country Cigars, The Lamb Shop, All in a Jar, Minimalist Martha, Say It Louder, Rhubarb and Ice, Twisted Tree Creations, Ron Dunn Art, Finch’s Vendor Expo, and Bellajack Design. Find out more about them here.
Meet wrestling stars Tito Santana, Steve Keirn, Jimmy Hart, Tommy Dreamer, Texas Hangman, Al Snow, Scotty 2 Hotty, Keagan Garland, and announcer/interviewer Ken Resnick. Real wrestling happens Saturday night at 6pm before the final matchup with Da Crusherfest Showdown Sunday afternoon at 3pm. The wrestling events require ticketed admission, which you can buy here. You can also do meet & greets with the wrestlers; we do not suggest you try and wrestle them. Full details.
Live Music & Great Food
Crusherfest features live music both days, including:
Saturday, May 31st:
11:00am – 1:30pm Larry Lynne
2:00pm – 4:00pm Blues Addiction
4:00pm-6:00pm Bad Behavior 6:30pm-7:15pm Richrath Project
7:45pm-9:00pm Kuarantine
Sunday, June 1st:
10:30am – Noon Polka Mass
Noon – 2pm Jeff Windard
2:00pm – 4:00pm The Squeezettes
4:00pm – 6:00pm Addiction
Food vendors include everything from savory BBQ to sweet treats. Among them are the South Milwaukee Lions Club, Sweet Delight, Bakehouse 23, Carries Crispies, Short & Sweet Desserts, BeBe’s Bistro, Smokin’ C’s, The Gutt Truck, Smiling Dawgs, and Atwood HWY BBQ. Find out more about them here.
Crusherfest runs Saturday, May 31st from 11am – 9pm and Sunday, June 1st from 11am – 6pm.
Marshfield features its 44th annual Dairyfest Friday, May 30th and Saturday, May 31st at venues all across the city. This is Hub City’s annual honor of the agricultural industry and Wisconsin’s hardworking dairy farmers! This community tradition has been providing fun for the whole family, during these “dairy-licious” days.
The Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MACCI) puts on the event, which includes a wide variety of fun activities across the three-day weekend.
Dairyfest Info & Schedule of Events:
What is Dairyfest?
Held annually the weekend after Memorial Day, Dairyfest is a fun community celebration that honors the agriculture industry and local dairy farmers. Dairyfest features a lot of fun events, including the annual Dairyfest Breakfast, a parade, kids’ activities, a Picnic in the Park, and much more. The theme of this year’s celebration is “A Dairy Great Time”!
Friday, May 30th
5:30am-9:30am / Mayor’s Breakfast: Held at the Expo Building at the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, 513 E. 17th St., this traditional event welcomes nearly 2,000 people every year. $10/ticket, kids 6 and under are FREE!
5:00pm-8:00pm / Picnic in the Park: Food trucks will be at Columbia Park, 201 W. Arnold St., until 5:00pm and a variety of food booths will be available throughout the evening. Join the fun in the Park including a Petting Zoo, Educational displays, Marshfield Fire & Rescue hands-on fun, Face painting, Main Street Conservatory of Dance show, Coin & Candy hunt (ages 2-9), Bingo (ages 10-15), and the Marshfield Civic Band Concert. Bring your lawn chairs for a night of fun!
Saturday, May 31st
Additional activities scheduled for Saturday include:
11:00am / Dairyfest Downtown Parade, runs from 2nd street and goes South on Central Ave, turns East on 14th Street and ends at the Fairgrounds parking lot.
1:00pm-4:00pm / Family Fun Day at Wenzel Plaza: a UW Madison Marching Band performance, Inflatable fun, plenty of Food Trucks – come hungry! Also enjoy Enoch the Eccentric Magician, DJ Dan Weis of Music Energy, Face painting, and more!
3:00pm-11pm / Annual Outdoor Dairyfest Beer Garden at Nutz Deep II 809 South Central Avenue
Marshfield Dairyfest Address:
Various locations around town, including the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds
513 E. 17th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449 Website
Check out the Sturgeon Bay Fine Art Fair on Memorial Day weekend in downtown Sturgeon Bay! 2025 marks the 27th annual Fine Art Fair, a juried multi-media art show featuring fine art from over 80 exhibitors and artists from across the U.S.
Stroll along Martin Park and 3rd Avenue in downtown Sturgeon Bay, watching artists create, buying one-of-a-kind pieces of artwork, and soaking in the gorgeous setting. Visit with artists in 2 and 3 dimensional categories. Art includes sculpture, glass, paintings, jewelry, fiber, photography, wood, watercolor, oil, paper… there is plenty to see and admire. Food, beverages, beer, and wine will be available for purchase, including from a wide variety of local producers. Free balloon art for the kids each day, along with plenty of children’s activities.
Happening in a new location – Martin Park right by Business Highways 42 and 57 – it runs Saturday, May 23rd from 10am – 5pm and Sunday, May 24th from 10am – 4pm. You’re within steps of the Steel Bridge Creative District and new art galleries and studios on 3rd Avenue. Free admission!
While you’re there, check out some great shopping along 3rd Avenue along with plenty of restaurants, Door County Confectionary, the Door County Maritime Museum with their new lookout tower, even two breweries: Starboard Brewing on 3rd Avenue, and Bridge Up Brewingacross the bay via the Oregon Street Bridge or the classic Steel Bridge. All of this can be accessed by following the “Business” (i.e. historic/city) routes of Highway 42 and Highway 57 through Sturgeon Bay. Check it out if you’re headed to Door County for Memorial Day weekend!
Sturgeon Bay Fine Art Fair Address:
Martin Park
207 S. 3rd Avenue (Business 42/57)
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
(920) 743-6246 Website
Since you’ve been freezing your buns all winter, cele-BRAT-e the official start of summer with the World’s Largest Brat Fest in Madison! Presented by Johnsonville, it takes place Memorial Day weekend at Willow Island, right by the Alliant Energy Center. Putting the sizzle into summer for over 30 years, Brat Fest is one of the Midwest’s largest and best, family-friendly music festivals right in the heart of the capital city. And they’ve also sold over 4 million brats!
Brat Fest Music Lineup
The diverse music lineup features over 70 bands covering folk, country, jazz, blues, R&B/soul, and rock… Get the full lineup below!
It’s not all about the music, however. Enjoy ice cold beverages and tasty food, including BRATS, of course. The Bratteyball Tournament is a “bratty” volleyball tournament with four divisions competing on Saturday. There will be a kids’ zone with plenty of activities to keep the young ones busy – including a “bounce zone” and a petting zoo. There’s Ultrazone Laser Tag, a Sports Zone, even the Budweiser Clydesdales will make an appearance!
Free shuttle buses will be running between the zoo and Brat Fest all weekend, giving families the chance to see the Arctic Passage exhibit.
Admission to the World’s Largest Brat Fest is FREE! And while it’s a little known fact that brats are even tastier when eaten for a good cause, all of the Fest’s proceeds go to numerous local charities. Check it all out on Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center and kick off the summer right with some of that Brat Fest sizzle.
Harley Davidson of Madison is providing exclusive V.I.P. motorcycle parking for 200 bikes – just use the entrance off Rimrock Road (just off the Beltline) to access that area.
