“Wo-Zha-Wa” means “fun time” in the Ho-Chunk language, and Wisconsin Dells offers just that September 13-15! As one of the largest festivals in Wisconsin, Wo-Zha-Wa is a three day extravaganza with delicious food, a 100-unit parade, rousing live music, and arts and crafts that everyone can enjoy.
Wo-Zha-Wa’s flea market (Maxwell Street Days) always has new novel items to check out including gourmet dog treats, hand-made works of art, custom pieces of jewelry, organic cosmetics, and wood flowers made before your eyes. You can stroll through all these different stalls while chowing down on some of the festival’s favorite culinary treats, like kettle corn and alligator on a stick.
The whole family can enjoy themselves at Wo-Zha-Wa. The yearly Wo-Zha-Wa parade is a spectacle filled with floats, performers, and music that fills the entire street. The carnival rides are always a hit with the kids, who always get a thrill on the rides’ twists, turns, and spins.
When you attend, you’re invited to participate in a street carnival with refreshment concessions and the Wo-Zha-Wa Run, Wisconsin’s oldest long-distance race. Runners can take part in the challenging half-marathon course, or the fast-paced four-mile run.
Festival admission is free, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t go to this Wisconsin favorite!
All activities located in Downtown Wisconsin Dells & Bowman Park.
You can get to the Dells easily, of course: I-90/94, U.S. 12, or Highways 13, 16, or 23 all bring you there. Check their website for full details!
Here’s a video from a ways back of Wo-Zha-Wa Days (not that it’s much different now) to give you an idea:
Schedule of Events:
Friday, September 13th
All Day Concessions and Carnival Rides 8 am – 5 pm Maxwell Street Days 8 am – 6 pm Antique & Collectibles Market Noon – 5 pm Arts & Crafts Fair Noon – 5 pm Funtime Bounce Houses and Obstacle Course 3:30-5:30pm Kindschi Pedal Pulls
Saturday, September 14th
Day Concessions and Carnival Rides Wo-Zha-Wa Run 8 am – 5 pm Maxwell Street Days 8 am Race for the Future Run Visit the website 8 am – 6 pm Antique & Collectibles Market 9am – 5 pm Arts & Crafts Fair 9am – 5pm Funtime Bounce Houses and Obstacle Course
Sunday, September 15th
All Day Concessions and Carnival Rides 8 am – 3 pm Maxwell Street Days 8 am – 3 pm Antique & Collectibles Market 9 am – 3 pm Arts & Crafts Fair 9 am – 3pm Funtime Bounce Houses and Obstacle Course 1:30 pm PARADE Post Parade South Shore Performance at the Elm Street Plaza
Celebrate the coming of fall with the Oconomowoc Fall Festival. This lovely town at the western edge of Waukesha County’s Lake Country has a bustling downtown nestled around Fowler Lake and Lac La Belle, and the big party is on Saturday, September 7th from 9am – 8pm, rain or shine.
There will be over 80 street vendors, lots of food, shopping, kids’ events, dancing, and festivities including a Beer Garden. Some details are still being adjusted, but for now there’s still a Chili Pepper Eating Contest in the afternoon, along with kayak races you can watch, or even participate in! Live music will punctuate the fun afternoon into evening.
Here’s the music lineup:
12:30pm – Candy Cigarette
2pm – The Stangs
4:15pm – Throw Back Stereo
7pm – Kingfish Band
An outdoor movie begins at dusk, extending the Oconomowoc Fall Festival well into the evening. While in Oconomowoc, check out the Wizard of Oz display in Oz Plaza along Wisconsin Avenue (the movie’s official premiere took place there on August 12, 1939), a great classic drive-in called The Kiltie, as well as craft breweries like Brewfinity and SteelTank.
You can get to Oconomowoc via Highway 16 or Highway 67. Forget the bypass routes; follow the original roads right into downtown. That includes Main Street, Summit Avenue, and Wisconsin Avenue. The downtown is three miles north of I-94, via Exit 282 – which is Highway 67.
Oconomowoc Fall Festival Address:
Wisconsin Avenue & Main Street (“city” Highways 16 & 67)
133 E. Wisconsin Avenue
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
(262) 567-1826 Website
Manitowoc celebrates Sputnik Fest due to an out-of-this-world experience on September 5, 1962 when a piece of the Soviet satellite Sputnik IV crashed to earth, just north of downtown right in the middle of 8th Street/U.S. 10/Highway 42. It was still glowing from the heat of re-entry when it landed! A brass ring in the street notes the exact spot of impact. The city celebrates Sputnik Fest to commemorate the glowing visitor’s anniversary, where you’ll see some interesting costumes and space-related activities. Basically at Sputnik Fest, science fiction rules the day – even though Sputnik itself was very real. See 5 Things about Sputnikfest in Manitowoc (and why you should go) for more on that.
Circle marks the spot where a piece of Sputnik landed. It’s the whole reason for Sputnik Fest.
The landing site of that piece of Sputnikfest – which inspired this whole thing – is right in front of the Rahr-West Art Museum, which hosts the event and holds a cast from the original piece of the spacecraft – the original was returned to the Russians – that is available for viewing all year.
The festival draws plenty of space fans – with Star Wars and Star Trek characters well-represented – costume contests, music, go-kart racing down 8th Street (there’s a bit of a hill towards the heart of downtown), food, drinks, and even an “alien drop”, where hundreds of mini-alien figures are dropped from a cherry picker – some with prizes. Even the hosting group, the Rahr-West Art Museum, calls it a “wacky tacky” weekend. Music from bands like Bazooka Joe add to the fun! Family fun continues with the Cosmic Kids Creation Station, which offers tye-dye, clay painting, and rocket building, plus live statues, portrait paintings, and more.
Sputnikfest Schedule of Events:
11:00-2:00PM DJ
11:30AM Photo Op with Sputnikfest Police (courtesy of the Masquers theater company)
12:00-5:00PM Art Space and Children’s Games
12:00-Noon 5K Art Walk/Run (register at: https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Manitowoc/Sputnikfest5KWalkRun)
1:00-3:00PM Meet and Greet with 501st Wisconsin Garrison
12:00PM Lakeshore 1st Robotics
2:00-6:00PM Musical entertainment by XPOSED 4 HEADS
3:00PM Pet Parade and contest
4:00PM Cosmic Kids Parade and contest
5:00PM Captain Space Debris (Alien Adults) Parade and Contest
6:00PM Alien Raffle Drop
It happens over Labor Day weekend every year, and it’s a lot of tasty fun! Taste of Madison features over 80 local restaurants, 20 beverage stands and three entertainment stages. The participating restaurants sell a vast variety of both unique and traditional dishes to the estimated 225,000 attendees over the two-day period – you should be one of them. Most food items are in the $2 to $5 range! Best of all, admission – which includes hours and hours of live entertainment – is free and open to the public.
Taste of Madison happens on the Capitol Square, one of the most dynamic and beautiful places in Wisconsin with the shops, restaurants, bars, museums, and more surrounding our gorgeous State Capitol. U.S. 151/Washington Avenue brings you closest, although U.S. 12, U.S. 14, U.S. 18, U.S. 51, and Highways 30 and 113 all bring you to Madison.
Taste of Madison Hours:
Saturday, August 31st 2pm – 9pm
Sunday, September 5th: 11am – 7pm
Get the full list of participating restaurants (with address and phone where available) below or from the Taste of Madison website!
It’s the oldest county fair in Wisconsin – this will be its 175th year! The Walworth County Fair features livestock judging, exhibits, carnival rides, bull riding, concessions, harness racing, tractor and truck pulls, demolition derby, and free grandstand shows. Every long Labor Day weekend, the fair draws thousands of visitors to Elkhorn for this 6-day extravaganza, making it the single biggest event in Elkhorn and Walworth County.
“Stars, Stripes, and Fair Delights!” is the theme this year. Grandstand Events this year include:
Rice Professional Rodeo
Tractor Truck Pull
Demolition Derby
Main Stage Concerts including:
Nelly on Friday, August 30th
Brantley Gilbert on Saturday, August 31st
Crowder on Sunday, September 1st
There’s also the Strut Your Stuff Recipe Challenge, Rooster Crowing Contests, Barnyard Races, Fairest of the Fair, Bull Riding, a series of Horse Events, the Farmers Market & Old World Artisan Village, a Sunday morning Classic Car & Tractor Parade, and Kiddieland featuring barnyard adventures and kids’ entertainment. Plenty to do, see, eat, and enjoy at this historic venue!
I-43, U.S. 12, and Highways 11 and 67 all bring you to Elkhorn for the fun. Their website has all the updates and details, including a very full schedule!
Walworth County Fair Address:
411 E. Court Street
Elkhorn, WI 53121
(262) 723-3228 Website
Dragon boat racing is not only one of the fastest growing water sports in the world; it is also one of the most exciting! As one of the largest festivals of its kind, The Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival in Superior holds this community-building tradition on Friday, August 23rd and Saturday, August 24th, 2024.
Watch the races at Barker’s Island, feast on fantastic food, enjoy celebratory music, song and dance, shop the craft fair, and commemorate the weekend with a time-honored awards ceremony.
On the first festival day, Barker’s Island is transformed into a small city where thousands of people from the Midwest U.S. and central Canada join in community, camaraderie and competition. It’s a weekend of live music and dancing, fantastic food and food trucks, hay rides, children’s crafts and entertainment, and an awards ceremony. Fireworks will light the sky that night, too!
