On Sunday of Labor Day weekend, the Big Gig BBQ will take place on the Summerfest Grounds to coincide with the Harley-Davidson annual Rally! Enjoy the best BBQ in town on the south end of Henry Maier Festival Park from Noon – 7pm, rain or shine. The Big Pig BBQ will be serving up smoky ribs, savory brisket and signature BBQ from 14 of the best local and national cookers.
An officially sanctioned event of the Milwaukee Rally, the Big Gig BBQ will feature two stages of live entertainment, including a national headliner, and the finest beer. Some of the BBQ participants include:
The cooker voted “fan favorite” wins the Big Gig Pig Award!
As they say, the fun goes beyond the food (which also includes the Corn Man, kettle corn, ice cream and more.) There will be plenty of live music on two stages, Cooking Demonstrations, Family Fun Picnic Games (including Giant Jenga, Kerplunk, and the legendary “Mechanical Pig” you can ride), even a Celebrity Bacon-Eating Contest. The grounds have plenty of room for partying, parking, and the smells alone will direct you to this tasty event. The Big Gig BBQ website has the full schedule and all the details!
The Big Pig BBQ takes place on the south end of Henry Maier Festival Park, which many simply call the Summerfest Grounds. It’s along Milwaukee’s lakefront bordered by downtown, I-794, U.S. 18 and Discovery World, and the Milwaukee River as it meets Lake Michigan. Highways 32, 38, 59, and 145 also bring you with blocks. It will be a fun part of the Milwaukee Rally Labor Day weekend!
Big Pig BBQ Address:
639 E. Summerfest Place
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 273-2680 Website
Wednesday, August 28th will feature Taste of Durand, which features food venues from area restaurants, bars, grocery store & other private vendors. Music in the Park also takes place that evening, with The Whitesidewalls “Rock-N-Roll Revue” playing at the Memorial Park Bandshell. Durand is the county seat of Pepin County, located along the Chippewa River in a beautiful valley. U.S. 10 and Highways 25 and 85 reach town – and this is a great opportunity to enjoy a nice range of food from area restaurants and enjoy some music.
Durand is only about 15 miles upstream from the Mississippi River and lies in the heart of west-central Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. It’s a fairly quick and scenic ride from Eau Claire via Highway 85, Menomonie or Nelson via Highway 25, or Ellsworth or Osseo via U.S. 10.
Taste of Durand and Music in the Park Address:
Memorial Park
2nd Avenue E
Durand, WI 54736
(715) 672-5709 (That’s the Pepin County Visitors Bureau line) Website
The 37th annual Festival in the Pines takes place in Eau Claire’s beautiful Carson Park August 24th and 25th. Festival in the Pines has traditionally been a place to gather with friends and family to enjoy fun, food and shopping! With over 200 vendors, there is something for everyone. Two stages feature live music, family entertainment, plus games and rides for the kids. New features include Home Improvement Area, and Antique Area.
“Festival of Wines in the Pines” is an additional event within Festival in the Pines, and it returns to Carson Park on Saturday, August 24th from 11am to 5pm. Your $15 entry fee includes four wine samples and free entry to Festival in the Pines on Sunday to stock your wine cellar. There will again be 4 Wine Lounges with music for you to choose from.
Carson Park is a large, absolutely beautiful park along the Chippewa River in Eau Claire, just west and south of the city’s downtown and UW-Eau Claire campus. You can reach Eau Claire via I-94, U.S. 12, U.S. 53, and Highways 37, 93, and 124.
Festival in the Pines Address:
Carson Park
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 828-2570 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
Seymour Burgerfest & Balloon Rally celebrates the “Home of the Hamburger”! Seymour is where the hamburger was reportedly invented by Charlie Nagreen in 1885, improvising the sandwich while selling meatballs at the Outagamie County Fair. Burgerfest celebrates this momentous creation with a big Balloon Rally Friday night, the World’s Largest Hamburger Parade, the Bun Run, Kids’ Run, music, kids’ games, the Burger Eating Contest and the Giant Ketchup Slide! The Car Show, Railroad Depot and Community Museum are included with the Saturday entrance fee.a 190-pound hamburger they grill up right there, the burger-eating contest, and you can even take a plunge on the ketchup slide!
The Car Show, viewing the model railroad at the Railroad Depot, and seeing the world’s largest hamburger memorabilia exhibit at the Seymour Community Museum are included with the Saturday Burger Fest entrance fee. Downtown Seymour Saturday events cost only $3 in advance and $5 at the gate. Children 12 and under are admitted free with paid adult on Saturday downtown. Wristbands are available from Seymour merchants Don’s Quality Market, Seymour Public Library, Seymour Community Museum. Or, get your Tickets in Advance here.
During a previous Burgerfest, Seymour celebrants cooked up the World’s Largest Hamburger – according to Guinness – at 8,266 pounds!
[highlight] Seymour’s Version of the Hamburger Invention:
“In 1885, Charles N. Nagreen, a young lad of 15, came to the Seymour Fair to sell meatballs. When he realized people wanted to walk around the fair grounds and eat, he flattened a meatball between two slices of bread and called it a ‘hamburger.’ This was the first time the hamburger sandwich was produced and sold.” [/highlight]
The Guinness Book of World Records noted that Seymour is where the “World’s Largest Hamburger” was cooked – right there on the Charlie Grill. In August of 2001, a 8,266 pound hamburger was cooked up and served to over 13,000 people.
The State Trunk Tour has been there; amidst the bands, the model railroad museum and hungry and thirsty festival goers milling about under the statue of Charles “Hamburger Charlie” Nagreen (the hamburger’s inventor), was the main attraction: a 60-pound hamburger. Sure, it’s a fraction of the monstrous 8,266 pound record grilled in 2001, but it was still a monster. The 60 pound mound of meat, hot off the grill. It took some work, but the meat was successfully wedged within a gi-normous bun – even though part of the patty’s north side fell a bit!
Check out all the fun where Highways 54 and 55 meet in Seymour!
Who doesn’t love cookies? Even though this events is designed mainly for kids, grown-ups love cookies too. And Ripon, with its long history of making delicious cookies, hosts a tasty Cookie Daze on Saturday, August 3rd at Barlow Park.
Cookie Daze is a mostly free celebration for children with lots of contests, games, and of course, cookies! Cookie Daze celebrates July 11, 1992 – the day Ripon baked the biggest cookie the world had ever seen. Filled with 3.8 million chocolate chips and measuring 34 feet in diameter, “Ripon accomplished something no one had ever done before,” according to the Ripon Commonwealth Press. Cookie Daze draws crowds of families readied for the annual “cookie drop” – let the chips fall where they may!
Activities during the event, which runs from 10 am – 1:30 pm, include Cookie Decorating, a Fish Pond, Kookie Cookie BINGO, a Rocket Shop & Launch Pad, a Food & Beverage Tent, the Flame Thrower Hitting Machine, Face Painting and a Children’s Activity Tent, Inflatables to play on and in, and more!
While in Ripon, check out all the shops downtown, the campus of Ripon College, and nearby towns like Green Lake, Berlin, and more!
Ripon Cookie Daze Address:
Barlow Park, corner of Griswold & Watson Streets
Ripon, WI 54971
(920) 748-6764 Website
Check their website for full details, and the Schedule of Events below. You can get to Ripon via Highways 23, 44 and 49.
2019 COOKIE DAZE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Activities Taking Place from 10 am – 1:30 pm: Cookie Decorating • Fish Pond • Kookie Cookie BINGO • Rocket Shop & Launch Pad • Food & Beverage Tent* • Flame Thrower Hitting Machine • Face Painting • Children’s Activity Tent • Inflatables • Petting Farm • Pony Rides* and more!
Scheduled Activities for Cookie Daze:
10:00 Bake & Taste – People’s Choice Voting ‘til 11:30
10:10 Cookie Hunt (Toddlers Age 2 & Under)
10:00 – 12:00 Children’s Activities
10:30 Cookie Drop (Ages 3 & 4; Grand Prize: Plasma Car)
10:45 – 11:30 Happy Ness Clowns
11:15 Cookie Drop (Ages 5 & 6; Grand Prize: Bicycle)
12:15 Cookie Drop (Ages 7-12; Grand Prize: Bicycle)
12:30 Awards Presentation at Pavilion (Bake & Taste & Coloring Contest)
12:45 Cookie Drop (Ages 13-95; Grand Prize: Ripon Chamber Dollars)
1:30 COOKIE DAZE CLOSES
All over Kenosha’s beautiful harbor area, you’ll find the Taste of Wisconsin July 28-30 this year. There’s plenty to eat, drink, and do with over 40 food vendors, four beverage gardens, 75+ musical artists playing across four different stages, and a Kid Zone. The Demonstration Center offers a look at all kinds of foods and products for making awesome culinary delights – or just quick, tasty meals – from a number of chefs and others who show you how to make magic in the kitchen… or on the grill, at the campsite – wherever you want to prepare food.
Admission is FREE for everybody! And while you can enjoy great food, music, and more, you can also explore the HarborPark area, the Kenosha Public Museum, the Civil War Museum, the Dinosaur Discovery Museum, the Southport Light Station & Museum, take rides on the Kenosha Trolley, and more! Taste of Wisconsin happens in Kenosha’s HarborPark area on the edge of downtown. You’ll find it just east of Highway 32 between the east ends of Highways 50 and 158. Enjoy!
Taste of Wisconsin covers a lot of ground in Kenosha’s HarborPark area, right downtown. They need a lot of room for all that food and music! Photo courtesy of the Kenosha News.
Taste of Wisconsin Address:
HarborPark
5400 6th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 496-9400 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
Burlington is “Chocolate City, USA,” named so for its Nestle plant, which opened in 1965. Chocolate Fest started 22 years later in 1987 and has been delighting chocolate lovers ever since. Although the dates used to move around, it now takes place every Memorial Day weekend – this year, that means May 24-27, 2019.
That’s a lot of chocolate. Good!
Plenty of exhibits on chocolate, demonstrations on chocolate-making, and samples highlight the main theme of the festivals. Music from national and regional acts, family events, and more add to the fun. Need a sugar rush? There’s a cupcake-eating contest if you’re in a hurry for it!
It really is chocolate Jenga…
There’s also a Rotary Carnival, a Chocolate City Bike Ride, fireworks, and a Memorial Day Veterans Day Parade. Chocolate Jenga is a crowd-pleaser – and suspenseful at times! Chocolate carvings, treats, and more add to the tasty fun.
The Burlington Festival Grounds are just off Milwaukee Street (City Highways 36 & 83) along Maryland Avenue near the Fox River and Riverside Park, northeast of downtown. City Highway 11 just to the south, and Highway 142 approaches from the southeast. While in town, you can check out other places like the Spinning Top & Yo-Yo Museum and Fred’s, one of Wisconsin’s legendary burger joints.
Live music and other performances will take place on several stages across the grounds. The Main Stage will include performances from Cherry Pie Thursday night and Bella Cain and Clear Pioneer Friday night. Saturday will feature Squad 51, Chris Jones, Failure to Launch, the Dayrollers, Almight Vinyl, and the Petty Kings (a Tom Petty tribute band) Saturday. Sunday will include 76 Juliet, the Astro Blues Band, the Altered Five Blues Band, and Lunchmoney Bullies. Memorial Day Monday will include The Britins (an amazingly spot-on Beatles cover band), Taylor & Jamie, PF and the Flatheads, and Jeff Walski.