BRAT FEST MUSIC LINEUP
FRIDAY, MAY 23rd
ISLAND STAGE
11:10am – 11:50am Krool Fool
12:10pm – 12:50pm Shawn Schell
1:10pm – 1:50pm Midnight Angel
2:10pm – 2:50pm Sean Kay
3:10pm – 3:50pm The Solution
4:10pm – 4:50pm T.J. Stone
5:10pm – 5:50m American Hitmen
6:15pm – 7:15pm Mighty Electric
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm Lousy Nuncio
1:40pm – 2:20pm Mad City Funk
2:40pm – 3:20pm Saturday Morning Cartel
3:40pm – 4:20pm The Cattlemen
4:40pm – 5:20pm Sunspot
5:40pm – 6:20pm Michael Alexander & Big Whiskey
6:45pm – 7:30pm Royal Bliss
8:00pm – 9:30pm Winger
Baker Tilly Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Long Gone Henry
11:50am – 12:30pm Jesse Bauman
12:55pm – 1:35pm Dem Horny Funkers
1:45pm – 2:35pm Michael Brooks
2:55pm – 3:35pm Abby Spencer
3:55pm – 4:35pm Atomic Blonde
4:55pm – 5:35pm Mickey Magnum and the Mayhem
5:55pm – 6:35pm Frank Martin Busch and the Names
7:00pm – 8:00pm Power Take Off
Saturday, May 24th
Island Stage
11:00am – 11:50am Richard Hildner
12:10pm – 12:50pm No Limit
1:10pm – 1:50pm Wild Planes
2:10pm – 2:50pm Tha Mid City Kid
3:10pm – 3:50pm Trash Pandas
4:10pm – 4:50pm Matt Schmidt
5:10pm – 5:50pm Kings of Radio
6:15pm – 7:15pm Pilot
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm Autumn Reverie
1:40pm – 2:20pm Matt Jordan
2:40pm – 3:20pm Granny Shot
3:40pm – 4:20pm Aeternum
4:40pm – 5:20pm Bree Morgan
5:40pm – 6:20pm Harper Grace
6:45pm – 7:30pm Mackenzie Carpenter
8:00pm – 9:30pm Tyler Farr
Baker Tilly Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Rodello The Kidd
11:50am – 12:30pm Zach Pietrini
12:55pm – 1:35pm The Ramble
1:55pm – 2:35pm Mars Hall
2:55pm – 3:35pm La Combi
3:55pm – 4:35pm Angels & Outlaws
4:55pm – 5:35pm The Hounds
5:55pm – 6:35pm Badwolf
7:00pm – 8:00pm Madison County
Sunday, May 25th
Island Stage
11:00am – 11:50am Take Back the Sun
12:10pm – 12:50pm Bobby Bullet
1:10pm – 1:50pm West on 12
2:10pm – 2:50pm Ron Denson
3:10pm – 3:50pm The Mason Meyer Band
4:10pm – 4:50pm The Remedy
5:10pm – 5:50pm BuckNeck-Ed
6:15pm – 7:15pm Ty Smith & The Minor Offenses
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm John Masino Band
1:50pm – 2:20pm Elizabeth Mary
2:40pm – 3:20pm Foo Foo Dolls
3:40pm – 4:20pm The Black Moods
4:40pm – 5:20pm Quad City DJ’s
5:40pm – 6:20pm Skee-Lo
6:45pm – 7:30pm Digital Underground
8:00pm – 9:05pm Steven Adler of Guns ‘N Roses
LIFE 102.5 Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Jackson Taylor
11:50am – 12:30pm Project Brave Band
12:55pm – 1:35pm Erin Oakley
1:55pm – 2:35pm Nicky Gracious
2:55pm – 3:35pm Rip
3:55pm – 4:35pm King’s Conquest
5:00pm – 6:00pm Howard Gripp
6:30pm – 8:00pm Danny Gokey
Get details on all the events, food and drink menus, and more at the Brat Fest website here.
You can get to Madison so many ways: I-39/90, I-94, U.S. 12, 14, 18, or 151, or Highways 30 or 113. Enjoy a beautiful Memorial Day weekend in town with Brat Fest – and check out the State Capitol, the Wisconsin Memorial Union Terrace, Lakes Mendota and Monona, the Henry Vilas Zoo, and everything else our capital city has to offer!
World’s Largest Brat Fest Address:
Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Madison, WI 53713 Website
The 2nd annual Wisconsin Cheese Festival runs May 16-18, 2025 at Lake Geneva House of Music, which is a very cool live music venue located right along County H (the original U.S. 12) in Lake Geneva! Wisconsin Cheese is amazing, and a festival further celebrating it will be a blast, since we know how much you love cheese!
The festival is a gathering of cheese makers and lovers, farmers, artisans and vendors to celebrate what is obviously Wisconsin’s most famous food. You can also enjoy world-class Americana, alt-country, folk and bluegrass music, whiskey, wine and craft beer. Plus fun contests, educational presentations, fantastic music, and then a delicious variety of creative foods including BBQ, locally-made pies, pig bacon candy, curds and more. During the fest, you can even learn about cheese sculpting and participate in a Stein Hoisting Competition Saturday night! It’s a particularly family-friendly weekend at the Lake Geneva House of Music festival grounds. Get the full list of vendors here!
Midwest Picking Coalition…… 5pm – 7pm, Studio G
Johnny Lyons & The Pride…… 7pm – 9pm, Main Stage
Stryder Bluegrass Band…… 9:30pm-11pm, Main Stage More acts to be announced, get the latest here
Sun. May 18th, 10am until 9pm FREE DAY | GENEVA OUTDOOR MARKET | WINE DAY
Nicole Nystrom Trio…… 10:30am-12:30pm, Studio G
Fox Crossing Stringband…… 12:30pm-2:45pm, Main Stage
Awards Ceremony……. 2:30 pm – 3 pm, Main Stage More acts to be announced, get the latest here
Wisconsin Cheese Festival Ticket Info:
Fri. Advanced GA: $10 | At Gate: $12.50
Sat. Advanced GA: $12.50 | At Gate: $15
Kids 6-12 Fri: $5 | Kids 6-12 Sat. $7.50
Weekend Pass Advanced: $17.50 | At Gate: $22.50
Kids 6-12 Weekend Pass: $10 FREE on Sunday for all! Children 5 & Under are FREE! Get Tickets Here
It’s easy to get to Lake Geneva House of Music, just follow County H north from Lake Geneva. If you’d rather, you can certainly head south from U.S. 12 by the I-43 interchange when you reach County NN south of Elkhorn. Similarly, Highway 67 brings you close. Then just follow H until you see all the action! Prior to 1973, this was the original route of U.S. 12 before they built the freeway (some fun trivia for road geeks like us!)
Wisconsin Cheese Festival Address:
Lake Geneva House of Music
N3241 County Trunk H (formerly U.S. 12)
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262) 248-0606 Website
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 next Waukesha Art Crawl on Saturday, May 3rd with a theme to be announced. This crawl takes place throughout downtown Waukesha from 2pm – 8pm.
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.
Waukesha Art Crawl Address:
Downtown Waukesha
337 W. Main Street
Waukesha, WI 53186
(262) 542-1522 Website
Mmmm… Grilled Cheese. Can it get any better?? Dodgeville is “Grilled Cheese Central” on Saturday, April 26, 2025 as the Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship takes place at the Leo Pavilion in Harris Park. Amateurs and professionals compete in 4 “heats” to determine the best grilled cheese sandwiches in Wisconsin and compete for fabulous prizes. Listen to live music, drink some beer and wine, sample outstanding grilled cheese sandwiches. Fun for all ages. Free admission! Get all the details at their website, grilledcheesewisconsin.com.
You can get to Dodgeville via U.S. 18 & 151 and Highway 23. Any trip is worth it for grilled cheese!
Our previous favorites have included the Gouda Girls (below); Tina and Katherine make grilled cheese sandwich combos that win all across the nation. They’re based in Milwaukee and do incredible things with taste buds. Our head State Trunk Tour guy Eric Paulsen got to experience their creations firsthand in this Discover Wisconsinepisode. We don’t have any vote, though, so we’ll see how this goes.
Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship Address:
Harris Park
600 Bennett Road
Dodgeville, WI 53533
(608) 935-9200 Website
Within the pristine white walls of a contemporary art museum that overlooks Lake Michigan, the Racine Art Museum presents a rather non-traditional exhibition showcasing fluffy, sugar-coated marshmallow PEEPS®. Over the years, many entrants have been become experts in marshmallow candy as a material, using methods like carving, painting, hole punching, gluing, and melting to manipulate PEEPS into incredible shapes. For this show, Richard W. Marklin, Jr. melted a flock of PEEPS to make Raul the Rooster, a realistic barnyard bird; while April Harris and Autumn Kyle assembled the holiday treats into a bust of Black Panther Peeper.
This year, the RAM 16th Annual International PEEPS Art Exhibition takes place now through April 26th; awards will be handed out after. Previous shows have drawn over 4,000 visitors to the museum during its three-week run, setting daily spring attendance records along the way. Previous pieces included Peep Swift: The Marshmallow Era (yes, channeling Taylor); the It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere parrot-looking PEEP with the Jimmy Buffett vibe; Funky Peepcock fashioned in sparkling glass beads and feathers; Pop Art Peeps crafted in glazed stoneware; and Sweet Meets Wild, an inlaid box made of different hardwoods. Inspired by inventive puns, pop culture, sports, and famous artists, many of the PEEPS art entries are by local artists, families, and organizations but quite a few artists from out-of-state also participate.
