Marshfield features its 45th annual Dairyfest Friday, May 29th through Sunday, May 31st at venues all across the city. This is Hub City’s annual honor of the agricultural industry and Wisconsin’s hardworking dairy farmers! This community tradition has been providing fun for the whole family, during these “dairy-licious” days.
The Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MACCI) puts on the event, which includes a wide variety of fun activities across the three-day weekend.
Dairyfest Info & Schedule of Events:
What is Dairyfest?
Held annually the weekend after Memorial Day, Dairyfest is a fun community celebration that honors the agriculture industry and local dairy farmers. Dairyfest features a lot of fun events, including the annual Dairyfest Breakfast, a parade, kids’ activities, a Picnic in the Park, and much more. The theme of this year’s celebration is “A Dairy Great Time”!
Friday, May 29th
5:30am-9:30am / Mayor’s Breakfast: Held at the Expo Building at the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, 513 E. 17th St., this traditional event welcomes nearly 2,000 people every year. $10/ticket, kids 6 and under are FREE!
5:00pm-8:00pm / Picnic in the Park: Food trucks will be at Columbia Park, 201 W. Arnold St., until 5:00pm and a variety of food booths will be available throughout the evening. Join the fun in the Park including a Petting Zoo, Educational displays, Marshfield Fire & Rescue hands-on fun, Face painting, Main Street Conservatory of Dance show, Coin & Candy hunt (ages 2-9), Bingo (ages 10-15), and the Marshfield Civic Band Concert. Bring your lawn chairs for a night of fun!
Saturday, May 30th
Additional activities scheduled for Saturday include:
10:00 am – 3:00 pm North Wood County Historical Society Annual Pie and Ice Cream Social Governor W. H. Upham House, 212 West 3rd Street, Marshfield
19th Annual Dairyfest Fling Disc Golf Tournament
11:00am / Dairyfest Downtown Parade, runs from 2nd street and goes South on Central Ave, turns East on 14th Street and ends at the Fairgrounds parking lot.
1:00pm-4:00pm / Family Fun Day at Wenzel Plaza: a UW Madison Marching Band performance, Inflatable fun, plenty of Food Trucks – come hungry! Also enjoy Enoch the Eccentric Magician, DJ Dan Weis of Music Energy, Face painting, and more!
3:00pm-11pm / Annual Outdoor Dairyfest Beer Garden at Nutz Deep II 809 South Central Avenue
*USA Sanctioned Dairyfest Coed and Women’s Softball Tournaments
Central WI State Fairgrounds, 513 East 17th Street
Central WI State Fairgrounds
8:00 am to 10:00 pm
Saturday, May 31st
USA Sanctioned Dairyfest Coed and Women’s Softball Tournament
Central WI State Fairgrounds
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Marshfield Dairyfest Address:
Various locations around town, including the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds
513 E. 17th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449 Website
Since you’ve been freezing your buns all winter, cele-BRAT-e the official start of summer with the World’s Largest Brat Fest in Madison! Presented by Johnsonville, it takes place Memorial Day weekend at Willow Island, right by the Alliant Energy Center. Putting the sizzle into summer for over 30 years, Brat Fest is one of the Midwest’s largest and best, family-friendly music festivals right in the heart of the capital city. And they’ve also sold over 4 million brats!
Brat Fest Music Lineup
The diverse music lineup features over 70 bands covering folk, country, jazz, blues, R&B/soul, and rock… Get the full lineup below!
It’s not all about the music, however. Enjoy ice cold beverages and tasty food, including BRATS, of course. The Bratteyball Tournament is a “bratty” volleyball tournament with four divisions competing on Saturday. There will be a kids’ zone with plenty of activities to keep the young ones busy – including a “bounce zone” and a petting zoo. There’s Ultrazone Laser Tag, a Sports Zone, even the Budweiser Clydesdales will make an appearance!
Free shuttle buses will be running between the zoo and Brat Fest all weekend, giving families the chance to see the Arctic Passage exhibit.
Admission to the World’s Largest Brat Fest is FREE! And while it’s a little known fact that brats are even tastier when eaten for a good cause, all of the Fest’s proceeds go to numerous local charities. Check it all out on Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center and kick off the summer right with some of that Brat Fest sizzle.
Harley Davidson of Madison is providing exclusive V.I.P. motorcycle parking for 200 bikes – just use the entrance off Rimrock Road (just off the Beltline) to access that area.
BRAT FEST MUSIC LINEUP
FRIDAY, MAY 22nd
ISLAND STAGE
11:10am – 11:50am Krool Fool
12:10pm – 12:50pm Shawn Schell
1:10pm – 1:50pm Midnight Angel
2:10pm – 2:50pm Sean Kay
3:10pm – 3:50pm The Solution
4:10pm – 4:50pm T.J. Stone
5:10pm – 5:50m American Hitmen
6:15pm – 7:15pm Mighty Electric
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm Lousy Nuncio
1:40pm – 2:20pm Mad City Funk
2:40pm – 3:20pm Saturday Morning Cartel
3:40pm – 4:20pm The Cattlemen
4:40pm – 5:20pm Sunspot
5:40pm – 6:20pm Michael Alexander & Big Whiskey
6:45pm – 7:30pm Royal Bliss
8:00pm – 9:30pm Winger
Baker Tilly Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Long Gone Henry
11:50am – 12:30pm Jesse Bauman
12:55pm – 1:35pm Dem Horny Funkers
1:45pm – 2:35pm Michael Brooks
2:55pm – 3:35pm Abby Spencer
3:55pm – 4:35pm Atomic Blonde
4:55pm – 5:35pm Mickey Magnum and the Mayhem
5:55pm – 6:35pm Frank Martin Busch and the Names
7:00pm – 8:00pm Power Take Off
Saturday, May 23rd
Island Stage
11:00am – 11:50am Richard Hildner
12:10pm – 12:50pm No Limit
1:10pm – 1:50pm Wild Planes
2:10pm – 2:50pm Tha Mid City Kid
3:10pm – 3:50pm Trash Pandas
4:10pm – 4:50pm Matt Schmidt
5:10pm – 5:50pm Kings of Radio
6:15pm – 7:15pm Pilot
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm Autumn Reverie
1:40pm – 2:20pm Matt Jordan
2:40pm – 3:20pm Granny Shot
3:40pm – 4:20pm Aeternum
4:40pm – 5:20pm Bree Morgan
5:40pm – 6:20pm Harper Grace
6:45pm – 7:30pm Mackenzie Carpenter
8:00pm – 9:30pm Tyler Farr
Baker Tilly Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Rodello The Kidd
11:50am – 12:30pm Zach Pietrini
12:55pm – 1:35pm The Ramble
1:55pm – 2:35pm Mars Hall
2:55pm – 3:35pm La Combi
3:55pm – 4:35pm Angels & Outlaws
4:55pm – 5:35pm The Hounds
5:55pm – 6:35pm Badwolf
7:00pm – 8:00pm Madison County
Sunday, May 24th
Island Stage
11:00am – 11:50am Take Back the Sun
12:10pm – 12:50pm Bobby Bullet
1:10pm – 1:50pm West on 12
2:10pm – 2:50pm Ron Denson
3:10pm – 3:50pm The Mason Meyer Band
4:10pm – 4:50pm The Remedy
5:10pm – 5:50pm BuckNeck-Ed
6:15pm – 7:15pm Ty Smith & The Minor Offenses
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm John Masino Band
1:50pm – 2:20pm Elizabeth Mary
2:40pm – 3:20pm Foo Foo Dolls
3:40pm – 4:20pm The Black Moods
4:40pm – 5:20pm Quad City DJ’s
5:40pm – 6:20pm Skee-Lo
6:45pm – 7:30pm Digital Underground
8:00pm – 9:05pm Steven Adler of Guns ‘N Roses
LIFE 102.5 Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Jackson Taylor
11:50am – 12:30pm Project Brave Band
12:55pm – 1:35pm Erin Oakley
1:55pm – 2:35pm Nicky Gracious
2:55pm – 3:35pm Rip
3:55pm – 4:35pm King’s Conquest
5:00pm – 6:00pm Howard Gripp
6:30pm – 8:00pm Danny Gokey
Get details on all the events, food and drink menus, and more at the Brat Fest website here.
You can get to Madison so many ways: I-39/90, I-94, U.S. 12, 14, 18, or 151, or Highways 30 or 113. Enjoy a beautiful Memorial Day weekend in town with Brat Fest – and check out the State Capitol, the Wisconsin Memorial Union Terrace, Lakes Mendota and Monona, the Henry Vilas Zoo, and everything else our capital city has to offer!
World’s Largest Brat Fest Address:
Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Madison, WI 53713 Website
Muscoda celebrates the Morel Mushroom Festival every May, which is only fitting because that’s prime growing season in this “Morel Mushroom Capital of Wisconsin.” These unique mushrooms are considered quite a delicacy by top chefs everywhere; there are message boards and recipes and all kinds of resources for morel lovers. The soil in the Muscoda area is particularly suited for the growth of morels and they fully embrace this fungi. In 2026, the festival takes place Friday, May 15th and Saturday, May 16th.
