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
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
Rhinelander is the home of the legendary hodag, so it’s only fitting when an amazing country music festival is hosted in town, it’s called the Hodag Country Festival, right?? The 46th edition of the Hodag Country Festival is ready to roll July 11-14, 2024!
There will be a band playing in the Pavilion every day starting Saturday, July 6th, plus a Karaoke Contest will be held on Thursday, July 11th. The chair line will still be on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, however, they have a new procedure with a change in the times for chairs to be put down (the goal is to shorten the lines.) The Chair Line Details can be found here.
Subfest in Manitowoc celebrates its 7th annual event July 3-4, 2021, at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, in combination with the annual Four On the Shore along the lakefront! Come celebrate the 4th of July in Manitowoc at this lakeside celebration, including live music all day, food, self-guided submarine tours, fireworks, kid-friendly activities, a parade, and so much more!
Wisconsin Maritime Museum admission is ONLY $4 all day for everyone, thanks to support from Meijer. General grounds will be open, and there will be special ticket pricing for Tall Ship Adventure tours.
Manitowoc is easy to access via I-43, U.S. 10, U.S. 151, or Highway 42. Follow Waldo Blvd. or U.S. 151 from I-43 to get to the downtown and lakefront areas, and be ready for a fantastic time! Don’t forget to pick up some candy and sweets at Beerntsen’s on 8th Street while you’re there (it’s a State Trunk Tour favorite) and explore Manitowoc’s craft breweries, including PetSkull Brewing downtown and Sabbatical Brewing Company on the west side of town!
A Schedule of Events is below!
2024 Subfest Schedule of Events:
Thursday, July 4th
9:00am – 5:00pm Museum and submarine open, (Veterans, retired military, and active duty military free all weekend)
10:00am – 4:00pm Product/Craft vendors open, YMCA Lot
10:00am Parade (route map) and USS Cobia whistle salute
10:45am – 1:00pm Chicago Mule playing in the East Museum Lot
11:00am – 10:00pm Food Vendors & Beverage Tent, East Museum Lot
11:00am – 10:00pm Sub Pub on the Water (Museum rooftop bar) open
12:00pm Whistle salute, USS Cobia
2:00pm – 5:00pm Make It A Double playing in the East Museum Lot
7:00pm – 11:00pm Rising Phoenix playing in the East Museum Lot
Friday, July 5th
9:00am – 5:00pm Museum and submarine open, (Veterans, retired military, and active duty military free all weekend)
9:00am Tolling of the Boats Ceremony, USS Cobia deck (public welcome to watch from the Riverwalk)
10:00am – 12:00pm Veteran Meet & Greet, WMM Riverview Room
11:00am – 5:00pm Live Music, Food Vendors, and Beverage Tent in East Museum Lot
12:00pm Film Screening – “Blindly We Fought,” WMM Riverview Room
1:00pm Chief of the Boat Presentation, WMM Riverview Room
2:00pm Ballistic Missile Submarine History & USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827), WMM Riverview Room
3:00pm USS Cobia Preservation Presentation, WMM Riverview Room
5:00pm – 10:00pm Sub Pub on the Water (Museum rooftop bar) open
Saturday, July 6th
9:00am – 5:00pm Museum and submarine open, (Veterans, retired military, and active duty military free all weekend)
1:00pm – 6:00pm Eddie Topple II playing at Submariner’s Pub in Two Rivers
5:00pm – 10:00pm Sub Pub on the Water (Museum rooftop bar) open
Sunday, July 7th
8:00am – 12:00pm Bubblehead Brunch buffet at Submariner’s Pub in Two Rivers
9:00am – 5:00pm Museum and submarine open, (Veterans, retired military, and active duty military free all weekend)
1:00pm – 5:00pm Sub Pub on the Water (Museum rooftop bar) open
Four On the Shore Events:
Parking and Transportation Information for Subfest 2024:
The parking lots at the Museum will not be available Sub Fest weekend. There are several public parking lots that will be available after 5:00 pm on Friday and street parking is also available throughout the downtown area. Maritime Drive will be closed off in front of the Museum from 8th street to Buffalo street. Motorcycle parking will be available on Maritime Drive between the Museum and Baymont Hotel. Entrance near the Baymont.
Manitowoc Subfest & Four on the Shore Address:
Wisconsin Maritime Museum
75 Maritime Drive
Manitowoc, WI 54220
(920) 684-0218 Website
The 79th annual Greek Fest Sheboygan takes place Friday – Sunday, June 28-30, 2024 in Sheboygan’s Deland Park on the shores of Lake Michigan! Greek Fest, sponsored by St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, is three full days of authentic Greek food, pastries, beer and wine, and traditional music.
The dance performances and usual Sunday Liturgy service is BACK in 2024! There will be activities for kids including inflatables, and a Sunday raffle also offers the opportunity to win prizes.
The Greek food including gyros, spinach pies, baklava, hot honey puffs, rotisserie chicken with Greek spices, flaming cheese, and more. The flaming cheese – called Saganaki – is breaded Sartori Fontina cheese served with pita bread. Enjoy a tantalizing hot honey puff or some baklava-topped ice cream. FREE admission, free parking. Opa!!
Craving an art-filled weekend brimming with the most luscious summer fruit? Check out the 40th annual Cedarburg Strawberry Festival, sponsored by BMO Harris Bank, June 22-23, 2024. This free, family-oriented festival is a favorite of many, drawing up to 100,000 people annually to toast the bold and delicious fruit in all its forms, and enjoy some of the most decadent homegrown strawberries in the area.
The Cedarburg Strawberry Festival’s many food vendors are sure to please any palate, boasting about an extensive Food Court near the Community Center, offering everything from summer favorites like hamburgers, chicken, BBQ and roasted corn, to sweet treats and specialty foods. Festival Food Court’s exclusive favorites include the “Original” Strawberry Brat, Strawberry Chicken Wrap, and strawberry shortcake. Wander through the Festival for other locally made delicacies such as strawberry pie, strawberry crepes, strawberry slushies and chocolate-covered strawberries. Schmit’s Berry Farm, a local grower, provides the festival with the most ripe and juicy strawberries, available for purchase by the quart.
For attendees with a taste for wine, Cedar Creek Winery’s Strawberry Blush Wine is a must – this and the winery’s other award-winning wines can be purchased by the glass throughout the Cedarburg Strawberry Festival.
Wander down Washington Avenue and you’ll see why “Art is a Tradition” in Cedarburg. Fondly referred to as “Arts on the Avenue,” Strawberry Festival highlights more than 250 of the best local and Midwest artists who bring their combined perspectives, skills, and thousands of works of arts to the streets of Cedarburg, including paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, fiber art, fine glass, woodwork, mixed media, and photography. Art on the Avenue is a combined effort of four local organizations, the Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedar Creek Settlement Merchant’s Association, the Ozaukee Art Center and the Cedarburg Art Museum, and offers one-of-a-kind works of art from functional to surreal, from witty to the elegantly decorative, as well as the opportunity to meet most of the artists in person.