Vote for Your Favorite PEEPS
Stop by the museum to vote for your favorite PEEPS creation. You will decide who wins the coveted PEEPles Choice Award, announced at the end of the show.
You’ll find the Racine Art Museum along Main Street/Highway 32 in downtown Racine, just blocks from Lake Michigan. Highways 20 and 38 also bring you downtown, and Highway 11 is just to the south. It’s a little over a 10-minute drive east of I-41/94, depending on traffic and how you lit the lights. There is plenty else to see and do there, from picking up a fresh kringle at one of Racine’s famous Danish bakeries to exploring the city’s heritage at the Racine Historical Museum, enjoying the beautiful harbor and waterfront, shopping the stores of 6th Street and Main Street, or even exploring Hotel Verdant, the new boutique hotel downtown. These are all within walking distance of the Racine Art Museum!
International PEEPS Art Exhibition Address:
Racine Art Museum
441 Main Street (Highway 32)
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 638-8300 Website
PEEPS Exhibit called “Mt. PEEPmore” by Elizabeth Peterson. Yes, it’s a mountain of PEEPs. Photo credit: Christina Lieffring, Racine Journal-Times.
The Fall Art Tour is perfect for State Trunk Tourers with a love of the Driftless Area and art. It’s a self-guided driving tour where you can meet up to 45 area artists and watch them at work as you make your way through Baraboo, Spring Green, Dodgeville and Mineral Point!
Potters, weavers, glassblowers, woodworkers, painters, jewelers, quilters, photographers & sculptors are all part of it. Meet the artists, experience their work spaces, and witness as they create unique works of art. A wide variety of high-quality artwork is available for purchase in every price range. This is their 24th Anniversary Tour and it’s become one of the most popular art events in the Midwest.
Highways 33, 130, 136, and 23 figure big in this tour, as do many county and side roads. It’s a beautiful drive through the Driftless Area and a great behind-the-scenes look at artists’ studios!
Fall Art Tour Details:
More details can be had by calling (608) 356-9048 or checking out their website, http://www.fallarttour.com/.
Also, check out this video for a sample of what you’re in for!
Sister Bay Fall Fest is the “granddaddy” of Door County festivals is celebrating its 78th year! The streets of this lovely Door County town along Highway 42 where Highway 57 ends will be packed with fun. Check out a Saturday Parade, a huge arts and crafts fair, plenty of food and live entertainment, and great activities for children of all ages.
Check out live music at Husby’s (which also has great Bloody Marys and is a Sister Bay Fall Fest institution – plus, check out the awesome and huge 1920 Wisconsin state map they have in there!) as well as Door County Creamery, Stabbur, and the Boathouse on the Bay, and more. The Lion’s Club Fish Boil is a yearly favorite along with Saturday’s Pancake Breakfast followed by the annual Fall Fest Parade. Explore nearly 100 different artisans’ creations and high-quality handmade crafts. These include media, fine photography, wood carvers, furniture, unique jewelry, cozy mittens & sweaters, customized signs, and fine milled soaps & lotions. Be sure to watch the Wooden Shoe carver, too! Sunday – well before the Packers-Bears game kicks off – is the return of the Derby Race. The race is held right on Highway 42 in downtown Sister Bay where girls and boys ages 7 to 13 can build (with assistance from an adult) and then race in their gravity powered cars. Get the full schedule here or on the picture to the left
Of course, businesses all over town will have specials and it’s always great to check out Sister Bay’s gorgeous shoreline, marina, and the goats on the roof at Al Johnson’s Swedish Butik & Restaurant!
Enjoy Sister Bay Fall Fest all weekend. Just take Highways 42 or 57 and you’ll get there!
Sister Bay Fall Fest Address:
Waterfront Park
2362 Mill Road
Sister Bay, WI 54234 Website
Seven Acre Dairy Company in Paoli hosts its 2nd annual Sugar River Bourbon Fest Wednesday, October 16th through Sunday, October 20th. It’s a five-day celebration of all things bourbon that highlights the country’s top distilleries and chefs. Imbibe in amazing meals and pair them with delicious food complements and beverages – including some amazing Bourbon and whiskey beverages. It features a welcome dinner with chef Joe Heppe and Driftless Glen Distillery, a signature dinner with nine-time James Beard Award nominee chef Edward Lee and Dancing Goat Distillery, a fish fry featuring Blue Ash Farm Craft Spirits, and a special bourbon brunch with J. Henry.
Seven Acre Dairy in Paoli, host of the 2nd annual Sugar River Bourbon Festival. The Sugar River is right along the property.
These evenings lead up to the main event: the Sugar River Bourbon Tasting Festival on Saturday, October 19th. You can enjoy samplings and meet with over 25 distilleries and distillers, including award-winning local and national distilleries Heaven Hill, Bardstown 45th parallel, Green River, Old Forester, Dancing Goat, J. Henry, and more.
There will be live music, along with burgers, hot dogs and barbeque available for purchase from Seven Acre Dairy Company and Knoche’s Meats; a portion of the proceeds benefit the Belleville Food Pantry.
Here’s how the evenings work out on the weekends:
Friday, October 18th: Blue Ash Farm Craft Spirit’s Bourbon Lover’s Fish Fry
Join Seven Acre chefs and Blue Ash Farm Craft Spirits for the last outdoor fish fry along the Sugar River of the season. Seven Acre chefs will cook up all-you-can-eat cod, perch and walleye, alongside seasonal sides, salads and desserts. Blue Ash Farm Craft Spirits of Argyle will be crafting cocktails from their award-winning farmstead spirits. The fish fry will take place in a heated, open air tent. Fire pits will be lit and lawn games will be out.
Saturday, October 19th: The Sugar River Bourbon Tasting Festival
Regular admission is $55 per person from 1-4 p.m. This includes samplings and meet and greets with over 25 distilleries, live music, unique bourbon bottle sales and food for purchase.
VIP admission is $100 per person from noon to 4 p.m. This includes exclusive access to the Makers Mark/Jim Beam VIP Tasting Tent, VIP appetizers, a copy of Edward Lee’s best-selling book “Bourbon Land,” first access to unique bourbon bottle sales, plus access to all other areas of the festival.
Sunday, October 20th: J. Henry Maple Bourbon Brunch
Join Seven Acre chefs and J. Henry for a one-of-a-kind bourbon brunch. Seven acre chefs will be cooking up some of Edward Lee’s favorite brunch recipes alongside some of their favorite bourbon brunch cocktails. Don’t miss your chance to sample the infamous Maple Bourbon made by J. Henry and your chances to take a bottle home. The maple bourbon was only available on the farm this year and sold out in under an hour.
For more information and tickets, visit sevenacredairyco.com.
You’ll find the lovely little burg of Paoli along County PB, right near State Trunk Highway 69, less than 10 minutes south of Verona off U.S. 18/151.
Sugar River Bourbon Fest Address:
Seven Acre Dairy Company
6858 Paoli Road
Belleville, WI 53508
(608) 416-4023 Website
The Wisconsin Science Festival is a weeklong celebration of science all across the state, with major events in Madison, Wausau, Fond du Lac, Milwaukee, and more!
The Wisconsin Science Festival is a statewide celebration with activities for people throughout Wisconsin. Events include hands-on science exhibitions, demonstrations, performances, tours, pub nights, workshops and more. The Wisconsin Science Festival welcomes all disciplines utilizing science, technology, or art to explore and nurture curiosity. Each year, we spotlight a specific topic to emphasize its significance and value to the state and its people.
The official festival feature this year is AGRICULTURE! In 2024, the focus aims to showcase its profound impact on our world. Their mission is to illustrate the interconnectedness of agriculture within our state’s economy, society, well-being, and the overall future of humanity through the lens of science, art, and technology.
Wisconsin Science Festival features:
Explore the Fab Lab by taking a Fab Lab Tour Thursday or Friday in Madison.
Learn about the Magnificent Machines of Milwaukee at the Grohmann Museum in downtown Milwaukee (did you even KNOW the typewriter was invented in Milwaukee??) from the QWERTY keyboard to thermostats to motorcycles to outboard motors, Milwaukee’s inventive history with machines is nothing short of amazing. Check out exhibits Thursday-Sunday!