This year’s event starts Friday evening with the 5th Annual Car Cruise Drive-In – all modes of transportation encouraged to attend. Join them at the paved parking lot next to the Riverdale bus garage in the 500 block of North Wisconsin. Jose’s Mexican Food Truck and Jovita’s Kitchen will be there serving their specialties and Udder Brothers Creamery will have their delicious ice cream. Two blocks south, at Mushroom Headquarters along Highway 80, the grills will be going with American Legion burgers. There’s also the 1st annual Antique Farm & Tractor Pull, a Little League Baseball Tournament, and Thunder Showers Bounce Houses will be there for kids’ fun.
On Saturday, May 16th starting at 9:00am, the whole Village bursts with events. The bounce house and pedal tractor pulls are back, you can check out the Tiny Acres Farms Petting Zoo, beer samples from 11am-3pm, and a parade. The awesome arts and crafts vendors, (many new ones!) and chainsaw carving are at Railroad Park as well as Food Vendors there and along the streets.
At Mushroom Headquarters, there are tastings, grilling with mushroom brats and Legion burgers (and fried morels if they’re are available). The Food and Beverage tasting area will include Meister Cheese, Moore Eggs, Studnicka Cattle Company, Wild Hills Winery, Dirftless Gold Organic Maple Syrup, Gillingham Meads, and Spurgeon Winery. And for your listening pleasure and maybe dancing, live music by Donnie Reyzek.
You can also catch tours of Effigy mounds, which start at 1pm, and baseball with the Muscoda Mudcats also at 1pm.
A big feature is the “Spring Mystery” Parade down main street (AKA Wisconsin Avenue), which starts at 3:00. Members of the UW Band will also perform starting around 3:45.
When you want a sit-down meal, there is pancake breakfast until noon, a chili cookoff with judging and tasting at 1:00 and the famous Firemen’s Steak Feed at the firehouse beginning at 4:00 until the steaks are gone! Enjoy the river views as the evening concludes with fireworks at dusk.
The Morel Mushroom Festival Schedule is coming soon!
You’ll find Muscoda along Highway 80 between the Wisconsin River and Highway 133. Highway 60 is just across the river. And this town comes to party for its Morel Mushroom Festival! Check their website for updates and full schedules.
Morel Mushroom Festival Address:
Muscoda Village Hall
206 N. Wisconsin Avenue (Highway 80)
Muscoda, WI 53573
(608) 739-3182 Website
Mmmm… Grilled Cheese. Can it get any better?? Dodgeville is “Grilled Cheese Central” on Saturday, April 25, 2026 as the Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship takes place at the Leo Pavilion in Harris Park. Amateurs and professionals compete in 4 “heats” to determine the best grilled cheese sandwiches in Wisconsin and compete for fabulous prizes. Listen to live music, drink some beer and wine, sample outstanding grilled cheese sandwiches. Fun for all ages. Free admission! Get all the details at their website, grilledcheesewisconsin.com.
You can get to Dodgeville via U.S. 18 & 151 and Highway 23. Any trip is worth it for grilled cheese!
Our previous favorites have included the Gouda Girls (below); Tina and Katherine make grilled cheese sandwich combos that win all across the nation. They’re based in Milwaukee and do incredible things with taste buds. Our head State Trunk Tour guy Eric Paulsen got to experience their creations firsthand in this Discover Wisconsinepisode. We don’t have any vote, though, so we’ll see how this goes.
Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship Address:
Harris Park
600 Bennett Road
Dodgeville, WI 53533
(608) 935-9200 Website
Kenosha Restaurant Week is a nine-day celebration of the city’s and area’s delicious and diverse dining scene. It’s a way to show some LOVE to our locally owned, small restaurants, pubs, eateries, and food shops. It’s also the perfect opportunity to explore new places to dine, return to a favorite place, try something new at your go-to restaurant, or just show your support to our local restaurants.
It runs Saturday, February 21st through Sunday, March 1st this year. Over 80 restaurants are participating in Kenosha Restaurant Week – the most yet – offering special menus with special pricing for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, desserts, even snacks. Here’s a video showcasing it all!
Details on participating restaurants and links to their menus are coming soon!
Craft beer and bacon lovers, this is for you! Racine Downtown hosts its 5th annual Downtown Racine Beer & Bacon Walk on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 from 1pm-6pm. Stroll the sidewalks downtown and sample delicious brews paired with bacon-infused bites at twenty downtown locations. Mark your calendars and set your alarms because tickets are expected to sell out fast!
Tickets are $40 and include:
– Admission to event
– 20 3 oz. samples of beer
– 20 bacon-infused bites
– 16oz pint glass
– One 16 oz full-pour of your choice
Who wouldn’t want to pair mouthwatering bacon-infused bites with craft beer?
Some of the bacon-infused bites to be sampled include:
Bacon Mac N Cheese
Bacon-Wrapped Cocktail Weenies in ‘Secrect Stadium Sauce’
Bruschetta With Bacon
Smashers Pork Patties
Bacon Chicken Bombs
Bourbon Bacon Jam Crostini
Bacon Crack
Porchetta Bacon
Bacon Cheese Bites
Bacon Potato Skins
Cheesy Bacon Flatbread
Bacon Cheddar Corn bread
Bacon BBQ Meatballs
Candied Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Bacon & Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms
—just a sneak peek of the scrumptious lineup.
Some of the beers to be sampled:
Sam Adams Cherry Wheat
Lein Creamy Dark
Bells Eclipse Oberon
Bells Double Cream Stout
Great Lake Christmas Ale
Papa Jacks
New Belg Fruit Force
Whole Hog Oatmeal Pie
Heineken Silver
Alaskan Amber
Hacker-Pschorr Oktobfest 4
Hofbrau Octfest
Lake Louie Badger Club
Alaskan Grizz Coffee
Point Limited Cookies
Hungry yet? Thirsty yet? It all happens Saturday afternoon, November 2nd. You can buy them online or get your tickets by calling 262-634-6002.
It’s easy to get to downtown Racine, along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. Just head east from I-41/94 via Highway 20 (Exit #333), County K (Exit #329), or Highway 11 (Exit #335) approximately 8 miles; or Highway 38 can bring you in from Milwaukee, and Highway 32 brings you to downtown Racine north from Kenosha and Illinois or south from Oak Creek and Milwaukee’s south suburbs. Lots of options, and lots to do and see once you get there!
Downtown Racine Beer & Bacon Walk Address:
425 Main Street (Highway 20, between Highways 32 & 38)
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 634-6002 Website
Seven Acre Dairy Company in Paoli hosts its 2nd annual Sugar River Bourbon Fest Wednesday, October 16th through Sunday, October 20th. It’s a five-day celebration of all things bourbon that highlights the country’s top distilleries and chefs. Imbibe in amazing meals and pair them with delicious food complements and beverages – including some amazing Bourbon and whiskey beverages. It features a welcome dinner with chef Joe Heppe and Driftless Glen Distillery, a signature dinner with nine-time James Beard Award nominee chef Edward Lee and Dancing Goat Distillery, a fish fry featuring Blue Ash Farm Craft Spirits, and a special bourbon brunch with J. Henry.
Seven Acre Dairy in Paoli, host of the 2nd annual Sugar River Bourbon Festival. The Sugar River is right along the property.
These evenings lead up to the main event: the Sugar River Bourbon Tasting Festival on Saturday, October 19th. You can enjoy samplings and meet with over 25 distilleries and distillers, including award-winning local and national distilleries Heaven Hill, Bardstown 45th parallel, Green River, Old Forester, Dancing Goat, J. Henry, and more.
There will be live music, along with burgers, hot dogs and barbeque available for purchase from Seven Acre Dairy Company and Knoche’s Meats; a portion of the proceeds benefit the Belleville Food Pantry.
Here’s how the evenings work out on the weekends:
Friday, October 18th: Blue Ash Farm Craft Spirit’s Bourbon Lover’s Fish Fry
Join Seven Acre chefs and Blue Ash Farm Craft Spirits for the last outdoor fish fry along the Sugar River of the season. Seven Acre chefs will cook up all-you-can-eat cod, perch and walleye, alongside seasonal sides, salads and desserts. Blue Ash Farm Craft Spirits of Argyle will be crafting cocktails from their award-winning farmstead spirits. The fish fry will take place in a heated, open air tent. Fire pits will be lit and lawn games will be out.
Saturday, October 19th: The Sugar River Bourbon Tasting Festival
Regular admission is $55 per person from 1-4 p.m. This includes samplings and meet and greets with over 25 distilleries, live music, unique bourbon bottle sales and food for purchase.
