Harvest Fair at Wisconsin State Fair Park features tons of fall-focused events, activities, live entertainment, competitions, scarecrow making and the much anticipated Pumpkin Bowling. It runs September 27-29, 2024 and has FREE admission.
Over 30 vendors will be there, selling everything from tasty food to cool crafts. Since it’s fall, imbibe in a pumpkin spice cream puff; enjoy pies from the Elegant Farmer; grab a cup of Kozie’s Harvest Stew; explore a multitude of Wisconsin cheeses; and The Micro will be offering over 60 varieties of craft beers. Prefer wine? No problem, Wineberry will be serving up red wines, white wines, even wine slushies.
Check out the Antique Tractors Display, the Backyard Circus, Camel and Pony Rides, a Farmers’ Market, Free Live Music, Giant Cookie Decorating, Hay Rides, a Kiddie Tractor Maze, “Make Your Own Caramel Apple” fun (they provide a lot of toppings), even a chance for kids to slide down the “World’s Largest Piggy Bank.” Free, lively entertainment is rocking stages all weekend long, including performances by the 5 Card Studs, Too Hype Crew, Rhythm Kings, The Toys and more will be on the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater with nightly entertainment presented by Bud Light. Plus, multiple Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Shows, presented by WaterStone Bank, are also on deck.
A major feature of Harvest Fair is the massive pumpkin patch, big enough to impress Linus from Peanuts (yes, we’re going old school here.)
Wisconsin State Fair Park is in West Allis, minutes west of downtown Milwaukee. I-94 and Highways 59 and 181 border the park; I-41, I-894, U.S. 18, U.S. 45, and Highway 100 all get you close.
Harvest Fair / Maker Faire Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Park
640 S. 84th Street (Highways 181 & 59)
West Allis, WI 53214
(800) 884-3247 Website
Manitowoc celebrates Sputnik Fest due to an out-of-this-world experience on September 5, 1962 when a piece of the Soviet satellite Sputnik IV crashed to earth, just north of downtown right in the middle of 8th Street/U.S. 10/Highway 42. It was still glowing from the heat of re-entry when it landed! A brass ring in the street notes the exact spot of impact. The city celebrates Sputnik Fest to commemorate the glowing visitor’s anniversary, where you’ll see some interesting costumes and space-related activities. Basically at Sputnik Fest, science fiction rules the day – even though Sputnik itself was very real. See 5 Things about Sputnikfest in Manitowoc (and why you should go) for more on that.
Circle marks the spot where a piece of Sputnik landed. It’s the whole reason for Sputnik Fest.
The landing site of that piece of Sputnikfest – which inspired this whole thing – is right in front of the Rahr-West Art Museum, which hosts the event and holds a cast from the original piece of the spacecraft – the original was returned to the Russians – that is available for viewing all year.
The festival draws plenty of space fans – with Star Wars and Star Trek characters well-represented – costume contests, music, go-kart racing down 8th Street (there’s a bit of a hill towards the heart of downtown), food, drinks, and even an “alien drop”, where hundreds of mini-alien figures are dropped from a cherry picker – some with prizes. Even the hosting group, the Rahr-West Art Museum, calls it a “wacky tacky” weekend. Music from bands like Bazooka Joe add to the fun! Family fun continues with the Cosmic Kids Creation Station, which offers tye-dye, clay painting, and rocket building, plus live statues, portrait paintings, and more.
Sputnikfest Schedule of Events:
11:00-2:00PM DJ
11:30AM Photo Op with Sputnikfest Police (courtesy of the Masquers theater company)
12:00-5:00PM Art Space and Children’s Games
12:00-Noon 5K Art Walk/Run (register at: https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Manitowoc/Sputnikfest5KWalkRun)
1:00-3:00PM Meet and Greet with 501st Wisconsin Garrison
12:00PM Lakeshore 1st Robotics
2:00-6:00PM Musical entertainment by XPOSED 4 HEADS
3:00PM Pet Parade and contest
4:00PM Cosmic Kids Parade and contest
5:00PM Captain Space Debris (Alien Adults) Parade and Contest
6:00PM Alien Raffle Drop
Kites Over Lake Michigan is one of the largest kite festivals in the Midwest and attracts kite fliers from all over. Check out giant show kites, precision stunt kite teams flying dual- and quad-line kites, spectacular and colorful ground displays, running of the bols, and games for kids! Learn how to fly two and quad line stunt kites from the experts.
Kites Over Lake Michigan continues at Two Rivers High School with other activities taking place along Lake Michigan nearby. It will take place Saturday, August 31st and Sunday, September 1st. This includes a night fly on Saturday night, conditions permitting.
Since the High School serves as the festival grounds, Walsh Field (on 22nd Street just before the turn into Neshotah Beach) will serve as the overflow parking area. A shuttle bus service will run between Walsh Field and the high school both days from 11 am to 5 pm. Please note that the bus will be limited to 23 people per trip to allow for social distancing, more if family members living together are present. All those using the shuttle will have to be masked. Also, pets are not allowed anywhere on school property.