Cedar Creek Settlement events at the north end of town include live bands, food, and features a new Cedar Creek Marketplace as well as a merchant’s marketplace and indoor shopping. The Sunday Morning Strawberry Pancake Breakfast will be worth checking out. The popular breakfast takes place on the north end of the Festival grounds from 8:00-11:00 a.m. and is served by the Cedar Creek Settlement merchants. More than 1,000 customers get their fill of mouthwatering strawberry pancakes while listening to live music outside along Cedar Creek.
Live music all over the Festival’s Historic District satisfies every audiophile all day Saturday and Sunday. The best place to enjoy the live music is at the Gruber Law Office Main Stage – Festival Food Court which will feature rockin’ fun cover bands like Our House and Life in a Tree. Enjoy live music into the evening with extended hours until 8:30 p.m on Saturday, June 25th. The Beer Garden offers shaded seating and is in close proximity to the main Festival Food Court.
For the littlest strawberry-lovers, Henry’s Kids Korner at Cedar Creek Park offers Jo-Don Farms pony rides and petting zoo, inflatable bounce houses, food and tons of other activities and vendors. One of the most popular events is the CedarQuacker 500 sponsored by Port Washington State Bank, where hundreds of rubber ducks are launched into the creek in a race to the finish Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m.
You can check out a little more of Historic Cedarburg with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ozaukee County’s “Berry Big” 5K Run/Walk, which kicks off in Cedar Creek Park on Saturday at 8:15 a.m. for the timed runners and 8:25 a.m. for fun runners/walkers. The route circles through the neighborhoods that surround the downtown area.
If you tire of walking, take a ride on the Country Aire Rides Tractor Hayride Shuttle that travels around the festival route. Off the festival footprint, the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts will feature exhibits and fun family activities.
You’ll find the Cedarburg Strawberry Festival in Cedarburg’s historic downtown along Washington Avenue (historic Highway 57), a few miles north of Highway 167, just east of Highway 181, and south of Highway 60.
Cedarburg Strawberry Festival Address:
Downtown Cedarburg
Washington Avenue
Cedarburg, WI 53012
(262) 377-5856 Website
PrideFest is Wisconsin’s largest LGBT festival and the one that kicks off the “summer of festivals” on Milwaukee’s lakefront. Plenty of shows, activities, food, a marketplace, a parade, and entertainment including a variety of comedy and music acts. The 2024 Pridefest runs June 6th-8th at Maier Festival Park, a.k.a. the Summerfest Grounds.
Acts on the SKYYLine Mainstage include:
THURSDAY
Totally Neon
Bell Bastien
MkX
Drag Shows
FRIDAY:
MKE Royals
Funk Summit Bass Team
Jerry Grillo
Legends of Drag shows
Dixon Dallas
David Archuleta
SATURDAY:
Reyna
Our Voice Milwaukee
Homme Fatale
Benjamin Koll
Tina Turner Tribute: Debby Holiday
Murray’s Misfits
Cupcakke
Icona Pop
Mya
Fireworks will be launched Saturday night the 8th around 9:15pm.
The Summerfest Grounds & Henry Maier Festival Park can be reached via I-794 and U.S. 18, right where it ends at Lake Michigan. Highway 32 is within blocks; also coming close are I-43/94 and Highways 38, 57, 59, 145, and 175.
PrideFest Address:
Milwaukee’s Summerfest Grounds/Henry Maier Festival Park
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 272-3378 PrideFest website
Sparta holds some notable festivals, and Butterfest is the biggest one of the year. Along with plenty of butter, the festival features numerous events.
Among them: the A&P Carnival, one of the Midwest’s best. There’s also a craft and flea market, a quilt show, softball tournaments, a cornhole bean bag tournament, dance demonstrations, firemen’s water fights, a milking contest, stage entertainment, and much more. The Miss Sparta Pageant will be held during the event, one of the sanctioned events where the winner can then compete in Miss Wisconsin.
It runs Thursday June 6th through Sunday, June 9th. The Butterfest Parade takes place Sunday at 12:30pm. The whole event takes place at Memorial Park in Sparta. I-90 and Highways 16, 21, 27, and 71 bring you there! (Heck, so does the Elroy-Sparta Trail!)
Live music includes Larry’s Drifters on Thursday, the Pat Watters Band on Friday, High Mileage on Saturday, and The Dweebs on Sunday!
Sparta Butterfest Address:
Memorial Park
Pine Street
Sparta, WI 54656 Map Website
Sparta Butterfest Schedule of Events
THURSDAY, JUNE 6:
A&P Carnival, 5-10pm
Corporate Sponsors Reception, 5:30pm • Fest Tent
Fest Tent – opening 7pm • Larry’s Drifters
Military Night – All active duty military free with Military ID
Food Tent
FRIDAY, JUNE 7:
Softball Tournament
Arts, Crafts, Fleamarket and Antiques • 4pm-dusk
Quilt Show Registration – 3pm
Food Tent
A&P Carnival, 5-11pm
Bingo 4-8pm
Fest Tent – opening 8pm • Pat Watters Band •
SATURDAY, JUNE 8:
Arts, Crafts, Fleamarket and Antiques • throughout the day, beginning 10am
A&P Carnival • Throughout the day • WRISTBANDS • Get a $20 wristband and ride from 12-5pm
Softball Tournament – throughout the day
Food Tent
Pancake and Sausage Breakfast • 7am-10am • At the cheese curd concession stand
3 Person Rotary Golf Tournament • 9am
Poker Run • Registration 9-11am
Quilt Show • 10am-5pm with a Demonstration at 2pm
Fest Tent – opening 12pm • Music provided by Mike Harris
New Age Wrestling, Fest Tent, 2pm
Firemen’s Waterfights • 1pm (registration at noon)
DJ Trivia, 1-3pm
Miss Wisconsin Send Off Party, 12pm in the Fest Tent
Milking Contest • 1:00pm
Kids Craft Area • 2-4pm
Bingo 2-6pm
Car Show • 1pm-6pm
Cornhole Bean Bag Tournament • 2pm
Quilting Demonstration • 2pm
Kid’s Bike Decorating Contest in the Arts and Crafts area • 2pm • Judging at 4:30pm
Fest Tent 8pm Entertainment – High Mileage
SUNDAY, JUNE 9:
Softball Tournament • Throughout the day
Food Tent • Throughout the day
Arts, Crafts, Fleamarket and Antiques • Throughout the day • 10am-6pm
A&P Carnival • Throughout the day 12pm-8pm
Quilt Show • 12-4pm • Maplewood School
Fest Tent opens at 12:00pm
Parade • 12:30pm
Fest Tent 4pm-8pm Entertainment – The Dweebs
Bingo 3-5pm
Yes, yes, we had you at bacon. Lake Geneva Bacon Fest fills the city with the wondrous smells and tastes of unique bacon creations – from dishes to drinks – while enjoying live music from local performing artists across the downtown area. The 4th annual Bacon Fest runs all weekend from Friday, May 31st through Sunday, June 2nd.
The fun is centered on Flatiron Park in downtown Lake Geneva, which offers a beautiful view of Geneva Lake and is across from The Riviera, the historic Baker House, Sprecher’s Restaurant & Pub, and more. Tons of great shops and restaurants are within blocks, including Topsy Turvy Brewery. Of course, at the park itself beverages beyond bacon will be available, and part of the proceeds benefit the Walworth County Food Pantry and Diaper Bank.