Saturday the 24th begins early with the Optimists Club Breakfast and of course, more boats and parades. Children’s activities begin at 8am, and Dragon Boat Racing begins at 9am. There’s also the Craft Fair, the Stterlling Silver Dance Studio , the Rose Petal Ceremony, Korean Sword Demonstrations, Mark Rubin performing as he does every year, and of course the final race heats and the closing awards ceremony.
Artstreet showcases over 200 artists from throughout the country as they descend on Green Bay. They’re once again located at Ashwaubomay Park on South Broadway! Take in music, dance, theatrical and literary performances on stage and in the park. View artists demonstrating their work during the creative process. Savor an array of specialty foods, enjoy cultural displays, children’s art activities, and more.
Music Lineup
MAIN STAGE
Friday 8/23/24 TBA
Saturday 8/24/24 TBA
Sunday 8/25/24 TBA
COMMUNITY STAGE
Friday 8/23/24 TBA
Saturday 8/24/24 TBA
Sunday 8/25/24 TBA
Ashwaubomay Park is an 84 acre park, conveniently located between the National Railroad Museum and the Brown County Fairgrounds, at 2881 South Broadway, 54304.
Artstreet Admission is free; donations, of course, are welcomed! You can get to downtown Green Bay via I-41 or I-43 via U.S. 141, or Highways 29, 32, 54, 57, or 172.
Artstreet Hours:
Friday, August 23 | 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm (music until 10 pm)
Saturday, August 24 | 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (music until 9 pm)
Sunday, August 25 | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Artstreet Address:
Ashwaybomay Park
2882 S. Broadway
Green Bay, WI 54304
(920) 435-5220 Website
The annual Great River Folk Festival is a family-friendly Saturday featuring outdoor contemporary and traditional folk music right in La Crosse’s beautiful Riverside Park. Along with the music, you can enjoy demonstrations of traditional crafts and plenty of craft items for sale from artists across the spectrum, ethnic food and children’s activities. The Driftless Folk School will be demonstrating Spoon Carving, Spindle Spinning and Small Basket weaving throughout the day—11 and 5 pm.
Check out the full music lineup below. Ticket prices range from $10 or Sunday only to $55 for all three days and nights of the festival (if you buy by August 18th, they’re $75 at the gate for all three days), with numerous options in between. Get details here.
Riverside Park is a beautiful space along the Mississippi River on the west edge of downtown La Crosse. Along with the Great River Folk Festival you’ll find historic and contemporary statutes, beautiful views of the river and bluffs, access to riverboats, restaurants, hotels, the Turtle Stack Brewing Company, and plenty of hotels to spend the night – all within easy walking distance.
Great River Folk Festival Music Schedule:
Activities in Riverside Park include:
Traditional arts and craft fair
Craft demonstrations
Children’s activities
Food from a wide variety of vendors
Music Performances and Workshops at three stages
U.S. 14, 53, and 61, as well as Highways 16, 33, 35, and I-90 all bring you to La Crosse, which has plenty of other fun things to check out, too!
Great River Folk Festival Address:
Riverside Park
100 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 784-3033 Website
Lake Geneva is a great place to visit and shop, and Maxwell Street Days offers “Hot Deals for Those Hot Summer Days”!
Maxwell Street Days Annual Summer Sidewalk Sale returns with the best shopping steals of the year Friday, August 23rd through Sunday, August 25th with more than 25 years of great bargains on clothing, shoes, jewelry, gifts, artwork, sporting goods, books and more, plus fabulous food and entertainment from downtown shops and restaurants. Dine al fresco, enjoy live music, and celebrate the end of summer! offers extra opportunities to find bargains on some great stuff! Check out the list of participating locations here.
U.S. 12 and Highways 50 and 120 bring you to Lake Geneva, home to plenty of fun activities. Enjoy the downtown shops and restaurants, craft breweries like Topsy Turvy Brewing and MashTun Brewing, the beautiful beach along the shores of Geneva Lake, shows from the internationally-renown Tristan Crist Magic Theater to The Belfry, amazing golf courses including Geneva National and the Grand Geneva, winter skiing at Alpine Valley, The Mountaintop at Grand Geneva, and Wilmot Mountain… the list goes on!
Lake Geneva Maxwell Street Days Address:
Downtown Lake Geneva, centered on Highway 50 (Main Street) at Broad Street (see map)
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Info: (262) 248-4416 Website
Welcome to the 38th Annual West Bend GERMANfest! This celebration of German Heritage and Gemütlichkeit takes place Thursday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 25th, 2024. GERMANfest is an outdoor festival featuring two stages of continuous ethnic and other music, authentic German food and dancing, Sheepshead tournaments, Kinderzone, fine selection of beer and wine, souvenirs, daily raffles, and more.
Take in all the food, fun, and Festlichkeit that awaits you and others as you enjoy the huge outdoor, tented danced floor, fabulous array of musical guests and of course excellent food and beverages. West Bend Germanfest is easy to find, located centrally on the corners of Walnut and Main Street in the heart of downtown West Bend, rich with history. Highways 33 and 144 meet in downtown West Bend, a few miles east of the U.S. 45 bypass of the city. The original U.S. 45, as Main Street, cuts right past the GERMANfest grounds. Check out Riverside Brewery while you’re there!
West Bend GERMANfest Address:
5th Avenue & Walnut Street
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 338-0690 Website
Friday, August 23rd
Cedar Singers 10:00-11:00am
Goodtime Dutchmen 11:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-2:00pm
John Dietz & the Twin Lakes Trio 12:00-1:00pm, 2:00-3:00pm
Ryan Kautzer Band 3:00pm-4:00pm, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Copper Box 4:00-5:00pm, 6:00-8:00pm
The Nix 8:00pm-11:00pm
Saturday, August 24th
Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt 10:00-11:00am
RiverCity Blaskapelle 11:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-2:00pm
Dave Austin Band 12:00-1:00pm, 2:00pm-3:00pm
Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen 3:00pm-4:00pm, 5:30-6:30pm
Lynn Marie and the Nashville Polka Guys 4:15pm-5:30pm, 6:45pm-8:00pm
Alex Meixner Band 8:00-11:00pm
Sunday, August 25th
The Mike Schneider Band 10:00am-11:00am, 11:45am-1:00pm
Pint Sixed Polkas 11am-11:45am
Lynn Marie and the Nashville Polka Guys 1:00pm-2:30pm, 4:00pm-5:30pm
Alex Meixner Band 2:30pm-4:00pm, 5:30pm-8:00pm
Let’s face it: the Rutabaga doesn’t get enough recognition. Cumberland rectifies that with their annual Rutabaga Festival Thursday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 25th!
Happening since 1932, Cumberland’s Rutabaga Festival includes live entertainment, a pedal tractor pull, pepper-eating contest, basketball shootout, craft show, morning bike tour, a grand parade… and rutabagas. (Which we think are what makes a pasty so much better!)
Come enjoy the Cumberland Rutabaga Festival Run on Saturday morning! Choose from a half marathon, 5K run, or 2 mile fun run/walk. All races start at 8 am at the Cumberland High School. You can also just watch if you prefer and cheer everyone on.
You’ll find Cumberland – aka “The Island City” – along U.S. 63 and Highway 48 in northwestern Barron County. Check out the amazing selection at Louie’s Finer Meats in town while you’re there! It’s a State Trunk Tour favorite.
Cumberland Rutabaga Festival Address:
Downtown Cumberland
Cumberland, WI 54829
(715) 822-FEST Website
West Bend’s Museum of Wisconsin Art hosts its annual Art & Chalk Fest Saturday, August 17th and Sunday, August 18th. This free, outdoor, fine arts festival features 65+ fine artists selling their work and 15+ chalk artists from across the nation creating masterpieces before your eyes!
Art activities for all ages are offered throughout the weekend along with live entertainment and music, food vendors, a beer garden, an art raffle, and free admission for the weekend to the Museum of Wisconsin Art. You can create your own chalk masterpiece on the concrete canvas of Veterans Avenue. Cool off inside the museum with art projects and grab an interactive family guide to explore the Among the Wonders of the Dells exhibition! The MOWA Shop will also be open to shop more Wisconsin art along with an outdoor booth.
The Food and Beer Garden will offer beers from Lakefront Brewery, wines and sangria, soda, water, and more. Food selections include Just Smokin’ Barbecue, the Falafel Guys, Lovely & Tasty Walking Taco, Cousins Subs, Laughing Mountain Popcorn, Nosh Nook, CS Foods, Purple Door Ice Cream, J. Wade Confections, the Nutman Company, and Concoctions.
Saturday, August 17th
10:30 Milwaukee Hittaz Drumline
1:30 Warped Dance Company
3:30 Peter Alt Group
Sunday, Augsut 18th
10:30 Little Priest Singers
1:30 Warped Dance Company
3:30 Sainted Patrons
You’ll find the Museum of Wisconsin Art along the east banks of the Milwaukee River in downtown West Bend. It’s along the Eisenbahn State Trail, just south of Highway 33/Washington Avenue. Highway 144 comes in from the north and west; the U.S. 45 freeway bypass is less than two miles to the west. Nearby, you can also enjoy shopping in downtown West Bend, local brews at the Riverside Brewery, custard at the Toucan on Highway 144, and more.
Art & Chalk Fest Address:
Museum of Wisconsin Art
205 Veterans Avenue
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 334-9639 Website
The 71st annual Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival is BACK at Angell Park this year, taking place Wednesday, August 14th through Sunday, August 18th, 2024!