Tickets run $8 for people ages 12 and up, $5 for kids 5-12, and free for children 4 and under. On-grounds parking is also available for $5. Get more details and updates on the Chocolate Fest website.
Did you know Wisconsin is fourth in the nation in the production of maple syrup? Phelps Maple Syrup Fest celebrates this sweet and natural concoction on Saturday, April 6th!
Head up Highway 17 to Phelps and get in on the action. Learn more about how and where maple syrup is made, browse local arts & crafts, and tickle your taste buds… not only with maple syrup, but with honey this year, too!
Phelps Maple Syrup Fest is centered on the grounds of the Phelps school. There will be tree-tapping demonstrations and driving tour or guided bus tours of local sugar bushes to see where this popular treat originates and how sap becomes maple syrup. Furthermore, kid’s games and activities, a wonderful arts and crafts show with over 70 vendors, maple syrup and honey displays, and a maple syrup contest judged by local celebrities makes the Phelps Maple Syrup Fest a great event for the whole family. Be sure to taste the maple syrup goodies available at the Maple Cafe, try your hand at making Maple Taffy on the snow, or bring your homemade maple syrup to enter into the judging contest!
The day’s activities and sugar bush tours are free of charge for all attendees. Interested in learning how to make maple syrup or honey? This will be the first year for a new Beekeepers 101 class and a Maple Syrup 101 class. Each class is $10 per person, with no pre-registration required.
Phelps is a quiet and beautiful little town on the eastern end of North Twin Lake. It’s less than 20 minutes north and east of Eagle River via Highway 17 in Vilas County. Phelps is in the midst of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, right along the border with the U.P. of Michigan.
The United States Championship Cheese Contest® is the nation’s premier technical cheese, butter, and yogurt competition. 2019 marks the 20th biennial edition, hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. Lambeau Field in Green Bay hosts the United States Championship Cheese Contest March 5-7, 2019 and the term “cheeseheads” will never be the same!
March 5-6: Watch the Preliminary Rounds FREE!
The U.S. Championship Cheese Contest is free and open to the public during the preliminary rounds of judging which take place on Tuesday, March 5th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Wednesday, March 6th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The judging takes place in the Atrium at the Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The announcement of the 2019 United States Champion will happen in the evening on March 7, at Cheese Champion.
March 7: Meet the Experts and Taste the Winners!
The Championship round takes place Thursday, March 7 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the KI Convention Center in downtown Green Bay (333 Main Street.) This is a ticketed event, with all tickets sold in advance. You can buy yours for $30 starting in January.
Thousands of cheeses will compete for the elusive U.S. Championship Cheese crown, but of course only one can win. Entries are evaluated by a team of skilled technical judges from across the nation. Starting from a maximum possible 100 points, deductions are made for various defects found by each judge. Defects are noted in the areas of flavor, body and texture, salt, color, finish, packaging, and other appropriate attributes. A Gold medal, Silver medal and Bronze medal are awarded to the three highest scoring entries in each class. You can be there to watch it happen and you taste 40 of the best cheeses in the country! Mix and match your favorite beer and cheese pairings, and meet and mingle with 45 of the top cheese judges in the United States.
Worth noting is that the 2019 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest is open to only 400 attendees, with all tickets sold in advance. You’ll enjoy complimentary beer and cheese pairings, samples of at least 40 cheeses, and cash bar. So hurry!
United States Championship Cheese Contest Address:
Lambeau Field
1265 N. Lombardi Avenue
Green Bay, WI 54304
(920) Website
Start:
March 5, 2019 9:00 am
End:
March 8, 2019 9:00 pm
Venue:
Lambeau Field
Phone:
608-286-1001
Address:
1265 Lombardi Avenue, Green Bay, WI, 54304, United States
The American Club hosts its Kohler Celebration of Chocolate from Friday, February 8 – Sunday, February 10, 2019. Come as friends or bring your sweetie and fall deeper in love with chocolate during their annual In Celebration of Chocolate. A winter getaway has never tasted so good with a weekend full of food pairings, demonstrations, evening dinners and events. From savory to sweet and everything in between, don’t miss this cocoa-themed celebration of the world’s favorite dessert. Topping things off is the opportunity for guests to taste the signature and newest creations from KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates.
You can buy tickets for specific events or enjoy the entire event, including overnight packages at The American Club for Celebration of Chocolate. Get ticket details here.
The American Club is easily accessible via Highways 23 or 28, just west of I-43 in Sheboygan County. Kohler itself is between Sheboygan and Sheboygan Falls, along the Sheboygan River. The Shops of Woodlake and the Kohler Design Center are right there, too!
Kohler Celebration of Chocolate Address:
The American Club Resort
419 Highland Drive
Kohler, WI 53044
(855) 444-2838 Website
The entire Celebration of Chocolate Schedule is below:
2019 Kohler Celebration of Chocolate Schedule
Friday, February 8, 2019
An Unexpected Pairing: Chocolate & Spirits
4-5pm – Craverie Chocolatier Café
Presenters:
KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates
Dan Dufek–Beverage Development Specialist, Breakthru Beverage Wisconsin
Chocolate is the world’s favorite treat and many chefs as well as chocolatiers love enhancing the flavors and rich notes of chocolate by creating pairings with a variety of beverages. In this seminar we introduce you to an oh-so-tasty but unconventional pairing. Experience the worlds of chocolate and spirits melt into one as we create wonderful taste sensations with a selection of spirits including Correlejo Tequila, Zaya Rum, Brancamenta, and Templeton Rye 6 year old whiskey.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
In Celebration of Chocolate Wine Dinner
Reception: 6:30pm, Dinner: 7-approximately 9pm – The Great Lakes Ballroom at The American Club
Presenters:
Lucas Oppeneer–Executive Banquet & Special Event Chef, Destination Kohler
Nicolas Blouin–Executive Pastry Chef, Destination Kohler
Sean Moran – Vice President of Sales, BelGioioso Cheese
Ron Breitstein–Group Manager, Kobrand Fine Wine & Spirits
Join us for a dining experience that will leave the chocolate-loving foodie inspired for days. This elegant, sweet-and-savory five-course dinner will treat guests to a one-of-a-kind chocolate-inspired menu. Courses featured by Emmi Roth Cheese; The American Club Executive Banquet Chef, Lucas Oppeneer; Chef Jerome Ducrocq, Executive Sous Chef at The Venetian Hotel Las Vegas; as well as The American Club Pastry Chef, Nicolas Blouin, will send your taste buds on an unforgettable culinary journey. Carefully selected wine pairings picked by Ron Breitstein, Certified Specialist of Wine of Kobrand Fine Wine & Spirits, will complement each course for this distinctive dinner.
$145 – includes gratuity, taxes and fees.
Note: The format of the dinner is assigned seating with 8-10 guests per table. Seating requests will be taken into consideration if noted with the purchase of the ticket.
Saturday, February 9, 2019 Create with a Chocolatier: Truffles & Trade Secrets
10–11am – The Kitchens of Kohler in The Shops at Woodlake Presenter: Crystal Thomas – Head Chocolatier, KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates
Ever wonder what happens when a chocolatier is inspired to create a new chocolate? Have some great ideas for a new flavor? Join Kohler’s chocolatier Crystal Thomas and explore the process of creating and launching a new chocolate. In this interactive seminar, Crystal will teach you some great chocolate skills and demonstrate how to make delectable chocolate truffles. You’ll have the opportunity to share ideas with Crystal, and she may even create a new flavor based on your suggestions.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
Guittard Chocolate Presents: Sweet Additions to Brunch with Scott Green
10:30–11:30am – The Appley Theatre Presenter: Scott Green – Chef/Owner, Devil’s Food Kitchen
Sometimes the sweet items are overlooked for savory when planning for a brunch. Executive Pastry Chef Scott Green makes your brunch menu planning easier & will prepare two of his favorite chocolate inspired brunch treats for you. Learn from Scott how to make a decadent milk-chocolate orange pound cake, as well as a rich and creamy dark chocolate custard. Of course you will get a taste of the chocolatey creations while you sip on a brunch inspired beverage.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
The Queen’s Tea Takes a Chocolaty Turn
11am–12pm – Thunder Bay at The American Club Presenter: Hannah Hunt – Head Baker, Destination Kohler
Afternoon tea is an English tradition that dates back centuries. In this interactive demonstration, The American Club’s head baker, Hannah Hunt, will give this tradition a fun, chocolaty twist. Hannah will teach you how to make two flavors of chocolate scones and a delicious hazelnut spread while you sip on a chocolate chai. You’ll also have a chance to make your own tea blend to take home.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
Two Wisconsin Originals: KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates & BelGioioso Cheese
12:30–1:30pm – The Appley Theatre Presenters: Crystal Thomas – Head Chocolatier, KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates Sean Moran – Vice President of Sales, BelGioioso Cheese
Ask Wisconsinites about their favorite foods, and cheese is sure to top the list of many. We’re confident chocolate is up there, too. When you pair the best cheese with the best chocolate, you’re in for a fun, educational seminar. Sean Moran from BelGioioso Cheese and Kohler Chocolatier Crystal Thomas will show you how this clever pair can make a delightful match at your next dinner party.
$39.99– includes taxes and fees.
A Chocolate–Inspired Lunch
12:30–2pm – The Wisconsin Room Presenter: Zeke Fitzgerald – Chef, The Wisconsin Room
If you adore chocolate and wine (and who doesn’t?), you know both cover a wide range of the taste spectrum. That’s why they go so well together. In this luncheon created for the wine and chocolate lover, Wisconsin Room Chef Zeke Fitzgerald will prepare three chocolate-inspired courses and pair with selected wines to play up the chocolate flavors in each courses. Seating is limited for this event, so sign up early. View the Menu
$60 – includes gratuity, taxes and fees.