Live Music Lineup:
Friday 5/31
5 to 6:45 The Soul Chasers
7:30 to 10 Think Floyd USA
Saturday 6/1
11-2 BB and The Honey (Yacht Rock)
2:30-5 TBD
5:30-7:30 Rumor Hazit (80’s Band)
8-10 Mellencougar
Presented by Lake Geneva Regional News and Amplified Wisconsin, tickets are available with a variety of options. You can buy them at the door or in advance here!
Here’s a sample of Lake Geneva Bacon Fest from 2022:
It’s easy to get to downtown Lake Geneva and Flatiron Park, just follow Highway 50 (which cuts right through the heart of downtown). Highway 120 comes in from the direct south and north, and the U.S. 12 freeway cuts right past town to the east and intersects with both 50 and 120 near the Grand Geneva. Easy access from the west is also available via Highway 50 from I-43 or Highway 67!
Lake Geneva Bacon Fest Address:
Flatiron Park
201 Wrigley Drive
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262) 248-4444 Website
The 2024 Spring Fiber Extravaganza is a great opportunity to enjoy a road trip and learn about fiber farms around Manitowoc and Sheboygan Counties. The Extravaganza consist of a self-guided scenic road trip with roughly 30 minutes of driving time to three different fiber farms in or near Manitowoc County to visit alpacas, goats, llamas, sheep, ducks, turkeys and more. It runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday May 3rd-5th and takes place at these three farms:
All three invite you to visit the farms, meet the animals, learn more about agriculture, and shop their stores or vendors. This is FREE, open-house style event at all of the farms.
For everyone’s enjoyment and safety, children must be supervised at all times, no smoking or running is allowed, and safety rules at each farm must be strictly followed.
Spring Fiber Extravaganza Location Map:
A trip along Highway 147, which runs between Two Rivers and Maribel, is a fun one for this event. You can easily head down I-43 to Velvet Sheep Farms, which is just off Highway 42 northwest of the interchange. While you’re road tripping in the area, check out great food and beverages at locations throughout Manitowoc County along the Wisconsin Coastal Food Trail. You can also explore downtown Two Rivers with its vibrant shops, Nashotah Beach, Historic Rogers Street Fishing Village, the Washington House (birthplace of the ice cream sundae), and more. Closer to Maribel, stop off Highway 147 and up County R just a mile or so and explore Cherney Maribel Caves County Park, which offers great hiking trails and showcases the Niagara Escarpment beautifully. Down at Velvet Sheep Farms, you’re right by Sheboygan with its bustling downtown complete with museums, theater, a busy and fun harborfront district, wide variety of restaurant cuisine, and more right down Highway 42. If you crave breweries on this road trip, Cool City Brewing is one block off Highway 42 in Two Rivers, Manitowoc features PetSkull Brewing, Sabbatical Brewing, and Craft Creek Brewing. In Sheboygan, a visit to 3 Sheeps Brewing is a must!
Happy road tripping on the Spring Fiber Extravaganza… who knows what else it can lead to??
“Feast with the Beasts” at the Milwaukee County Zoo! Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a la Carte, presented by Meijer, runs Thursday, August 17th through Sunday August 20th. Check out 27 area restaurants with palate-pleasing offers and national and local bands performing throughout Zoo grounds, including Vertical Horizon Thursday night,
Plenty of family-friendly activities are also available throughout the grounds, and of course the Milwaukee County Zoo’s remarkable collection of 2,100+ animals you can see and learn about. It’s one of the best family activities of the year.
Crafty kids can show their artistic side with Kohl’s Color Wheels, a mobile art experience. You can also enjoy a glass of wine, while listening to local bands at the Giraffe Village Wine Tent, sponsored by Champion Windows & Sunrooms. On top of that, you can visit the Brick Dinos exhibit, sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets, which includes interactive LEGO® play-scapes and more. Admission is $3 per person.
Zoo A La Carte Music Schedule:
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Jake Williams (90s, R&B, modern, & classics)
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jon Rouse (Classic rock)
7 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Vertical Horizon (Alternative rock)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Driving Buddies (Pop, rock, & country)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jordan and Ernie (Bluegrass)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Andrea and The Mods (70s, 80s, & more)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Geoff Landon Duo (Country hits)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Xeno and Joe (Classic hits)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Brady Lee (Pop country)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Phil Norby (Acoustic classics)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Sam and Cookie (Folk, classic rock, & bluegrass)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Grimm Brothers Trio (Classic hits)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Steve Cohen and Jim Ohlschmidt (Twisted acoustic blues)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. JC Munguía (Latin music)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Diamond (Neil Diamond & more)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Carmen and Kostia (Pop vocals with piano)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Anthony Deutsch (Pianist, vocalist, & composer)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Friday, August 18, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Kris and Dani Crow (Harmonies & great banter)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Trapper Schoepp Band (Singer-songwriter)
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Eli Young Band (Country)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Ebert and Grass (Classics)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jessie Haines (Singer-songwriter)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Barbieri and the Rockin’ Krakens (Classic rock hits)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Scott E. Berendt Trio (Acoustic rock & pop)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bad Medicine (80s party rock)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. The Playlist (Top 40 hits)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Rudy and Vee (Acoustic duo)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Michael Sean (Wisconsin musical mainstay)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Frogwater (Celtic bluegrass fusion)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Keshena Armon (Singer-songwriter)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Katy Ambrose (Dynamic piano stylings)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bath (Classic to modern pop and rock)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. The Morrison Sessions (Roots rock & roll)
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Record Company (Rock)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Busted Mullet (Rock)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bruce Humphries and the Rockabilly Rebels (Rockabilly)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Our House (50s, 60s, 70s, & more)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Chris Haise Duo (Indie folk rock)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Belle Weather (Orchestral indie folk rock)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Ronnie Nyles (Singer-songwriter)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Patrick Van Bibber (Guitarist, singer-songwriter)
2:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Jake Warne Duo (Singer-songwriters)
6:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Barbieri (Classic hits)
Sunday, August 20, 2023 Miller Lite Caribou Stage
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Joe 2.0 (The world’s original rockestra)
5 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Hypnotized (Milwaukee’s Fleetwood Mac Tribute)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 3 p.m. Another One (Grateful Dead tribute)
4 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Crossfire (Country rock)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Ronnie Nyles (Singer-songwriter)
4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Brooklynn Marti (Singer-songwriter)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Barbara Stephan and Peter Mac Duo (Singer-songwriters)
4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Admission rates (includes all bands and activities):
Adults: $17
Juniors (ages 3 to 12): $14
Children (ages 2 and under): FREE
Parking: $14
We talked with Jenny Diliberti from the Zoo a while back about this event and the Zoo’s history, animals, new designs, and more in this State Trunk Tour Podcast:
Milwaukee area restaurants at Zoo A La Carte include:
A la Crepes
Bear Garden
Brew City Snowballs
Bubble Waffle Shoppes
Café el Sol (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Caribou Beverage Bar
Catalano Corn (vegetarian)
Cedar Crest Ice Cream Parlor
Chillwaukee Pops (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
C-Viche
Funnel Cake Factory
Giraffe Beverage Bar
Giraffe Wine Bar
Golden Grill
Hot Potato
La Masa (vegetarian)
Leinie Lodge
Mama Bev’s Bakery
MIL-WOK-EE (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Nothing Bundt Cakes (gluten-free)
Nourish 414 (vegetarian, gluten-free)
OOZ
Penguin Beverage Bar
Pig Tailz (vegetarian)
Roll MKE (vegetarian)
Salentini’s Pizza
Saz’s (gluten-free)
Scrima’s Woodfired Pizza (gluten-free)
Shawarma House (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
The Coop
The Snack Barn
Thunder Bay Grille (vegetarian, gluten-free)
Tots on the Street (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Ultimate Confections Desserts featuring Suzy’s Cream Cheesecakes
Watering Hole Root Beer Floats
West End Snacks
Wild Burger
Woody’s Custard
Wong’s Wok
Zoo A La Carte at the Milwaukee County Zoo Address:
10001 W. Bluemound Road (U.S. 18)
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 256-5466 Website
The Zoo is surrounded by U.S. 18/Bluemound Road on the north, I-41/US. 45 on the east, I-94 on the south, and Highway 100 on the west. Despite the Zoo Interchange construction, it’s still easy to get to!