Enjoy a carnival-midway complete with a wide variety of carnival games and rides, food booths, live bands, a “kiddie korner” with large inflatables, a cornhole tournament, family entertainment, a beer shelter, and much more! Of course fresh, locally-grown sweet corn is available to enjoy. Check out parades and a music lineup including:
Angell Park is a beautiful historic park adjacent to Sun Prairie’s downtown. It’s also home to the Angell Park Speedway, a 1/3 dirt oval that dates back to 1903! You can reach Angell Park via Highway 19 through the city. From the U.S. 151 bypass, follow Main Street or the Highway 19 exit. You can also easily reach Angell Park via County N north from I-94 at the Cottage Grove exit.
Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival Address:
Angell Park & Angell Park Speedway
300 Park Street
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 837-4547 Website
Hudson was the last Wisconsin stop for westbound travelers on the iconic Yellowstone Trail, which in St. Croix County roughly follows the path of today’s U.S. 12. The city celebrates 111 years of history for the Trail on Saturday, August 10th this year with Yellowstone Trail Heritage Day.
The year was 1912 and the auto was gaining popularity. It wasn’t uncommon for horse drawn wagons to share potholes with the automobiles that also traveled the country roads and passed through everything the horses left behind.
A few ambitious folks got together and decided to connect county roads which resulted in the first transcontinental road – The Yellowstone Trail. From “Plymouth Rock to Puget Sound!”
Check out Hudson on August 10th for family fun around town with a Vintage and Class Car Show, Cemetery Walk, Pie and Ice Cream Social, Children’s Activities and a drive on the Yellowstone Trail!
Other activities planned include a Car Show, Children’s Activities, a Pie & Ice Cream Social at First Baptist Church, Historic Downtown Hudson Walking Tours, Cemetery Walk @ Willow River Cemetery, Octagon House Tours, Ciranda Garden Fair, Non-Profit Community Fair, Coco’s Heart Rescue, and more. Check out their website for details.
Looking back at downtown Hudson under the arch that welcomed travelers to and from the original Yellowstone Trail Bridge over the St. Croix River.
Hudson is right along U.S. 12 (which follows portions of the original Yellowstone Trail) and Highway 35. I-94 runs along the south side of town, and Highway 64 is just a few miles north. Check out this beautiful city on the St. Croix River, and for great waterfalls and trails be sure to hit Willow River State Park nearby!
Yellowstone Trail Heritage Day Address:
Various locations in downtown Hudson
Hudson, WI 54016
(715) 386-8411 Website
La Crosse celebrates its Irish heritage and parties down at Irishfest the weekend of August 9-11, 2024! They call it “the only Irishfest under a roof,” but there’s indoor and outdoor fun to be had. Load up on great Irish food from Corned beef, cabbage and mash to a Banger sandwich, Kilkenny Coddle, or Bailey’s Irish Cream Cheesecake. Quaff beverages from Guinness, Killian’s Irish Red, Harp, and Finnegan’s to a variety of Irish teas and Leprechaun Punch. Nearby restaurants like Dublin Square in La Crosse and the Monarch Public House from Fountain City will be there to make sure you’re all fueled up.
Enjoy great live music on multiple stages from performers like Gaelic Storm, Seo Linn, Byrne Brothers, Onoir, Screaming Orphans, Gadan, Scattering hosted by Ian Gould, performances from the Glencastle Irish Dancers, and many more!
You’ll find plenty of activities on the Harp Stage, in the Cultural Tent, kids can enjoy the Wee Folks Area, play Highland Games, or explore your ancestry in the Genealogy Tent.
Participate in the Irishfest Raffle and you could win a trip to Ireland, to Scotland, or to next year’s Irishfest La Crosse (that would be the order of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes…)
The Sheboygan Midwest Challenge, a festival and celebration of powerboat racing, will feature the top categories of U.S. powerboat racing. The UIM Class 1 World Championship returns with boats capable of 160 mph!
For the first time, Sheboygan is also a host city to the American Powerboat Racing Association’s (APBA) National Championship, with 14 classes of fast boats in action. More than 60 race teams are expected to participate with competitors from around the world, including Australia, Italy, Sweden, Canada, the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas. You can view the action from the harbor area or the expansive areas along North and South Beach. Throughout downtown Sheboygan, you’ll find ample facilities for food, drink, and lodging.
Sheboygan Midwest Challenge Schedule of Events:
FRIDAY AUGUST 9 10:00 am to 5:00 pm: Walk through the pit area near Deland Park to see the boats and race crew up close and personal. 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm: Watch the high-speed testing of the race boats on Lake Michigan. The six-mile offshore course is along the Sheboygan South Beach, Kite Beach, and South Shore. 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm: Enjoy the kickoff block party at City Green downtown. View the powerboats that will be racing in the Sheboygan Midwest Challenge as they set up on the streets of downtown. Dance to the music of the King of Mars at City Green. Food trucks and beverage concessions are available. Accessible to the public.
SATURDAY AUGUST 10 9:00 am to 5:00 pm: P1 Fan Zone opens at the end of South Pier, where vendors, food trucks, and beverages are located. 9:30 am to 4:00 pm: VIP Hospitality tent open at South Pier lawn. Tickets for the VIP tent are available at https://tealreef.ticketspice.com/sheboygan. 10:00 am to 4:00 pm: Walk through the pit area near Deland Park to see the boats and race crew up close and personal. 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Bring your chairs, blankets, food, and drinks and watch the races on the six-mile offshore course along Sheboygan South Beach, Kite Beach, and South Shore. Food trucks and beverage stations are also available throughout the area. 11:00 am to 6:00 pm: Sheboygan Yacht Club will host a brat fry and concessions in the northeast lot and outdoor pavilion just north of the river on Broughton Drive. After walking through the pit area, stop in for food and beverages. Spectators, visitors, and the public are welcome on the Yacht Club grounds—live music from Uncle Meat from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. 11:00 am: Opening Ceremony to kick off the races on the South Pier lawn. Watch the powerboat races streamed to the jumbo screen at the official event stage on the South Pier lawn. 11:30 am to 12:30 pm: Class 1 Qualifying Round 12:45 pm to 1:45 pm: Race 1 – Superstock Class 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm: Driftwood South Pier serves food and drinks under the tent. Live music from Benson Klemme from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm and the Flying Zebras from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm. 2:15 pm to 3:15 pm: Race 2 – Class 1 (Race 1) 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm: Race 3 – 450R, Super V
SUNDAY AUGUST 11 9:00 am to 2:00 pm: Driftwood South Pier serves beverages under the tent featuring Bloody Mary’s and Mimosa’s. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm: P1 Fan Zone opens at the end of Sout Pier, where vendors, food trucks, and beverages are located. 9:00 am to 4:00 pm: Walk through the pit area near Deland Park to see the boats and race crew up close and personal. 9:30 am to 4:00 pm: VIP Hospitality tent open at South Pier lawn. Tickets for the VIP tent are available at https://tealreef.ticketspice.com/sheboygan. 9:30 am to 4:00 pm: Bring your chairs, blankets, food, and drinks and watch the races on the six-mile offshore course along Sheboygan South Beach, Kite Beach, and South Shore. Food trucks and beverage stations are also available throughout the area. 10:00 am: Opening Ceremony to kick off the races on the South Pier lawn. Watch the powerboat races streamed to the jumbo screen at the official event stage on the South Pier lawn. 11:00 am to 12 pm: Race 4 – Class 1 MAVTV (Race 2) 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm: Race 5 – Bracket Class 700, 600, 500 1:45 pm to 2:45 pm: Race 6 – Mod V, (Bracket 400, 300, 200) 2:45 pm to 3:15 pm: Race 7 – Supercat 5:00 pm: Celebrate with the winners at the Awards Ceremony on the main stage on the South Pier lawn.
You can get to downtown Sheboygan and the lakefront via Highways 23, 28, or 42 in from I-43.
Watertown Riverfest is back at Riverside Park along the Rock River, Thursday, August 8th through Sunday, August 11th this year! Riverfest is FREE once again this year with plenty of fun, family-friendly activities and live music.
Some Riverfest Events Include:
Riverfest Half Marathon and 5K Saturday morning, 8:30am start Bean Bag Tournament Saturday morning, 10am Craft Fair Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm, with plenty of artists and craftsman display their items in a natural setting on the Riverside Park island Horseshoe Tourament, Saturday, 1:00pm Raft/Kayak Race Saturday 9:30am, Two person raft race on the Rock River from the Main Street bridge at Tivoli Island to Riverside Park Classic Car Show featuring classic automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles Sunday, 9am – 3pm
The Waterski Show is back at Riverfest for 2024!