Meet a Wisconsin wooly mammoth, find out how to survive the Ice Age, touch real dinosaur bones and more at the Colossal Fossils Downtown Museum in Wausau Thursday-Saturday!
There are more than just events happening that are tied to the Wisconsin Science Festival! Check out their websitefor full schedules and details. It’s definitely a fun learning experience in locales across Wisconsin – road trip to a bunch of them!
Wisconsin Fear Fest continues weekends through November 2nd this year at Road America with TONS of Halloween fun… and spooky stuff!
Explore the ultimate thrill at Wisconsin Fear Fest at Road America! Dare to explore three spine-tingling haunted houses (Carnival Chaos, Cellblock 13, and the Slaughter Shack) that promise to send shivers down your spine. Unleash your adventurous spirit with exhilarating activities like paintball, axe throwing, mini escape rooms, the Rage Experience, live music on Saturdays, food, drinks and beer! Parking is free. It runs the next few weekends and hours vary by day.
Buy your in tickets online in advance and you get a $5 discount!
For just $39.00, you can experience every attraction, including:
Three haunted houses
Escape Room
Axe Throwing
Haunted Hayride
Paintball Gallery
The Midway
and much more!
You can also get the Speed Pass Ticket for $54, which get you through the haunted houses faster.
The dates remaining are Friday-Sunday, October 18th-20th, Thursday, October 24th through Sunday, October 27th, and Thursday, October 31st through Saturday, November 2nd.
Wisconsin Fear Fest is right between Plymouth and Elkhart Lake in Sheboygan County. Highway 67 brings you right there!
Wisconsin Fear Fest Address:
Road America
N7390 Highway 67
Plymouth, WI 53073
(904) 510-9873 Website
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events › Festival
August 7, 2025 – August 9, 2025
Ashley for the Arts
Ashley For The Arts celebrates music, art, and supporting nearby communities with a spectacular three-day event August 7-9, 2025. It takes place in Arcadia – home to Ashley Furniture – in the city’s 54-acre Memorial Park, which known for its Soldier’s Walk, one of the premier war memorials in the U.S. outside of Washington, D.C.
With four stages this year, you won’t miss a beat! The Main Stage will host headline entertainment, the Amphitheater will portray participating school performances as well as entertaining circus acts, the Pavilion stage hosts early to mid-day side-stage performances and the Soldier’s Walk stage will create a unique ambiance for local bands to perform outdoors the second half of the day.
Ashley for the Arts’ headline lineup will include ZZ Top, Darius Rucker, Brad Paisley, Daughtry, Third Eye Blind, Chris Jenson, Neon Trees, The Castellows, Red – A Taylor Swift Tribute, area high school choirs and even an extreme juggling show! Truly something for everyone.
The three-day festival will also feature upbeat musical performances; in addition, 11 area schools will participate in the event’s activities and demonstrate the region’s student talent through performances on Friday and Saturday.
You can also enjoy a variety of off-stage entertainment including a living statue, balloon sculptors, Root Berry juggling and sword swallowing, a mariachi band, silly stilt walkers, an interactive drum circle, Magician Professor Pinkerton, and many more entertaining audiences throughout the grounds.
The park features nearly 100 art and craft vendors, a new interactive art space, a classic car show, two air parks including bouncy houses and obstacle courses, even a kid’s fitness course. Ashley for the Arts also hosts the Pursuit of a Cure 5K run/walk on Thursday and a spectacular firework display on Saturday.
From mini donuts to barbeque to gyros and frybread, an expanded selection of food trucks will decorate Memorial Park Drive along with Arcadia’s staple charcoal chicken, grilled to perfection in North America’s largest indoor chicken pit. A newly added beer garden, next to the main stage, will offer specialty beer and wine options for the adult audience. Event parking is free along with free bus shuttles to and from the grounds; including the county campground (Pietrek Park) just five miles north of Arcadia. Highways 93 and 95 bring you to town!
Ashley For the Arts Address:
Memorial Park
551 Memorial Park Drive
Arcadia, WI 54612
(608) 863-6700
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
July 24, 2025 – July 26, 2025
Hub City Days
The massive Car & Bike Show, Family Zone with bounce houses and kids’ games, the Craft Show, the Brew Fest and Beer Garden, tons of live music and more are all ready!
The Hub City Brew Fest will feature craft beers from all over Wisconsin and the Midwest! The Car Show will be right on Central Avenue (Historic Highway 13).
You can reach Marshfield via U.S. 10 or Highways 13, 80, and 97. It’s right in the center of Wisconsin, hence the name “Hub City”!
Hub City Days Schedule:
Thursday, July 24th
DOWNTOWN BUSINESS AFTER 5
Friday, July 25th
Saturday, July 26th
Find out more here from Visit Marshfield.
You can easily reach Marshfield via U.S. 10 or Highways 13, 80, and 97. Head to the Hub!
Check out our State Trunk Tour Marshfield Podcast with Matt McLean from VISIT Marshfield, where we talk Hub City Days, the city and all the things to do and see in it, here or stream it below!
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
July 22, 2025 – July 27, 2025
Kenosha Homecoming Car Show
Automobile manufacturing took place in Kenosha for more than 100 years. The Kenosha County Historical Society (aka the Kenosha History Center) celebrates the area’s industrial history, including how Kenosha’s auto-making legacy shaped history through the 20th Century. Both the Museum and the Kenosha Homecoming Car Show help celebrate this legacy.
Bring your car to show it, or just come as a spectator. The Kenosha History Center recommends car owners and swap meet vendors preregister for the show/swap meet. Cars and Vendors can also register the day of the show.
Kenosha Homecoming Car Show Schedule of Events
Thursday 7/24
4PM – 8PM: Evening Car Cruise-in at AMC Factory Site, off of 22nd Avenue and 30th Avenue. For the first time ever, the Homecoming Car Show Thursday Night Cruise-in will be held on the site where it all started. All Kenosha-made automobiles are invited to attend an evening cruise-in on the Nash/AMC/Chrysler Factory Site (now the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood). Bring your car back to where it was manufactured; it is sure to be a nostalgic evening. The event will be part of the City of Kenosha’s 175th Anniversary Celebration. All Kenosha-made vehicles will enter from 56th Street. Spectator parking will be announced soon.
Friday 7/25
8AM – 4PM: Homecoming Car Show Swap Meet at Kennedy Park, 4051 5th Avenue. Fee for vendors.
10AM – Noon: Gremlin Event at Jeffery Elementary School, 4011 87th Street
4PM: Homecoming Car Show Parade starts at Southport Park, 7501 2nd Avenue. Staging starts around 3PM. The parade will travel west on 78th Street, right on 7th Avenue, and continue through Downtown Kenosha. It will continue on 6th Avenue, right into Pennoyer Park, continue through Kennedy Park, and continue through Simmons Island Park. The parade ends at the Kenosha History Center Block Party, 220 51st Place.
4PM – 8PM: Kenosha Homecoming Block Party at Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Place. The road will be closed to all other traffic. Vehicles coming to the 2025 Kenosha Homecoming Car Show at Kennedy Park on July 26 can register their car at the museum that evening and save time and hassle the next morning. Registration packets can also be picked up for anyone who pre-registered. The museum and gift shop will be open until 7PM and stocked full of AMC/Nash T-shirts and other keepsakes. Food trucks will be on-site.
Saturday 7/26
8AM – 4PM: 2025 Kenosha Homecoming Car Show & Swap Meet at Kennedy Park, 4051 5th Avenue. Fee for show cars and vendors.
Sunday 7/27
9AM: Racing at Great Lakes Dragaway, 18411 1st Street. Fee for spectators and race cars.
You can get to downtown Kenosha, Simmons Island, and the Kenosha History Center via Highway 32 (Sheridan Road, named for Fort Sheridon just down the way in northern Illinois), Highway 50 (75th Street coming in from I-41/94, also Roosevelt and 63rd Streets as you approach downtown), and Highway 158 (52nd Street). It’s a 10-12 minute drive or so east of I-41/94 and 5-7 minute drive east from Highway 31, which skirts the west side of the city.