Finishing Flavors: Brandy and Dessert
1:30–2:30pm – Thunder Bay at The American Club Presenters: Peter Kalleward – Mixologist, The American Club Travis Jeske – Pastry Sous Chef, The American Club
Like any dinner course, you can enhance dessert with the right cocktail combination. Peter Kalleward and Travis Jeske of The American Club will pair sweet treats with cocktails created from our own KOHLER Chocolate Brandy. Peter and Travis will discuss which flavor profiles pair well and how to balance them, so when you host your next cocktail party you’ll have dessert covered.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
Guittard Chocolate: Choosing the Best Chocolate for Your Desserts
2–3pm – The Kitchens of Kohler in The Shops at Woodlake Presenters: Josh Johnson – Head Pastry Chef, Guittard Chocolate Heather Houston – Territory Sales Manager, Guittard Chocolate
Get inspired to elevate your next dinner party with Guittard chocolate. Head Pastry Chef Josh Johnson and Heather Houston of Guittard team up to take you through the nuances of flavor for chocolate and how to choose the best one for your desserts. Along with tasting various chocolates, Josh will share & treat you to a great chocolate dessert you can make at your next dinner party.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
Smooth Creations: Caramels Handcrafted in Kohler
2:30–3:30pm – Council Room Presenter: Crystal Thomas – Head Chocolatier, KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates
While KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates showcase a variety of delicious flavors, one ingredient featured in many of our favorites is the hand-made caramel. Kohler’s own chocolatier, Crystal Thomas, will offer you a glimpse inside her world and demonstrate how she creates the rich, smooth caramel. She’ll share her secrets, so you can add this treasured treat to your own recipe book.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
Move over Cupcakes – It’s the Return of the Mac
4–5pm – The Kitchens of Kohler at The Shops at Woodlake Presenter: Travis Jeske – Pastry Sous Chef, Destination Kohler
In a world filled with changing dessert trends, one has withstood the test of time: the classic French macaron. This is your opportunity to learn the proper technique involved in creating this colorful and delectable treat. Destination Kohler’s pastry sous chef, Travis Jeske, will be your guide as you actively partake in preparing two types of macaron fillings. Apply your knowledge beyond the seminar and experiment with endless flavors for your next get together.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
Raise a Glass to Chocolate
4:30–5:30pm – The Appley Theatre Presenters: Crystal Thomas – Head Chocolatier, KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates Ron Breitstein–Group Manager, Kobrand Fine Wine & Spirits
Don’t fret, chocolate and wine lovers. We would not let the weekend go by without the most loved and sought-out chocolate pairing. Chocolatier Crystal Thomas and Ron Breitstein, certified specialist of wine of Kobrand Fine Wine, will explore how KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates are complemented by a variety of wines. Treat yourself to a tour of chocolates and wines that you will want to repeat over and over.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
Sugar High
8–10pm – Kohler Design Center Presenters: The Special Events Culinary Team of Destination Kohler
Revel in the final moments of the weekend with an unforgettable evening of delectable food. Weave your way through the Kohler Design Center while tasting, savoring, and discussing a variety of dishes created by our featured chefs and the culinary team from Destination Kohler. Live music by Wait for Morning will add to the festive mood while you indulge in an assortment of KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates and sample a selection of wines and wonderfully crafted cocktails.
$92 – includes taxes and fees.
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Chocolate Lovers’ Brunch
8am-1pm – The Wisconsin Room
The traditional Sunday brunch gets a chocolaty makeover during the In Celebration of Chocolate weekend. Reservations are required. Please call 855-444-2838 to make your reservation.
$45 per person plus tax and gratuity.
Beaver Dam is home to one of the premiere Kraft Philadelphia Brand Cream Cheese processing plants in the nation. Fittingly, the city annually plays host to the Midwest Cream Cheese Competition with Kraft products as preferred ingredients in any cream cheese recipe. This is one creamy, delicious competition!
Cream cheese is used in a huge variety of concoctions at this delicious competition!
This is the 14th annual festival and offers plenty of great dishes for sampling – although the judges get first dibs. It will take place Saturday, December 1st at the St. Katherine Drexel Parish Center on the south side of downtown Beaver Dam. Get the rest of the details (and mouth-watering photos) on their website!
Beaver Dam is easily reached via the U.S. 151 freeway or Highway 33. Highway 26 is also close by.
Midwest Cream Cheese Competition Address:
St. Katherine Drexel Parish Center
511 S. Spring Street
Beaver Dam, WI 53916
(920) 887-8879 (Beaver Dam Chamber office) Website
Date:
December 1, 2018
Venue:
St. Katherine Drexel Parish Center
Phone:
920-887-8879
Address:
511 S. Spring Street, Beaver Dam, WI, 53916, United States
Talk about pumpkin spice… the Racine County Fairgrounds gets crazy Saturday, October 20th & Sunday, October 21st with the Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest! Don’t miss out on this smashing fun time. Returning this year is The Best of the Midwest BBQ Cook Off, where over 50 teams will compete for $7,000 in prize money and the title of “The Best of the Midwest”. There will be Costume contests for Kids and Adults. Prizes will be awarded! This 2-day event will feature Pumpkin Chuckin Competitions, where teams will catapult pumpkins as far as the eye can see! Raymond Middle School holds the record for the Junior Division with 229 ft., Waterford High School holds the record for the Intermediate Division with 317 ft., and Trinity Lutheran holds the record for the Advanced Division with 476 ft. Can you beat it? Give it a shot! Pumpkin chuckin’ is actually quite a rush.
Also look for multiple Stage Performances by the Racine Zoo, Food, Vendors, Seasonal Beers, Free Kids Games and Activities, Carnival and Hay Rides, Pumpkin Baking Contests, and so much more! Fun for all ages!
Admission is free for all. The Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest runs 10am Saturday, October 20th through 5pm Sunday, October 21st. The Best of the Midwest BBQ Cook-Off kicks off Friday night and runs through Saturday – meaning not only is this a fun time, it’s a delicious time on the Racine County Fairgrounds!
Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest & Best of the Midwest BBQ Cook-Off Address:
Racine County Fairgrounds
19805 Durand Avenue (Highway 11)
Union Grove, WI 53182
(262) 878-4606 Website
See the full schedule below!
The Racine County Fairgrounds is in Union Grove along Highway 11 by U.S. 45. Great Lakes Dragaway is close by, and of course the beauty of fall makes for a fantastic drive as you head to the Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest and the Best of the Midwest BBQ Cook-Off! Other great places like the Bong Recreation Area, the Mars Cheese Castle, Appletrow Winery & Distillery, and more are all in close proximity.
Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest & Best of the Midwest BBQ Schedule of Events:
Saturday October 20th 10 am – 8 pm
Best of the Midwest Cook-Off (10 – 5)
12 pm – BBQ Turn In & Judging Begins
5 pm – KCBS BEST OF THE MIDWEST Awards (Main Stage)
2 – 4 pm – People’s Choice Competition
You be the judge! Purchase a Peoples Choice Judges card for $10 and sample the Best BBQ in the Midwest! Cards and contest in Beer Garden.
Pumpkin Chuckin Field (10 – 6)
IT’S YOUR TURN! Launch your own pumpkin between competitions – $4 per launch.
10:30 am – 12:30 pm – Little Chuckers
12:30 pm – Little Chuckers Team Awards
2:00 pm – 4:30 pm – Soaring Squash
4:30 pm – Soaring Squash Team Awards
Kids Games & Activities (10-7)
Little Sprouts Kids Zone – Sponsored by North Shore Bank
Free Hayrides (10-5)
Garden Tractor Club Barrel Rides – $1
Free Kids Games – Kids Play Area
Pumpkin Sling Shots (3 for $1)
11 am – ALL DAY Carnival Rides
10 am – ALL DAY Broncos Youth Shooting Club Potato Gun Challenge (3 shots for $5 or 7 shots for $10)
12 – 4 pm – Treasure Hunt with Captain Jack and Friends
Special thanks to Maurice Farms for donating pumpkins used at the Fest!
Petting Zoo (10-6)
Join the Union Grove FFA and let your kids meet theirs! The Union Grove High School FFA will be hosting a farm animal petting zoo both days.
Little Sprouts Stage
Sponsored by Union Grove Piggly Wiggly
10 am – Pumpkin Yoga with Jessie Vyvyan from Chi Trees & Oil – FREE Family Friendly
11 am – Animals of the World – Racine Zoo
12 pm – Magic Rob
2 pm – Magic Rob
3 pm – Sword Play by Highwaymen Entertainment
3:30 pm – Pumpkin Seed Spitting Contest
4 pm – Creatures of the Night – Racine Zoo
Helicopter Rides (11 am)
Take a 5-6 minute ride around Union Grove at 120 mph! The cost of a ride is $40/seat and we can take three passengers per flight. There are no age restrictions. Children under age 2 may sit on parent’s lap (no charge for child) as long as everyone is within weight limits. Children, age 2 and older, must have their own seat and seatbelt. Helicopter rides are sponsored and hosted by Lakeshore Helicopter.
6 pm – 8 pm – Battle of the Bars featuring Dead Mann’s Saloon (Kansasville, WI), Hiawatha Bar & Grill (Sturtevant, WI), JB’s Pub (Union Grove, WI), and 1175 Sports Park & Eatery (Kansasville, WI)
Sunday, October 21 10 am – 5 pm
Pumpkin Chuckin Field (10 – 5)
IT’S YOUR TURN! Launch your own pumpkin between competitions – $4 per launch.
11 am – 2 pm – Advanced Chuckin Competition Begins
2:30 pm – Advanced Chuckin Awards
Kids Games & Activities (10-5)
Little Sprouts Kids Zone – Sponsored by North Shore Bank
Free Hayrides (10-5)
Garden Tractor Club Barrel Rides – $1
Free Kids Games – Kids Play Area
Pumpkin Sling Shots (3 for $1)
10 am – ALL DAY Carnival Rides
10 am – ALL DAY Broncos Youth Shooting Club -Potato Gun Challenge (3 shots for $5 or 7 shots for $10)
12 pm – Desperados & Deputies (presented by Highwaymen Entertainment)
Throughout the day watch out as bandits hijack our hayride!
Don’t worry Deputy Do-Good will be on guard to bring the
bandits to justice, but he may need your help!
Special thanks to Maurice Farms for donating pumpkins used at the Fest!
Petting Zoo (10-2)
Join the Union Grove FFA and let your kids meet theirs! The Union Grove High School FFA will be hosting a farm animal petting zoo both days.
Little Sprouts Stage
Sponsored by Union Grove Piggly Wiggly
11 am – Animals of the World – Racine Zoo
12 pm – Magic Rob
1:30 pm – Princess Story Time – Enchanted Parties & Events
2:30 pm – Creatures of the Night – Racine Zoo
3 pm – Magic Rob
4 pm – Princess Story Time with Enchanted Parties & Events
Helicopter Rides (12 pm)
Take a 5-6 minute ride around Union Grove at 120 mph! The cost of a ride is $40/seat and we can take three passengers per flight. There are no age restrictions. Children under age 2 may sit on parent’s lap (no charge for child) as long as everyone is within weight limits. Children, age 2 and older, must have their own seat and seatbelt. Helicopter rides are sponsored and hosted by Lakeshore Helicopter.
Great Pumpkin Bake-Off (10 – 1)
10 am – 12:45 pm- Entry Turn In at the Information Barn
1:00 pm Entry Judging & Awards (Main Stage)
Rib Cooking Demo (12 pm)
Join Moose’s BBQ at the Main Stage and learn the tricks behind the KCBS competition RIBS – including FREE samples!
Pie Eating Contest (2 pm)
Register at the information booth by 1:30 pm.
Start:
October 20, 2018 10:00 am
End:
October 21, 2018 5:00 pm
Venue:
Racine County Fairgrounds
Phone:
262-878-4606
Address:
19805 Durand Avenue, Union Grove, WI, 53182, United States
Talk about a live cultural experience! Fermentation Fest is a “Live Culture Convergence,” an annual celebration of live culture in all its forms from dance to yogurt and poetry to sauerkraut. Presented by the Reedsburg-based Wormfarm Institute, Fermentation Fest brings together farmers, chefs, artists, poets and performers in the beautiful working lands of Sauk County for tastings, demonstrations, cooking classes, art events, performances, food carts and more.