Good news: Free kite making for kids will continue, taking place Sunday 9/2/24 at 9.00 am.
Great News: The Fireworks Show WILL take place, and it will happen Saturday evening at 8 pm. Fireworks will be shot off behind the Coast Guard Station, allowing people to spread out over a wide area and still have optimum viewing from various places along the waterfront.
Highway 42 is the road to both Neshotah Beach and Two Rivers High School; Highway 147 brings you to Two Rivers from the north, and Highway 310 provides quick access to and from I-43. Check out this colorful fest (which we need in 2020) September 5th and 6th!
Kites Over Lake Michigan Event Address:
Two Rivers High School
4519 Lincoln Avenue (Highway 42)
Two Rivers, WI 54241
(920) 793-9599 Website
It happens over Labor Day weekend every year, and it’s a lot of tasty fun! Taste of Madison features over 80 local restaurants, 20 beverage stands and three entertainment stages. The participating restaurants sell a vast variety of both unique and traditional dishes to the estimated 225,000 attendees over the two-day period – you should be one of them. Most food items are in the $2 to $5 range! Best of all, admission – which includes hours and hours of live entertainment – is free and open to the public.
Taste of Madison happens on the Capitol Square, one of the most dynamic and beautiful places in Wisconsin with the shops, restaurants, bars, museums, and more surrounding our gorgeous State Capitol. U.S. 151/Washington Avenue brings you closest, although U.S. 12, U.S. 14, U.S. 18, U.S. 51, and Highways 30 and 113 all bring you to Madison.
Taste of Madison Hours:
Saturday, August 31st 2pm – 9pm
Sunday, September 5th: 11am – 7pm
Get the full list of participating restaurants (with address and phone where available) below or from the Taste of Madison website!
Lake Geneva is a great place to visit and shop, and Maxwell Street Days offers “Hot Deals for Those Hot Summer Days”!
Maxwell Street Days Annual Summer Sidewalk Sale returns with the best shopping steals of the year Friday, August 23rd through Sunday, August 25th with more than 25 years of great bargains on clothing, shoes, jewelry, gifts, artwork, sporting goods, books and more, plus fabulous food and entertainment from downtown shops and restaurants. Dine al fresco, enjoy live music, and celebrate the end of summer! offers extra opportunities to find bargains on some great stuff! Check out the list of participating locations here.
U.S. 12 and Highways 50 and 120 bring you to Lake Geneva, home to plenty of fun activities. Enjoy the downtown shops and restaurants, craft breweries like Topsy Turvy Brewing and MashTun Brewing, the beautiful beach along the shores of Geneva Lake, shows from the internationally-renown Tristan Crist Magic Theater to The Belfry, amazing golf courses including Geneva National and the Grand Geneva, winter skiing at Alpine Valley, The Mountaintop at Grand Geneva, and Wilmot Mountain… the list goes on!
Lake Geneva Maxwell Street Days Address:
Downtown Lake Geneva, centered on Highway 50 (Main Street) at Broad Street (see map)
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Info: (262) 248-4416 Website
Welcome to the 38th Annual West Bend GERMANfest! This celebration of German Heritage and Gemütlichkeit takes place Thursday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 25th, 2024. GERMANfest is an outdoor festival featuring two stages of continuous ethnic and other music, authentic German food and dancing, Sheepshead tournaments, Kinderzone, fine selection of beer and wine, souvenirs, daily raffles, and more.
Take in all the food, fun, and Festlichkeit that awaits you and others as you enjoy the huge outdoor, tented danced floor, fabulous array of musical guests and of course excellent food and beverages. West Bend Germanfest is easy to find, located centrally on the corners of Walnut and Main Street in the heart of downtown West Bend, rich with history. Highways 33 and 144 meet in downtown West Bend, a few miles east of the U.S. 45 bypass of the city. The original U.S. 45, as Main Street, cuts right past the GERMANfest grounds. Check out Riverside Brewery while you’re there!
West Bend GERMANfest Address:
5th Avenue & Walnut Street
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 338-0690 Website
Friday, August 23rd
Cedar Singers 10:00-11:00am
Goodtime Dutchmen 11:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-2:00pm
John Dietz & the Twin Lakes Trio 12:00-1:00pm, 2:00-3:00pm
Ryan Kautzer Band 3:00pm-4:00pm, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Copper Box 4:00-5:00pm, 6:00-8:00pm
The Nix 8:00pm-11:00pm
Saturday, August 24th
Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt 10:00-11:00am
RiverCity Blaskapelle 11:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-2:00pm
Dave Austin Band 12:00-1:00pm, 2:00pm-3:00pm
Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen 3:00pm-4:00pm, 5:30-6:30pm
Lynn Marie and the Nashville Polka Guys 4:15pm-5:30pm, 6:45pm-8:00pm
Alex Meixner Band 8:00-11:00pm
Sunday, August 25th
The Mike Schneider Band 10:00am-11:00am, 11:45am-1:00pm
Pint Sixed Polkas 11am-11:45am
Lynn Marie and the Nashville Polka Guys 1:00pm-2:30pm, 4:00pm-5:30pm
Alex Meixner Band 2:30pm-4:00pm, 5:30pm-8:00pm
Hudson was the last Wisconsin stop for westbound travelers on the iconic Yellowstone Trail, which in St. Croix County roughly follows the path of today’s U.S. 12. The city celebrates 111 years of history for the Trail on Saturday, August 10th this year with Yellowstone Trail Heritage Day.