Port Fish Days is BACK to being a multi-day festival! This fun weekend, which for a long time has featured “The World’s Largest One-Day Outdoor Fish Fry,” offers a TON of fun in the beautiful downtown and harbor areas of Port Washington.
Okay, along with the fish fry, we’re talking lots of fun: music on four stages, rides, fireworks, and plenty of other cool stuff like soccer water fights all along Port Washington’s beautiful harbor on Lake Michigan, where even on a hot day it tends to be nice and comfortable.
Port Fish Day in 2023 begins on Thursday, July 13th and runs through Saturday, July 15th with a variety of events each day and night. It begins with the Corn Hole Tournament Thursday evening with music Friday afternoon into the evening by Nate Horlache.
Saturday is the busy day – it begins with a nice calorie burn in the form of the Coal Dock Park Portal Run/Walk/Roll at 8am. Starting at 10am, the Beer Garden, Arts & Crafts Show, and Family Zone activities fire up at Upper Lake Park. Coal Dock and Upper Lake Park essentially flank downtown Port Washington, with all of their shops, restaurants, and marina activities in between.
Along with the Beer Garden, Arts & Crafts Show, and Family Zone from 10am – 8pm in Upper Lake Park, Port Washington hosts the Downtown Parade from 11am – 12:30pm up Franklin Street. Upper Lake Park adds its Car, Bike & Truck Show at noon, lasting through 5pm.
Live music starts up in Lower Lake Park with performances from Zach Steinbach, Letter 8, and headliners The Love Monkeys – get more details here. It all caps off at 7pm in Rotary Park along the water with the Fireworks Watch Party.
Port Fish Day is focused around the beautiful harbor area in downtown Port Washington. Highways 32 and 33 bring you right into downtown Port, just east of I-43 and Highway 57, a few miles north of Highway 60.
Further details are on their website. While in Port Washington, be sure to check out Coal Dock Park, raise a glass at Inventors Brewpub, trace the history of the Blues, shop Duluth Trading Company or any of the local stores downtown, and enjoy the lakefront! Of course you can check out Allen Edmonds Shoe Outlet on the north side of town or get some exercise on the Interurban Trail, which cuts right through town.
Port Fish Day Address:
Port Washington Harbor
100 N. Franklin Street (Highway 32)
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-0900 Website
Start:
July 14, 2023
End:
July 15, 2023
Venue:
Port Washington Harbor
Phone:
262-284-0900
Address:
100 N. Franklin Street, Port Washington, WI, 53074, United States
Long known as the Spooner Block Party and now known as Freedom Music Fest Wisconsin, this incredible music event is designed to celebrate and benefit those who keep us and our country safe and free. While offering a great lineup of rock and country acts, Freedom Music Fest is focused on giving back to regional military, law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS teams. It’s a celebration and a fund raiser that offers plenty to enjoy in the beautiful North Woods at the height of summer.
Freedom Music Fest takes place Saturday, July 1st, 2023 on the Washburn County Fairgrounds on the south side of the city of Spooner. Doors open at 4pm with a lineup that includes The Smokin’ Loons at 4:15, GB Leighton at 5:30, BlackHawk at 7:30, and headliner .38 Special at 9:30pm! Food and beverage vendors from the area will be there, including local craft brewery Round Man Brewing Company, Big Daddy’s Diner in Spooner, Lamoureux Concessions from Hayward, Lucky 8’s Grill, B & D’s BBQ, and more. Check out this podcast episode to find out more in detail.
Tickets range from $40 for general admission to $90 for reserved seating. VIP tickets are available in a variety of packages from $120 to $1,200 for a front row table for four. Compare and Buy Tickets Here.
Metro Jam is an annual two-day festival of FREE music in downtown Manitowoc, bringing national, regional, and local acts to the city’s Washington Park. Metro Jam, now in its 43rd year, brings a very diverse lineup of music to the MetroStage including original and classic rock, Americana, alt-country, roots, folk, blues, jazz, reggae, ska, bluegrass, indie, alternative, pop and much more. The featured headliner for this year’s Metro Jam is The Producers who will be taking the stage (and bring you back to the ’80s) at 8:30pm on Saturday evening, June 17th.
The lineup will be as follows:
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2023
“European Music Tribute Night”
5:15PM LLOYD GOSZ & THE MYSTIC MOODS (Polka)
6:35PM ATHAS (Traditional Irish)
8:00PM CREAM CITY HOTCLUB (Gypsy Jazz)
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023
12:00PM ALMOST.CERTAIN
1:15PM FRYIN’KIELBASA BROTHERS
2:30PM LADYBIRD
4:00PM THE KEYSTONES
5:30PM XPOSED 4HEADS
7:00PM TURN TURN TURN
8:30PM THE PRODUCERS
You’ll find MetroJam action right along what is once again Highway 42 (it was Business 42 until they re-did the routes in town) a few miles after the east end of U.S. 151 at I-43. The road brings you right to Washington Park! U.S. 10 also brings you within two blocks.
MetroJam Address:
Washington Park
1115 Washington Street
Manitowoc, WI 54220 Website
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events › Festival
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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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
July 11, 2024 – July 14, 2024
Hodag Country Festival
Rhinelander is the home of the legendary hodag, so it’s only fitting when an amazing country music festival is hosted in town, it’s called the Hodag Country Festival, right?? The 46th edition of the Hodag Country Festival is ready to roll July 11-14, 2024!
There will be a band playing in the Pavilion every day starting Saturday, July 6th, plus a Karaoke Contest will be held on Thursday, July 11th. The chair line will still be on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, however, they have a new procedure with a change in the times for chairs to be put down (the goal is to shorten the lines.) The Chair Line Details can be found here.
The Hodag lineup this year includes:
Thursday, July 11th:
4:30pm Jenna Jane
5:45pm Brett Westgrove
7:00pm Neal McCoy
9:00pm Ashley McBryde
Friday, July 12th:
5:00pm Chayce Beckham
7:00 pm Chase Rice
9:00pm Bailey Zimmerman
Saturday, July 13th:
1:00pm Chris Kroeze
2:30pm Priscilla Block
4:30pm Terri Clark
6:30pm Walker Hayes
9:00pm Chris Young
Sunday, July 14th:
12:00pm Graham Barham
1:30pm Aaron Tippin
3:15pm Kimberly Perry (of The Band Perry)
5:00pm Corey Kent
7:00pm Chris Janson
You can order tickets here.