FULL Watertown Riverfest Schedule of Events
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8TH 4:00 – 10:00pm A Taste of Watertown
4:00 – 8:00pm Face Painting/Body Art
4:00 – 8:00pm Chainsaw Art
4:00 – 9:00pm Bernie Tennis/Caricature Artist
4:00 – 10:00pm RVR Rides (wristband 5-9pm)
4:00 – 5:00pm Happy Hour Drink Specials w/Big Style Brass Band
5:00 – 6:45pm Big Spoon
7:15 – 10:00pm BACK TO THE ’90s featuring COLOR ME BADD, C&C MUSIC FACTORY FEATURING FREEDOM WILLIAMS & YOUNG MC
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9TH
12:00noon – 10:00pm RVR Rides (wristband noon-5pm)
12:00noon – 8:00pm Face Painting/Body Art
12:00noon – 9:00pm Bernie Tennis/Caricature Artist
4:00 – 8:00pm Chainsaw Art
noon – 10:00pm A Taste of Watertown
4:00 – 5:00pm Happy Hour Drink Specials w/Big Style Brass Band
5:00 – 6:30pm COMMOTION – TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
7:00 – 10:00pm BREE MORGAN RELOADED
10:00pm Pyromusical Fireworks & Laser Light Show
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10TH
8:00am Kids Fun Run
8:30am 5K Run
9:00am – 5:00pm Craft Fair
9:00am – 8:00pm Bernie Tennis/Caricature Artist
10:00am Bean Bag Tournament
11:00am – 8:00pm Chainsaw Art
11:00am – 10:00pm A Taste of Watertown
12 Noon – 8:00pm Face Painting / Body Art
12noon – 10:00pm RVR Rides (wristband noon-5pm)
1:00 – 3:00pm Horseshoe Tournament
1:00 – 3:30pm DJ Shawna
1:30 – 2:00pm Milwaukee Bucks Rim Rockers Performance
2:00 – 2:30pm Milwaukee Bucks Bango Mingle and Dance Party
2:30 – 3:00pm Milwaukee Bucks Rim Rockers Performance
3:30 – 6:00pm Pat McCurdy
6:30 – 8:00pm Hypnotized – The Music of Fleetwood Mac
8:30 – 10:00pm STARSHIP, FEATURING MICKEY THOMAS
10:15pm Pyromusical Fireworks & Laser Light Show (RAIN DATE)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11TH
9:00am Tennis Tournament
9:00am – 3:00pm Car Show
9:00am – 5:00pm Craft Fair
11:00am – 1:30pm Chainsaw Art
11:00am – 5:00pm A Taste of Watertown
11:45am – noon Main Street Bridge Naming Ceremony
12noon – 5:00pm Face Painting / Body Art
12noon – 6:00pm RVR Rides (wristband noon-5pm)
12noon – 2:00pm Big Al & the Hi-Fi’s
2:30pm – 5:00pm COUNT’S 77
3:00pm Chainsaw Art Auction
3:30pm – 4:00pm Car Show Awards
5:00pm Raffle Drawing
5:30pm Festival Closes
Watertown is right where Highways 16, 19, and 26 meet. It’s about 7 miles north of I-94
Appleton’s “Mile of Music” Festival (X/Twitter: @MileofMusicFest) serves up original singer-songwriters, combos and multi-piece bands showcasing Americana music at both its most colorful and its very best. Genres include roots and indie rock, country, gospel, soul, R&B, jazz and folk. This year’s Mile of Music 11 takes place August 1-4, 2024.
This grassroots festival was co-founded by Appleton marketing executive Dave Willems and Appleton/Nashville-based national recording artist and Grammy nominee Cory Chisel in 2013. Willems Marketing & Events continues to run Mile of Music, with the support of over 100 community organizations and sponsors. Presenting sponsor Fox Communities Credit Union and other major sponsors have allowed this event to be FREE.
Mile of Music is noted as a “handcrafted artisan festival” with over 200 artists and acts across 40 venues spanning a mile… of music (hence the name!)
Brett Newski performs at Mile of Music in Appleton.
Venues vary and include coffee shops, bars, parks, restaurants, museums and other public spaces. with more of them outdoors in the wake of the pandemic we all had to deal with. Some of Mile 11’s biggest artists will perform at the Main Stage in Houdini Plaza, one of the festival’s most popular venues. Remember, Harry Houdini spent time in Appleton and claimed it as his hometown!
Local brewpub Stone Arch will offer up its artisan Mile of Music Americana Pale Ale to add to the flavor of the festival. Music fans who love bicycling can work off those beer calories and indulge their music passions with Bike to the Beat. Added fun includes the Tub of Tunes giveaway, where one lucky attendee will win a bathtub full of CDs and vinyl from Mile 10 artists.
Check it out all weekend in Appleton. Their website has the complete lineup, and you can also download their special app for updates, details on all the events, and more. You can also get the full schedule here – it’s a busy one!
Appleton is easily accessible via I-41, U.S. 10, Highways 15, 47, 96, or, of course 125 – because if you’re on Highway 125, you’re in Appleton already. Highway 441 provides a bypass around the city that allows you to enter from points east and south.
The John Michael Kohler Arts Center celebrates the Midsummer Festival of the Arts July 20-21, 2024. More than 135 artists descend on downtown Sheboygan for a weekend of exhibitions, all set amidst gardens surrounding the world-class Arts Center with its light-filled spaces, 12 galleries, and ARTcafe.
This is touted as one of the finest outdoor arts festivals in Wisconsin! Exhibitors include jewelry, ceramics, glass, sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, leather, sculpture, art glass, wearable art, and more.
Fun, hands-on workshops for the whole family include “Concrete Creations: Fantasy Faces,” Clay Play, Marvelous Magificent Mobiles, and face painting for the kids (I think it’s just for kids, heck, doesn’t hurt to ask if you’re a grown-up and want your face painted, too.)
Visit the food court where the Culinary Art Car and other food trucks will recharge your energy reserves with a wrap, cheese curds, bratwurst, gyros, ice cream, or one of many other delicious treats.
Festivalgoers will be treated to “finger-snappin’, toe-tappin’”, free concerts from the Levitt AMP Sheboygan Music Series. The lineup includes the Mark Croft Band and Well-Known Strangers on Saturday. This Big Life, King Solomon, and Big Little Lions are scheduled to take the stage on Sunday.
Click here for all the details on the Midsummer Festival of the Arts, including a schedule of events and all the particulars. Admission is FREE.
Midsummer Festival of the Arts Address:
John Michael Kohler Arts Center
608 New York Avenue
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 458-6144
You’ll find the John Michael Kohler Arts Center on New York Avenue just east of 7th Street. It’s right between the heart of the Sheboygan’s downtown and Lake Michigan. Highways 23, 28, and 42 all bring you into town!
While in Sheboygan, check out their new City Green, which we discuss (along with many other things Sheboygan!) in our State Trunk Tour Podcast:
Some of the biggest acts in country music hit Twin Lakes for Country Thunder over four days, July 18-21, 2024! Country Thunder takes place in multiple venues across North America including Arizona, Tennessee, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Florida, and Wisconsin! It takes place in Twin Lakes, right by the Wisconsin-Illinois border between Lake Geneva and Kenosha. Plenty of campsites are available and you can purchase tickets here. If you don’t want to camp, you can stay elsewhere and shuttle in, including the Lakefront Shuttle from Lake Geneva.
Country Thunder Headliners & Lineups for 2024:
Thursday, July 18
3:30pm Grace Tyler
5:00pm Dillon Carmichael
6:30pm Stephen Wilson Jr.
8:00pm Randy Houser
10:00pm Koe Wetzel
Friday, July 19
3:30pm Lauren Watkins
5:00pm John Morgan
6:30pm Phil Vassar
8:00pm Kip Moore
10:00pm Lainey Wilson
Saturday, July 20
2:00pm Emily Ann Roberts
3:30pm Josh Ross
5:00pm The Bellamy Brothers
6:30pm Jake Worthington
8:00pm Bailey Zimmerman
10:00pm Nickelback
Sunday, July 21
2:30pm Meghan Patrick
4:00pm Randall King
5:30pm Jackson Dean
7:00pm Elle King
9:00pm Eric Church
The Boathouse Cabana will feature many additional acts across all four days.
The Country Thunder grounds are very close to the Wisconsin-Illinois state line, centrally located between Highway O and Highway P, near 119th St in southwestern Kenosha County. U.S. 12 is close by; Twin Lakes is a few miles south of Highway 50 and west of U.S. 45 and Highway 83.
Country Thunder Wisconsin Address:
Country Thunder East
2305 Lance Drive
Twin Lakes, WI 53181
(866) 802-6418 Website
Start:
July 18, 2024
End:
July 21, 2024
Venue:
Country Thunder East
Phone:
866-802-6418
Address:
2305 Lance Drive, Twin Lakes, WI, 53181, United States
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events › Festival
September 13, 2024 – September 15, 2024
Wo-Zha-Wa Days
“Wo-Zha-Wa” means “fun time” in the Ho-Chunk language, and Wisconsin Dells offers just that September 13-15! As one of the largest festivals in Wisconsin, Wo-Zha-Wa is a three day extravaganza with delicious food, a 100-unit parade, rousing live music, and arts and crafts that everyone can enjoy.
Wo-Zha-Wa’s flea market (Maxwell Street Days) always has new novel items to check out including gourmet dog treats, hand-made works of art, custom pieces of jewelry, organic cosmetics, and wood flowers made before your eyes. You can stroll through all these different stalls while chowing down on some of the festival’s favorite culinary treats, like kettle corn and alligator on a stick.
The whole family can enjoy themselves at Wo-Zha-Wa. The yearly Wo-Zha-Wa parade is a spectacle filled with floats, performers, and music that fills the entire street. The carnival rides are always a hit with the kids, who always get a thrill on the rides’ twists, turns, and spins.
When you attend, you’re invited to participate in a street carnival with refreshment concessions and the Wo-Zha-Wa Run, Wisconsin’s oldest long-distance race. Runners can take part in the challenging half-marathon course, or the fast-paced four-mile run.
Festival admission is free, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t go to this Wisconsin favorite!
All activities located in Downtown Wisconsin Dells & Bowman Park.
You can get to the Dells easily, of course: I-90/94, U.S. 12, or Highways 13, 16, or 23 all bring you there. Check their website for full details!