VIP admission is $100 per person from noon to 4 p.m. This includes exclusive access to the Makers Mark/Jim Beam VIP Tasting Tent, VIP appetizers, a copy of Edward Lee’s best-selling book “Bourbon Land,” first access to unique bourbon bottle sales, plus access to all other areas of the festival.
Sunday, October 20th: J. Henry Maple Bourbon Brunch
Join Seven Acre chefs and J. Henry for a one-of-a-kind bourbon brunch. Seven acre chefs will be cooking up some of Edward Lee’s favorite brunch recipes alongside some of their favorite bourbon brunch cocktails. Don’t miss your chance to sample the infamous Maple Bourbon made by J. Henry and your chances to take a bottle home. The maple bourbon was only available on the farm this year and sold out in under an hour.
For more information and tickets, visit sevenacredairyco.com.
You’ll find the lovely little burg of Paoli along County PB, right near State Trunk Highway 69, less than 10 minutes south of Verona off U.S. 18/151.
Sugar River Bourbon Fest Address:
Seven Acre Dairy Company
6858 Paoli Road
Belleville, WI 53508
(608) 416-4023 Website
The Bayfield Apple Festival is hailed as one of the 10 Best Fall Harvest Festivals in the nation by USA Today! Bayfield celebrates its Apple Festival every October and in 2024 it will take place October 4th through the 6th.
The three day event features a farm market featuring local producers, over 60 orchard and food booths selling Bayfield’s apples, apple delicacies, and festival food favorites! There is plenty to buy and see at the 140 art, craft and vendor booths. Kids carnival rides and games, an apple peeling contest, fish fry & dance round out the offerings.
You can also catch Big Top Chautauqua’s Blue Canvas Orchestra perform throughout the weekend on the Grandstand stage. The festival culminates with the Grand Parade on Sunday, which features a 400 member “Mass Band” finale.
Bayfield is located along Highway 13 on the shores of Lake Superior, about 15 minutes north of U.S. 2. U.S. 63 brings you towards Bayfield from the Hayward, Spooner, and Twin Cities areas; U.S. 51 north through the North Woods sends you toward U.S. 2 for the connection to Bayfield, too. Enjoy the fall colors on your ride!
Bayfield Apple Festival Address:
Downtown Bayfield & Memorial Park
42 South Broad Street
Bayfield, WI 54814
(715) 779-3335 Website
Read about additional “things to know” below!
More Bayfield Apple Festival features and things to know:
Over 60 orchard and food booths selling Bayfield’s apples and apple desserts and delicacies; Caramel apples, apple pies, apple tortes, dumplings or tarts, apple sundaes, apple cider, bags and bushels of apples – even apple bratwurst, mustard, and butter.
A kids’ carnival with games, rides and favorite foods.
Plenty to buy and see including nearly 140 arts and crafts booths.
Pipes and Drums of Thunder Bay wake up concert at Port Superior Marina, Saturday at 10am
Fine art exhibitors on South Second Street, featuring pottery, paintings, glassworks, photography, wood crafts and fiber arts.
A Grand Parade on Sunday featuring a 400+ member “Mass Band” finale
Big Top Chautauqua’s Blue Canvas Orchestra will perform throughout the weekend on the Essentia Health Grand Stand stage. Hear the original Apple Festival song!
The annual Apple Dumpling Gang for the little ones. Click here for Registration Form.
Bus shuttles for easy parking at Hauser’s Superior View Farm and Legendary Waters Casino.
Bayfield Fire Department offers a traditional fish fry dinner on Saturday afternoon at Lakeside Pavilion followed by a Saturday evening dance.
Boat cruises of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
Musical entertainment at many local pubs and Legendary Waters Resort & Casino
Drive 5 minutes outside of town and tour the 15 local orchards and farms, many with pick-your-own apples and pumpkins.
It happens over Labor Day weekend every year, and it’s a lot of tasty fun! Taste of Madison features over 80 local restaurants, 20 beverage stands and three entertainment stages. The participating restaurants sell a vast variety of both unique and traditional dishes to the estimated 225,000 attendees over the two-day period – you should be one of them. Most food items are in the $2 to $5 range! Best of all, admission – which includes hours and hours of live entertainment – is free and open to the public.
Taste of Madison happens on the Capitol Square, one of the most dynamic and beautiful places in Wisconsin with the shops, restaurants, bars, museums, and more surrounding our gorgeous State Capitol. U.S. 151/Washington Avenue brings you closest, although U.S. 12, U.S. 14, U.S. 18, U.S. 51, and Highways 30 and 113 all bring you to Madison.
Taste of Madison Hours:
Saturday, August 31st 2pm – 9pm
Sunday, September 5th: 11am – 7pm
Get the full list of participating restaurants (with address and phone where available) below or from the Taste of Madison website!
Let’s face it: the Rutabaga doesn’t get enough recognition. Cumberland rectifies that with their annual Rutabaga Festival Thursday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 25th!
Happening since 1932, Cumberland’s Rutabaga Festival includes live entertainment, a pedal tractor pull, pepper-eating contest, basketball shootout, craft show, morning bike tour, a grand parade… and rutabagas. (Which we think are what makes a pasty so much better!)
Come enjoy the Cumberland Rutabaga Festival Run on Saturday morning! Choose from a half marathon, 5K run, or 2 mile fun run/walk. All races start at 8 am at the Cumberland High School. You can also just watch if you prefer and cheer everyone on.
You’ll find Cumberland – aka “The Island City” – along U.S. 63 and Highway 48 in northwestern Barron County. Check out the amazing selection at Louie’s Finer Meats in town while you’re there! It’s a State Trunk Tour favorite.
Cumberland Rutabaga Festival Address:
Downtown Cumberland
Cumberland, WI 54829
(715) 822-FEST Website
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
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
“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!
The Gays Mills Apple Festival – the 63rd annual – runs September 23-25, 2022! Gays Mills is pretty much the apple capital of Wisconsin, and it celebrates the apple harvest with parades, carnivals, arts and crafts, flea markets, music, dancing, a 2K and 5K fun run/walk, food and festivities.
Get the rest of the details from their website or see the schedule below!
You’ll find Gays Mills in the heart of Wisconsin’s beautiful Driftless Area, where Highways 131 and 171 meet by the Kickapoo River. It’s worth going for the drive alone!
2022 Gays Mills Apple Festival Schedule of Events
FRIDAY EVENTS
Carnival: Wristband Night 5pm-9pm Fairgrounds
Lions Club Flea Market: 8am-5pm Fairgrounds
Main Street Vending: 10am-5pm Downtown
BMZ Church Food Stand:10am-5pm Fairgrounds
4-H Food Stand: Friday-Sunday Fairgrounds
American Legion Food Stand: 10am-5pm Fairgrounds
Societies Sons M/C: Music
Dante’s:Music Last Ride
Halver’s Town Tap: Music
SATURDAY EVENTS To See & Do:
Run and Walk:Registration 8am Main St Bridge, 2 & 5 Mi. Run; 2 Mi. Walk; ¼ Mi. Kids Fun Run: 9am
Lions Club Flea Market: 8am-5pm Fairgrounds
Main Street Vending: 9:30am-5pm Downtown
Cornhole Tournament
American Legion Volleyball Tournament: 9am 4-person Co-Ed Teams, 312 Main
Library Book Sale: 9am-5pm, 212 Main
Lions Club Arts and Crafts: 9am-5pm Fairgrounds
Carnival: 10am-5pm Fairgrounds
Open Horseshoe Tournament: Saturday Partner draw,Sunday 10 am registration and 11am start, Log CabinVillage Park
Societies Sons M/C: Music from American Standard
Fire Department: Raffle (Drawing in Nov.)
Dante’s: Music from Pilot of the Airwaves 3pm-7pm, Last Ride
Halver’s Town Tap: Music from Dylan Harris 2-6pm, DJ Robert 9pm – 1am
Inflatables:Downtown
SUNDAY EVENTS To See & Do:
Ride the FREE Trolley stops at Flea Market & Main! APPLE FESTIVAL PARADE 1:30 pm, Main Street to Riverside Park Lions Club Arts and Crafts & Flea Market: 8am-5pm Fairgrounds Main Street Vending: 9:30am-4pm Downtown Library Book Sale: 9am-3:30 pm 212 Main Carnival: 10am-5pm Fairgrounds Open Horseshoe Tournament: Saturday draw for partners, Sunday 10am registration, 11am start, Log Cabin Village Park Fire Department: Raffle (Drawing in Nov.) Inflatables: Downtown
The Pardeeville Watermelon Festival celebrates the fact that watermelon is delicious. But what do you do with the seeds? In Pardeeville, they reward you for spitting them out as far as you can! The longtime home of the U.S. Watermelon Speed-Eating and Seed-Spitting Championships, come and enjoy this fun festival in Pardeeville’s Chandler Park Saturday, September 10th! This festival has been taking place since 1968 and they make the most of it. Free watermelon is included (the seeds are free too) and there are contests for all ages. Watermelon carvings become pretty interesting, too. The Pardeeville Watermelon Festival officially opens at 10am in Chandler Park. There will be an Open Air Market, concessions, and rides at the Midway all day. The Open Air Market showcases art and craft vendors from all over the area, plus a flea market and commercial vendors such Avon, Scentsy, and Tupperware. The market runs from 10am until about 3pm. Typically there are about 30-40 vendors.