Rhinelander is easy to get to via U.S. 8, Highway 17, or Highway 47.
4270 River Road
Rhinelander, WI 54501
(715) 369-1300
Website
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July 4, 2024 – July 7, 2024
Subfest & Four on the Shore in Manitowoc
Subfest in Manitowoc celebrates its 7th annual event July 3-4, 2021, at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, in combination with the annual Four On the Shore along the lakefront! Come celebrate the 4th of July in Manitowoc at this lakeside celebration, including live music all day, food, self-guided submarine tours, fireworks, kid-friendly activities, a parade, and so much more!
Wisconsin Maritime Museum admission is ONLY $4 all day for everyone, thanks to support from Meijer. General grounds will be open, and there will be special ticket pricing for Tall Ship Adventure tours.
Manitowoc is easy to access via I-43, U.S. 10, U.S. 151, or Highway 42. Follow Waldo Blvd. or U.S. 151 from I-43 to get to the downtown and lakefront areas, and be ready for a fantastic time! Don’t forget to pick up some candy and sweets at Beerntsen’s on 8th Street while you’re there (it’s a State Trunk Tour favorite) and explore Manitowoc’s craft breweries, including PetSkull Brewing downtown and Sabbatical Brewing Company on the west side of town!
A Schedule of Events is below!
2024 Subfest Schedule of Events:
Thursday, July 4th
9:00am – 5:00pm Museum and submarine open, (Veterans, retired military, and active duty military free all weekend)
10:00am – 4:00pm Product/Craft vendors open, YMCA Lot
10:00am Parade (route map) and USS Cobia whistle salute
10:45am – 1:00pm Chicago Mule playing in the East Museum Lot
11:00am – 10:00pm Food Vendors & Beverage Tent, East Museum Lot
11:00am – 10:00pm Sub Pub on the Water (Museum rooftop bar) open
12:00pm Whistle salute, USS Cobia
2:00pm – 5:00pm Make It A Double playing in the East Museum Lot
7:00pm – 11:00pm Rising Phoenix playing in the East Museum Lot
Friday, July 5th
9:00am – 5:00pm Museum and submarine open, (Veterans, retired military, and active duty military free all weekend)
9:00am Tolling of the Boats Ceremony, USS Cobia deck (public welcome to watch from the Riverwalk)
10:00am – 12:00pm Veteran Meet & Greet, WMM Riverview Room
11:00am – 5:00pm Live Music, Food Vendors, and Beverage Tent in East Museum Lot
12:00pm Film Screening – “Blindly We Fought,” WMM Riverview Room
1:00pm Chief of the Boat Presentation, WMM Riverview Room
2:00pm Ballistic Missile Submarine History & USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827), WMM Riverview Room
3:00pm USS Cobia Preservation Presentation, WMM Riverview Room
5:00pm – 10:00pm Sub Pub on the Water (Museum rooftop bar) open
Saturday, July 6th
9:00am – 5:00pm Museum and submarine open, (Veterans, retired military, and active duty military free all weekend)
1:00pm – 6:00pm Eddie Topple II playing at Submariner’s Pub in Two Rivers
5:00pm – 10:00pm Sub Pub on the Water (Museum rooftop bar) open
Sunday, July 7th
8:00am – 12:00pm Bubblehead Brunch buffet at Submariner’s Pub in Two Rivers
9:00am – 5:00pm Museum and submarine open, (Veterans, retired military, and active duty military free all weekend)
1:00pm – 5:00pm Sub Pub on the Water (Museum rooftop bar) open
Four On the Shore Events:
Parking and Transportation Information for Subfest 2024:
The parking lots at the Museum will not be available Sub Fest weekend. There are several public parking lots that will be available after 5:00 pm on Friday and street parking is also available throughout the downtown area. Maritime Drive will be closed off in front of the Museum from 8th street to Buffalo street. Motorcycle parking will be available on Maritime Drive between the Museum and Baymont Hotel. Entrance near the Baymont.
Manitowoc Subfest & Four on the Shore Address:
Wisconsin Maritime Museum
75 Maritime Drive
Manitowoc, WI 54220
(920) 684-0218
Website
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June 28, 2024 – June 30, 2024
Greek Fest, Sheboygan
The 79th annual Greek Fest Sheboygan takes place Friday – Sunday, June 28-30, 2024 in Sheboygan’s Deland Park on the shores of Lake Michigan! Greek Fest, sponsored by St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, is three full days of authentic Greek food, pastries, beer and wine, and traditional music.
The dance performances and usual Sunday Liturgy service is BACK in 2024! There will be activities for kids including inflatables, and a Sunday raffle also offers the opportunity to win prizes.
The Greek food including gyros, spinach pies, baklava, hot honey puffs, rotisserie chicken with Greek spices, flaming cheese, and more. The flaming cheese – called Saganaki – is breaded Sartori Fontina cheese served with pita bread. Enjoy a tantalizing hot honey puff or some baklava-topped ice cream. FREE admission, free parking. Opa!!
Greek Fest Hours: Friday 5pm – 8pm Saturday 11am – 8pm Sunday 11am – 6pm
Greek Fest Sheboygan Address:
Deland Park
901 Broughton Drive
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(800) 457-9497
Website
Updates and details are available on their website. Get to Sheboygan via I-43, Highways 23, 28, or 42. Deland Park is east of downtown right along Lake Michigan. It’s a beautiful park, and everything from gyros to baklava only makes it better! While in Sheboygan, check out the Harbor District, 8th Street downtown, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, the Above & Beyond Children’s Museum, 3 Sheeps Brewery, and much more. The Visit Sheboygan Visitor Center on 8th Street has more for you… stop by and check it out!
Map of Deland Park in Sheboygan:
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June 22, 2024 – June 23, 2024
Cedarburg Strawberry Festival
Craving an art-filled weekend brimming with the most luscious summer fruit? Check out the 40th annual Cedarburg Strawberry Festival, sponsored by BMO Harris Bank, June 22-23, 2024. This free, family-oriented festival is a favorite of many, drawing up to 100,000 people annually to toast the bold and delicious fruit in all its forms, and enjoy some of the most decadent homegrown strawberries in the area.
For attendees with a taste for wine, Cedar Creek Winery’s Strawberry Blush Wine is a must – this and the winery’s other award-winning wines can be purchased by the glass throughout the Cedarburg Strawberry Festival.
Wander down Washington Avenue and you’ll see why “Art is a Tradition” in Cedarburg. Fondly referred to as “Arts on the Avenue,” Strawberry Festival highlights more than 250 of the best local and Midwest artists who bring their combined perspectives, skills, and thousands of works of arts to the streets of Cedarburg, including paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, fiber art, fine glass, woodwork, mixed media, and photography. Art on the Avenue is a combined effort of four local organizations, the Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedar Creek Settlement Merchant’s Association, the Ozaukee Art Center and the Cedarburg Art Museum, and offers one-of-a-kind works of art from functional to surreal, from witty to the elegantly decorative, as well as the opportunity to meet most of the artists in person.