Classes, Tastings, and more…
From saurkraut to hot sauces, from chocolate to coffee, beer and wine, from yogurt to sourdough bread, over one-third of what we consume is fermented. Fermentation Fest features authors, chefs, bakers, scientists, chocolatiers, brew masters and cheese makers over two consecutive weekends, offering 40 classes and lectures that celebrate the abundance and transformation of fermentation. Learn skills you can use at home, enjoy samples, and experience hands-on ways to bring fermentation into your daily experience.
Farm/Art DTour
The biennial feature of Fermentation Fest, Farm/Art DTour is a 50+ mile drive through scenic working farmland of rural Sauk County where artists explore the timeless connection between land and people. For thousands of years, farmers in cultures around the world interwove dance, music, and art through rituals of planting and the harvest in celebration of the land and those who care for it. Through a contemporary approach and within this timeless context, they continue the tradition.
Check out two Food Chain stops #15 and #28 along the DTour – pick up a map at the Chamber of Commerce (240 Railroad Street, 608-524-2850).
Hit Highway 23 or 33 to find Reedsburg, cross the 90th Meridian, and enjoy Fermentation Fest!
Reedsburg Fermentation Fest Address:
28 E. Main Street (Highways 23/33)
Reedsburg, WI 53959
(608) 524-8672 Website
Start:
October 5, 2018
End:
October 14, 2018
Venue:
Wormfarm Institute
Phone:
608-524-8672
Address:
28 E. Main Street, Reedsburg, WI, 53959, United States
Formerly the Grill Games, Kenosha’s newly-christened “Bands, Brews, & BBQ on the Beach” is a free three-day weekend festival featuring outstanding live musical acts throughout the day and plenty of grills and BBQ. This year, it runs Friday, August 24th through Saturday, August 25th. The event gets a new name and a fresh shot of vision as the newly christened Bands, Brews & BBQs on the Kenosha Lakefront at Pennoyer & Kennedy Parks.
Like before when it was the Grill Games, check out the Wisconsin State Championship BBQ contest with teams from the Kansas City Barbeque Society! You can learn their secrets, taste and purchase BBQ, and vote for your favorite teams. There are also plenty of kids’ activities and a beer garden – because beer pairs exceptionally well with tasty BBQ. “Kenosha’s Best BBQ Contest” runs Friday the 24th from 5pm to 8pm and the “People’s Choice BBQ Competition” runs Saturday the 25th from 2pm to 4:30pm.
Admission is $5/day. Proceeds benefit the scholarship foundations of the Kenosha YMCA and the Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Kenosha HarborPark area is between downtown and Lake Michigan, just east of Highway 32 between Highways 158 and 50. It’s a beautiful area, definitely check it out!
Kenosha Bands, Brews, & BBQ Address:
Celebration Place at HarborPark
56th Street & 1st Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 654-1234 Website Facebook page
Madison hosts the World Championship Cheese Contest again this year at the Monona Terrace and it will be a cheese lover’s paradise! Cheesemakers from all over the world descend on Wisconsin’s capital city for three days to judge over 3,000 cheeses, butters, and yogurts.
Preliminary judging rounds for the World Championship Cheese Contest are open to the public for FREE Tuesday, March 6 and Wednesday, March 7. Try some tasty samples as the judges do their thing and narrow it down to finalists and winners.
Then, Thursday night the 8th you can attend the Cheese Champion event. This ticketed event ($25, in advance) lets you sample more than 50 of the best cheese from around the world. International cheese experts will be on hand to show you the intracicies of of cheese evaluation, and of course you can pair cheeses with other foods and craft beers that will be available. The event climaxes with the crowning of the World Champion Cheesemaker!
Monona Terrace is a crown jewel of a conference center, with the original design going back to Frank Lloyd Wright. Perched overlooking Lake Monona on one side with a beautiful view of the Wisconsin State Capitol just a few blocks away, it’s a fantastic place for an event – especially one filled with specialty cheeses! Monona Terrace actually covers U.S. 151/John Nolen Drive for several blocks; it’s mere moments from the Beltline (U.S. 12/18), Park Avenue (U.S. 14/151), East Washington Avenue (U.S. 151), Highway 113, or Highway 30 from I-39/90/94.
World Championship Cheese Contest/Monona Terrace Address:
1 John Nolen Drive (U.S. 151)
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 286-1001 Website
The World Champion Cheesemaker Award was bestowed on a U.S. cheesemaker for the first time since 1988 during the awards in 2016, to Emmi Roth of Monroe, Wisconsin.
Start:
March 6, 2018 10:00 am
End:
March 8, 2018 9:00 pm
Venue:
Monona Terrace
Phone:
608-286-1001
Address:
1 John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI, 53703, United States
It’s a Fat Tuesday celebration at the Milwaukee Public Market! Loosen your belts and head over for the 2nd Annual Milwaukee Public Market Chili & Beer Tasting on Tuesday, February 13th.
Explore 8 different chili creations from 8 different public market vendors, and follow them up with 8 regional craft beers. Enjoy a wide range of chili creations that are sure to please everyone from meat-free fans to meat-PLEASE fans. From mild to wild, from fair to fire – the “heat meter” will be covered on both ends with each homemade chili recipe.
Wash down these chili samples with samplings from some of the area’s top breweries, from within Milwaukee and just beyond. Net proceeds from the event will benefit COA Youth & Family Centers. It’s a win-win-win!
Featuring Chili from:
The Soup & Stock Market
West Allis Cheese & Sausage
Margarita Paradise
On The Bus (vegan)
Thainamite
Foltz Family Market
The Spice House
St. Paul Fish Company
and featuring corn bread from C. Adams’ Bakery
With Beer from:
Sprecher
City Lights
Titletown Brewery
Lakefront Brewery
Good City Brewing
Raised Grain Brewing
Third Space Brewery, and
Company Brewing
The Milwaukee Public Market features a fantastic variety of food and beverage vendors, market items for recipes and take-home, wearables at Brew City Beer Gear, and during warmer weather an outdoor farmers market that stretches along Broadway and St. Paul. St. Paul Fish Company also offers a seasonal outdoor bar with a tiki-Florida feel in the summer and, conditions permitting, an ice bar in the winter. With the way the weather’s been looking, the ice bar will be open during the Milwaukee Public Market Chili & Beer Tasting, too!
You can get to the Milwaukee Public Market via Water Street or Broadway (Highway 32), two blocks south of U.S. 18 and about one mile north of Highway 59/National Avenue. Highways 38 and 145 bring you close, and I-794 literally hovers above it!
Milwaukee Public Market Chili & Beer Tasting Address:
400 N. Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 336-1111 Website
Start:
February 13, 2018 6:00 pm
End:
February 13, 2018 9:00 pm
Venue:
Milwaukee Public Market
Phone:
414-336-1111
Address:
400 N. Water Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
Chocolate: smooth, velvety, soft, dark, sensuous… kinda makes your heart go pitter-patter, doesn’t it? Well, there’s a treat for you at the 15th Annual, Death by Chocolate Valentine’s Day event in Appleton. It happens Saturday, Feb 10, 2018 from 1-4pm. Sample scrumptious chocolate desserts whipped up by some of the best chefs in the area!
Tickets are on sale now. Call 920-954-9112 or stop at the ADI office at 116 N. Appleton St. Mon-Fri 8:45am-3:30pm. You can also buy tickets online.
Enjoy the Love Is In The Air Celebration including a Community Wedding Vow Renewal in Houdini Plaza at noon, plus ice sculptures to view before & after your chocolate lovers paradise.
Choose from one of two “Death By Chocolate” routes each with 21 stops for just $20. (The 21 stops include 12 bars and restaurants and 8 retail stops who wanted to join in the fun on both routes. Plus one more bonus top that isn’t even on the tickets at Riverview Gardens Retail Store, 513 W. College Avenue where The Community Clothes Closet will be hosting a pop up Vintage clothing sale and giving away chocolate mini-cupcakes!)
See below for a list of the many participating locations.
Getting to Appleton is easy via I-41, U.S. 10, or Highways 47, 96, or 125 (of course, by the time you reach Highways 125, you’re pretty much IN Appleton already._)
Downtown Appleton Death By Chocolate Address:
10 W. College Avenue (Highway 125)
Appleton, WI 54911
(920) 954-9112 Website
Death By Chocolate Participating Locations:
EAST END
Wooden Nickel Sports Bar & Grill Chocolate Porter*
The Fire Spicy Hot Chocolate with Spray Whip
Beatnik Betty’s Resale Butik Chocolate Surprise
Antojitos Mexicanos Chocolate Tres Leche Cake
hey, daisy! Cookies & Dream Edible Ice Cream
The Vintage Garden Chocolate Salted Caramel Delight
Lillians of Appleton Chocolate Surprise
Brewed Awakenings Caramel Mocha Cake
Bagelicious Chocolate Surprise
Inspire Spa Hot Chocolate Bar
Olde Town Tavern Chocolate Martini*
Bazil’s Pub Chocolate Beer*
Tamara’s Cake Guru Chocolate Mini Cupcakes, Brownie Bites & Valentine Treats
Crazy Sweet Chocolate covered oreo truffles
Cleo’s Brown Beam Tavern Chopin Double Chocolate Liqueur*
Appleton Street Sports Bar & Grill Chocolate Cheesecake Bites
Rookie’s Bar & Grill Chocolate Beer*
Copper Rock Coffee Dark Chocolate Truffle Gelato with Winter Chocolate Drizzle
Spa BenMarNico Hot Chocolate
Float Light Assorted Chocolates
WEST END & RIVERFRONT
Wooden Nickel Sports Bar & Grill Chocolate Porter*
The Fire Spicy Hot Chocolate with Spray Whip
Beatnik Betty’s Resale Butik Chocolate Surprise
hey, daisy! Cookies & Dream Edible Ice Cream
The Vintage Garden Chocolate Salted Caramel Delight
Lillians of Appleton Chocolate Surprise
Inspire Spa Hot Chocolate Bar
Spa BenMarNico Hot Chocolate
Jo ala Mode inside the Radisson Chocolate Fantasy Cake
CU Saloon Hasta LaBasta (Chocolate, Honey & Molasses Stout)*
McGuinness Irish Pub Nutty Irishman*
ACOCA Coffee Bourbon Pecan Truffles
Muncheez Pizzeria Cinni-Muncheez with Chocolate Fudge dipping sauce
Appleton Beer Factory Chocolate Beer*
Float Light Assorted Chocolates
Sangria’s Mexican Grill Chicken Chile Relleno with White Chocolate Godiva Ganache
Spats Food & Spirits Chocolate POTS DE CREME
Stone Arch BrewPub Bacon Brewer Bars (paired with an Imperial Chocolate Stout*)
Fratello’s Waterfront Restaurant mini chocolate cupcakes filled with milk chocolate ganache
Atlas Waterfront Café & Gathering Room Atlas Expresso Fudge & Other Delights
*indicates you must be 21 or older
The Downtown Trolley will be running a continuous loop every 20 minutes to help you get to all the venues thanks to the generosity of sponsors Tundraland and Warning Lites.
Start:
February 10, 2018 1:00 pm
End:
February 10, 2018 4:00 pm
Venue:
Downtown Appleton
Phone:
920-954-9112
Address:
10 W. College Avenue, Appleton, WI, 54911, United States
Oconomowoc warms up the chilly January weather with its 9th annual Chili Fest on Saturday, January 27th! Ice sculptures and carvings along the downtown streets, ice and pond hockey on Fowler Lake, open family skating, a beer tent, and of course plenty of chili tastings.