Here’s a video from a ways back of Wo-Zha-Wa Days (not that it’s much different now) to give you an idea:
Schedule of Events:
Friday, September 13th
All Day Concessions and Carnival Rides
8 am – 5 pm Maxwell Street Days
8 am – 6 pm Antique & Collectibles Market
Noon – 5 pm Arts & Crafts Fair
Noon – 5 pm Funtime Bounce Houses and Obstacle Course
3:30-5:30pm Kindschi Pedal Pulls
Saturday, September 14th
Day Concessions and Carnival Rides
Wo-Zha-Wa Run
8 am – 5 pm Maxwell Street Days
8 am Race for the Future Run Visit the website
8 am – 6 pm Antique & Collectibles Market
9am – 5 pm Arts & Crafts Fair
9am – 5pm Funtime Bounce Houses and Obstacle Course
Sunday, September 15th
All Day Concessions and Carnival Rides
8 am – 3 pm Maxwell Street Days
8 am – 3 pm Antique & Collectibles Market
9 am – 3 pm Arts & Crafts Fair
9 am – 3pm Funtime Bounce Houses and Obstacle Course
1:30 pm PARADE
Post Parade South Shore Performance at the Elm Street Plaza
Wo-Zha-Wa Days Website
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September 7, 2024
Oconomowoc Fall Festival
Celebrate the coming of fall with the Oconomowoc Fall Festival. This lovely town at the western edge of Waukesha County’s Lake Country has a bustling downtown nestled around Fowler Lake and Lac La Belle, and the big party is on Saturday, September 7th from 9am – 8pm, rain or shine.
There will be over 80 street vendors, lots of food, shopping, kids’ events, dancing, and festivities including a Beer Garden. Some details are still being adjusted, but for now there’s still a Chili Pepper Eating Contest in the afternoon, along with kayak races you can watch, or even participate in! Live music will punctuate the fun afternoon into evening.
Here’s the music lineup:
12:30pm – Candy Cigarette
2pm – The Stangs
4:15pm – Throw Back Stereo
7pm – Kingfish Band
An outdoor movie begins at dusk, extending the Oconomowoc Fall Festival well into the evening. While in Oconomowoc, check out the Wizard of Oz display in Oz Plaza along Wisconsin Avenue (the movie’s official premiere took place there on August 12, 1939), a great classic drive-in called The Kiltie, as well as craft breweries like Brewfinity and SteelTank.
You can get to Oconomowoc via Highway 16 or Highway 67. Forget the bypass routes; follow the original roads right into downtown. That includes Main Street, Summit Avenue, and Wisconsin Avenue. The downtown is three miles north of I-94, via Exit 282 – which is Highway 67.
Oconomowoc Fall Festival Address:
Wisconsin Avenue & Main Street (“city” Highways 16 & 67)
133 E. Wisconsin Avenue
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
(262) 567-1826
Website
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Sputnik Fest
The festival draws plenty of space fans – with Star Wars and Star Trek characters well-represented – costume contests, music, go-kart racing down 8th Street (there’s a bit of a hill towards the heart of downtown), food, drinks, and even an “alien drop”, where hundreds of mini-alien figures are dropped from a cherry picker – some with prizes. Even the hosting group, the Rahr-West Art Museum, calls it a “wacky tacky” weekend. Music from bands like Bazooka Joe add to the fun! Family fun continues with the Cosmic Kids Creation Station, which offers tye-dye, clay painting, and rocket building, plus live statues, portrait paintings, and more.
Sputnikfest Schedule of Events:
11:00-2:00PM DJ
11:30AM Photo Op with Sputnikfest Police (courtesy of the Masquers theater company)
12:00-5:00PM Art Space and Children’s Games
12:00-Noon 5K Art Walk/Run (register at: https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Manitowoc/Sputnikfest5KWalkRun)
1:00-3:00PM Meet and Greet with 501st Wisconsin Garrison
12:00PM Lakeshore 1st Robotics
2:00-6:00PM Musical entertainment by XPOSED 4 HEADS
3:00PM Pet Parade and contest
4:00PM Cosmic Kids Parade and contest
5:00PM Captain Space Debris (Alien Adults) Parade and Contest
6:00PM Alien Raffle Drop
Get more details here.
Sputnikfest Address:
Rahr-West Art Museum
610 N. 8th Street (8th & Park, U.S. 10 & Business 42)
Manitowoc, WI 54220
Website
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August 31, 2024 – September 1, 2024
Taste of Madison
Taste of Madison happens on the Capitol Square, one of the most dynamic and beautiful places in Wisconsin with the shops, restaurants, bars, museums, and more surrounding our gorgeous State Capitol. U.S. 151/Washington Avenue brings you closest, although U.S. 12, U.S. 14, U.S. 18, U.S. 51, and Highways 30 and 113 all bring you to Madison.
Taste of Madison Hours:
Saturday, August 31st 2pm – 9pm
Sunday, September 5th: 11am – 7pm
Get the full list of participating restaurants (with address and phone where available) below or from the Taste of Madison website!
All Star Catering
Arod’s Tex-Mex
Banzo
Bel-Air Cantina
Ben’s Soft Pretzels
Bob’s BBQ Emporium
Buraka East African Cuisine
Cafe Costa Rica – Mango Man Cooks
Caracas Arepas/Caracas Empenadas
Chez Moi
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company
Common Pasta
Cooper’s Hawk
Culinarynirvana
Curd Girl
Daddy Rocks
David’s Jamaican Cuisine
DonutNV
Draper Brothers Chophouse
El Gran Taco Gato
El Sabor de Puebla
Ernie’s Kettle Korn
Famous Dave’s
Fresh Mart
Gigi’s Cupcakes
Glazed
Gyros Express
Hibachi Hut
Hong Kong Cafe
Jakarta Cafe
JDs Taste of Chicago
Just Veggiez
KC Taste Asian Cuisine
Kerol’s Kitchen
Keur Fatou Catering
Kona Ice of Madison
La Pollera Columbiana
La Taguara
Lao Laan-Xang
Les Delices de Awa
Little Orbits Mini Donuts
Little Tibet Madison
Lombardino’s Restaurant
Melting Pot
6816 Odana Rd., Madison
608-833-5676
Milano Ice
6816 Odana Rd., Madison
608-572-5543
Mirch Masala
449 State St., Madison
608-665-3667
Monona Bakery & Eatery
4544 Monona Drive, Madison
608-720-1133
Native Food Network – Mobile Farmers Market
7 N. Pickney, Suite 235, Madison
608-280-1267
Natural Juice
7 N. Pinckney, Suite 235, Madison
608-628-9280
North & South Seafood & Smokehouse
6604 Mineral Point Rd., Madison
608-829-0093
The Old Fashioned
23 N. Pinckney, Madison
608-310-4545
Pagoda Smoothie Food Cart
People’s Bakery
2810 E. Washington Ave., Madison
608-245-0404
The Post
24 S. Carroll St., Madison
608-327-1101
Poke Poke
600 Williamson St., Madison
608-665-3306
RibMasters WI
Food Truck, Madison
608-669-0955
The Rigby Pub and Grill
119 E Main St, Madison
608-442-1112
The Rodeo Wagon
Food Cart
Roll Play
The Roman Candle
1054 Williamson St., Madison
608-258-2000
Sabor Queretano
4512 E. Washington Ave., Madison
608-209-0643
Savi Cafe & Catering
215 S. Hamilton, Madison
608-283-4903
Schultz’s Sugar River Kettle Corn
N9560 Hwy. 92, Belleville
608-217-9137
Smokin’ Cantina
Madison Food Cart
608-438-9643
Smokin’ Dragons
Soho Gourmet Cuisines
2990 Cahill Main #106, Madison
608-960-4011
Steak Escape
212 East Towne Mall, Madison
608-333-1103
Surco Peruvian
515 Cottage Grove Rd., Madison
608-957-1716
Tavernakaya
27 E. Main St., Madison
608-286-1548
Teriyaki Samurai
Food Cart, Madison
608-338-5660
The Globe
309 N. Henry St., Madison
608-640-4435
TnT’s Coffee & Cafe
729 N High Point Rd, Madison
608-831-2298
Toast
728 State Street, Madison
608-692-4549
Toppers
1368 Regent St., Madison
Ugly Apple
Food Cart
608-352-8459
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August 28, 2024 – September 2, 2024
Walworth County Fair
It’s the oldest county fair in Wisconsin – this will be its 175th year! The Walworth County Fair features livestock judging, exhibits, carnival rides, bull riding, concessions, harness racing, tractor and truck pulls, demolition derby, and free grandstand shows. Every long Labor Day weekend, the fair draws thousands of visitors to Elkhorn for this 6-day extravaganza, making it the single biggest event in Elkhorn and Walworth County.
“Stars, Stripes, and Fair Delights!” is the theme this year. Grandstand Events this year include:
There’s also the Strut Your Stuff Recipe Challenge, Rooster Crowing Contests, Barnyard Races, Fairest of the Fair, Bull Riding, a series of Horse Events, the Farmers Market & Old World Artisan Village, a Sunday morning Classic Car & Tractor Parade, and Kiddieland featuring barnyard adventures and kids’ entertainment. Plenty to do, see, eat, and enjoy at this historic venue!
I-43, U.S. 12, and Highways 11 and 67 all bring you to Elkhorn for the fun. Their website has all the updates and details, including a very full schedule!
Walworth County Fair Address:
411 E. Court Street
Elkhorn, WI 53121
(262) 723-3228
Website
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August 23, 2024 – August 24, 2024
Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival
Dragon boat racing is not only one of the fastest growing water sports in the world; it is also one of the most exciting! As one of the largest festivals of its kind, The Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival in Superior holds this community-building tradition on Friday, August 23rd and Saturday, August 24th, 2024.
Watch the races at Barker’s Island, feast on fantastic food, enjoy celebratory music, song and dance, shop the craft fair, and commemorate the weekend with a time-honored awards ceremony.
On the first festival day, Barker’s Island is transformed into a small city where thousands of people from the Midwest U.S. and central Canada join in community, camaraderie and competition. It’s a weekend of live music and dancing, fantastic food and food trucks, hay rides, children’s crafts and entertainment, and an awards ceremony. Fireworks will light the sky that night, too!