Cedar Creek Settlement events at the north end of town include live bands, food, and features a new Cedar Creek Marketplace as well as a merchant’s marketplace and indoor shopping. The Sunday Morning Strawberry Pancake Breakfast will be worth checking out. The popular breakfast takes place on the north end of the Festival grounds from 8:00-11:00 a.m. and is served by the Cedar Creek Settlement merchants. More than 1,000 customers get their fill of mouthwatering strawberry pancakes while listening to live music outside along Cedar Creek.
Live music all over the Festival’s Historic District satisfies every audiophile all day Saturday and Sunday. The best place to enjoy the live music is at the Gruber Law Office Main Stage – Festival Food Court which will feature rockin’ fun cover bands like Our House and Life in a Tree. Enjoy live music into the evening with extended hours until 8:30 p.m on Saturday, June 25th. The Beer Garden offers shaded seating and is in close proximity to the main Festival Food Court.
For the littlest strawberry-lovers, Henry’s Kids Korner at Cedar Creek Park offers Jo-Don Farms pony rides and petting zoo, inflatable bounce houses, food and tons of other activities and vendors. One of the most popular events is the CedarQuacker 500 sponsored by Port Washington State Bank, where hundreds of rubber ducks are launched into the creek in a race to the finish Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m.
You can check out a little more of Historic Cedarburg with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ozaukee County’s “Berry Big” 5K Run/Walk, which kicks off in Cedar Creek Park on Saturday at 8:15 a.m. for the timed runners and 8:25 a.m. for fun runners/walkers. The route circles through the neighborhoods that surround the downtown area.
If you tire of walking, take a ride on the Country Aire Rides Tractor Hayride Shuttle that travels around the festival route. Off the festival footprint, the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts will feature exhibits and fun family activities.
Cedarburg Strawberry Festival Schedule of Events (.pdf)
You’ll find the Cedarburg Strawberry Festival in Cedarburg’s historic downtown along Washington Avenue (historic Highway 57), a few miles north of Highway 167, just east of Highway 181, and south of Highway 60.
Cedarburg Strawberry Festival Address:
Downtown Cedarburg
Washington Avenue
Cedarburg, WI 53012
(262) 377-5856
Website
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June 6, 2024 – June 8, 2024
PrideFest
PrideFest is Wisconsin’s largest LGBT festival and the one that kicks off the “summer of festivals” on Milwaukee’s lakefront. Plenty of shows, activities, food, a marketplace, a parade, and entertainment including a variety of comedy and music acts. The 2024 Pridefest runs June 6th-8th at Maier Festival Park, a.k.a. the Summerfest Grounds.
Acts on the SKYYLine Mainstage include:
THURSDAY
FRIDAY:
SATURDAY:
Fireworks will be launched Saturday night the 8th around 9:15pm.
You can also check out the Stonewall Stage and The Intersection with more activities and artists lined up, the Dance Pavilion, and Bonus Acts!
The Summerfest Grounds & Henry Maier Festival Park can be reached via I-794 and U.S. 18, right where it ends at Lake Michigan. Highway 32 is within blocks; also coming close are I-43/94 and Highways 38, 57, 59, 145, and 175.
PrideFest Address:
Milwaukee’s Summerfest Grounds/Henry Maier Festival Park
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 272-3378
PrideFest website
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June 6, 2024 – June 9, 2024
Sparta Butterfest
Sparta holds some notable festivals, and Butterfest is the biggest one of the year. Along with plenty of butter, the festival features numerous events.
Among them: the A&P Carnival, one of the Midwest’s best. There’s also a craft and flea market, a quilt show, softball tournaments, a cornhole bean bag tournament, dance demonstrations, firemen’s water fights, a milking contest, stage entertainment, and much more. The Miss Sparta Pageant will be held during the event, one of the sanctioned events where the winner can then compete in Miss Wisconsin.
It runs Thursday June 6th through Sunday, June 9th. The Butterfest Parade takes place Sunday at 12:30pm. The whole event takes place at Memorial Park in Sparta. I-90 and Highways 16, 21, 27, and 71 bring you there! (Heck, so does the Elroy-Sparta Trail!)
Live music includes Larry’s Drifters on Thursday, the Pat Watters Band on Friday, High Mileage on Saturday, and The Dweebs on Sunday!
Sparta Butterfest Address:
Memorial Park
Pine Street
Sparta, WI 54656
Map
Website
Sparta Butterfest Schedule of Events
THURSDAY, JUNE 6:
A&P Carnival, 5-10pm
Corporate Sponsors Reception, 5:30pm • Fest Tent
Fest Tent – opening 7pm • Larry’s Drifters
Military Night – All active duty military free with Military ID
Food Tent
FRIDAY, JUNE 7:
Softball Tournament
Arts, Crafts, Fleamarket and Antiques • 4pm-dusk
Quilt Show Registration – 3pm
Food Tent
A&P Carnival, 5-11pm
Bingo 4-8pm
Fest Tent – opening 8pm • Pat Watters Band •
SATURDAY, JUNE 8:
Arts, Crafts, Fleamarket and Antiques • throughout the day, beginning 10am
A&P Carnival • Throughout the day • WRISTBANDS • Get a $20 wristband and ride from 12-5pm
Softball Tournament – throughout the day
Food Tent
Pancake and Sausage Breakfast • 7am-10am • At the cheese curd concession stand
3 Person Rotary Golf Tournament • 9am
Poker Run • Registration 9-11am
Quilt Show • 10am-5pm with a Demonstration at 2pm
Fest Tent – opening 12pm • Music provided by Mike Harris
New Age Wrestling, Fest Tent, 2pm
Firemen’s Waterfights • 1pm (registration at noon)
DJ Trivia, 1-3pm
Miss Wisconsin Send Off Party, 12pm in the Fest Tent
Milking Contest • 1:00pm
Kids Craft Area • 2-4pm
Bingo 2-6pm
Car Show • 1pm-6pm
Cornhole Bean Bag Tournament • 2pm
Quilting Demonstration • 2pm
Kid’s Bike Decorating Contest in the Arts and Crafts area • 2pm • Judging at 4:30pm
Fest Tent 8pm Entertainment – High Mileage
SUNDAY, JUNE 9:
Softball Tournament • Throughout the day
Food Tent • Throughout the day
Arts, Crafts, Fleamarket and Antiques • Throughout the day • 10am-6pm
A&P Carnival • Throughout the day 12pm-8pm
Quilt Show • 12-4pm • Maplewood School
Fest Tent opens at 12:00pm
Parade • 12:30pm
Fest Tent 4pm-8pm Entertainment – The Dweebs
Bingo 3-5pm
May 31, 2024 – June 2, 2024
Lake Geneva Bacon Fest
Yes, yes, we had you at bacon. Lake Geneva Bacon Fest fills the city with the wondrous smells and tastes of unique bacon creations – from dishes to drinks – while enjoying live music from local performing artists across the downtown area. The 4th annual Bacon Fest runs all weekend from Friday, May 31st through Sunday, June 2nd.
The fun is centered on Flatiron Park in downtown Lake Geneva, which offers a beautiful view of Geneva Lake and is across from The Riviera, the historic Baker House, Sprecher’s Restaurant & Pub, and more. Tons of great shops and restaurants are within blocks, including Topsy Turvy Brewery. Of course, at the park itself beverages beyond bacon will be available, and part of the proceeds benefit the Walworth County Food Pantry and Diaper Bank.