The Watermelon carving contest makes for some interesting creations in Pardeeville.
Wayne the Wizard will be there to provide children’s entertainment, there’s a free Hay Dive at noon, and the championship events for the U.S. Watermelon Speed-Eating and Seed-Spitting Championships begin at 1:30pm. Find out more about the actual speed-eating and seed-spitting events, including records like the 61 feet, inches one entrant spat a seed in 1988, here. It’s a fun and unique thing to watch!
Yes, they seriously spit seeds from watermelons as far as they can. There are contests for multiple age categories.
You’ll find Pardeeville along Highway 22, where it meets Highway 44 in Columbia County.
Pardeeville Watermelon Festival Address:
Chandler Park 208 Chandler Park Drive Pardeeville, WI 53954 (608) 535-9139 Website
Down The Rabbit Hole is a top-notch musical, visual, and performing artist festival sweeping you away into the woods on the beautiful, lazy Apple River for a non-stop, magical, fantastical experience you will never forget.
Happening Friday, October 15th through Monday, October 18th along the Apple River in Somerset, Down The Rabbit Hole features:
Rarely seen musical acts that are local, national and International on multiple Stages + Silent Disco
Non-stop multi-genre art and music
A Mad Tea Party
Costume Contest
Trippy Trail
Freak Show
Art, Craft & Music Workshops
Yoga
Healing Arts
Hare’s Hayride
Live Act + DJ Contest
Apple Race
Petting Zoo
Aerial, Rope, Flow, Fire & Pole Performances
Riverside Camping with glamping options, cabins + day & re-entry passes for the semi-home bodies
Ice Baths and Saunas
Eat Me, Drink Me: Delicious food and beverage options for everyone including vegetarian and vegan choices, coffee, tea, kombucha, beer, wine, booze, CBD, fantastic foodie feasts and more
Live painting, art class and crafting
A PLURR Squad + Kandi Making
Medics and Top-Notch Security you know and love
SafeWord Drinks
Cart Escort Service
Sensory Overload/Chill Zones
Charging Areas, Lockers, Family/Quiet Camping and MORE
Performer lineup includes:
Cabins and campground sites are available, part of a variety of ticket packages that range from $10-$150. Admission for kids 6 & under is FREE.
Down The Rabbit Hole takes place at Apple River Hideaway in Somerset. It’s an incredibly popular area for tubing and recreation all summer, and you’ll find it just of Highways 35 and 64.
Down The Rabbit Hole Festival Address:
Apple River Hideaway Campground
712 170th Avenue
Somerset, WI 54025 Website
The Beloit restaurant scene has really boomed over the last several years, and Bites of Beloit offer a terrific opportunity to sample their fares and wares. You can enjoy prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus at a variety of Beloit’s eateries, many of which are downtown, for one week only (September 8-13), with prices ranging from $12-$35 per meal.
Bites Of Beloit Participating Restaurants:
Beloit Club, 2327 S. Riverside Drive, Beloit, 608-364-9000
Bessie’s Diner, 1716 W. Airport Road, Beloit, 608-743-9830
Beloit runs right along Wisconsin’s southern border. I-39/90 and I-43 come together there in an interchange that’s in the middle of massive reconstruction right now, but you’ll still be able to spot the “World’s Largest Can of Chili” at the Hormel plant southwest of the interchange. Highway 81 brings you into town from the east or west; U.S. 51 runs north-south through the city, and Highway 213 brings you in at an angle from the northwest.
Bacon & Brews Fest combines running, walking, bacon, and beer along the shores of Lake Michigan in Oak Creek’s Lake Vista Park on Saturday, September 5th, 2020. It begins with a 5K run and walk, which you can participate in in person along a twisty, turny course in the park, or participate in virtually from wherever you are. Why the 5th of September? Because that’s International Bacon Day!
After the 5K, at the Lake Vista location they’ll have an after party featuring the aforementioned bacon, brews in the form of great craft beers, plus soda, water, food of all kinds, and more. All participants will receive a finishers medal, Special Swag, a T-shirt, and a bacon/beer filled lunch. The party will include social distancing measures, and masks will be provided if participants don’t have one. But be sure to party after the run… you can bring a chair, enjoy delicious food and beverages, and take in the beautiful views of Lake Vista Park!
This is all happening in Oak Creek, right at the end of Highway 100 just past where it meets with Highway 32, which runs along the shores of Lake Michigan from Milwaukee to Racine, Kenosha, and all points south. When you’re done – or even before you go – check out Drexel Town Square, which offers a ton of shops, bars and restaurants, hotels, and more! They also have their Farmers Market in the Square on Saturdays from 9am – 1pm. You’ll find the whole complex just north of Drexel Avenue just west of Highway 38/Howell Avenue. IKEA also has its only Wisconsin location along Drexel just west of I-41/I-94 (Exit #320). This is all just minutes south of downtown Milwaukee.
Bacon & Brews Fest Address:
Lake Vista Park
4001 E. Lakeside Avenue
Oak Creek, WI 53154 Website Facebook Page
Taste of the North is a wonderful culinary experience covering two floors of the beautiful Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls, right near the city’s downtown, Duncan Creek, the Chippewa River, and great places to visit like Irvine Park, the Leinenkugel Brewery, the Cook-Rutledge Mansion, and more! It takes place Thursday evening, November 14th.
Enjoy incredible food, drink and the company of friends – or meet new ones! Many of the Chippewa Valley’s best culinary artisans come out to share their skills and talents all the while raising money for the Heyde Center at Taste of the North. The funds raised will contribute to the Heyde Center’s mission to bring high quality, affordable arts to the Chippewa Valley.
So, you can help the Heyde Center while you sample these exceptional products, learn from the experts, browse the art galleries, and listen to live music while socializing. Admission is a minimum donation of $30 per person.
You can easily reach Chippewa Falls, just a few minutes north of Eau Claire and I-94, via the U.S. 53 or Highway 29 expressways, or via Highways 124 or 178.
Taste of the North Address:
Heyde Center for the Arts
3 S. High Street
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
(715) 726-9000 office; (715) 720-4961 for tickets Website
See below for a list of participants!
Committed artisans so far for Taste of the North include:
Bloomer Brewing
Bushel and a Peck
Inn on Lake Wissota
Karl’s BBQ Express
Leinenkugel’s
Let’s Get Pickled
Little Wissota Bakehouse
Live Great Food
Nolechek’s Meats
O’Neil Creek Winery
Premium Waters
Sweet Clarisse Catering
Still more artisans to be confirmed!
Check their website for additional updates as the event draws closer!
Stockholm Women’s Weekend offers a slew of fun events along Highway 35 in this lovely town along the Mississippi River November 1-3, 2019. It’s a great time to take a moment to slow down and recharge, treat yourself, connect with friends, shop locally handcrafted items, and meet the artists.
Check out Friday’s Happy Hour & Welcome at Gelly’s Too, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Saturday is “Wine & Wander” throughout the village, focusing on the hours from noon until 5 pm. Enjoy progressive wine tastings with complimentary pairings at each stop.
Sunday, enjoy “Sunday Samplings,” including a Mimosa bar with pastries. Check out the mimosas at Stockholm Village Bistro from 9:00 am – 11:00 am. During Sunday afternoons, check out Pie Flights with wine, beer, and cider pairings at Stockholm Pie & General Store from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (that’s a special ticketed event, by the way.)
Check out some of the specialty stores, too, for Stockholm Women’s Weekend:
SANDY’S CLOTHING AND ART
Check out not only complementary wine pairings at the unique boutique known as Sandy’s Clothing and Art, but explore the inside porch, which will be filled with Holiday Dressings all at 50% off!
HUGGA BUGGA
“Take a Break Station” Rest and relax from your busy day of shopping with coffee and a homemade treat.
HUMBLE MOON FOLKSTEAD (aka Antique Furniture)… AN EXPERIENCE
Owners Dan & Sarah created Humble Moon Folkstead with the idea in mind that they could live out their dreams in having a creative outlet and also to create an experience and inspiration for visitors. They have been customizing the property to suit their family needs so that the business can nurture and become part of their family lifestyle, not dominate their life. It is designed to have something of interest to men, women and children. It is a cozy casual environment where all are welcome to be themselves.
THE PURPLE TURTLE ARTISAN COLLECTIVE
Trunk show with local jeweler, CS King, who produces Earth-inspired, dark-roasted jewelry. Also, Beth Yelesky will be showcasing her skin and self care products.