Saturday the 24th begins early with the Optimists Club Breakfast and of course, more boats and parades. Children’s activities begin at 8am, and Dragon Boat Racing begins at 9am. There’s also the Craft Fair, the Stterlling Silver Dance Studio , the Rose Petal Ceremony, Korean Sword Demonstrations, Mark Rubin performing as he does every year, and of course the final race heats and the closing awards ceremony.
Get the full guide here!
You’ll find the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival in Superior just off U.S. 2/53 (2nd Street) close to Highways 13, 35, and I-535.
Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival Address:
Barker’s Island
300 Marina Drive
Superior, WI 54880
(715) 395-6169
Website
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August 23, 2024 – August 25, 2024
Artstreet
Music Lineup
MAIN STAGE
Friday 8/23/24
TBA
Saturday 8/24/24
TBA
Sunday 8/25/24
TBA
COMMUNITY STAGE
Friday 8/23/24
TBA
Saturday 8/24/24
TBA
Sunday 8/25/24
TBA
Ashwaubomay Park is an 84 acre park, conveniently located between the National Railroad Museum and the Brown County Fairgrounds, at 2881 South Broadway, 54304.
Artstreet Admission is free; donations, of course, are welcomed! You can get to downtown Green Bay via I-41 or I-43 via U.S. 141, or Highways 29, 32, 54, 57, or 172.
Artstreet Hours:
Friday, August 23 | 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm (music until 10 pm)
Saturday, August 24 | 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (music until 9 pm)
Sunday, August 25 | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Artstreet Address:
Ashwaybomay Park
2882 S. Broadway
Green Bay, WI 54304
(920) 435-5220
Website
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August 23, 2024 – August 25, 2024
Great River Folk Festival
The annual Great River Folk Festival is a family-friendly Saturday featuring outdoor contemporary and traditional folk music right in La Crosse’s beautiful Riverside Park. Along with the music, you can enjoy demonstrations of traditional crafts and plenty of craft items for sale from artists across the spectrum, ethnic food and children’s activities. The Driftless Folk School will be demonstrating Spoon Carving, Spindle Spinning and Small Basket weaving throughout the day—11 and 5 pm.
Check out the full music lineup below. Ticket prices range from $10 or Sunday only to $55 for all three days and nights of the festival (if you buy by August 18th, they’re $75 at the gate for all three days), with numerous options in between. Get details here.
Riverside Park is a beautiful space along the Mississippi River on the west edge of downtown La Crosse. Along with the Great River Folk Festival you’ll find historic and contemporary statutes, beautiful views of the river and bluffs, access to riverboats, restaurants, hotels, the Turtle Stack Brewing Company, and plenty of hotels to spend the night – all within easy walking distance.
Great River Folk Festival Music Schedule:
Activities in Riverside Park include:
U.S. 14, 53, and 61, as well as Highways 16, 33, 35, and I-90 all bring you to La Crosse, which has plenty of other fun things to check out, too!
Great River Folk Festival Address:
Riverside Park
100 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 784-3033
Website
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August 23, 2024 – August 25, 2024
Lake Geneva Maxwell Street Days
Lake Geneva is a great place to visit and shop, and Maxwell Street Days offers “Hot Deals for Those Hot Summer Days”!
Maxwell Street Days Annual Summer Sidewalk Sale returns with the best shopping steals of the year Friday, August 23rd through Sunday, August 25th with more than 25 years of great bargains on clothing, shoes, jewelry, gifts, artwork, sporting goods, books and more, plus fabulous food and entertainment from downtown shops and restaurants. Dine al fresco, enjoy live music, and celebrate the end of summer! offers extra opportunities to find bargains on some great stuff! Check out the list of participating locations here.
U.S. 12 and Highways 50 and 120 bring you to Lake Geneva, home to plenty of fun activities. Enjoy the downtown shops and restaurants, craft breweries like Topsy Turvy Brewing and MashTun Brewing, the beautiful beach along the shores of Geneva Lake, shows from the internationally-renown Tristan Crist Magic Theater to The Belfry, amazing golf courses including Geneva National and the Grand Geneva, winter skiing at Alpine Valley, The Mountaintop at Grand Geneva, and Wilmot Mountain… the list goes on!
Lake Geneva Maxwell Street Days Address:
Downtown Lake Geneva, centered on Highway 50 (Main Street) at Broad Street (see map)
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Info: (262) 248-4416
Website
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August 22, 2024 – August 25, 2024
West Bend GERMANFest
Welcome to the 38th Annual West Bend GERMANfest! This celebration of German Heritage and Gemütlichkeit takes place Thursday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 25th, 2024. GERMANfest is an outdoor festival featuring two stages of continuous ethnic and other music, authentic German food and dancing, Sheepshead tournaments, Kinderzone, fine selection of beer and wine, souvenirs, daily raffles, and more.
Take in all the food, fun, and Festlichkeit that awaits you and others as you enjoy the huge outdoor, tented danced floor, fabulous array of musical guests and of course excellent food and beverages. West Bend Germanfest is easy to find, located centrally on the corners of Walnut and Main Street in the heart of downtown West Bend, rich with history. Highways 33 and 144 meet in downtown West Bend, a few miles east of the U.S. 45 bypass of the city. The original U.S. 45, as Main Street, cuts right past the GERMANfest grounds. Check out Riverside Brewery while you’re there!
West Bend GERMANfest Address:
5th Avenue & Walnut Street
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 338-0690
Website
2024 West Bend GERMANfest Music Lineup
Thursday, August 22nd
Liquid Crush 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Rebel Grace 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Friday, August 23rd
Cedar Singers 10:00-11:00am
Goodtime Dutchmen 11:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-2:00pm
John Dietz & the Twin Lakes Trio 12:00-1:00pm, 2:00-3:00pm
Ryan Kautzer Band 3:00pm-4:00pm, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Copper Box 4:00-5:00pm, 6:00-8:00pm
The Nix 8:00pm-11:00pm
Saturday, August 24th
Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt 10:00-11:00am
RiverCity Blaskapelle 11:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-2:00pm
Dave Austin Band 12:00-1:00pm, 2:00pm-3:00pm
Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen 3:00pm-4:00pm, 5:30-6:30pm
Lynn Marie and the Nashville Polka Guys 4:15pm-5:30pm, 6:45pm-8:00pm
Alex Meixner Band 8:00-11:00pm
Sunday, August 25th
The Mike Schneider Band 10:00am-11:00am, 11:45am-1:00pm
Pint Sixed Polkas 11am-11:45am
Lynn Marie and the Nashville Polka Guys 1:00pm-2:30pm, 4:00pm-5:30pm
Alex Meixner Band 2:30pm-4:00pm, 5:30pm-8:00pm
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August 22, 2024 – August 25, 2024
Rutabaga Festival, Cumberland
Let’s face it: the Rutabaga doesn’t get enough recognition. Cumberland rectifies that with their annual Rutabaga Festival Thursday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 25th!
Happening since 1932, Cumberland’s Rutabaga Festival includes live entertainment, a pedal tractor pull, pepper-eating contest, basketball shootout, craft show, morning bike tour, a grand parade… and rutabagas. (Which we think are what makes a pasty so much better!)
Come enjoy the Cumberland Rutabaga Festival Run on Saturday morning! Choose from a half marathon, 5K run, or 2 mile fun run/walk. All races start at 8 am at the Cumberland High School. You can also just watch if you prefer and cheer everyone on.
You’ll find Cumberland – aka “The Island City” – along U.S. 63 and Highway 48 in northwestern Barron County. Check out the amazing selection at Louie’s Finer Meats in town while you’re there! It’s a State Trunk Tour favorite.
Cumberland Rutabaga Festival Address:
Downtown Cumberland
Cumberland, WI 54829
(715) 822-FEST
Website
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August 17, 2024 – August 18, 2024
Art & Chalk Fest, West Bend
West Bend’s Museum of Wisconsin Art hosts its annual Art & Chalk Fest Saturday, August 17th and Sunday, August 18th. This free, outdoor, fine arts festival features 65+ fine artists selling their work and 15+ chalk artists from across the nation creating masterpieces before your eyes!
Art activities for all ages are offered throughout the weekend along with live entertainment and music, food vendors, a beer garden, an art raffle, and free admission for the weekend to the Museum of Wisconsin Art. You can create your own chalk masterpiece on the concrete canvas of Veterans Avenue. Cool off inside the museum with art projects and grab an interactive family guide to explore the Among the Wonders of the Dells exhibition! The MOWA Shop will also be open to shop more Wisconsin art along with an outdoor booth.
The Food and Beer Garden will offer beers from Lakefront Brewery, wines and sangria, soda, water, and more. Food selections include Just Smokin’ Barbecue, the Falafel Guys, Lovely & Tasty Walking Taco, Cousins Subs, Laughing Mountain Popcorn, Nosh Nook, CS Foods, Purple Door Ice Cream, J. Wade Confections, the Nutman Company, and Concoctions.
Live Entertainment Schedule:
Saturday, August 17th
10:30 Milwaukee Hittaz Drumline
1:30 Warped Dance Company
3:30 Peter Alt Group
Sunday, Augsut 18th
10:30 Little Priest Singers
1:30 Warped Dance Company
3:30 Sainted Patrons
You’ll find the Museum of Wisconsin Art along the east banks of the Milwaukee River in downtown West Bend. It’s along the Eisenbahn State Trail, just south of Highway 33/Washington Avenue. Highway 144 comes in from the north and west; the U.S. 45 freeway bypass is less than two miles to the west. Nearby, you can also enjoy shopping in downtown West Bend, local brews at the Riverside Brewery, custard at the Toucan on Highway 144, and more.