Chili tastings are hosted by downtown businesses and local fundraising organizations with proceeds going to local charity. As you stroll downtown and stop in shops you can check out professional ice carvers who dot the downtown streets chiseling frozen blocks into works of art. A DJ and beer tent – which will also offer burgers and hot cocoa – are set up on the lake near the hockey tournament. A family skating rink is groomed nearby and an ice fishing clinic is also planned for the young anglers. It should be a fairly mild Saturday, so note ice conditions if you plan on skating.
While you stroll Wisconsin Avenue, check out a great burger at Crafty Cow, browse boutique shops, have a beer at Lakerz Sports Bar & Grill, and get a gander at the marker by City Hall commemorating the former location of the Strand Theatre, notable for being the place where the classic film The Wizard of Oz first premiered to audiences. Plenty of fun, food, skating, history, and more in this incredibly charming town at the western end of Waukesha County’s Lake Country.
Oconomowoc is where Highways 16 and 67 meet, just north of I-94’s Exit 282. The downtown is wedged between Lac La Belle and Fowler Lake and stroll along Wisconsin Avenue and Main Street reveals plenty of great shops, beautiful architecture, restaurants, historic markers, a dam, and much more. And of course on Saturday the 27th during Chili Fest, plenty of skating and chili!
Chili Fest Address:
Downtown Oconomowoc
133 E. Wisconsin Avenue (Highways 16 & 67, skipping the bypass)
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
(262) 567-5755 Website
Start:
January 27, 2018 9:00 am
End:
January 27, 2018 5:00 pm
Venue:
Downtown Oconomowoc
Phone:
262-567-5755
Address:
133 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Oconomowoc, WI, 53066, United States
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events › Food
September 1, 2019
Big Pig BBQ, Milwaukee
Char’d Milwaukee
Iron Grate BBQ Co.
Pigtailz MKE
Pop’s BBQ
Rollin’ Smoke BBQ
Saucy Swine
Saz’s State House
Silver Spur Texas Smokehouse BBQ
Smoke Shack
Yummy Bones BBQ
The cooker voted “fan favorite” wins the Big Gig Pig Award!
As they say, the fun goes beyond the food (which also includes the Corn Man, kettle corn, ice cream and more.) There will be plenty of live music on two stages, Cooking Demonstrations, Family Fun Picnic Games (including Giant Jenga, Kerplunk, and the legendary “Mechanical Pig” you can ride), even a Celebrity Bacon-Eating Contest. The grounds have plenty of room for partying, parking, and the smells alone will direct you to this tasty event. The Big Gig BBQ website has the full schedule and all the details!
Big Pig BBQ Music Schedule:
11am – 12:30 pm: Listening Party
1:30pm – 3:30pm: Idle Minds
4pm – 6pm: Saving Savannah
The Big Pig BBQ takes place on the south end of Henry Maier Festival Park, which many simply call the Summerfest Grounds. It’s along Milwaukee’s lakefront bordered by downtown, I-794, U.S. 18 and Discovery World, and the Milwaukee River as it meets Lake Michigan. Highways 32, 38, 59, and 145 also bring you with blocks. It will be a fun part of the Milwaukee Rally Labor Day weekend!
Big Pig BBQ Address:
639 E. Summerfest Place
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 273-2680
Website
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August 28, 2019
Taste of Durand & Music in the Park
Wednesday, August 28th will feature Taste of Durand, which features food venues from area restaurants, bars, grocery store & other private vendors. Music in the Park also takes place that evening, with The Whitesidewalls “Rock-N-Roll Revue” playing at the Memorial Park Bandshell. Durand is the county seat of Pepin County, located along the Chippewa River in a beautiful valley. U.S. 10 and Highways 25 and 85 reach town – and this is a great opportunity to enjoy a nice range of food from area restaurants and enjoy some music.
Durand is only about 15 miles upstream from the Mississippi River and lies in the heart of west-central Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. It’s a fairly quick and scenic ride from Eau Claire via Highway 85, Menomonie or Nelson via Highway 25, or Ellsworth or Osseo via U.S. 10.
Taste of Durand and Music in the Park Address:
Memorial Park
2nd Avenue E
Durand, WI 54736
(715) 672-5709 (That’s the Pepin County Visitors Bureau line)
Website
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August 24, 2019 – August 25, 2019
Festival in the Pines, Eau Claire
The 37th annual Festival in the Pines takes place in Eau Claire’s beautiful Carson Park August 24th and 25th. Festival in the Pines has traditionally been a place to gather with friends and family to enjoy fun, food and shopping! With over 200 vendors, there is something for everyone. Two stages feature live music, family entertainment, plus games and rides for the kids. New features include Home Improvement Area, and Antique Area.
“Festival of Wines in the Pines” is an additional event within Festival in the Pines, and it returns to Carson Park on Saturday, August 24th from 11am to 5pm. Your $15 entry fee includes four wine samples and free entry to Festival in the Pines on Sunday to stock your wine cellar. There will again be 4 Wine Lounges with music for you to choose from.
Carson Park is a large, absolutely beautiful park along the Chippewa River in Eau Claire, just west and south of the city’s downtown and UW-Eau Claire campus. You can reach Eau Claire via I-94, U.S. 12, U.S. 53, and Highways 37, 93, and 124.
Festival in the Pines Address:
Carson Park
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 828-2570
Website
Carson Park Map for Festival in the Pines:
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August 22, 2019 – August 25, 2019
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 9, 2019 – August 10, 2019
Seymour Burgerfest
Seymour Burgerfest & Balloon Rally celebrates the “Home of the Hamburger”! Seymour is where the hamburger was reportedly invented by Charlie Nagreen in 1885, improvising the sandwich while selling meatballs at the Outagamie County Fair. Burgerfest celebrates this momentous creation with a big Balloon Rally Friday night, the World’s Largest Hamburger Parade, the Bun Run, Kids’ Run, music, kids’ games, the Burger Eating Contest and the Giant Ketchup Slide! The Car Show, Railroad Depot and Community Museum are included with the Saturday entrance fee.a 190-pound hamburger they grill up right there, the burger-eating contest, and you can even take a plunge on the ketchup slide!
The Car Show, viewing the model railroad at the Railroad Depot, and seeing the world’s largest hamburger memorabilia exhibit at the Seymour Community Museum are included with the Saturday Burger Fest entrance fee. Downtown Seymour Saturday events cost only $3 in advance and $5 at the gate. Children 12 and under are admitted free with paid adult on Saturday downtown. Wristbands are available from Seymour merchants Don’s Quality Market, Seymour Public Library, Seymour Community Museum. Or, get your Tickets in Advance here.
During a previous Burgerfest, Seymour celebrants cooked up the World’s Largest Hamburger – according to Guinness – at 8,266 pounds!
“In 1885, Charles N. Nagreen, a young lad of 15, came to the Seymour Fair to sell meatballs. When he realized people wanted to walk around the fair grounds and eat, he flattened a meatball between two slices of bread and called it a ‘hamburger.’ This was the first time the hamburger sandwich was produced and sold.” [/highlight]
The State Trunk Tour has been there; amidst the bands, the model railroad museum and hungry and thirsty festival goers milling about under the statue of Charles “Hamburger Charlie” Nagreen (the hamburger’s inventor), was the main attraction: a 60-pound hamburger. Sure, it’s a fraction of the monstrous 8,266 pound record grilled in 2001, but it was still a monster.
The 60 pound mound of meat, hot off the grill.
It took some work, but the meat was successfully wedged within a gi-normous bun – even though part of the patty’s north side fell a bit!
Check out all the fun where Highways 54 and 55 meet in Seymour!
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August 3, 2019
Cookie Daze
Who doesn’t love cookies? Even though this events is designed mainly for kids, grown-ups love cookies too. And Ripon, with its long history of making delicious cookies, hosts a tasty Cookie Daze on Saturday, August 3rd at Barlow Park.
Cookie Daze is a mostly free celebration for children with lots of contests, games, and of course, cookies! Cookie Daze celebrates July 11, 1992 – the day Ripon baked the biggest cookie the world had ever seen. Filled with 3.8 million chocolate chips and measuring 34 feet in diameter, “Ripon accomplished something no one had ever done before,” according to the Ripon Commonwealth Press. Cookie Daze draws crowds of families readied for the annual “cookie drop” – let the chips fall where they may!
Activities during the event, which runs from 10 am – 1:30 pm, include Cookie Decorating, a Fish Pond, Kookie Cookie BINGO, a Rocket Shop & Launch Pad, a Food & Beverage Tent, the Flame Thrower Hitting Machine, Face Painting and a Children’s Activity Tent, Inflatables to play on and in, and more!
While in Ripon, check out all the shops downtown, the campus of Ripon College, and nearby towns like Green Lake, Berlin, and more!
Ripon Cookie Daze Address:
Barlow Park, corner of Griswold & Watson Streets
Ripon, WI 54971
(920) 748-6764
Website
Check their website for full details, and the Schedule of Events below. You can get to Ripon via Highways 23, 44 and 49.
2019 COOKIE DAZE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Activities Taking Place from 10 am – 1:30 pm: Cookie Decorating • Fish Pond • Kookie Cookie BINGO • Rocket Shop & Launch Pad • Food & Beverage Tent* • Flame Thrower Hitting Machine • Face Painting • Children’s Activity Tent • Inflatables • Petting Farm • Pony Rides* and more!
Scheduled Activities for Cookie Daze:
10:00 Bake & Taste – People’s Choice Voting ‘til 11:30
10:10 Cookie Hunt (Toddlers Age 2 & Under)
10:00 – 12:00 Children’s Activities
10:30 Cookie Drop (Ages 3 & 4; Grand Prize: Plasma Car)
10:45 – 11:30 Happy Ness Clowns
11:15 Cookie Drop (Ages 5 & 6; Grand Prize: Bicycle)
12:15 Cookie Drop (Ages 7-12; Grand Prize: Bicycle)
12:30 Awards Presentation at Pavilion (Bake & Taste & Coloring Contest)
12:45 Cookie Drop (Ages 13-95; Grand Prize: Ripon Chamber Dollars)
1:30 COOKIE DAZE CLOSES
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July 26, 2019 – July 28, 2019
Taste of Wisconsin
Admission is FREE for everybody! And while you can enjoy great food, music, and more, you can also explore the HarborPark area, the Kenosha Public Museum, the Civil War Museum, the Dinosaur Discovery Museum, the Southport Light Station & Museum, take rides on the Kenosha Trolley, and more! Taste of Wisconsin happens in Kenosha’s HarborPark area on the edge of downtown. You’ll find it just east of Highway 32 between the east ends of Highways 50 and 158. Enjoy!
Taste of Wisconsin Address:
HarborPark
5400 6th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 496-9400
Website
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June 6, 2019 – June 9, 2019
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 24, 2019 – May 27, 2019
Chocolate Fest in Burlington
Burlington is “Chocolate City, USA,” named so for its Nestle plant, which opened in 1965. Chocolate Fest started 22 years later in 1987 and has been delighting chocolate lovers ever since. Although the dates used to move around, it now takes place every Memorial Day weekend – this year, that means May 24-27, 2019.