Kenosha Homecoming Week and Car Show Address:
Kenosha History Center (and other locations)
220 51st Place
Kenosha, WI 53142
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
July 17, 2025 – July 20, 2025
Bastille Days
It’s Milwaukee’s annual French festival, one of the largest French celebrations in the United States, and it’s tres magnifique! This FREE four-day bash attracts over 250,000 visitors each year. In 2025, Bastille Days runs Thursday, July 17th through Sunday, July 20th. Set around Cathedral Square on the east side of downtown, Bastille Days begins with a 5K “Storm the Bastille” run on Thursday night and then plenty of live music, an international marketplace, chef and wine demos, French and Cajun cuisine, roaming busker entertainment and a signature 43-foot Eiffel Tower replica offering hourly light shows.
The event is known for the impromptu street performers, roaming minstrels, and a variety of interactive and musical entertainment. Bastille Days also boasts a wide variety of some of the best restaurant vendors in Milwaukee!
Check out Bastille Days wine tastings where you can let your taste buds explore and compare delicious wines from around the world! A wine specialist will guide you through the taste test with selected wines from 5 countries. A separate ticket is needed for each tasting, and seating is limited to 76 per tasting. You’ll find all these tastings at the NE corner of Cathedral Square Park along Jackson Street – look for the tent!
The festival covers the blocks around Cathedral Square, including along Wells, Kilbourn, Jefferson, and Jackson Streets. U.S. 18 and Highway 32 actually detour around the festival, which is one of the largest French festivals in the nation. I-43/94, I-794, and Highways 38, 59, and 145 all bring you close. Grab your beret and check it out!
Bastille Days Hours:
Thursday July 17- 11am-11:30pm
Friday July 18- 11am-11:30pm
Saturday July 19- 10am-11:30pm
(Kid’s Day Activities 10am – 3pm)
Sunday July 20- 11am-8pm
Bastille Days Address:
825 N. Jefferson Street/Cathedral Square
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Website
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July 16, 2025 – July 19, 2025
Lumberjack World Championships
Hayward hosts the 65th annual Lumberjack World Championships July 17-19, 2025! The Lumberjack World Championships began in 1960 as a way to acknowledge the rich history of the logging industry across the United States. Once again, over 21 events will offer international competition showcasing the best sawing, chopping, speed climbing, log rolling, boom-running & more! It’s great family fun.
More than 100 lumberjacks and lumberjills vie for more than $50,000 in prize money, making this one of the largest paybacks for lumberjack competition in the world – and of course, world records in these events could be set – they often have!
Opening night – Thursday, August 1st – is Mountain Dew Family Night, with special family pricing for admission ($45 for two adults and up to four children) and other specials. Other ticket packages run around $53 for three days’ worth of admission.
Tickets can be purchased online here!
Getting to Hayward means a beautiful drive through the North Woods – just what we like! Hayward is along U.S. 63 on the drive from Spooner to Ashland; it’s also where Highways 27 and 77 meet up. While in town, check out the great trails, shopping, the World’s Largest Musky at the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, the Angry Minnow Brewpub, and more!
Hayward Lumberjack World Championships Address:
15670 West County Road B
Hayward, WI 54843
(715) 634-2484
Website
Lumberjack World Championships Schedule of Events
Thursday, July 17
Quarterfinal Competition
Friday, July 18
Semifinal Competition
Saturday, July 19
Final World Championship Competition
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June 26, 2025 – June 28, 2025
Blue Ox Music Festival
The annual Blue Ox Music Festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin offers an intimate Bluegrass and Americana music experience from June 26-28. 2025. Founded in 2015, both the festival and campgrounds are family owned and operated by a team striving for a music festival experience designed to be welcoming and approachable for people of all ages. Blue Ox features over 35 artists spread across 3 days on three stages and on-site camping.
Blue Ox 2025 Experience/Activities include:
Over the past five years the Blue Ox Music Festival has featured artists such as Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Greensky Bluegrass, The Sam Bush Band, Peter Rowan, Drive by Truckers, The Del McCoury Band, Billy Strings, Margo Price, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Devil Makes Three, Trampled By Turtles, Railroad Earth, Tyler Childers, Son Volt and many more…
You can even check out the Blue Ox Podcast to find out more about the artists, venue, things to do, and more!
Tickets are available in a variety of pricing and combinations, find out more here.
Blue Ox Music Festival Schedule
THURSDAY
MAIN STAGE
Sam Bush Band
Rising Appalachia
Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
Chaparelle
SALOON STAGE
Mountain Grass Unit
Cole Chaney
Two Runner
Molly Brandt
BACKWOODS STAGE
(TBA as of late March, check back for updates)
*Set-times subject to change
FRIDAY
MAIN STAGE
Greensky Bluegrass
St. Paul and the Broken Bones
Molly Tuttle
Big Richard
Charlie Parr
SALOON STAGE
Amigo the Devil
The Last Revel
Dig Deep
Tall Tall Trees
The Cody Sisters
Clare Doyle
*Set-times subject to change
BACKWOODS STAGE
Ginstrings
The Spine Stealers
Hemlock Chaser
Triple Fiddle
Sandhill Strangers
*Set-times subject to change
SATURDAY
MAIN STAGE
Warren Haynes Band
Margo Price
Pert Near Sandstone
Peter Rowan w/Sam Grisman Project
Hurray for the Riff Raff
*Set-times subject to change
SALOON STAGE
Them Coulee Boys
The Fretliners
Willi Carlisle
The Resonant Rogues
The Wildmans
Long Mama
*Set-times subject to change
BACKWOODS STAGE
Awful Purdies
Ben Mulwana and the Village
Wheels North
Dandelion Delivery Service
Virtual Band Competition Winner
*Set-times subject to change
The Blue Ox Music Festival welcomes campers on-site; shuttle service is also available from a number of hotels in the Eau Claire area.
The Pines Music Park, where Blue Ox Music Festival is held, is just southwest of Eau Claire on the west side of the Chippewa River, opposite Highway 85. I-94 and Highway 37 connections bring you there. U.S. 12, U.S. 53, and Highway 93 also bring you to Eau Claire.
Blue Ox Music Festival Address:
The Pines Music Park
5024 Crescent Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 602-4440
Website
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June 13, 2025 – June 15, 2025
Lakefront Festival of Art
Since 1963, LFOA has been a primary fundraiser for the Milwaukee Art Museum and organized with the help of Friends of Art volunteers. Over 1,300 individuals volunteer annually to help organize and operate events like the Lakefront Festival of Art. FOA’s fundraising efforts have helped the Museum to bring numerous world-class exhibitions to Milwaukee, acquire several hundred pieces of art for its Collection, underwrite audio guides for visitors, as well as produce artful and educational programming.
Enjoy a fun-filled weekend of art, food, music, and activities for all ages. Support the arts by shopping paintings, ceramics, fiber, metalwork, and jewelry from more than 100 artists from across the nation. Sample Milwaukee flavor from local restaurants, and lounge in the sunshine in the Beer Garden or Wine Garden.
The festival continues, rain or shine. Come prepared by bringing your umbrella. Admission includes access to the Museum—stop in to explore the galleries and join a drop-in tour.
The Lakefront Festival of the Arts runs from 10am-10pm on Friday, June 13th, 10am-7pm on Saturday, June 14th, and 10am-5pm on Sunday, June 15th.
You’ll find this beautiful art festival right at the end of U.S. 18, with I-794, I-43/94, and Highways 32, 38, 59, and 145 all bringing you close!
Admission:
Advance tickets $22 (click here to buy online)
Adults $27
Seniors/students $20
Museum Members $10 (Member kids under 18 are free)
Three-day pass $45 ($40 in advance online)
Free for kids age 12 and under, veterans, active military, and Wisconsin K-12 teachers (with ID)
Lakefront Festival of Art Address:
Milwaukee Art Museum
700 N. Art Museum Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Website
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May 31, 2025 – June 1, 2025
Crusherfest
South Milwaukee hosts quite a cool thing Saturday, May 31st and Sunday, June 1st: Crusherfest! Named for native son and professional wrestler Reggie “Da Crusher” Lisowski, Crusher Fest is a Wild combination of fun and competitive activities, promising “cold beer, polka, live wrestling, and more!”
Mr. Saloon Competition
Da Crusher loved talking about his days growing up around saloons on the rough and tumble blue collar streets of South Milwaukee, and the Mr. Saloon Competition salutes this with Keg Holding, Trivia, Throw-the-Drunk, Sausage Eating, and Beer Drinking – among other things – all in the pursuit of being crowned Crusherfest’s Mr. Saloon and walking away with a championship belt. The event will take place at Crusherfest on Sunday, June 4th starting at 1pm. Men and women are welcome to participate. Participants must be over the age of 21 and bring a photo ID with their birthdate to the event. Participants must bring a smartphone to the event. Give it a try!