THE PALATE
The Palate will feature appetizers along with wine pairings, along with recipes and more to complement what they have to offer in their charming store. They also offer cooking classes.
ABODE GALLERY
Trunk show with Robbin Firth from Heart Felt Silks. Extraordinary handcrafted fashion, and home decor in Eco dyed felted wool and silk. Scarves, runners, clothing and more.
STOCKHOLM PIE & GENERAL STORE
Check out, among their other excellent options, the FYRA: four flaky wedges of our world famous crust baked with cinnamon and sugar, topped with cardamon whipped cream, lingonberry sauce and local honey. Definitely tasty!
AND MUCH MORE!
Reach Stockholm via Highway 35, one of the most beautiful drives in the nation.
You’ll find beautiful Stockholm right along the Great River Road, Highway 35, in Pepin County where the Mississippi River widens into Lake Pepin. Definitely enjoy the drive, one of the most beautiful in America.
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events › Food
May 29, 2026 – May 31, 2026
Dairyfest 2026, Marshfield
Marshfield features its 45th annual Dairyfest Friday, May 29th through Sunday, May 31st at venues all across the city. This is Hub City’s annual honor of the agricultural industry and Wisconsin’s hardworking dairy farmers! This community tradition has been providing fun for the whole family, during these “dairy-licious” days.
The Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MACCI) puts on the event, which includes a wide variety of fun activities across the three-day weekend.
What is Dairyfest?
Held annually the weekend after Memorial Day, Dairyfest is a fun community celebration that honors the agriculture industry and local dairy farmers. Dairyfest features a lot of fun events, including the annual Dairyfest Breakfast, a parade, kids’ activities, a Picnic in the Park, and much more. The theme of this year’s celebration is “A Dairy Great Time”!
Friday, May 29th
5:30am-9:30am / Mayor’s Breakfast: Held at the Expo Building at the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, 513 E. 17th St., this traditional event welcomes nearly 2,000 people every year. $10/ticket, kids 6 and under are FREE!
5:00pm-8:00pm / Picnic in the Park: Food trucks will be at Columbia Park, 201 W. Arnold St., until 5:00pm and a variety of food booths will be available throughout the evening. Join the fun in the Park including a Petting Zoo, Educational displays, Marshfield Fire & Rescue hands-on fun, Face painting, Main Street Conservatory of Dance show, Coin & Candy hunt (ages 2-9), Bingo (ages 10-15), and the Marshfield Civic Band Concert. Bring your lawn chairs for a night of fun!
Saturday, May 30th
Additional activities scheduled for Saturday include:
Governor W. H. Upham House, 212 West 3rd Street, Marshfield
Central WI State Fairgrounds, 513 East 17th Street
Central WI State Fairgrounds
8:00 am to 10:00 pm
Saturday, May 31st
USA Sanctioned Dairyfest Coed and Women’s Softball Tournament
Central WI State Fairgrounds
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Marshfield Dairyfest Address:
Various locations around town, including the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds
513 E. 17th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449
Website
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May 22, 2026 – May 24, 2026
World’s Largest Brat Fest
Since you’ve been freezing your buns all winter, cele-BRAT-e the official start of summer with the World’s Largest Brat Fest in Madison! Presented by Johnsonville, it takes place Memorial Day weekend at Willow Island, right by the Alliant Energy Center. Putting the sizzle into summer for over 30 years, Brat Fest is one of the Midwest’s largest and best, family-friendly music festivals right in the heart of the capital city. And they’ve also sold over 4 million brats!
Brat Fest Music Lineup
The diverse music lineup features over 70 bands covering folk, country, jazz, blues, R&B/soul, and rock… Get the full lineup below!
Free shuttle buses will be running between the zoo and Brat Fest all weekend, giving families the chance to see the Arctic Passage exhibit.
Admission to the World’s Largest Brat Fest is FREE! And while it’s a little known fact that brats are even tastier when eaten for a good cause, all of the Fest’s proceeds go to numerous local charities. Check it all out on Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center and kick off the summer right with some of that Brat Fest sizzle.
Harley Davidson of Madison is providing exclusive V.I.P. motorcycle parking for 200 bikes – just use the entrance off Rimrock Road (just off the Beltline) to access that area.
BRAT FEST MUSIC LINEUP
FRIDAY, MAY 22nd
ISLAND STAGE
11:10am – 11:50am Krool Fool
12:10pm – 12:50pm Shawn Schell
1:10pm – 1:50pm Midnight Angel
2:10pm – 2:50pm Sean Kay
3:10pm – 3:50pm The Solution
4:10pm – 4:50pm T.J. Stone
5:10pm – 5:50m American Hitmen
6:15pm – 7:15pm Mighty Electric
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm Lousy Nuncio
1:40pm – 2:20pm Mad City Funk
2:40pm – 3:20pm Saturday Morning Cartel
3:40pm – 4:20pm The Cattlemen
4:40pm – 5:20pm Sunspot
5:40pm – 6:20pm Michael Alexander & Big Whiskey
6:45pm – 7:30pm Royal Bliss
8:00pm – 9:30pm Winger
Baker Tilly Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Long Gone Henry
11:50am – 12:30pm Jesse Bauman
12:55pm – 1:35pm Dem Horny Funkers
1:45pm – 2:35pm Michael Brooks
2:55pm – 3:35pm Abby Spencer
3:55pm – 4:35pm Atomic Blonde
4:55pm – 5:35pm Mickey Magnum and the Mayhem
5:55pm – 6:35pm Frank Martin Busch and the Names
7:00pm – 8:00pm Power Take Off
Saturday, May 23rd
Island Stage
11:00am – 11:50am Richard Hildner
12:10pm – 12:50pm No Limit
1:10pm – 1:50pm Wild Planes
2:10pm – 2:50pm Tha Mid City Kid
3:10pm – 3:50pm Trash Pandas
4:10pm – 4:50pm Matt Schmidt
5:10pm – 5:50pm Kings of Radio
6:15pm – 7:15pm Pilot
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm Autumn Reverie
1:40pm – 2:20pm Matt Jordan
2:40pm – 3:20pm Granny Shot
3:40pm – 4:20pm Aeternum
4:40pm – 5:20pm Bree Morgan
5:40pm – 6:20pm Harper Grace
6:45pm – 7:30pm Mackenzie Carpenter
8:00pm – 9:30pm Tyler Farr
Baker Tilly Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Rodello The Kidd
11:50am – 12:30pm Zach Pietrini
12:55pm – 1:35pm The Ramble
1:55pm – 2:35pm Mars Hall
2:55pm – 3:35pm La Combi
3:55pm – 4:35pm Angels & Outlaws
4:55pm – 5:35pm The Hounds
5:55pm – 6:35pm Badwolf
7:00pm – 8:00pm Madison County
Sunday, May 24th
Island Stage
11:00am – 11:50am Take Back the Sun
12:10pm – 12:50pm Bobby Bullet
1:10pm – 1:50pm West on 12
2:10pm – 2:50pm Ron Denson
3:10pm – 3:50pm The Mason Meyer Band
4:10pm – 4:50pm The Remedy
5:10pm – 5:50pm BuckNeck-Ed
6:15pm – 7:15pm Ty Smith & The Minor Offenses
Everlight Solar Grand Stage
12:45pm – 1:15pm John Masino Band
1:50pm – 2:20pm Elizabeth Mary
2:40pm – 3:20pm Foo Foo Dolls
3:40pm – 4:20pm The Black Moods
4:40pm – 5:20pm Quad City DJ’s
5:40pm – 6:20pm Skee-Lo
6:45pm – 7:30pm Digital Underground
8:00pm – 9:05pm Steven Adler of Guns ‘N Roses
LIFE 102.5 Main Stage
11:00am – 11:30am Jackson Taylor
11:50am – 12:30pm Project Brave Band
12:55pm – 1:35pm Erin Oakley
1:55pm – 2:35pm Nicky Gracious
2:55pm – 3:35pm Rip
3:55pm – 4:35pm King’s Conquest
5:00pm – 6:00pm Howard Gripp
6:30pm – 8:00pm Danny Gokey
Get details on all the events, food and drink menus, and more at the Brat Fest website here.
You can get to Madison so many ways: I-39/90, I-94, U.S. 12, 14, 18, or 151, or Highways 30 or 113. Enjoy a beautiful Memorial Day weekend in town with Brat Fest – and check out the State Capitol, the Wisconsin Memorial Union Terrace, Lakes Mendota and Monona, the Henry Vilas Zoo, and everything else our capital city has to offer!
World’s Largest Brat Fest Address:
Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Madison, WI 53713
Website
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May 15, 2026 – May 16, 2026
Morel Mushroom Festival
Muscoda celebrates the Morel Mushroom Festival every May, which is only fitting because that’s prime growing season in this “Morel Mushroom Capital of Wisconsin.” These unique mushrooms are considered quite a delicacy by top chefs everywhere; there are message boards and recipes and all kinds of resources for morel lovers. The soil in the Muscoda area is particularly suited for the growth of morels and they fully embrace this fungi. In 2026, the festival takes place Friday, May 15th and Saturday, May 16th.