There’s also a Rotary Carnival, a Chocolate City Bike Ride, fireworks, and a Memorial Day Veterans Day Parade. Chocolate Jenga is a crowd-pleaser – and suspenseful at times! Chocolate carvings, treats, and more add to the tasty fun.
The Burlington Festival Grounds are just off Milwaukee Street (City Highways 36 & 83) along Maryland Avenue near the Fox River and Riverside Park, northeast of downtown. City Highway 11 just to the south, and Highway 142 approaches from the southeast. While in town, you can check out other places like the Spinning Top & Yo-Yo Museum and Fred’s, one of Wisconsin’s legendary burger joints.
Live music and other performances will take place on several stages across the grounds. The Main Stage will include performances from Cherry Pie Thursday night and Bella Cain and Clear Pioneer Friday night. Saturday will feature Squad 51, Chris Jones, Failure to Launch, the Dayrollers, Almight Vinyl, and the Petty Kings (a Tom Petty tribute band) Saturday. Sunday will include 76 Juliet, the Astro Blues Band, the Altered Five Blues Band, and Lunchmoney Bullies. Memorial Day Monday will include The Britins (an amazingly spot-on Beatles cover band), Taylor & Jamie, PF and the Flatheads, and Jeff Walski.
Tickets run $8 for people ages 12 and up, $5 for kids 5-12, and free for children 4 and under. On-grounds parking is also available for $5. Get more details and updates on the Chocolate Fest website.
Have a chocolatey good time!
Chocolate Fest Address:
681 Maryland Avenue (Business Highway 36)
Burlington, WI 53105
(262) 763-7185
Website
April 6, 2019
Phelps Maple Syrup Fest
Head up Highway 17 to Phelps and get in on the action. Learn more about how and where maple syrup is made, browse local arts & crafts, and tickle your taste buds… not only with maple syrup, but with honey this year, too!
Phelps Maple Syrup Fest is centered on the grounds of the Phelps school. There will be tree-tapping demonstrations and driving tour or guided bus tours of local sugar bushes to see where this popular treat originates and how sap becomes maple syrup. Furthermore, kid’s games and activities, a wonderful arts and crafts show with over 70 vendors, maple syrup and honey displays, and a maple syrup contest judged by local celebrities makes the Phelps Maple Syrup Fest a great event for the whole family. Be sure to taste the maple syrup goodies available at the Maple Cafe, try your hand at making Maple Taffy on the snow, or bring your homemade maple syrup to enter into the judging contest!
Phelps is a quiet and beautiful little town on the eastern end of North Twin Lake. It’s less than 20 minutes north and east of Eagle River via Highway 17 in Vilas County. Phelps is in the midst of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, right along the border with the U.P. of Michigan.
Phelps Maple Syrup Fest Address:
4451 Old School Road
Phelps, WI 54554
(715) 545-3800
Website
Facebook page
March 5, 2019 – March 8, 2019
United States Championship Cheese Contest
The United States Championship Cheese Contest® is the nation’s premier technical cheese, butter, and yogurt competition. 2019 marks the 20th biennial edition, hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. Lambeau Field in Green Bay hosts the United States Championship Cheese Contest March 5-7, 2019 and the term “cheeseheads” will never be the same!
March 5-6: Watch the Preliminary Rounds FREE!
The U.S. Championship Cheese Contest is free and open to the public during the preliminary rounds of judging which take place on Tuesday, March 5th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Wednesday, March 6th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The judging takes place in the Atrium at the Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The announcement of the 2019 United States Champion will happen in the evening on March 7, at Cheese Champion.
March 7: Meet the Experts and Taste the Winners!
The Championship round takes place Thursday, March 7 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the KI Convention Center in downtown Green Bay (333 Main Street.) This is a ticketed event, with all tickets sold in advance. You can buy yours for $30 starting in January.
Thousands of cheeses will compete for the elusive U.S. Championship Cheese crown, but of course only one can win. Entries are evaluated by a team of skilled technical judges from across the nation. Starting from a maximum possible 100 points, deductions are made for various defects found by each judge. Defects are noted in the areas of flavor, body and texture, salt, color, finish, packaging, and other appropriate attributes. A Gold medal, Silver medal and Bronze medal are awarded to the three highest scoring entries in each class. You can be there to watch it happen and you taste 40 of the best cheeses in the country! Mix and match your favorite beer and cheese pairings, and meet and mingle with 45 of the top cheese judges in the United States.
Worth noting is that the 2019 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest is open to only 400 attendees, with all tickets sold in advance. You’ll enjoy complimentary beer and cheese pairings, samples of at least 40 cheeses, and cash bar. So hurry!
United States Championship Cheese Contest Address:
Lambeau Field
1265 N. Lombardi Avenue
Green Bay, WI 54304
(920)
Website
February 8, 2019 – February 10, 2019
Kohler Celebration of Chocolate
The American Club hosts its Kohler Celebration of Chocolate from Friday, February 8 – Sunday, February 10, 2019. Come as friends or bring your sweetie and fall deeper in love with chocolate during their annual In Celebration of Chocolate. A winter getaway has never tasted so good with a weekend full of food pairings, demonstrations, evening dinners and events. From savory to sweet and everything in between, don’t miss this cocoa-themed celebration of the world’s favorite dessert. Topping things off is the opportunity for guests to taste the signature and newest creations from KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates.
You can buy tickets for specific events or enjoy the entire event, including overnight packages at The American Club for Celebration of Chocolate. Get ticket details here.
The American Club is easily accessible via Highways 23 or 28, just west of I-43 in Sheboygan County. Kohler itself is between Sheboygan and Sheboygan Falls, along the Sheboygan River. The Shops of Woodlake and the Kohler Design Center are right there, too!
Kohler Celebration of Chocolate Address:
The American Club Resort
419 Highland Drive
Kohler, WI 53044
(855) 444-2838
Website
The entire Celebration of Chocolate Schedule is below:
2019 Kohler Celebration of Chocolate Schedule
Friday, February 8, 2019
An Unexpected Pairing: Chocolate & Spirits
4-5pm – Craverie Chocolatier Café
Presenters:
KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates
Dan Dufek–Beverage Development Specialist, Breakthru Beverage Wisconsin
Chocolate is the world’s favorite treat and many chefs as well as chocolatiers love enhancing the flavors and rich notes of chocolate by creating pairings with a variety of beverages. In this seminar we introduce you to an oh-so-tasty but unconventional pairing. Experience the worlds of chocolate and spirits melt into one as we create wonderful taste sensations with a selection of spirits including Correlejo Tequila, Zaya Rum, Brancamenta, and Templeton Rye 6 year old whiskey.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
In Celebration of Chocolate Wine Dinner
Reception: 6:30pm, Dinner: 7-approximately 9pm – The Great Lakes Ballroom at The American Club
Presenters:
Lucas Oppeneer–Executive Banquet & Special Event Chef, Destination Kohler
Nicolas Blouin–Executive Pastry Chef, Destination Kohler
Sean Moran – Vice President of Sales, BelGioioso Cheese
Ron Breitstein–Group Manager, Kobrand Fine Wine & Spirits
Join us for a dining experience that will leave the chocolate-loving foodie inspired for days. This elegant, sweet-and-savory five-course dinner will treat guests to a one-of-a-kind chocolate-inspired menu. Courses featured by Emmi Roth Cheese; The American Club Executive Banquet Chef, Lucas Oppeneer; Chef Jerome Ducrocq, Executive Sous Chef at The Venetian Hotel Las Vegas; as well as The American Club Pastry Chef, Nicolas Blouin, will send your taste buds on an unforgettable culinary journey. Carefully selected wine pairings picked by Ron Breitstein, Certified Specialist of Wine of Kobrand Fine Wine & Spirits, will complement each course for this distinctive dinner.
$145 – includes gratuity, taxes and fees.
Note: The format of the dinner is assigned seating with 8-10 guests per table. Seating requests will be taken into consideration if noted with the purchase of the ticket.
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Create with a Chocolatier: Truffles & Trade Secrets
10–11am – The Kitchens of Kohler in The Shops at Woodlake
Presenter: Crystal Thomas – Head Chocolatier, KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates
Ever wonder what happens when a chocolatier is inspired to create a new chocolate? Have some great ideas for a new flavor? Join Kohler’s chocolatier Crystal Thomas and explore the process of creating and launching a new chocolate. In this interactive seminar, Crystal will teach you some great chocolate skills and demonstrate how to make delectable chocolate truffles. You’ll have the opportunity to share ideas with Crystal, and she may even create a new flavor based on your suggestions.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
Guittard Chocolate Presents: Sweet Additions to Brunch with Scott Green
10:30–11:30am – The Appley Theatre
Presenter: Scott Green – Chef/Owner, Devil’s Food Kitchen
Sometimes the sweet items are overlooked for savory when planning for a brunch. Executive Pastry Chef Scott Green makes your brunch menu planning easier & will prepare two of his favorite chocolate inspired brunch treats for you. Learn from Scott how to make a decadent milk-chocolate orange pound cake, as well as a rich and creamy dark chocolate custard. Of course you will get a taste of the chocolatey creations while you sip on a brunch inspired beverage.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
The Queen’s Tea Takes a Chocolaty Turn
11am–12pm – Thunder Bay at The American Club
Presenter: Hannah Hunt – Head Baker, Destination Kohler
Afternoon tea is an English tradition that dates back centuries. In this interactive demonstration, The American Club’s head baker, Hannah Hunt, will give this tradition a fun, chocolaty twist. Hannah will teach you how to make two flavors of chocolate scones and a delicious hazelnut spread while you sip on a chocolate chai. You’ll also have a chance to make your own tea blend to take home.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
Two Wisconsin Originals: KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates & BelGioioso Cheese
12:30–1:30pm – The Appley Theatre
Presenters:
Crystal Thomas – Head Chocolatier, KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates
Sean Moran – Vice President of Sales, BelGioioso Cheese
Ask Wisconsinites about their favorite foods, and cheese is sure to top the list of many. We’re confident chocolate is up there, too. When you pair the best cheese with the best chocolate, you’re in for a fun, educational seminar. Sean Moran from BelGioioso Cheese and Kohler Chocolatier Crystal Thomas will show you how this clever pair can make a delightful match at your next dinner party.
$39.99– includes taxes and fees.
A Chocolate–Inspired Lunch
12:30–2pm – The Wisconsin Room
Presenter: Zeke Fitzgerald – Chef, The Wisconsin Room
If you adore chocolate and wine (and who doesn’t?), you know both cover a wide range of the taste spectrum. That’s why they go so well together. In this luncheon created for the wine and chocolate lover, Wisconsin Room Chef Zeke Fitzgerald will prepare three chocolate-inspired courses and pair with selected wines to play up the chocolate flavors in each courses. Seating is limited for this event, so sign up early.
View the Menu
$60 – includes gratuity, taxes and fees.