Shop Some Great Vendors
Crusherfest welcomes vendors offering everything from cigars to retro outfits, jewelry to signs and artwork. They include Hollyville, Thurston’s, Lake Country Cigars, The Lamb Shop, All in a Jar, Minimalist Martha, Say It Louder, Rhubarb and Ice, Twisted Tree Creations, Ron Dunn Art, Finch’s Vendor Expo, and Bellajack Design. Find out more about them here.
Blizzard Brawl with Great Lakes Championship Wrestling, Meet & Greets, Bolo Bash, and Da Crusherfest Showdown
Meet wrestling stars Tito Santana, Steve Keirn, Jimmy Hart, Tommy Dreamer, Texas Hangman, Al Snow, Scotty 2 Hotty, Keagan Garland, and announcer/interviewer Ken Resnick. Real wrestling happens Saturday night at 6pm before the final matchup with Da Crusherfest Showdown Sunday afternoon at 3pm. The wrestling events require ticketed admission, which you can buy here. You can also do meet & greets with the wrestlers; we do not suggest you try and wrestle them. Full details.
Live Music & Great Food
Crusherfest features live music both days, including:
Saturday, May 31st:
11:00am – 1:30pm Larry Lynne
2:00pm – 4:00pm Blues Addiction
4:00pm-6:00pm Bad Behavior
6:30pm-7:15pm Richrath Project
7:45pm-9:00pm Kuarantine
Sunday, June 1st:
10:30am – Noon Polka Mass
Noon – 2pm Jeff Windard
2:00pm – 4:00pm The Squeezettes
4:00pm – 6:00pm Addiction
Food vendors include everything from savory BBQ to sweet treats. Among them are the South Milwaukee Lions Club, Sweet Delight, Bakehouse 23, Carries Crispies, Short & Sweet Desserts, BeBe’s Bistro, Smokin’ C’s, The Gutt Truck, Smiling Dawgs, and Atwood HWY BBQ. Find out more about them here.
Crusherfest runs Saturday, May 31st from 11am – 9pm and Sunday, June 1st from 11am – 6pm.
Each evening, party at the bars with South Milwaukee After Dark!
Crusherfest Address:
1101 Milwaukee Avenue
South Milwaukee, WI 53172
Crusherfest Website
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May 30, 2025 – May 31, 2025
Dairyfest 2025, Marshfield
Marshfield features its 44th annual Dairyfest Friday, May 30th and Saturday, May 31st at venues all across the city. This is Hub City’s annual honor of the agricultural industry and Wisconsin’s hardworking dairy farmers! This community tradition has been providing fun for the whole family, during these “dairy-licious” days.
The Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MACCI) puts on the event, which includes a wide variety of fun activities across the three-day weekend.
What is Dairyfest?
Held annually the weekend after Memorial Day, Dairyfest is a fun community celebration that honors the agriculture industry and local dairy farmers. Dairyfest features a lot of fun events, including the annual Dairyfest Breakfast, a parade, kids’ activities, a Picnic in the Park, and much more. The theme of this year’s celebration is “A Dairy Great Time”!
Friday, May 30th
5:30am-9:30am / Mayor’s Breakfast: Held at the Expo Building at the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, 513 E. 17th St., this traditional event welcomes nearly 2,000 people every year. $10/ticket, kids 6 and under are FREE!
5:00pm-8:00pm / Picnic in the Park: Food trucks will be at Columbia Park, 201 W. Arnold St., until 5:00pm and a variety of food booths will be available throughout the evening. Join the fun in the Park including a Petting Zoo, Educational displays, Marshfield Fire & Rescue hands-on fun, Face painting, Main Street Conservatory of Dance show, Coin & Candy hunt (ages 2-9), Bingo (ages 10-15), and the Marshfield Civic Band Concert. Bring your lawn chairs for a night of fun!
Saturday, May 31st
Additional activities scheduled for Saturday include:
Marshfield Dairyfest Address:
Various locations around town, including the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds
513 E. 17th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449
Website
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May 24, 2025 – May 25, 2025
Sturgeon Bay Fine Art Fair
Check out the Sturgeon Bay Fine Art Fair on Memorial Day weekend in downtown Sturgeon Bay! 2025 marks the 27th annual Fine Art Fair, a juried multi-media art show featuring fine art from over 80 exhibitors and artists from across the U.S.
Stroll along Martin Park and 3rd Avenue in downtown Sturgeon Bay, watching artists create, buying one-of-a-kind pieces of artwork, and soaking in the gorgeous setting. Visit with artists in 2 and 3 dimensional categories. Art includes sculpture, glass, paintings, jewelry, fiber, photography, wood, watercolor, oil, paper… there is plenty to see and admire. Food, beverages, beer, and wine will be available for purchase, including from a wide variety of local producers. Free balloon art for the kids each day, along with plenty of children’s activities.
While you’re there, check out some great shopping along 3rd Avenue along with plenty of restaurants, Door County Confectionary, the Door County Maritime Museum with their new lookout tower, even two breweries: Starboard Brewing on 3rd Avenue, and Bridge Up Brewing across the bay via the Oregon Street Bridge or the classic Steel Bridge. All of this can be accessed by following the “Business” (i.e. historic/city) routes of Highway 42 and Highway 57 through Sturgeon Bay. Check it out if you’re headed to Door County for Memorial Day weekend!
Sturgeon Bay Fine Art Fair Address:
Martin Park
207 S. 3rd Avenue (Business 42/57)
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
(920) 743-6246
Website
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May 23, 2025 – May 26, 2025
World’s Largest Brat Fest
Since you’ve been freezing your buns all winter, cele-BRAT-e the official start of summer with the World’s Largest Brat Fest in Madison! Presented by Johnsonville, it takes place Memorial Day weekend at Willow Island, right by the Alliant Energy Center. Putting the sizzle into summer for over 30 years, Brat Fest is one of the Midwest’s largest and best, family-friendly music festivals right in the heart of the capital city. And they’ve also sold over 4 million brats!
Brat Fest Music Lineup
The diverse music lineup features over 70 bands covering folk, country, jazz, blues, R&B/soul, and rock… Get the full lineup below!
Free shuttle buses will be running between the zoo and Brat Fest all weekend, giving families the chance to see the Arctic Passage exhibit.
Admission to the World’s Largest Brat Fest is FREE! And while it’s a little known fact that brats are even tastier when eaten for a good cause, all of the Fest’s proceeds go to numerous local charities. Check it all out on Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center and kick off the summer right with some of that Brat Fest sizzle.
Harley Davidson of Madison is providing exclusive V.I.P. motorcycle parking for 200 bikes – just use the entrance off Rimrock Road (just off the Beltline) to access that area.