Art & Chalk Fest Address:
Museum of Wisconsin Art
205 Veterans Avenue
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 334-9639
Website
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August 14, 2024 – August 18, 2024
Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival
The 71st annual Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival is BACK at Angell Park this year, taking place Wednesday, August 14th through Sunday, August 18th, 2024!
Enjoy a carnival-midway complete with a wide variety of carnival games and rides, food booths, live bands, a “kiddie korner” with large inflatables, a cornhole tournament, family entertainment, a beer shelter, and much more! Of course fresh, locally-grown sweet corn is available to enjoy. Check out parades and a music lineup including:
The Dirtybirds
Supertuesday
The Jimmys
La Movida (the radio station)
Angell Park is a beautiful historic park adjacent to Sun Prairie’s downtown. It’s also home to the Angell Park Speedway, a 1/3 dirt oval that dates back to 1903! You can reach Angell Park via Highway 19 through the city. From the U.S. 151 bypass, follow Main Street or the Highway 19 exit. You can also easily reach Angell Park via County N north from I-94 at the Cottage Grove exit.
Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival Address:
Angell Park & Angell Park Speedway
300 Park Street
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 837-4547
Website
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August 10, 2024
Yellowstone Trail Heritage Day
Hudson was the last Wisconsin stop for westbound travelers on the iconic Yellowstone Trail, which in St. Croix County roughly follows the path of today’s U.S. 12. The city celebrates 111 years of history for the Trail on Saturday, August 10th this year with Yellowstone Trail Heritage Day.
The year was 1912 and the auto was gaining popularity. It wasn’t uncommon for horse drawn wagons to share potholes with the automobiles that also traveled the country roads and passed through everything the horses left behind.
A few ambitious folks got together and decided to connect county roads which resulted in the first transcontinental road – The Yellowstone Trail. From “Plymouth Rock to Puget Sound!”
Check out Hudson on August 10th for family fun around town with a Vintage and Class Car Show, Cemetery Walk, Pie and Ice Cream Social, Children’s Activities and a drive on the Yellowstone Trail!
Other activities planned include a Car Show, Children’s Activities, a Pie & Ice Cream Social at First Baptist Church, Historic Downtown Hudson Walking Tours, Cemetery Walk @ Willow River Cemetery, Octagon House Tours, Ciranda Garden Fair, Non-Profit Community Fair, Coco’s Heart Rescue, and more. Check out their website for details.
Hudson is right along U.S. 12 (which follows portions of the original Yellowstone Trail) and Highway 35. I-94 runs along the south side of town, and Highway 64 is just a few miles north. Check out this beautiful city on the St. Croix River, and for great waterfalls and trails be sure to hit Willow River State Park nearby!
Yellowstone Trail Heritage Day Address:
Various locations in downtown Hudson
Hudson, WI 54016
(715) 386-8411
Website
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August 9, 2024 – August 11, 2024
Irishfest La Crosse
La Crosse celebrates its Irish heritage and parties down at Irishfest the weekend of August 9-11, 2024! They call it “the only Irishfest under a roof,” but there’s indoor and outdoor fun to be had. Load up on great Irish food from Corned beef, cabbage and mash to a Banger sandwich, Kilkenny Coddle, or Bailey’s Irish Cream Cheesecake. Quaff beverages from Guinness, Killian’s Irish Red, Harp, and Finnegan’s to a variety of Irish teas and Leprechaun Punch. Nearby restaurants like Dublin Square in La Crosse and the Monarch Public House from Fountain City will be there to make sure you’re all fueled up.
Enjoy great live music on multiple stages from performers like Gaelic Storm, Seo Linn, Byrne Brothers, Onoir, Screaming Orphans, Gadan, Scattering hosted by Ian Gould, performances from the Glencastle Irish Dancers, and many more!
You’ll find plenty of activities on the Harp Stage, in the Cultural Tent, kids can enjoy the Wee Folks Area, play Highland Games, or explore your ancestry in the Genealogy Tent.
Participate in the Irishfest Raffle and you could win a trip to Ireland, to Scotland, or to next year’s Irishfest La Crosse (that would be the order of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes…)
Saturday, check out the Killian’s Kilt Run/Walk Saturday morning, or participate in the Mashed Potato Eating Contest (basically, burning carbs or taking them in!) Saturday afternoon at 1pm, and then watch Irish Road Bowling. Fireworks will light up the sky Saturday night! Sunday morning features an Irish Fiddle Contest.
Tickets are $25 for a 3-Day Pass, and $15 for an adult one-day pass. Children 17 and Under are FREE during the entire festival.
Get the Irishfest La Crosse Schedule of Events here!
Irishfest La Crosse Festival Hours:
Friday, August 9th: 4 pm – Midnight
Saturday, August 10th: Noon – Midnight
Sunday, August 11th: Mass 10am, rest of grounds 11 am – 6pm
You’ll find Irishfest right off U.S. 53 in La Crosse, about 4 miles south of I-90. U.S. 14/61 and Highways 16, 33, and 35 all bring you into town!
Irishfest La Crosse Address:
Southside Fest Grounds
2nd & La Crosse Streets
La Crosse, WI 54602
(800) 658-9424
Website
Plenty of Irish dancing will be there for your entertainment too, like this!
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August 9, 2024 – August 11, 2024
Sheboygan Midwest Racing Challenge
The Sheboygan Midwest Challenge, a festival and celebration of powerboat racing, will feature the top categories of U.S. powerboat racing. The UIM Class 1 World Championship returns with boats capable of 160 mph!
For the first time, Sheboygan is also a host city to the American Powerboat Racing Association’s (APBA) National Championship, with 14 classes of fast boats in action. More than 60 race teams are expected to participate with competitors from around the world, including Australia, Italy, Sweden, Canada, the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas. You can view the action from the harbor area or the expansive areas along North and South Beach. Throughout downtown Sheboygan, you’ll find ample facilities for food, drink, and lodging.
Sheboygan Midwest Challenge Schedule of Events:
FRIDAY AUGUST 9
10:00 am to 5:00 pm: Walk through the pit area near Deland Park to see the boats and race crew up close and personal.
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm: Watch the high-speed testing of the race boats on Lake Michigan. The six-mile offshore course is along the Sheboygan South Beach, Kite Beach, and South Shore.
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm: Enjoy the kickoff block party at City Green downtown. View the powerboats that will be racing in the Sheboygan Midwest Challenge as they set up on the streets of downtown. Dance to the music of the King of Mars at City Green. Food trucks and beverage concessions are available. Accessible to the public.
SATURDAY AUGUST 10
9:00 am to 5:00 pm: P1 Fan Zone opens at the end of South Pier, where vendors, food trucks, and beverages are located.
9:30 am to 4:00 pm: VIP Hospitality tent open at South Pier lawn. Tickets for the VIP tent are available at https://tealreef.ticketspice.com/sheboygan.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm: Walk through the pit area near Deland Park to see the boats and race crew up close and personal.
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Bring your chairs, blankets, food, and drinks and watch the races on the six-mile offshore course along Sheboygan South Beach, Kite Beach, and South Shore. Food trucks and beverage stations are also available throughout the area.
11:00 am to 6:00 pm: Sheboygan Yacht Club will host a brat fry and concessions in the northeast lot and outdoor pavilion just north of the river on Broughton Drive. After walking through the pit area, stop in for food and beverages. Spectators, visitors, and the public are welcome on the Yacht Club grounds—live music from Uncle Meat from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.
11:00 am: Opening Ceremony to kick off the races on the South Pier lawn. Watch the powerboat races streamed to the jumbo screen at the official event stage on the South Pier lawn.
11:30 am to 12:30 pm: Class 1 Qualifying Round
12:45 pm to 1:45 pm: Race 1 – Superstock Class
2:00 pm to 10:00 pm: Driftwood South Pier serves food and drinks under the tent. Live music from Benson Klemme from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm and the Flying Zebras from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
2:15 pm to 3:15 pm: Race 2 – Class 1 (Race 1)
3:15 pm to 4:15 pm: Race 3 – 450R, Super V
SUNDAY AUGUST 11
9:00 am to 2:00 pm: Driftwood South Pier serves beverages under the tent featuring Bloody Mary’s and Mimosa’s. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm: P1 Fan Zone opens at the end of Sout Pier, where vendors, food trucks, and beverages are located. 9:00 am to 4:00 pm: Walk through the pit area near Deland Park to see the boats and race crew up close and personal. 9:30 am to 4:00 pm: VIP Hospitality tent open at South Pier lawn. Tickets for the VIP tent are available at https://tealreef.ticketspice.com/sheboygan.
9:30 am to 4:00 pm: Bring your chairs, blankets, food, and drinks and watch the races on the six-mile offshore course along Sheboygan South Beach, Kite Beach, and South Shore. Food trucks and beverage stations are also available throughout the area.
10:00 am: Opening Ceremony to kick off the races on the South Pier lawn. Watch the powerboat races streamed to the jumbo screen at the official event stage on the South Pier lawn.
11:00 am to 12 pm: Race 4 – Class 1 MAVTV (Race 2)
12:15 pm to 1:15 pm: Race 5 – Bracket Class 700, 600, 500
1:45 pm to 2:45 pm: Race 6 – Mod V, (Bracket 400, 300, 200)
2:45 pm to 3:15 pm: Race 7 – Supercat
5:00 pm: Celebrate with the winners at the Awards Ceremony on the main stage on the South Pier lawn.
You can get to downtown Sheboygan and the lakefront via Highways 23, 28, or 42 in from I-43.