Finishing Flavors: Brandy and Dessert
1:30–2:30pm – Thunder Bay at The American Club
Presenters:
Peter Kalleward – Mixologist, The American Club
Travis Jeske – Pastry Sous Chef, The American Club
Like any dinner course, you can enhance dessert with the right cocktail combination. Peter Kalleward and Travis Jeske of The American Club will pair sweet treats with cocktails created from our own KOHLER Chocolate Brandy. Peter and Travis will discuss which flavor profiles pair well and how to balance them, so when you host your next cocktail party you’ll have dessert covered.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
Guittard Chocolate: Choosing the Best Chocolate for Your Desserts
2–3pm – The Kitchens of Kohler in The Shops at Woodlake
Presenters:
Josh Johnson – Head Pastry Chef, Guittard Chocolate
Heather Houston – Territory Sales Manager, Guittard Chocolate
Get inspired to elevate your next dinner party with Guittard chocolate. Head Pastry Chef Josh Johnson and Heather Houston of Guittard team up to take you through the nuances of flavor for chocolate and how to choose the best one for your desserts. Along with tasting various chocolates, Josh will share & treat you to a great chocolate dessert you can make at your next dinner party.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
Smooth Creations: Caramels Handcrafted in Kohler
2:30–3:30pm – Council Room
Presenter: Crystal Thomas – Head Chocolatier, KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates
While KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates showcase a variety of delicious flavors, one ingredient featured in many of our favorites is the hand-made caramel. Kohler’s own chocolatier, Crystal Thomas, will offer you a glimpse inside her world and demonstrate how she creates the rich, smooth caramel. She’ll share her secrets, so you can add this treasured treat to your own recipe book.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
Move over Cupcakes – It’s the Return of the Mac
4–5pm – The Kitchens of Kohler at The Shops at Woodlake
Presenter: Travis Jeske – Pastry Sous Chef, Destination Kohler
In a world filled with changing dessert trends, one has withstood the test of time: the classic French macaron. This is your opportunity to learn the proper technique involved in creating this colorful and delectable treat. Destination Kohler’s pastry sous chef, Travis Jeske, will be your guide as you actively partake in preparing two types of macaron fillings. Apply your knowledge beyond the seminar and experiment with endless flavors for your next get together.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
Raise a Glass to Chocolate
4:30–5:30pm – The Appley Theatre
Presenters:
Crystal Thomas – Head Chocolatier, KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates
Ron Breitstein–Group Manager, Kobrand Fine Wine & Spirits
Don’t fret, chocolate and wine lovers. We would not let the weekend go by without the most loved and sought-out chocolate pairing. Chocolatier Crystal Thomas and Ron Breitstein, certified specialist of wine of Kobrand Fine Wine, will explore how KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates are complemented by a variety of wines. Treat yourself to a tour of chocolates and wines that you will want to repeat over and over.
$39.99 – includes taxes and fees.
Sugar High
8–10pm – Kohler Design Center
Presenters: The Special Events Culinary Team of Destination Kohler
Revel in the final moments of the weekend with an unforgettable evening of delectable food. Weave your way through the Kohler Design Center while tasting, savoring, and discussing a variety of dishes created by our featured chefs and the culinary team from Destination Kohler. Live music by Wait for Morning will add to the festive mood while you indulge in an assortment of KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates and sample a selection of wines and wonderfully crafted cocktails.
$92 – includes taxes and fees.
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Chocolate Lovers’ Brunch
8am-1pm – The Wisconsin Room
The traditional Sunday brunch gets a chocolaty makeover during the In Celebration of Chocolate weekend. Reservations are required. Please call 855-444-2838 to make your reservation.
$45 per person plus tax and gratuity.
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December 1, 2018
Midwest Cream Cheese Competition
Beaver Dam is home to one of the premiere Kraft Philadelphia Brand Cream Cheese processing plants in the nation. Fittingly, the city annually plays host to the Midwest Cream Cheese Competition with Kraft products as preferred ingredients in any cream cheese recipe. This is one creamy, delicious competition!
This is the 14th annual festival and offers plenty of great dishes for sampling – although the judges get first dibs. It will take place Saturday, December 1st at the St. Katherine Drexel Parish Center on the south side of downtown Beaver Dam. Get the rest of the details (and mouth-watering photos) on their website!
Beaver Dam is easily reached via the U.S. 151 freeway or Highway 33. Highway 26 is also close by.
Midwest Cream Cheese Competition Address:
St. Katherine Drexel Parish Center
511 S. Spring Street
Beaver Dam, WI 53916
(920) 887-8879 (Beaver Dam Chamber office)
Website
October 20, 2018 – October 21, 2018
Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest & Best of the Midwest BBQ Cook-Off
Talk about pumpkin spice… the Racine County Fairgrounds gets crazy Saturday, October 20th & Sunday, October 21st with the Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest! Don’t miss out on this smashing fun time. Returning this year is The Best of the Midwest BBQ Cook Off, where over 50 teams will compete for $7,000 in prize money and the title of “The Best of the Midwest”. There will be Costume contests for Kids and Adults. Prizes will be awarded! This 2-day event will feature Pumpkin Chuckin Competitions, where teams will catapult pumpkins as far as the eye can see! Raymond Middle School holds the record for the Junior Division with 229 ft., Waterford High School holds the record for the Intermediate Division with 317 ft., and Trinity Lutheran holds the record for the Advanced Division with 476 ft. Can you beat it? Give it a shot! Pumpkin chuckin’ is actually quite a rush.
Also look for multiple Stage Performances by the Racine Zoo, Food, Vendors, Seasonal Beers, Free Kids Games and Activities, Carnival and Hay Rides, Pumpkin Baking Contests, and so much more! Fun for all ages!
Admission is free for all. The Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest runs 10am Saturday, October 20th through 5pm Sunday, October 21st. The Best of the Midwest BBQ Cook-Off kicks off Friday night and runs through Saturday – meaning not only is this a fun time, it’s a delicious time on the Racine County Fairgrounds!
Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest & Best of the Midwest BBQ Cook-Off Address:
Racine County Fairgrounds
19805 Durand Avenue (Highway 11)
Union Grove, WI 53182
(262) 878-4606
Website
See the full schedule below!
The Racine County Fairgrounds is in Union Grove along Highway 11 by U.S. 45. Great Lakes Dragaway is close by, and of course the beauty of fall makes for a fantastic drive as you head to the Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest and the Best of the Midwest BBQ Cook-Off! Other great places like the Bong Recreation Area, the Mars Cheese Castle, Appletrow Winery & Distillery, and more are all in close proximity.
Great Pumpkin Chuckin Fest & Best of the Midwest BBQ Schedule of Events:
Saturday October 20th
10 am – 8 pm
Best of the Midwest Cook-Off (10 – 5)
12 pm – BBQ Turn In & Judging Begins
5 pm – KCBS BEST OF THE MIDWEST Awards (Main Stage)
2 – 4 pm – People’s Choice Competition
You be the judge! Purchase a Peoples Choice Judges card for $10 and sample the Best BBQ in the Midwest! Cards and contest in Beer Garden.
Pumpkin Chuckin Field (10 – 6)
IT’S YOUR TURN! Launch your own pumpkin between competitions – $4 per launch.
10:30 am – 12:30 pm – Little Chuckers
12:30 pm – Little Chuckers Team Awards
2:00 pm – 4:30 pm – Soaring Squash
4:30 pm – Soaring Squash Team Awards
Kids Games & Activities (10-7)
Little Sprouts Kids Zone – Sponsored by North Shore Bank
Free Hayrides (10-5)
Garden Tractor Club Barrel Rides – $1
Free Kids Games – Kids Play Area
Pumpkin Sling Shots (3 for $1)
11 am – ALL DAY Carnival Rides
10 am – ALL DAY Broncos Youth Shooting Club Potato Gun Challenge (3 shots for $5 or 7 shots for $10)
12 – 4 pm – Treasure Hunt with Captain Jack and Friends
Special thanks to Maurice Farms for donating pumpkins used at the Fest!
Petting Zoo (10-6)
Join the Union Grove FFA and let your kids meet theirs! The Union Grove High School FFA will be hosting a farm animal petting zoo both days.
Little Sprouts Stage
Sponsored by Union Grove Piggly Wiggly
10 am – Pumpkin Yoga with Jessie Vyvyan from Chi Trees & Oil – FREE Family Friendly
11 am – Animals of the World – Racine Zoo
12 pm – Magic Rob
2 pm – Magic Rob
3 pm – Sword Play by Highwaymen Entertainment
3:30 pm – Pumpkin Seed Spitting Contest
4 pm – Creatures of the Night – Racine Zoo
Helicopter Rides (11 am)
Take a 5-6 minute ride around Union Grove at 120 mph! The cost of a ride is $40/seat and we can take three passengers per flight. There are no age restrictions. Children under age 2 may sit on parent’s lap (no charge for child) as long as everyone is within weight limits. Children, age 2 and older, must have their own seat and seatbelt. Helicopter rides are sponsored and hosted by Lakeshore Helicopter.
Beer Tent Main Stage
1 pm – Kids Costume Contest & Parade
2 pm – 4 pm – People’s Choice BBQ Tasting
5 pm – Best of the Midwest BBQ Awards
4 pm – 8 pm – Blues Rock Band
6 pm – 8 pm – Battle of the Bars featuring Dead Mann’s Saloon (Kansasville, WI), Hiawatha Bar & Grill (Sturtevant, WI), JB’s Pub (Union Grove, WI), and 1175 Sports Park & Eatery (Kansasville, WI)
Sunday, October 21
10 am – 5 pm
Pumpkin Chuckin Field (10 – 5)
IT’S YOUR TURN! Launch your own pumpkin between competitions – $4 per launch.
11 am – 2 pm – Advanced Chuckin Competition Begins
2:30 pm – Advanced Chuckin Awards
Kids Games & Activities (10-5)
Little Sprouts Kids Zone – Sponsored by North Shore Bank
Free Hayrides (10-5)
Garden Tractor Club Barrel Rides – $1
Free Kids Games – Kids Play Area
Pumpkin Sling Shots (3 for $1)
10 am – ALL DAY Carnival Rides
10 am – ALL DAY Broncos Youth Shooting Club -Potato Gun Challenge (3 shots for $5 or 7 shots for $10)
12 pm – Desperados & Deputies (presented by Highwaymen Entertainment)
Throughout the day watch out as bandits hijack our hayride!
Don’t worry Deputy Do-Good will be on guard to bring the
bandits to justice, but he may need your help!
Special thanks to Maurice Farms for donating pumpkins used at the Fest!
Petting Zoo (10-2)
Join the Union Grove FFA and let your kids meet theirs! The Union Grove High School FFA will be hosting a farm animal petting zoo both days.
Little Sprouts Stage
Sponsored by Union Grove Piggly Wiggly
11 am – Animals of the World – Racine Zoo
12 pm – Magic Rob
1:30 pm – Princess Story Time – Enchanted Parties & Events
2:30 pm – Creatures of the Night – Racine Zoo
3 pm – Magic Rob
4 pm – Princess Story Time with Enchanted Parties & Events
Helicopter Rides (12 pm)
Take a 5-6 minute ride around Union Grove at 120 mph! The cost of a ride is $40/seat and we can take three passengers per flight. There are no age restrictions. Children under age 2 may sit on parent’s lap (no charge for child) as long as everyone is within weight limits. Children, age 2 and older, must have their own seat and seatbelt. Helicopter rides are sponsored and hosted by Lakeshore Helicopter.