This year’s event starts Friday evening with the 5th Annual Car Cruise Drive-In – all modes of transportation encouraged to attend. Join them at the paved parking lot next to the Riverdale bus garage in the 500 block of North Wisconsin. Jose’s Mexican Food Truck and Jovita’s Kitchen will be there serving their specialties and Udder Brothers Creamery will have their delicious ice cream. Two blocks south, at Mushroom Headquarters along Highway 80, the grills will be going with American Legion burgers. There’s also the 1st annual Antique Farm & Tractor Pull, a Little League Baseball Tournament, and Thunder Showers Bounce Houses will be there for kids’ fun.
On Saturday, May 16th starting at 9:00am, the whole Village bursts with events. The bounce house and pedal tractor pulls are back, you can check out the Tiny Acres Farms Petting Zoo, beer samples from 11am-3pm, and a parade. The awesome arts and crafts vendors, (many new ones!) and chainsaw carving are at Railroad Park as well as Food Vendors there and along the streets.
At Mushroom Headquarters, there are tastings, grilling with mushroom brats and Legion burgers (and fried morels if they’re are available). The Food and Beverage tasting area will include Meister Cheese, Moore Eggs, Studnicka Cattle Company, Wild Hills Winery, Dirftless Gold Organic Maple Syrup, Gillingham Meads, and Spurgeon Winery. And for your listening pleasure and maybe dancing, live music by Donnie Reyzek.
You can also catch tours of Effigy mounds, which start at 1pm, and baseball with the Muscoda Mudcats also at 1pm.
A big feature is the “Spring Mystery” Parade down main street (AKA Wisconsin Avenue), which starts at 3:00. Members of the UW Band will also perform starting around 3:45.
When you want a sit-down meal, there is pancake breakfast until noon, a chili cookoff with judging and tasting at 1:00 and the famous Firemen’s Steak Feed at the firehouse beginning at 4:00 until the steaks are gone! Enjoy the river views as the evening concludes with fireworks at dusk.
The Morel Mushroom Festival Schedule is coming soon!
You’ll find Muscoda along Highway 80 between the Wisconsin River and Highway 133. Highway 60 is just across the river. And this town comes to party for its Morel Mushroom Festival! Check their website for updates and full schedules.
Morel Mushroom Festival Address:
Muscoda Village Hall
206 N. Wisconsin Avenue (Highway 80)
Muscoda, WI 53573
(608) 739-3182
Website
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April 25, 2026
Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship
You can get to Dodgeville via U.S. 18 & 151 and Highway 23. Any trip is worth it for grilled cheese!
Our previous favorites have included the Gouda Girls (below); Tina and Katherine make grilled cheese sandwich combos that win all across the nation. They’re based in Milwaukee and do incredible things with taste buds. Our head State Trunk Tour guy Eric Paulsen got to experience their creations firsthand in this Discover Wisconsin episode. We don’t have any vote, though, so we’ll see how this goes.
Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship Address:
Harris Park
600 Bennett Road
Dodgeville, WI 53533
(608) 935-9200
Website
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February 21, 2026 – March 1, 2026
Kenosha Restaurant Week
Kenosha Restaurant Week is a nine-day celebration of the city’s and area’s delicious and diverse dining scene. It’s a way to show some LOVE to our locally owned, small restaurants, pubs, eateries, and food shops. It’s also the perfect opportunity to explore new places to dine, return to a favorite place, try something new at your go-to restaurant, or just show your support to our local restaurants.
It runs Saturday, February 21st through Sunday, March 1st this year. Over 80 restaurants are participating in Kenosha Restaurant Week – the most yet – offering special menus with special pricing for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, desserts, even snacks. Here’s a video showcasing it all!
Details on participating restaurants and links to their menus are coming soon!
Kenosha Restaurant Week Locations (latest list here)
Kenosha Restaurant Week Website
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November 1, 2025
Downtown Racine Beer & Bacon Walk
Craft beer and bacon lovers, this is for you! Racine Downtown hosts its 5th annual Downtown Racine Beer & Bacon Walk on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 from 1pm-6pm. Stroll the sidewalks downtown and sample delicious brews paired with bacon-infused bites at twenty downtown locations. Mark your calendars and set your alarms because tickets are expected to sell out fast!
Tickets are $40 and include:
– Admission to event
– 20 3 oz. samples of beer
– 20 bacon-infused bites
– 16oz pint glass
– One 16 oz full-pour of your choice
Who wouldn’t want to pair mouthwatering bacon-infused bites with craft beer?
Some of the bacon-infused bites to be sampled include:
—just a sneak peek of the scrumptious lineup.
Some of the beers to be sampled:
Sam Adams Cherry Wheat
Lein Creamy Dark
Bells Eclipse Oberon
Bells Double Cream Stout
Great Lake Christmas Ale
Papa Jacks
New Belg Fruit Force
Whole Hog Oatmeal Pie
Heineken Silver
Alaskan Amber
Hacker-Pschorr Oktobfest 4
Hofbrau Octfest
Lake Louie Badger Club
Alaskan Grizz Coffee
Point Limited Cookies
Hungry yet? Thirsty yet? It all happens Saturday afternoon, November 2nd. You can buy them online or get your tickets by calling 262-634-6002.
It’s easy to get to downtown Racine, along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. Just head east from I-41/94 via Highway 20 (Exit #333), County K (Exit #329), or Highway 11 (Exit #335) approximately 8 miles; or Highway 38 can bring you in from Milwaukee, and Highway 32 brings you to downtown Racine north from Kenosha and Illinois or south from Oak Creek and Milwaukee’s south suburbs. Lots of options, and lots to do and see once you get there!
Downtown Racine Beer & Bacon Walk Address:
425 Main Street (Highway 20, between Highways 32 & 38)
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 634-6002
Website
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October 17, 2024
Sugar River Bourbon Fest
Seven Acre Dairy Company in Paoli hosts its 2nd annual Sugar River Bourbon Fest Wednesday, October 16th through Sunday, October 20th. It’s a five-day celebration of all things bourbon that highlights the country’s top distilleries and chefs. Imbibe in amazing meals and pair them with delicious food complements and beverages – including some amazing Bourbon and whiskey beverages. It features a welcome dinner with chef Joe Heppe and Driftless Glen Distillery, a signature dinner with nine-time James Beard Award nominee chef Edward Lee and Dancing Goat Distillery, a fish fry featuring Blue Ash Farm Craft Spirits, and a special bourbon brunch with J. Henry.
These evenings lead up to the main event: the Sugar River Bourbon Tasting Festival on Saturday, October 19th. You can enjoy samplings and meet with over 25 distilleries and distillers, including award-winning local and national distilleries Heaven Hill, Bardstown 45th parallel, Green River, Old Forester, Dancing Goat, J. Henry, and more.
There will be live music, along with burgers, hot dogs and barbeque available for purchase from Seven Acre Dairy Company and Knoche’s Meats; a portion of the proceeds benefit the Belleville Food Pantry.
Here’s how the evenings work out on the weekends:
Friday, October 18th: Blue Ash Farm Craft Spirit’s Bourbon Lover’s Fish Fry
Join Seven Acre chefs and Blue Ash Farm Craft Spirits for the last outdoor fish fry along the Sugar River of the season. Seven Acre chefs will cook up all-you-can-eat cod, perch and walleye, alongside seasonal sides, salads and desserts. Blue Ash Farm Craft Spirits of Argyle will be crafting cocktails from their award-winning farmstead spirits. The fish fry will take place in a heated, open air tent. Fire pits will be lit and lawn games will be out.
Saturday, October 19th: The Sugar River Bourbon Tasting Festival
Regular admission is $55 per person from 1-4 p.m. This includes samplings and meet and greets with over 25 distilleries, live music, unique bourbon bottle sales and food for purchase.
VIP admission is $100 per person from noon to 4 p.m. This includes exclusive access to the Makers Mark/Jim Beam VIP Tasting Tent, VIP appetizers, a copy of Edward Lee’s best-selling book “Bourbon Land,” first access to unique bourbon bottle sales, plus access to all other areas of the festival.
Sunday, October 20th: J. Henry Maple Bourbon Brunch
Join Seven Acre chefs and J. Henry for a one-of-a-kind bourbon brunch. Seven acre chefs will be cooking up some of Edward Lee’s favorite brunch recipes alongside some of their favorite bourbon brunch cocktails. Don’t miss your chance to sample the infamous Maple Bourbon made by J. Henry and your chances to take a bottle home. The maple bourbon was only available on the farm this year and sold out in under an hour.
For more information and tickets, visit sevenacredairyco.com.