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August 8, 2024 – August 11, 2024
Watertown Riverfest
Watertown Riverfest is back at Riverside Park along the Rock River, Thursday, August 8th through Sunday, August 11th this year! Riverfest is FREE once again this year with plenty of fun, family-friendly activities and live music.
Some Riverfest Events Include:
Riverfest Half Marathon and 5K Saturday morning, 8:30am start
Bean Bag Tournament Saturday morning, 10am
Craft Fair Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 5pm, with plenty of artists and craftsman display their items in a natural setting on the Riverside Park island
Horseshoe Tourament, Saturday, 1:00pm
Raft/Kayak Race Saturday 9:30am, Two person raft race on the Rock River from the Main Street bridge at Tivoli Island to Riverside Park
Classic Car Show featuring classic automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles Sunday, 9am – 3pm
FULL Watertown Riverfest Schedule of Events
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8TH
4:00 – 10:00pm A Taste of Watertown
4:00 – 8:00pm Face Painting/Body Art
4:00 – 8:00pm Chainsaw Art
4:00 – 9:00pm Bernie Tennis/Caricature Artist
4:00 – 10:00pm RVR Rides (wristband 5-9pm)
4:00 – 5:00pm Happy Hour Drink Specials w/Big Style Brass Band
5:00 – 6:45pm Big Spoon
7:15 – 10:00pm BACK TO THE ’90s featuring COLOR ME BADD, C&C MUSIC FACTORY FEATURING FREEDOM WILLIAMS & YOUNG MC
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9TH
12:00noon – 10:00pm RVR Rides (wristband noon-5pm)
12:00noon – 8:00pm Face Painting/Body Art
12:00noon – 9:00pm Bernie Tennis/Caricature Artist
4:00 – 8:00pm Chainsaw Art
noon – 10:00pm A Taste of Watertown
4:00 – 5:00pm Happy Hour Drink Specials w/Big Style Brass Band
5:00 – 6:30pm COMMOTION – TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
7:00 – 10:00pm BREE MORGAN RELOADED
10:00pm Pyromusical Fireworks & Laser Light Show
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10TH
8:00am Kids Fun Run
8:30am 5K Run
9:00am – 5:00pm Craft Fair
9:00am – 8:00pm Bernie Tennis/Caricature Artist
10:00am Bean Bag Tournament
11:00am – 8:00pm Chainsaw Art
11:00am – 10:00pm A Taste of Watertown
12 Noon – 8:00pm Face Painting / Body Art
12noon – 10:00pm RVR Rides (wristband noon-5pm)
1:00 – 3:00pm Horseshoe Tournament
1:00 – 3:30pm DJ Shawna
1:30 – 2:00pm Milwaukee Bucks Rim Rockers Performance
2:00 – 2:30pm Milwaukee Bucks Bango Mingle and Dance Party
2:30 – 3:00pm Milwaukee Bucks Rim Rockers Performance
3:30 – 6:00pm Pat McCurdy
6:30 – 8:00pm Hypnotized – The Music of Fleetwood Mac
8:30 – 10:00pm STARSHIP, FEATURING MICKEY THOMAS
10:15pm Pyromusical Fireworks & Laser Light Show (RAIN DATE)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11TH
9:00am Tennis Tournament
9:00am – 3:00pm Car Show
9:00am – 5:00pm Craft Fair
11:00am – 1:30pm Chainsaw Art
11:00am – 5:00pm A Taste of Watertown
11:45am – noon Main Street Bridge Naming Ceremony
12noon – 5:00pm Face Painting / Body Art
12noon – 6:00pm RVR Rides (wristband noon-5pm)
12noon – 2:00pm Big Al & the Hi-Fi’s
2:30pm – 5:00pm COUNT’S 77
3:00pm Chainsaw Art Auction
3:30pm – 4:00pm Car Show Awards
5:00pm Raffle Drawing
5:30pm Festival Closes
Watertown is right where Highways 16, 19, and 26 meet. It’s about 7 miles north of I-94
Watertown Riverfest Address:
916 Labaree Street
Watertown, WI 53098
Website
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August 1, 2024 – August 4, 2024
Mile of Music
Appleton’s “Mile of Music” Festival (X/Twitter: @MileofMusicFest) serves up original singer-songwriters, combos and multi-piece bands showcasing Americana music at both its most colorful and its very best. Genres include roots and indie rock, country, gospel, soul, R&B, jazz and folk. This year’s Mile of Music 11 takes place August 1-4, 2024.
This grassroots festival was co-founded by Appleton marketing executive Dave Willems and Appleton/Nashville-based national recording artist and Grammy nominee Cory Chisel in 2013. Willems Marketing & Events continues to run Mile of Music, with the support of over 100 community organizations and sponsors. Presenting sponsor Fox Communities Credit Union and other major sponsors have allowed this event to be FREE.
Mile of Music is noted as a “handcrafted artisan festival” with over 200 artists and acts across 40 venues spanning a mile… of music (hence the name!)
Venues vary and include coffee shops, bars, parks, restaurants, museums and other public spaces. with more of them outdoors in the wake of the pandemic we all had to deal with. Some of Mile 11’s biggest artists will perform at the Main Stage in Houdini Plaza, one of the festival’s most popular venues. Remember, Harry Houdini spent time in Appleton and claimed it as his hometown!
Local brewpub Stone Arch will offer up its artisan Mile of Music Americana Pale Ale to add to the flavor of the festival. Music fans who love bicycling can work off those beer calories and indulge their music passions with Bike to the Beat. Added fun includes the Tub of Tunes giveaway, where one lucky attendee will win a bathtub full of CDs and vinyl from Mile 10 artists.
They even have their own radio station, Mile of Music Radio. Listen to it here!
Check it out all weekend in Appleton. Their website has the complete lineup, and you can also download their special app for updates, details on all the events, and more. You can also get the full schedule here – it’s a busy one!
Appleton is easily accessible via I-41, U.S. 10, Highways 15, 47, 96, or, of course 125 – because if you’re on Highway 125, you’re in Appleton already. Highway 441 provides a bypass around the city that allows you to enter from points east and south.
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July 20, 2024 – July 21, 2024
Midsummer Festival of the Arts
The John Michael Kohler Arts Center celebrates the Midsummer Festival of the Arts July 20-21, 2024. More than 135 artists descend on downtown Sheboygan for a weekend of exhibitions, all set amidst gardens surrounding the world-class Arts Center with its light-filled spaces, 12 galleries, and ARTcafe.
Fun, hands-on workshops for the whole family include “Concrete Creations: Fantasy Faces,” Clay Play, Marvelous Magificent Mobiles, and face painting for the kids (I think it’s just for kids, heck, doesn’t hurt to ask if you’re a grown-up and want your face painted, too.)
Visit the food court where the Culinary Art Car and other food trucks will recharge your energy reserves with a wrap, cheese curds, bratwurst, gyros, ice cream, or one of many other delicious treats.
Festivalgoers will be treated to “finger-snappin’, toe-tappin’”, free concerts from the Levitt AMP Sheboygan Music Series. The lineup includes the Mark Croft Band and Well-Known Strangers on Saturday. This Big Life, King Solomon, and Big Little Lions are scheduled to take the stage on Sunday.
Click here for all the details on the Midsummer Festival of the Arts, including a schedule of events and all the particulars. Admission is FREE.
Midsummer Festival of the Arts Address:
John Michael Kohler Arts Center
608 New York Avenue
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 458-6144
You’ll find the John Michael Kohler Arts Center on New York Avenue just east of 7th Street. It’s right between the heart of the Sheboygan’s downtown and Lake Michigan. Highways 23, 28, and 42 all bring you into town!
While in Sheboygan, check out their new City Green, which we discuss (along with many other things Sheboygan!) in our State Trunk Tour Podcast:
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July 18, 2024 – July 21, 2024
Country Thunder
Some of the biggest acts in country music hit Twin Lakes for Country Thunder over four days, July 18-21, 2024! Country Thunder takes place in multiple venues across North America including Arizona, Tennessee, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Florida, and Wisconsin! It takes place in Twin Lakes, right by the Wisconsin-Illinois border between Lake Geneva and Kenosha. Plenty of campsites are available and you can purchase tickets here. If you don’t want to camp, you can stay elsewhere and shuttle in, including the Lakefront Shuttle from Lake Geneva.
Country Thunder Headliners & Lineups for 2024:
3:30pm Grace Tyler
5:00pm Dillon Carmichael
6:30pm Stephen Wilson Jr.
8:00pm Randy Houser
10:00pm Koe Wetzel
Friday, July 19
3:30pm Lauren Watkins
5:00pm John Morgan
6:30pm Phil Vassar
8:00pm Kip Moore
10:00pm Lainey Wilson
Saturday, July 20
2:00pm Emily Ann Roberts
3:30pm Josh Ross
5:00pm The Bellamy Brothers
6:30pm Jake Worthington
8:00pm Bailey Zimmerman
10:00pm Nickelback
Sunday, July 21
2:30pm Meghan Patrick
4:00pm Randall King
5:30pm Jackson Dean
7:00pm Elle King
9:00pm Eric Church
The Boathouse Cabana will feature many additional acts across all four days.
The Country Thunder grounds are very close to the Wisconsin-Illinois state line, centrally located between Highway O and Highway P, near 119th St in southwestern Kenosha County. U.S. 12 is close by; Twin Lakes is a few miles south of Highway 50 and west of U.S. 45 and Highway 83.
Country Thunder Wisconsin Address:
Country Thunder East
2305 Lance Drive
Twin Lakes, WI 53181
(866) 802-6418
Website