Live Music Lineup:
Friday 5/31
5 to 6:45 The Soul Chasers
7:30 to 10 Think Floyd USA
Saturday 6/1
11-2 BB and The Honey (Yacht Rock)
2:30-5 TBD
5:30-7:30 Rumor Hazit (80’s Band)
8-10 Mellencougar
Sunday 6/2
12:30-1:45 Simply Billy (Joel)
2:15-3:00/3:30-4:15 Simply Elton (John)
4:15-4:30 Meet & Greet w/ Simply Elton
Presented by Lake Geneva Regional News and Amplified Wisconsin, tickets are available with a variety of options. You can buy them at the door or in advance here!
Here’s a sample of Lake Geneva Bacon Fest from 2022:
It’s easy to get to downtown Lake Geneva and Flatiron Park, just follow Highway 50 (which cuts right through the heart of downtown). Highway 120 comes in from the direct south and north, and the U.S. 12 freeway cuts right past town to the east and intersects with both 50 and 120 near the Grand Geneva. Easy access from the west is also available via Highway 50 from I-43 or Highway 67!
Lake Geneva Bacon Fest Address:
Flatiron Park
201 Wrigley Drive
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262) 248-4444
Website
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May 3, 2024 – May 5, 2024
Spring Fiber Extravaganza!
The 2024 Spring Fiber Extravaganza is a great opportunity to enjoy a road trip and learn about fiber farms around Manitowoc and Sheboygan Counties. The Extravaganza consist of a self-guided scenic road trip with roughly 30 minutes of driving time to three different fiber farms in or near Manitowoc County to visit alpacas, goats, llamas, sheep, ducks, turkeys and more. It runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday May 3rd-5th and takes place at these three farms:
All three invite you to visit the farms, meet the animals, learn more about agriculture, and shop their stores or vendors. This is FREE, open-house style event at all of the farms.
For everyone’s enjoyment and safety, children must be supervised at all times, no smoking or running is allowed, and safety rules at each farm must be strictly followed.
Spring Fiber Extravaganza Location Map:
A trip along Highway 147, which runs between Two Rivers and Maribel, is a fun one for this event. You can easily head down I-43 to Velvet Sheep Farms, which is just off Highway 42 northwest of the interchange. While you’re road tripping in the area, check out great food and beverages at locations throughout Manitowoc County along the Wisconsin Coastal Food Trail. You can also explore downtown Two Rivers with its vibrant shops, Nashotah Beach, Historic Rogers Street Fishing Village, the Washington House (birthplace of the ice cream sundae), and more. Closer to Maribel, stop off Highway 147 and up County R just a mile or so and explore Cherney Maribel Caves County Park, which offers great hiking trails and showcases the Niagara Escarpment beautifully. Down at Velvet Sheep Farms, you’re right by Sheboygan with its bustling downtown complete with museums, theater, a busy and fun harborfront district, wide variety of restaurant cuisine, and more right down Highway 42. If you crave breweries on this road trip, Cool City Brewing is one block off Highway 42 in Two Rivers, Manitowoc features PetSkull Brewing, Sabbatical Brewing, and Craft Creek Brewing. In Sheboygan, a visit to 3 Sheeps Brewing is a must!
Happy road tripping on the Spring Fiber Extravaganza… who knows what else it can lead to??
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August 20, 2023
Zoo A La Carte at the Milwaukee County Zoo
“Feast with the Beasts” at the Milwaukee County Zoo! Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a la Carte, presented by Meijer, runs Thursday, August 17th through Sunday August 20th. Check out 27 area restaurants with palate-pleasing offers and national and local bands performing throughout Zoo grounds, including Vertical Horizon Thursday night,
Plenty of family-friendly activities are also available throughout the grounds, and of course the Milwaukee County Zoo’s remarkable collection of 2,100+ animals you can see and learn about. It’s one of the best family activities of the year.
Crafty kids can show their artistic side with Kohl’s Color Wheels, a mobile art experience. You can also enjoy a glass of wine, while listening to local bands at the Giraffe Village Wine Tent, sponsored by Champion Windows & Sunrooms. On top of that, you can visit the Brick Dinos exhibit, sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets, which includes interactive LEGO® play-scapes and more. Admission is $3 per person.
Zoo A La Carte Music Schedule:
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Jake Williams (90s, R&B, modern, & classics)
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jon Rouse (Classic rock)
7 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Vertical Horizon (Alternative rock)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Driving Buddies (Pop, rock, & country)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jordan and Ernie (Bluegrass)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Andrea and The Mods (70s, 80s, & more)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Geoff Landon Duo (Country hits)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Xeno and Joe (Classic hits)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Brady Lee (Pop country)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Phil Norby (Acoustic classics)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Sam and Cookie (Folk, classic rock, & bluegrass)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Grimm Brothers Trio (Classic hits)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Steve Cohen and Jim Ohlschmidt (Twisted acoustic blues)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. JC Munguía (Latin music)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Diamond (Neil Diamond & more)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Carmen and Kostia (Pop vocals with piano)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Anthony Deutsch (Pianist, vocalist, & composer)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Friday, August 18, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Kris and Dani Crow (Harmonies & great banter)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Trapper Schoepp Band (Singer-songwriter)
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Eli Young Band (Country)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Ebert and Grass (Classics)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jessie Haines (Singer-songwriter)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Barbieri and the Rockin’ Krakens (Classic rock hits)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Scott E. Berendt Trio (Acoustic rock & pop)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bad Medicine (80s party rock)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. The Playlist (Top 40 hits)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Hearthfire (Irish roots & rock)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Joey Gleesing (Top 40 hits)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Scott Hlavenka Duo (Acoustic gypsy jazz)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Rudy and Vee (Acoustic duo)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Michael Sean (Wisconsin musical mainstay)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Frogwater (Celtic bluegrass fusion)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Keshena Armon (Singer-songwriter)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Katy Ambrose (Dynamic piano stylings)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bath (Classic to modern pop and rock)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. The Morrison Sessions (Roots rock & roll)
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Record Company (Rock)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Tangled Lines (Roots, rock, & Americana)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Kitty Soft Paw (Indie rock & soul)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. V-Funk (Funk)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Busted Mullet (Rock)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bruce Humphries and the Rockabilly Rebels (Rockabilly)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Our House (50s, 60s, 70s, & more)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Chris Haise Duo (Indie folk rock)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Belle Weather (Orchestral indie folk rock)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Ronnie Nyles (Singer-songwriter)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Patrick Van Bibber (Guitarist, singer-songwriter)
2:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Jake Warne Duo (Singer-songwriters)
6:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Barbieri (Classic hits)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Christopher’s Project Duo (Jazz, R&B, pop, & swing)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Marcya Daneille (Jazz & soul)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Sunday, August 20, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Joe 2.0 (The world’s original rockestra)
5 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Hypnotized (Milwaukee’s Fleetwood Mac Tribute)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 3 p.m. Another One (Grateful Dead tribute)
4 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Crossfire (Country rock)
Zoofari Stage
12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Shuga Blu (R&B, soul, & pop)
4:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Lovin Kind (Classic rock)
Lakeview Stage
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Beautiful Collide (Blues, jazz, & light rock)
4:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. The Lounge Dogs (Acoustic hits, classics, sing-alongs)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Ronnie Nyles (Singer-songwriter)
4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Brooklynn Marti (Singer-songwriter)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Barbara Stephan and Peter Mac Duo (Singer-songwriters)
4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Admission rates (includes all bands and activities):
Adults: $17
Juniors (ages 3 to 12): $14
Children (ages 2 and under): FREE
Parking: $14
We talked with Jenny Diliberti from the Zoo a while back about this event and the Zoo’s history, animals, new designs, and more in this State Trunk Tour Podcast:
Milwaukee area restaurants at Zoo A La Carte include:
A la Crepes
Bear Garden
Brew City Snowballs
Bubble Waffle Shoppes
Café el Sol (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Caribou Beverage Bar
Catalano Corn (vegetarian)
Cedar Crest Ice Cream Parlor
Chillwaukee Pops (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
C-Viche
Funnel Cake Factory
Giraffe Beverage Bar
Giraffe Wine Bar
Golden Grill
Hot Potato
La Masa (vegetarian)
Leinie Lodge
Mama Bev’s Bakery
MIL-WOK-EE (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Nothing Bundt Cakes (gluten-free)
Nourish 414 (vegetarian, gluten-free)
OOZ
Penguin Beverage Bar
Pig Tailz (vegetarian)
Roll MKE (vegetarian)
Salentini’s Pizza
Saz’s (gluten-free)
Scrima’s Woodfired Pizza (gluten-free)
Shawarma House (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
The Coop
The Snack Barn
Thunder Bay Grille (vegetarian, gluten-free)
Tots on the Street (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Ultimate Confections Desserts featuring Suzy’s Cream Cheesecakes
Watering Hole Root Beer Floats
West End Snacks
Wild Burger
Woody’s Custard
Wong’s Wok
Zoo A La Carte at the Milwaukee County Zoo Address:
10001 W. Bluemound Road (U.S. 18)
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 256-5466
Website
The Zoo is surrounded by U.S. 18/Bluemound Road on the north, I-41/US. 45 on the east, I-94 on the south, and Highway 100 on the west. Despite the Zoo Interchange construction, it’s still easy to get to!
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July 14, 2023 – July 15, 2023
Port Fish Days
Okay, along with the fish fry, we’re talking lots of fun: music on four stages, rides, fireworks, and plenty of other cool stuff like soccer water fights all along Port Washington’s beautiful harbor on Lake Michigan, where even on a hot day it tends to be nice and comfortable.
Port Fish Day in 2023 begins on Thursday, July 13th and runs through Saturday, July 15th with a variety of events each day and night. It begins with the Corn Hole Tournament Thursday evening with music Friday afternoon into the evening by Nate Horlache.
Saturday is the busy day – it begins with a nice calorie burn in the form of the Coal Dock Park Portal Run/Walk/Roll at 8am. Starting at 10am, the Beer Garden, Arts & Crafts Show, and Family Zone activities fire up at Upper Lake Park. Coal Dock and Upper Lake Park essentially flank downtown Port Washington, with all of their shops, restaurants, and marina activities in between.
Live music starts up in Lower Lake Park with performances from Zach Steinbach, Letter 8, and headliners The Love Monkeys – get more details here. It all caps off at 7pm in Rotary Park along the water with the Fireworks Watch Party.
Port Fish Day is focused around the beautiful harbor area in downtown Port Washington. Highways 32 and 33 bring you right into downtown Port, just east of I-43 and Highway 57, a few miles north of Highway 60.
Further details are on their website. While in Port Washington, be sure to check out Coal Dock Park, raise a glass at Inventors Brewpub, trace the history of the Blues, shop Duluth Trading Company or any of the local stores downtown, and enjoy the lakefront! Of course you can check out Allen Edmonds Shoe Outlet on the north side of town or get some exercise on the Interurban Trail, which cuts right through town.
Port Fish Day Address:
Port Washington Harbor
100 N. Franklin Street (Highway 32)
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-0900
Website
July 1, 2023
Freedom Music Fest Wisconsin
Long known as the Spooner Block Party and now known as Freedom Music Fest Wisconsin, this incredible music event is designed to celebrate and benefit those who keep us and our country safe and free. While offering a great lineup of rock and country acts, Freedom Music Fest is focused on giving back to regional military, law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS teams. It’s a celebration and a fund raiser that offers plenty to enjoy in the beautiful North Woods at the height of summer.
Freedom Music Fest takes place Saturday, July 1st, 2023 on the Washburn County Fairgrounds on the south side of the city of Spooner. Doors open at 4pm with a lineup that includes The Smokin’ Loons at 4:15, GB Leighton at 5:30, BlackHawk at 7:30, and headliner .38 Special at 9:30pm! Food and beverage vendors from the area will be there, including local craft brewery Round Man Brewing Company, Big Daddy’s Diner in Spooner, Lamoureux Concessions from Hayward, Lucky 8’s Grill, B & D’s BBQ, and more. Check out this podcast episode to find out more in detail.
Tickets range from $40 for general admission to $90 for reserved seating. VIP tickets are available in a variety of packages from $120 to $1,200 for a front row table for four. Compare and Buy Tickets Here.
Also in Spooner you can check out the Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum, Round Man Brewing Company, Spooner Railroad Park, and more in this city and seat of Washburn County that they call “Crossroads of the North” since U.S. 53, U.S. 63, and Highways 70 and 253 converge there.
Freedom Music Fest Wisconsin Address:
Washburn County Fairgrounds
8000 W. Beaver Brooke Avenue (just off U.S. 63)
Spooner, WI 54801
Email for more info
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June 16, 2023 – June 17, 2023
Metro Jam Music Festival, Manitowoc
Metro Jam is an annual two-day festival of FREE music in downtown Manitowoc, bringing national, regional, and local acts to the city’s Washington Park. Metro Jam, now in its 43rd year, brings a very diverse lineup of music to the MetroStage including original and classic rock, Americana, alt-country, roots, folk, blues, jazz, reggae, ska, bluegrass, indie, alternative, pop and much more. The featured headliner for this year’s Metro Jam is The Producers who will be taking the stage (and bring you back to the ’80s) at 8:30pm on Saturday evening, June 17th.
The lineup will be as follows:
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2023
“European Music Tribute Night”
5:15PM LLOYD GOSZ & THE MYSTIC MOODS (Polka)
6:35PM ATHAS (Traditional Irish)
8:00PM CREAM CITY HOTCLUB (Gypsy Jazz)
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023
12:00PM ALMOST.CERTAIN
1:15PM FRYIN’KIELBASA BROTHERS
2:30PM LADYBIRD
4:00PM THE KEYSTONES
5:30PM XPOSED 4HEADS
7:00PM TURN TURN TURN
8:30PM THE PRODUCERS
You’ll find MetroJam action right along what is once again Highway 42 (it was Business 42 until they re-did the routes in town) a few miles after the east end of U.S. 151 at I-43. The road brings you right to Washington Park! U.S. 10 also brings you within two blocks.
MetroJam Address:
Washington Park
1115 Washington Street
Manitowoc, WI 54220
Website
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