You’ll find the lovely little burg of Paoli along County PB, right near State Trunk Highway 69, less than 10 minutes south of Verona off U.S. 18/151.
Sugar River Bourbon Fest Address:
Seven Acre Dairy Company
6858 Paoli Road
Belleville, WI 53508
(608) 416-4023
Website
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October 4, 2024 – October 6, 2024
Bayfield Apple Festival
The Bayfield Apple Festival is hailed as one of the 10 Best Fall Harvest Festivals in the nation by USA Today! Bayfield celebrates its Apple Festival every October and in 2024 it will take place October 4th through the 6th.
The three day event features a farm market featuring local producers, over 60 orchard and food booths selling Bayfield’s apples, apple delicacies, and festival food favorites! There is plenty to buy and see at the 140 art, craft and vendor booths. Kids carnival rides and games, an apple peeling contest, fish fry & dance round out the offerings.
You can also catch Big Top Chautauqua’s Blue Canvas Orchestra perform throughout the weekend on the Grandstand stage. The festival culminates with the Grand Parade on Sunday, which features a 400 member “Mass Band” finale.
Bayfield is located along Highway 13 on the shores of Lake Superior, about 15 minutes north of U.S. 2. U.S. 63 brings you towards Bayfield from the Hayward, Spooner, and Twin Cities areas; U.S. 51 north through the North Woods sends you toward U.S. 2 for the connection to Bayfield, too. Enjoy the fall colors on your ride!
Bayfield Apple Festival Address:
Downtown Bayfield & Memorial Park
42 South Broad Street
Bayfield, WI 54814
(715) 779-3335
Website
Read about additional “things to know” below!
More Bayfield Apple Festival features and things to know:
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August 31, 2024 – September 1, 2024
Taste of Madison
Taste of Madison happens on the Capitol Square, one of the most dynamic and beautiful places in Wisconsin with the shops, restaurants, bars, museums, and more surrounding our gorgeous State Capitol. U.S. 151/Washington Avenue brings you closest, although U.S. 12, U.S. 14, U.S. 18, U.S. 51, and Highways 30 and 113 all bring you to Madison.
Taste of Madison Hours:
Saturday, August 31st 2pm – 9pm
Sunday, September 5th: 11am – 7pm
Get the full list of participating restaurants (with address and phone where available) below or from the Taste of Madison website!
All Star Catering
Arod’s Tex-Mex
Banzo
Bel-Air Cantina
Ben’s Soft Pretzels
Bob’s BBQ Emporium
Buraka East African Cuisine
Cafe Costa Rica – Mango Man Cooks
Caracas Arepas/Caracas Empenadas
Chez Moi
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company
Common Pasta
Cooper’s Hawk
Culinarynirvana
Curd Girl
Daddy Rocks
David’s Jamaican Cuisine
DonutNV
Draper Brothers Chophouse
El Gran Taco Gato
El Sabor de Puebla
Ernie’s Kettle Korn
Famous Dave’s
Fresh Mart
Gigi’s Cupcakes
Glazed
Gyros Express
Hibachi Hut
Hong Kong Cafe
Jakarta Cafe
JDs Taste of Chicago
Just Veggiez
KC Taste Asian Cuisine
Kerol’s Kitchen
Keur Fatou Catering
Kona Ice of Madison
La Pollera Columbiana
La Taguara
Lao Laan-Xang
Les Delices de Awa
Little Orbits Mini Donuts
Little Tibet Madison
Lombardino’s Restaurant
Melting Pot
6816 Odana Rd., Madison
608-833-5676
Milano Ice
6816 Odana Rd., Madison
608-572-5543
Mirch Masala
449 State St., Madison
608-665-3667
Monona Bakery & Eatery
4544 Monona Drive, Madison
608-720-1133
Native Food Network – Mobile Farmers Market
7 N. Pickney, Suite 235, Madison
608-280-1267
Natural Juice
7 N. Pinckney, Suite 235, Madison
608-628-9280
North & South Seafood & Smokehouse
6604 Mineral Point Rd., Madison
608-829-0093
The Old Fashioned
23 N. Pinckney, Madison
608-310-4545
Pagoda Smoothie Food Cart
People’s Bakery
2810 E. Washington Ave., Madison
608-245-0404
The Post
24 S. Carroll St., Madison
608-327-1101
Poke Poke
600 Williamson St., Madison
608-665-3306
RibMasters WI
Food Truck, Madison
608-669-0955
The Rigby Pub and Grill
119 E Main St, Madison
608-442-1112
The Rodeo Wagon
Food Cart
Roll Play
The Roman Candle
1054 Williamson St., Madison
608-258-2000
Sabor Queretano
4512 E. Washington Ave., Madison
608-209-0643
Savi Cafe & Catering
215 S. Hamilton, Madison
608-283-4903
Schultz’s Sugar River Kettle Corn
N9560 Hwy. 92, Belleville
608-217-9137
Smokin’ Cantina
Madison Food Cart
608-438-9643
Smokin’ Dragons
Soho Gourmet Cuisines
2990 Cahill Main #106, Madison
608-960-4011
Steak Escape
212 East Towne Mall, Madison
608-333-1103
Surco Peruvian
515 Cottage Grove Rd., Madison
608-957-1716
Tavernakaya
27 E. Main St., Madison
608-286-1548
Teriyaki Samurai
Food Cart, Madison
608-338-5660
The Globe
309 N. Henry St., Madison
608-640-4435
TnT’s Coffee & Cafe
729 N High Point Rd, Madison
608-831-2298
Toast
728 State Street, Madison
608-692-4549
Toppers
1368 Regent St., Madison
Ugly Apple
Food Cart
608-352-8459
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August 22, 2024 – August 25, 2024
Rutabaga Festival, Cumberland
Let’s face it: the Rutabaga doesn’t get enough recognition. Cumberland rectifies that with their annual Rutabaga Festival Thursday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 25th!
Happening since 1932, Cumberland’s Rutabaga Festival includes live entertainment, a pedal tractor pull, pepper-eating contest, basketball shootout, craft show, morning bike tour, a grand parade… and rutabagas. (Which we think are what makes a pasty so much better!)
Come enjoy the Cumberland Rutabaga Festival Run on Saturday morning! Choose from a half marathon, 5K run, or 2 mile fun run/walk. All races start at 8 am at the Cumberland High School. You can also just watch if you prefer and cheer everyone on.
You’ll find Cumberland – aka “The Island City” – along U.S. 63 and Highway 48 in northwestern Barron County. Check out the amazing selection at Louie’s Finer Meats in town while you’re there! It’s a State Trunk Tour favorite.
Cumberland Rutabaga Festival Address:
Downtown Cumberland
Cumberland, WI 54829
(715) 822-FEST
Website
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August 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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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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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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September 23, 2022 – September 25, 2022
Gays Mills Apple Festival
The Gays Mills Apple Festival – the 63rd annual – runs September 23-25, 2022! Gays Mills is pretty much the apple capital of Wisconsin, and it celebrates the apple harvest with parades, carnivals, arts and crafts, flea markets, music, dancing, a 2K and 5K fun run/walk, food and festivities.
Get the rest of the details from their website or see the schedule below!
You’ll find Gays Mills in the heart of Wisconsin’s beautiful Driftless Area, where Highways 131 and 171 meet by the Kickapoo River. It’s worth going for the drive alone!
2022 Gays Mills Apple Festival Schedule of Events
FRIDAY EVENTS
Carnival: Wristband Night 5pm-9pm Fairgrounds
Lions Club Flea Market: 8am-5pm Fairgrounds
Main Street Vending: 10am-5pm Downtown
BMZ Church Food Stand:10am-5pm Fairgrounds
4-H Food Stand: Friday-Sunday Fairgrounds
American Legion Food Stand: 10am-5pm Fairgrounds
Societies Sons M/C: Music
Dante’s:Music Last Ride
Halver’s Town Tap: Music
SATURDAY EVENTS To See & Do:
Run and Walk:Registration 8am Main St Bridge, 2 & 5 Mi. Run; 2 Mi. Walk; ¼ Mi. Kids Fun Run: 9am
Lions Club Flea Market: 8am-5pm Fairgrounds
Main Street Vending: 9:30am-5pm Downtown
Cornhole Tournament
American Legion Volleyball Tournament: 9am 4-person Co-Ed Teams, 312 Main
Library Book Sale: 9am-5pm, 212 Main
Lions Club Arts and Crafts: 9am-5pm Fairgrounds
Carnival: 10am-5pm Fairgrounds
Open Horseshoe Tournament: Saturday Partner draw,Sunday 10 am registration and 11am start, Log CabinVillage Park
Societies Sons M/C: Music from American Standard
Fire Department: Raffle (Drawing in Nov.)