BRAT FEST MUSIC LINEUP
FRIDAY, MAY 23rd
ISLAND STAGE
11:10am – 11:50am Krool Fool
12:10pm – 12:50pm Shawn Schell
1:10pm – 1:50pm Midnight Angel
2:10pm – 2:50pm Sean Kay
3:10pm – 3:50pm The Solution
4:10pm – 4:50pm T.J. Stone
5:10pm – 5:50m American Hitmen
6:15pm – 7:15pm Mighty Electric
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm Lousy Nuncio
1:40pm – 2:20pm Mad City Funk
2:40pm – 3:20pm Saturday Morning Cartel
3:40pm – 4:20pm The Cattlemen
4:40pm – 5:20pm Sunspot
5:40pm – 6:20pm Michael Alexander & Big Whiskey
6:45pm – 7:30pm Royal Bliss
8:00pm – 9:30pm Winger
Baker Tilly Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Long Gone Henry
11:50am – 12:30pm Jesse Bauman
12:55pm – 1:35pm Dem Horny Funkers
1:45pm – 2:35pm Michael Brooks
2:55pm – 3:35pm Abby Spencer
3:55pm – 4:35pm Atomic Blonde
4:55pm – 5:35pm Mickey Magnum and the Mayhem
5:55pm – 6:35pm Frank Martin Busch and the Names
7:00pm – 8:00pm Power Take Off
Saturday, May 24th
Island Stage
11:00am – 11:50am Richard Hildner
12:10pm – 12:50pm No Limit
1:10pm – 1:50pm Wild Planes
2:10pm – 2:50pm Tha Mid City Kid
3:10pm – 3:50pm Trash Pandas
4:10pm – 4:50pm Matt Schmidt
5:10pm – 5:50pm Kings of Radio
6:15pm – 7:15pm Pilot
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm Autumn Reverie
1:40pm – 2:20pm Matt Jordan
2:40pm – 3:20pm Granny Shot
3:40pm – 4:20pm Aeternum
4:40pm – 5:20pm Bree Morgan
5:40pm – 6:20pm Harper Grace
6:45pm – 7:30pm Mackenzie Carpenter
8:00pm – 9:30pm Tyler Farr
Baker Tilly Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Rodello The Kidd
11:50am – 12:30pm Zach Pietrini
12:55pm – 1:35pm The Ramble
1:55pm – 2:35pm Mars Hall
2:55pm – 3:35pm La Combi
3:55pm – 4:35pm Angels & Outlaws
4:55pm – 5:35pm The Hounds
5:55pm – 6:35pm Badwolf
7:00pm – 8:00pm Madison County
Sunday, May 25th
Island Stage
11:00am – 11:50am Take Back the Sun
12:10pm – 12:50pm Bobby Bullet
1:10pm – 1:50pm West on 12
2:10pm – 2:50pm Ron Denson
3:10pm – 3:50pm The Mason Meyer Band
4:10pm – 4:50pm The Remedy
5:10pm – 5:50pm BuckNeck-Ed
6:15pm – 7:15pm Ty Smith & The Minor Offenses
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm John Masino Band
1:50pm – 2:20pm Elizabeth Mary
2:40pm – 3:20pm Foo Foo Dolls
3:40pm – 4:20pm The Black Moods
4:40pm – 5:20pm Quad City DJ’s
5:40pm – 6:20pm Skee-Lo
6:45pm – 7:30pm Digital Underground
8:00pm – 9:05pm Steven Adler of Guns ‘N Roses
LIFE 102.5 Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Jackson Taylor
11:50am – 12:30pm Project Brave Band
12:55pm – 1:35pm Erin Oakley
1:55pm – 2:35pm Nicky Gracious
2:55pm – 3:35pm Rip
3:55pm – 4:35pm King’s Conquest
5:00pm – 6:00pm Howard Gripp
6:30pm – 8:00pm Danny Gokey
Get details on all the events, food and drink menus, and more at the Brat Fest website here.
You can get to Madison so many ways: I-39/90, I-94, U.S. 12, 14, 18, or 151, or Highways 30 or 113. Enjoy a beautiful Memorial Day weekend in town with Brat Fest – and check out the State Capitol, the Wisconsin Memorial Union Terrace, Lakes Mendota and Monona, the Henry Vilas Zoo, and everything else our capital city has to offer!
World’s Largest Brat Fest Address:
Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Madison, WI 53713
Website
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May 16, 2025 – May 18, 2025
Wisconsin Cheese Festival
The 2nd annual Wisconsin Cheese Festival runs May 16-18, 2025 at Lake Geneva House of Music, which is a very cool live music venue located right along County H (the original U.S. 12) in Lake Geneva! Wisconsin Cheese is amazing, and a festival further celebrating it will be a blast, since we know how much you love cheese!
The festival is a gathering of cheese makers and lovers, farmers, artisans and vendors to celebrate what is obviously Wisconsin’s most famous food. You can also enjoy world-class Americana, alt-country, folk and bluegrass music, whiskey, wine and craft beer. Plus fun contests, educational presentations, fantastic music, and then a delicious variety of creative foods including BBQ, locally-made pies, pig bacon candy, curds and more. During the fest, you can even learn about cheese sculpting and participate in a Stein Hoisting Competition Saturday night! It’s a particularly family-friendly weekend at the Lake Geneva House of Music festival grounds. Get the full list of vendors here!
Wisconsin Cheese Festival Event Schedule:
Fri. May 16th, 4pm until 9pm:
WHISKEY DAY
Midwest Picking Coalition…… 5pm – 7pm, Studio G
Johnny Lyons & The Pride…… 7pm – 9pm, Main Stage
Stryder Bluegrass Band…… 9:30pm-11pm, Main Stage
More acts to be announced, get the latest here
Sat. May 17th, 11am until 9pm:
CRAFT BEER DAY
Aiden Muse…… Noon-2pm, Studio G
Tony John & the Flatland String Band……. 4:30pm-7pm, Studio G
Henhouse Prowlers…… 7pm-9pm, Main Stage
More acts to be announced, get the latest here
Sun. May 18th, 10am until 9pm
FREE DAY | GENEVA OUTDOOR MARKET | WINE DAY
Nicole Nystrom Trio…… 10:30am-12:30pm, Studio G
Fox Crossing Stringband…… 12:30pm-2:45pm, Main Stage
Awards Ceremony……. 2:30 pm – 3 pm, Main Stage
More acts to be announced, get the latest here
Wisconsin Cheese Festival Ticket Info:
Fri. Advanced GA: $10 | At Gate: $12.50
Sat. Advanced GA: $12.50 | At Gate: $15
Kids 6-12 Fri: $5 | Kids 6-12 Sat. $7.50
Weekend Pass Advanced: $17.50 | At Gate: $22.50
Kids 6-12 Weekend Pass: $10
FREE on Sunday for all!
Children 5 & Under are FREE!
Get Tickets Here
It’s easy to get to Lake Geneva House of Music, just follow County H north from Lake Geneva. If you’d rather, you can certainly head south from U.S. 12 by the I-43 interchange when you reach County NN south of Elkhorn. Similarly, Highway 67 brings you close. Then just follow H until you see all the action! Prior to 1973, this was the original route of U.S. 12 before they built the freeway (some fun trivia for road geeks like us!)
Wisconsin Cheese Festival Address:
Lake Geneva House of Music
N3241 County Trunk H (formerly U.S. 12)
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262) 248-0606
Website
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May 3, 2025
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.
The next Waukesha Art Crawl on Saturday, May 3rd with a theme to be announced. This crawl takes place throughout downtown Waukesha from 2pm – 8pm.
Check out WaukeshaArt.com for all the updates and details!
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.
Waukesha Art Crawl Address:
Downtown Waukesha
337 W. Main Street
Waukesha, WI 53186
(262) 542-1522
Website
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April 26, 2025
Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship
You can get to Dodgeville via U.S. 18 & 151 and Highway 23. Any trip is worth it for grilled cheese!
Our previous favorites have included the Gouda Girls (below); Tina and Katherine make grilled cheese sandwich combos that win all across the nation. They’re based in Milwaukee and do incredible things with taste buds. Our head State Trunk Tour guy Eric Paulsen got to experience their creations firsthand in this Discover Wisconsin episode. We don’t have any vote, though, so we’ll see how this goes.
Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship Address:
Harris Park
600 Bennett Road
Dodgeville, WI 53533
(608) 935-9200
Website
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April 9, 2025 – April 26, 2025
International PEEPS Art Exhibition at the Racine Art Museum
Within the pristine white walls of a contemporary art museum that overlooks Lake Michigan, the Racine Art Museum presents a rather non-traditional exhibition showcasing fluffy, sugar-coated marshmallow PEEPS®. Over the years, many entrants have been become experts in marshmallow candy as a material, using methods like carving, painting, hole punching, gluing, and melting to manipulate PEEPS into incredible shapes. For this show, Richard W. Marklin, Jr. melted a flock of PEEPS to make Raul the Rooster, a realistic barnyard bird; while April Harris and Autumn Kyle assembled the holiday treats into a bust of Black Panther Peeper.
Vote for Your Favorite PEEPS
Stop by the museum to vote for your favorite PEEPS creation. You will decide who wins the coveted PEEPles Choice Award, announced at the end of the show.
You’ll find the Racine Art Museum along Main Street/Highway 32 in downtown Racine, just blocks from Lake Michigan. Highways 20 and 38 also bring you downtown, and Highway 11 is just to the south. It’s a little over a 10-minute drive east of I-41/94, depending on traffic and how you lit the lights. There is plenty else to see and do there, from picking up a fresh kringle at one of Racine’s famous Danish bakeries to exploring the city’s heritage at the Racine Historical Museum, enjoying the beautiful harbor and waterfront, shopping the stores of 6th Street and Main Street, or even exploring Hotel Verdant, the new boutique hotel downtown. These are all within walking distance of the Racine Art Museum!