Great Pumpkin Bake-Off (10 – 1)
10 am – 12:45 pm- Entry Turn In at the Information Barn
1:00 pm Entry Judging & Awards (Main Stage)
Rib Cooking Demo (12 pm)
Join Moose’s BBQ at the Main Stage and learn the tricks behind the KCBS competition RIBS – including FREE samples!
Pie Eating Contest (2 pm)
Register at the information booth by 1:30 pm.
October 5, 2018 – October 14, 2018
Reedsburg Fermentation Fest
Talk about a live cultural experience! Fermentation Fest is a “Live Culture Convergence,” an annual celebration of live culture in all its forms from dance to yogurt and poetry to sauerkraut. Presented by the Reedsburg-based Wormfarm Institute, Fermentation Fest brings together farmers, chefs, artists, poets and performers in the beautiful working lands of Sauk County for tastings, demonstrations, cooking classes, art events, performances, food carts and more.
From saurkraut to hot sauces, from chocolate to coffee, beer and wine, from yogurt to sourdough bread, over one-third of what we consume is fermented. Fermentation Fest features authors, chefs, bakers, scientists, chocolatiers, brew masters and cheese makers over two consecutive weekends, offering 40 classes and lectures that celebrate the abundance and transformation of fermentation. Learn skills you can use at home, enjoy samples, and experience hands-on ways to bring fermentation into your daily experience.
The biennial feature of Fermentation Fest, Farm/Art DTour is a 50+ mile drive through scenic working farmland of rural Sauk County where artists explore the timeless connection between land and people. For thousands of years, farmers in cultures around the world interwove dance, music, and art through rituals of planting and the harvest in celebration of the land and those who care for it. Through a contemporary approach and within this timeless context, they continue the tradition.
Hit Highway 23 or 33 to find Reedsburg, cross the 90th Meridian, and enjoy Fermentation Fest!
Reedsburg Fermentation Fest Address:
28 E. Main Street (Highways 23/33)
Reedsburg, WI 53959
(608) 524-8672
Website
August 24, 2018 – August 25, 2018
Bands, Brews & BBQ in Kenosha
Like before when it was the Grill Games, check out the Wisconsin State Championship BBQ contest with teams from the Kansas City Barbeque Society! You can learn their secrets, taste and purchase BBQ, and vote for your favorite teams. There are also plenty of kids’ activities and a beer garden – because beer pairs exceptionally well with tasty BBQ. “Kenosha’s Best BBQ Contest” runs Friday the 24th from 5pm to 8pm and the “People’s Choice BBQ Competition” runs Saturday the 25th from 2pm to 4:30pm.
Admission is $5/day. Proceeds benefit the scholarship foundations of the Kenosha YMCA and the Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Kenosha HarborPark area is between downtown and Lake Michigan, just east of Highway 32 between Highways 158 and 50. It’s a beautiful area, definitely check it out!
Kenosha Bands, Brews, & BBQ Address:
Celebration Place at HarborPark
56th Street & 1st Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 654-1234
Website
Facebook page
March 6, 2018 – March 8, 2018
World Championship Cheese Contest
Preliminary judging rounds for the World Championship Cheese Contest are open to the public for FREE Tuesday, March 6 and Wednesday, March 7. Try some tasty samples as the judges do their thing and narrow it down to finalists and winners.
Then, Thursday night the 8th you can attend the Cheese Champion event. This ticketed event ($25, in advance) lets you sample more than 50 of the best cheese from around the world. International cheese experts will be on hand to show you the intracicies of of cheese evaluation, and of course you can pair cheeses with other foods and craft beers that will be available. The event climaxes with the crowning of the World Champion Cheesemaker!
World Championship Cheese Contest/Monona Terrace Address:
1 John Nolen Drive (U.S. 151)
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 286-1001
Website
February 13, 2018
Milwaukee Public Market Chili & Beer Tasting
It’s a Fat Tuesday celebration at the Milwaukee Public Market! Loosen your belts and head over for the 2nd Annual Milwaukee Public Market Chili & Beer Tasting on Tuesday, February 13th.
Explore 8 different chili creations from 8 different public market vendors, and follow them up with 8 regional craft beers. Enjoy a wide range of chili creations that are sure to please everyone from meat-free fans to meat-PLEASE fans. From mild to wild, from fair to fire – the “heat meter” will be covered on both ends with each homemade chili recipe.
Wash down these chili samples with samplings from some of the area’s top breweries, from within Milwaukee and just beyond. Net proceeds from the event will benefit COA Youth & Family Centers. It’s a win-win-win!
Featuring Chili from:
With Beer from:
The Milwaukee Public Market features a fantastic variety of food and beverage vendors, market items for recipes and take-home, wearables at Brew City Beer Gear, and during warmer weather an outdoor farmers market that stretches along Broadway and St. Paul. St. Paul Fish Company also offers a seasonal outdoor bar with a tiki-Florida feel in the summer and, conditions permitting, an ice bar in the winter. With the way the weather’s been looking, the ice bar will be open during the Milwaukee Public Market Chili & Beer Tasting, too!
You can get to the Milwaukee Public Market via Water Street or Broadway (Highway 32), two blocks south of U.S. 18 and about one mile north of Highway 59/National Avenue. Highways 38 and 145 bring you close, and I-794 literally hovers above it!
Milwaukee Public Market Chili & Beer Tasting Address:
400 N. Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 336-1111
Website
February 10, 2018
Downtown Appleton Death By Chocolate
Chocolate: smooth, velvety, soft, dark, sensuous… kinda makes your heart go pitter-patter, doesn’t it? Well, there’s a treat for you at the 15th Annual, Death by Chocolate Valentine’s Day event in Appleton. It happens Saturday, Feb 10, 2018 from 1-4pm. Sample scrumptious chocolate desserts whipped up by some of the best chefs in the area!
Tickets are on sale now. Call 920-954-9112 or stop at the ADI office at 116 N. Appleton St. Mon-Fri 8:45am-3:30pm. You can also buy tickets online.
Enjoy the Love Is In The Air Celebration including a Community Wedding Vow Renewal in Houdini Plaza at noon, plus ice sculptures to view before & after your chocolate lovers paradise.
Choose from one of two “Death By Chocolate” routes each with 21 stops for just $20. (The 21 stops include 12 bars and restaurants and 8 retail stops who wanted to join in the fun on both routes. Plus one more bonus top that isn’t even on the tickets at Riverview Gardens Retail Store, 513 W. College Avenue where The Community Clothes Closet will be hosting a pop up Vintage clothing sale and giving away chocolate mini-cupcakes!)
See below for a list of the many participating locations.
Getting to Appleton is easy via I-41, U.S. 10, or Highways 47, 96, or 125 (of course, by the time you reach Highways 125, you’re pretty much IN Appleton already._)
Downtown Appleton Death By Chocolate Address:
10 W. College Avenue (Highway 125)
Appleton, WI 54911
(920) 954-9112
Website
Death By Chocolate Participating Locations:
EAST END
Wooden Nickel Sports Bar & Grill Chocolate Porter*
The Fire Spicy Hot Chocolate with Spray Whip
Beatnik Betty’s Resale Butik Chocolate Surprise
Antojitos Mexicanos Chocolate Tres Leche Cake
hey, daisy! Cookies & Dream Edible Ice Cream
The Vintage Garden Chocolate Salted Caramel Delight
Lillians of Appleton Chocolate Surprise
Brewed Awakenings Caramel Mocha Cake
Bagelicious Chocolate Surprise
Inspire Spa Hot Chocolate Bar
Olde Town Tavern Chocolate Martini*
Bazil’s Pub Chocolate Beer*
Tamara’s Cake Guru Chocolate Mini Cupcakes, Brownie Bites & Valentine Treats
Crazy Sweet Chocolate covered oreo truffles
Cleo’s Brown Beam Tavern Chopin Double Chocolate Liqueur*
Appleton Street Sports Bar & Grill Chocolate Cheesecake Bites
Rookie’s Bar & Grill Chocolate Beer*
Copper Rock Coffee Dark Chocolate Truffle Gelato with Winter Chocolate Drizzle
Spa BenMarNico Hot Chocolate
Float Light Assorted Chocolates
WEST END & RIVERFRONT
Wooden Nickel Sports Bar & Grill Chocolate Porter*
The Fire Spicy Hot Chocolate with Spray Whip
Beatnik Betty’s Resale Butik Chocolate Surprise
hey, daisy! Cookies & Dream Edible Ice Cream
The Vintage Garden Chocolate Salted Caramel Delight
Lillians of Appleton Chocolate Surprise
Inspire Spa Hot Chocolate Bar
Spa BenMarNico Hot Chocolate
Jo ala Mode inside the Radisson Chocolate Fantasy Cake
CU Saloon Hasta LaBasta (Chocolate, Honey & Molasses Stout)*
McGuinness Irish Pub Nutty Irishman*
ACOCA Coffee Bourbon Pecan Truffles
Muncheez Pizzeria Cinni-Muncheez with Chocolate Fudge dipping sauce
Appleton Beer Factory Chocolate Beer*
Float Light Assorted Chocolates
Sangria’s Mexican Grill Chicken Chile Relleno with White Chocolate Godiva Ganache
Spats Food & Spirits Chocolate POTS DE CREME
Stone Arch BrewPub Bacon Brewer Bars (paired with an Imperial Chocolate Stout*)
Fratello’s Waterfront Restaurant mini chocolate cupcakes filled with milk chocolate ganache
Atlas Waterfront Café & Gathering Room Atlas Expresso Fudge & Other Delights
*indicates you must be 21 or older
The Downtown Trolley will be running a continuous loop every 20 minutes to help you get to all the venues thanks to the generosity of sponsors Tundraland and Warning Lites.
January 27, 2018
Chili Fest
Oconomowoc warms up the chilly January weather with its 9th annual Chili Fest on Saturday, January 27th! Ice sculptures and carvings along the downtown streets, ice and pond hockey on Fowler Lake, open family skating, a beer tent, and of course plenty of chili tastings.
Chili tastings are hosted by downtown businesses and local fundraising organizations with proceeds going to local charity. As you stroll downtown and stop in shops you can check out professional ice carvers who dot the downtown streets chiseling frozen blocks into works of art. A DJ and beer tent – which will also offer burgers and hot cocoa – are set up on the lake near the hockey tournament. A family skating rink is groomed nearby and an ice fishing clinic is also planned for the young anglers. It should be a fairly mild Saturday, so note ice conditions if you plan on skating.
While you stroll Wisconsin Avenue, check out a great burger at Crafty Cow, browse boutique shops, have a beer at Lakerz Sports Bar & Grill, and get a gander at the marker by City Hall commemorating the former location of the Strand Theatre, notable for being the place where the classic film The Wizard of Oz first premiered to audiences. Plenty of fun, food, skating, history, and more in this incredibly charming town at the western end of Waukesha County’s Lake Country.
Oconomowoc is where Highways 16 and 67 meet, just north of I-94’s Exit 282. The downtown is wedged between Lac La Belle and Fowler Lake and stroll along Wisconsin Avenue and Main Street reveals plenty of great shops, beautiful architecture, restaurants, historic markers, a dam, and much more. And of course on Saturday the 27th during Chili Fest, plenty of skating and chili!
Chili Fest Address:
Downtown Oconomowoc
133 E. Wisconsin Avenue (Highways 16 & 67, skipping the bypass)
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
(262) 567-5755
Website