Dante’s: Music from Pilot of the Airwaves 3pm-7pm, Last Ride
Halver’s Town Tap: Music from Dylan Harris 2-6pm, DJ Robert 9pm – 1am
Inflatables:Downtown
SUNDAY EVENTS To See & Do:
Ride the FREE Trolley stops at Flea Market & Main!
APPLE FESTIVAL PARADE 1:30 pm, Main Street to Riverside Park
Lions Club Arts and Crafts & Flea Market: 8am-5pm Fairgrounds
Main Street Vending: 9:30am-4pm Downtown
Library Book Sale: 9am-3:30 pm 212 Main
Carnival: 10am-5pm Fairgrounds
Open Horseshoe Tournament: Saturday draw for partners, Sunday 10am registration, 11am start, Log Cabin Village Park
Fire Department: Raffle (Drawing in Nov.)
Inflatables: Downtown
Gays Mills Apple Festival Address:
Highways 131 & 171
Gays Mills, WI 54631
(608) 735-4341
Website
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September 10, 2022
Pardeeville Watermelon Festival & U.S. Watermelon Speed-Eating & Seed-Spitting Championships
You’ll find Pardeeville along Highway 22, where it meets Highway 44 in Columbia County.
Pardeeville Watermelon Festival Address:
Chandler Park 208 Chandler Park Drive Pardeeville, WI 53954 (608) 535-9139 Website
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October 15, 2021 – October 18, 2021
Down The Rabbit Hole Festival
Down The Rabbit Hole is a top-notch musical, visual, and performing artist festival sweeping you away into the woods on the beautiful, lazy Apple River for a non-stop, magical, fantastical experience you will never forget.
Happening Friday, October 15th through Monday, October 18th along the Apple River in Somerset, Down The Rabbit Hole features:
Performer lineup includes:
Cabins and campground sites are available, part of a variety of ticket packages that range from $10-$150. Admission for kids 6 & under is FREE.
Down The Rabbit Hole takes place at Apple River Hideaway in Somerset. It’s an incredibly popular area for tubing and recreation all summer, and you’ll find it just of Highways 35 and 64.
Down The Rabbit Hole Festival Address:
Apple River Hideaway Campground
712 170th Avenue
Somerset, WI 54025
Website
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September 8, 2020 – September 13, 2020
Bites of Beloit Restaurant Week
The Beloit restaurant scene has really boomed over the last several years, and Bites of Beloit offer a terrific opportunity to sample their fares and wares. You can enjoy prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus at a variety of Beloit’s eateries, many of which are downtown, for one week only (September 8-13), with prices ranging from $12-$35 per meal.
Bites Of Beloit Participating Restaurants:
Get more updates on the Bites of Beloit website!
Beloit runs right along Wisconsin’s southern border. I-39/90 and I-43 come together there in an interchange that’s in the middle of massive reconstruction right now, but you’ll still be able to spot the “World’s Largest Can of Chili” at the Hormel plant southwest of the interchange. Highway 81 brings you into town from the east or west; U.S. 51 runs north-south through the city, and Highway 213 brings you in at an angle from the northwest.
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September 5, 2020
Bacon & Brews Fest, Oak Creek
Bacon & Brews Fest combines running, walking, bacon, and beer along the shores of Lake Michigan in Oak Creek’s Lake Vista Park on Saturday, September 5th, 2020. It begins with a 5K run and walk, which you can participate in in person along a twisty, turny course in the park, or participate in virtually from wherever you are. Why the 5th of September? Because that’s International Bacon Day!
After the 5K, at the Lake Vista location they’ll have an after party featuring the aforementioned bacon, brews in the form of great craft beers, plus soda, water, food of all kinds, and more. All participants will receive a finishers medal, Special Swag, a T-shirt, and a bacon/beer filled lunch. The party will include social distancing measures, and masks will be provided if participants don’t have one. But be sure to party after the run… you can bring a chair, enjoy delicious food and beverages, and take in the beautiful views of Lake Vista Park!
This is all happening in Oak Creek, right at the end of Highway 100 just past where it meets with Highway 32, which runs along the shores of Lake Michigan from Milwaukee to Racine, Kenosha, and all points south. When you’re done – or even before you go – check out Drexel Town Square, which offers a ton of shops, bars and restaurants, hotels, and more! They also have their Farmers Market in the Square on Saturdays from 9am – 1pm. You’ll find the whole complex just north of Drexel Avenue just west of Highway 38/Howell Avenue. IKEA also has its only Wisconsin location along Drexel just west of I-41/I-94 (Exit #320). This is all just minutes south of downtown Milwaukee.
Bacon & Brews Fest Address:
Lake Vista Park
4001 E. Lakeside Avenue
Oak Creek, WI 53154
Website
Facebook Page
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November 14, 2019
Taste of the North – Food As Art
Taste of the North is a wonderful culinary experience covering two floors of the beautiful Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls, right near the city’s downtown, Duncan Creek, the Chippewa River, and great places to visit like Irvine Park, the Leinenkugel Brewery, the Cook-Rutledge Mansion, and more! It takes place Thursday evening, November 14th.
Enjoy incredible food, drink and the company of friends – or meet new ones! Many of the Chippewa Valley’s best culinary artisans come out to share their skills and talents all the while raising money for the Heyde Center at Taste of the North. The funds raised will contribute to the Heyde Center’s mission to bring high quality, affordable arts to the Chippewa Valley.
So, you can help the Heyde Center while you sample these exceptional products, learn from the experts, browse the art galleries, and listen to live music while socializing. Admission is a minimum donation of $30 per person.
You can easily reach Chippewa Falls, just a few minutes north of Eau Claire and I-94, via the U.S. 53 or Highway 29 expressways, or via Highways 124 or 178.
Taste of the North Address:
Heyde Center for the Arts
3 S. High Street
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
(715) 726-9000 office; (715) 720-4961 for tickets
Website
See below for a list of participants!
Committed artisans so far for Taste of the North include:
Still more artisans to be confirmed!
Check their website for additional updates as the event draws closer!
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November 1, 2019 – November 3, 2019
Stockholm Women’s Weekend
Stockholm Women’s Weekend offers a slew of fun events along Highway 35 in this lovely town along the Mississippi River November 1-3, 2019. It’s a great time to take a moment to slow down and recharge, treat yourself, connect with friends, shop locally handcrafted items, and meet the artists.
Check out Friday’s Happy Hour & Welcome at Gelly’s Too, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Saturday is “Wine & Wander” throughout the village, focusing on the hours from noon until 5 pm. Enjoy progressive wine tastings with complimentary pairings at each stop.
Sunday, enjoy “Sunday Samplings,” including a Mimosa bar with pastries. Check out the mimosas at Stockholm Village Bistro from 9:00 am – 11:00 am. During Sunday afternoons, check out Pie Flights with wine, beer, and cider pairings at Stockholm Pie & General Store from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (that’s a special ticketed event, by the way.)
Check out some of the specialty stores, too, for Stockholm Women’s Weekend:
SANDY’S CLOTHING AND ART
Check out not only complementary wine pairings at the unique boutique known as Sandy’s Clothing and Art, but explore the inside porch, which will be filled with Holiday Dressings all at 50% off!
HUGGA BUGGA
“Take a Break Station” Rest and relax from your busy day of shopping with coffee and a homemade treat.
HUMBLE MOON FOLKSTEAD (aka Antique Furniture)… AN EXPERIENCE
Owners Dan & Sarah created Humble Moon Folkstead with the idea in mind that they could live out their dreams in having a creative outlet and also to create an experience and inspiration for visitors. They have been customizing the property to suit their family needs so that the business can nurture and become part of their family lifestyle, not dominate their life. It is designed to have something of interest to men, women and children. It is a cozy casual environment where all are welcome to be themselves.
THE PURPLE TURTLE ARTISAN COLLECTIVE
Trunk show with local jeweler, CS King, who produces Earth-inspired, dark-roasted jewelry. Also, Beth Yelesky will be showcasing her skin and self care products.
THE PALATE
The Palate will feature appetizers along with wine pairings, along with recipes and more to complement what they have to offer in their charming store. They also offer cooking classes.
ABODE GALLERY
Trunk show with Robbin Firth from Heart Felt Silks. Extraordinary handcrafted fashion, and home decor in Eco dyed felted wool and silk. Scarves, runners, clothing and more.
STOCKHOLM PIE & GENERAL STORE
Check out, among their other excellent options, the FYRA: four flaky wedges of our world famous crust baked with cinnamon and sugar, topped with cardamon whipped cream, lingonberry sauce and local honey. Definitely tasty!
AND MUCH MORE!
Reach Stockholm via Highway 35, one of the most beautiful drives in the nation.
Stockholm Women’s Weekend Event Address:
2040 Spring Street
Stockholm, WI 54769
(715) 442-2266
Website
Facebook Page
You’ll find beautiful Stockholm right along the Great River Road, Highway 35, in Pepin County where the Mississippi River widens into Lake Pepin. Definitely enjoy the drive, one of the most beautiful in America.
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