International PEEPS Art Exhibition Address:
Racine Art Museum
441 Main Street (Highway 32)
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 638-8300
Website
PEEPS Exhibit called “Mt. PEEPmore” by Elizabeth Peterson. Yes, it’s a mountain of PEEPs. Photo credit: Christina Lieffring, Racine Journal-Times.
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October 18, 2024 – October 20, 2024
Fall Art Tour in the Driftless
The Fall Art Tour is perfect for State Trunk Tourers with a love of the Driftless Area and art. It’s a self-guided driving tour where you can meet up to 45 area artists and watch them at work as you make your way through Baraboo, Spring Green, Dodgeville and Mineral Point!
Potters, weavers, glassblowers, woodworkers, painters, jewelers, quilters, photographers & sculptors are all part of it. Meet the artists, experience their work spaces, and witness as they create unique works of art. A wide variety of high-quality artwork is available for purchase in every price range. This is their 24th Anniversary Tour and it’s become one of the most popular art events in the Midwest.
Highways 33, 130, 136, and 23 figure big in this tour, as do many county and side roads. It’s a beautiful drive through the Driftless Area and a great behind-the-scenes look at artists’ studios!
Fall Art Tour Details:
More details can be had by calling (608) 356-9048 or checking out their website, http://www.fallarttour.com/.
Also, check out this video for a sample of what you’re in for!
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October 18, 2024 – October 20, 2024
Sister Bay Fall Fest
Sister Bay Fall Fest is the “granddaddy” of Door County festivals is celebrating its 78th year! The streets of this lovely Door County town along Highway 42 where Highway 57 ends will be packed with fun. Check out a Saturday Parade, a huge arts and crafts fair, plenty of food and live entertainment, and great activities for children of all ages.
Check out live music at Husby’s (which also has great Bloody Marys and is a Sister Bay Fall Fest institution – plus, check out the awesome and huge 1920 Wisconsin state map they have in there!) as well as Door County Creamery, Stabbur, and the Boathouse on the Bay, and more. The Lion’s Club Fish Boil is a yearly favorite along with Saturday’s Pancake Breakfast followed by the annual Fall Fest Parade. Explore nearly 100 different artisans’ creations and high-quality handmade crafts. These include media, fine photography, wood carvers, furniture, unique jewelry, cozy mittens & sweaters, customized signs, and fine milled soaps & lotions. Be sure to watch the Wooden Shoe carver, too! Sunday – well before the Packers-Bears game kicks off – is the return of the Derby Race. The race is held right on Highway 42 in downtown Sister Bay where girls and boys ages 7 to 13 can build (with assistance from an adult) and then race in their gravity powered cars. Get the full schedule here or on the picture to the left
Of course, businesses all over town will have specials and it’s always great to check out Sister Bay’s gorgeous shoreline, marina, and the goats on the roof at Al Johnson’s Swedish Butik & Restaurant!
Enjoy Sister Bay Fall Fest all weekend. Just take Highways 42 or 57 and you’ll get there!
Sister Bay Fall Fest Address:
Waterfront Park
2362 Mill Road
Sister Bay, WI 54234
Website
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October 17, 2024
Sugar River Bourbon Fest
Seven Acre Dairy Company in Paoli hosts its 2nd annual Sugar River Bourbon Fest Wednesday, October 16th through Sunday, October 20th. It’s a five-day celebration of all things bourbon that highlights the country’s top distilleries and chefs. Imbibe in amazing meals and pair them with delicious food complements and beverages – including some amazing Bourbon and whiskey beverages. It features a welcome dinner with chef Joe Heppe and Driftless Glen Distillery, a signature dinner with nine-time James Beard Award nominee chef Edward Lee and Dancing Goat Distillery, a fish fry featuring Blue Ash Farm Craft Spirits, and a special bourbon brunch with J. Henry.
These evenings lead up to the main event: the Sugar River Bourbon Tasting Festival on Saturday, October 19th. You can enjoy samplings and meet with over 25 distilleries and distillers, including award-winning local and national distilleries Heaven Hill, Bardstown 45th parallel, Green River, Old Forester, Dancing Goat, J. Henry, and more.
There will be live music, along with burgers, hot dogs and barbeque available for purchase from Seven Acre Dairy Company and Knoche’s Meats; a portion of the proceeds benefit the Belleville Food Pantry.
Here’s how the evenings work out on the weekends:
Friday, October 18th: Blue Ash Farm Craft Spirit’s Bourbon Lover’s Fish Fry
Join Seven Acre chefs and Blue Ash Farm Craft Spirits for the last outdoor fish fry along the Sugar River of the season. Seven Acre chefs will cook up all-you-can-eat cod, perch and walleye, alongside seasonal sides, salads and desserts. Blue Ash Farm Craft Spirits of Argyle will be crafting cocktails from their award-winning farmstead spirits. The fish fry will take place in a heated, open air tent. Fire pits will be lit and lawn games will be out.
Saturday, October 19th: The Sugar River Bourbon Tasting Festival
Regular admission is $55 per person from 1-4 p.m. This includes samplings and meet and greets with over 25 distilleries, live music, unique bourbon bottle sales and food for purchase.
VIP admission is $100 per person from noon to 4 p.m. This includes exclusive access to the Makers Mark/Jim Beam VIP Tasting Tent, VIP appetizers, a copy of Edward Lee’s best-selling book “Bourbon Land,” first access to unique bourbon bottle sales, plus access to all other areas of the festival.
Sunday, October 20th: J. Henry Maple Bourbon Brunch
Join Seven Acre chefs and J. Henry for a one-of-a-kind bourbon brunch. Seven acre chefs will be cooking up some of Edward Lee’s favorite brunch recipes alongside some of their favorite bourbon brunch cocktails. Don’t miss your chance to sample the infamous Maple Bourbon made by J. Henry and your chances to take a bottle home. The maple bourbon was only available on the farm this year and sold out in under an hour.
For more information and tickets, visit sevenacredairyco.com.
You’ll find the lovely little burg of Paoli along County PB, right near State Trunk Highway 69, less than 10 minutes south of Verona off U.S. 18/151.
Sugar River Bourbon Fest Address:
Seven Acre Dairy Company
6858 Paoli Road
Belleville, WI 53508
(608) 416-4023
Website
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October 14, 2024 – October 20, 2024
Wisconsin Science Festival
The Wisconsin Science Festival is a statewide celebration with activities for people throughout Wisconsin. Events include hands-on science exhibitions, demonstrations, performances, tours, pub nights, workshops and more. The Wisconsin Science Festival welcomes all disciplines utilizing science, technology, or art to explore and nurture curiosity. Each year, we spotlight a specific topic to emphasize its significance and value to the state and its people.
The official festival feature this year is AGRICULTURE! In 2024, the focus aims to showcase its profound impact on our world. Their mission is to illustrate the interconnectedness of agriculture within our state’s economy, society, well-being, and the overall future of humanity through the lens of science, art, and technology.
Wisconsin Science Festival features:
There are more than just events happening that are tied to the Wisconsin Science Festival! Check out their website for full schedules and details. It’s definitely a fun learning experience in locales across Wisconsin – road trip to a bunch of them!
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October 4, 2024 – November 2, 2024
Wisconsin Fear Fest
Wisconsin Fear Fest continues weekends through November 2nd this year at Road America with TONS of Halloween fun… and spooky stuff!
Explore the ultimate thrill at Wisconsin Fear Fest at Road America! Dare to explore three spine-tingling haunted houses (Carnival Chaos, Cellblock 13, and the Slaughter Shack) that promise to send shivers down your spine. Unleash your adventurous spirit with exhilarating activities like paintball, axe throwing, mini escape rooms, the Rage Experience, live music on Saturdays, food, drinks and beer! Parking is free. It runs the next few weekends and hours vary by day.
Buy your in tickets online in advance and you get a $5 discount!
For just $39.00, you can experience every attraction, including:
You can also get the Speed Pass Ticket for $54, which get you through the haunted houses faster.
The dates remaining are Friday-Sunday, October 18th-20th, Thursday, October 24th through Sunday, October 27th, and Thursday, October 31st through Saturday, November 2nd.
Wisconsin Fear Fest is right between Plymouth and Elkhart Lake in Sheboygan County. Highway 67 brings you right there!
Wisconsin Fear Fest Address:
Road America
N7390 Highway 67
Plymouth, WI 53073
(904) 510-9873
Website
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