The year was 1912 and the auto was gaining popularity. It wasn’t uncommon for horse drawn wagons to share potholes with the automobiles that also traveled the country roads and passed through everything the horses left behind.
A few ambitious folks got together and decided to connect county roads which resulted in the first transcontinental road – The Yellowstone Trail. From “Plymouth Rock to Puget Sound!”
Check out Hudson on August 10th for family fun around town with a Vintage and Class Car Show, Cemetery Walk, Pie and Ice Cream Social, Children’s Activities and a drive on the Yellowstone Trail!
Other activities planned include a Car Show, Children’s Activities, a Pie & Ice Cream Social at First Baptist Church, Historic Downtown Hudson Walking Tours, Cemetery Walk @ Willow River Cemetery, Octagon House Tours, Ciranda Garden Fair, Non-Profit Community Fair, Coco’s Heart Rescue, and more. Check out their website for details.
Looking back at downtown Hudson under the arch that welcomed travelers to and from the original Yellowstone Trail Bridge over the St. Croix River.
Hudson is right along U.S. 12 (which follows portions of the original Yellowstone Trail) and Highway 35. I-94 runs along the south side of town, and Highway 64 is just a few miles north. Check out this beautiful city on the St. Croix River, and for great waterfalls and trails be sure to hit Willow River State Park nearby!
Yellowstone Trail Heritage Day Address:
Various locations in downtown Hudson
Hudson, WI 54016
(715) 386-8411 Website
“Feast with the Beasts” at the Milwaukee County Zoo! Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a la Carte, presented by Meijer, runs Thursday, August 17th through Sunday August 20th. Check out 27 area restaurants with palate-pleasing offers and national and local bands performing throughout Zoo grounds, including Vertical Horizon Thursday night,
Plenty of family-friendly activities are also available throughout the grounds, and of course the Milwaukee County Zoo’s remarkable collection of 2,100+ animals you can see and learn about. It’s one of the best family activities of the year.
Crafty kids can show their artistic side with Kohl’s Color Wheels, a mobile art experience. You can also enjoy a glass of wine, while listening to local bands at the Giraffe Village Wine Tent, sponsored by Champion Windows & Sunrooms. On top of that, you can visit the Brick Dinos exhibit, sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets, which includes interactive LEGO® play-scapes and more. Admission is $3 per person.
Zoo A La Carte Music Schedule:
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Jake Williams (90s, R&B, modern, & classics)
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jon Rouse (Classic rock)
7 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Vertical Horizon (Alternative rock)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Driving Buddies (Pop, rock, & country)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jordan and Ernie (Bluegrass)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Andrea and The Mods (70s, 80s, & more)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Geoff Landon Duo (Country hits)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Xeno and Joe (Classic hits)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Brady Lee (Pop country)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Phil Norby (Acoustic classics)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Sam and Cookie (Folk, classic rock, & bluegrass)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Grimm Brothers Trio (Classic hits)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Steve Cohen and Jim Ohlschmidt (Twisted acoustic blues)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. JC Munguía (Latin music)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Diamond (Neil Diamond & more)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Carmen and Kostia (Pop vocals with piano)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Anthony Deutsch (Pianist, vocalist, & composer)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Friday, August 18, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Kris and Dani Crow (Harmonies & great banter)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Trapper Schoepp Band (Singer-songwriter)
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Eli Young Band (Country)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Ebert and Grass (Classics)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jessie Haines (Singer-songwriter)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Barbieri and the Rockin’ Krakens (Classic rock hits)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Scott E. Berendt Trio (Acoustic rock & pop)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bad Medicine (80s party rock)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. The Playlist (Top 40 hits)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Rudy and Vee (Acoustic duo)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Michael Sean (Wisconsin musical mainstay)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Frogwater (Celtic bluegrass fusion)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Keshena Armon (Singer-songwriter)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Katy Ambrose (Dynamic piano stylings)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bath (Classic to modern pop and rock)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. The Morrison Sessions (Roots rock & roll)
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Record Company (Rock)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Busted Mullet (Rock)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bruce Humphries and the Rockabilly Rebels (Rockabilly)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Our House (50s, 60s, 70s, & more)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Chris Haise Duo (Indie folk rock)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Belle Weather (Orchestral indie folk rock)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Ronnie Nyles (Singer-songwriter)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Patrick Van Bibber (Guitarist, singer-songwriter)
2:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Jake Warne Duo (Singer-songwriters)
6:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Barbieri (Classic hits)
Sunday, August 20, 2023 Miller Lite Caribou Stage
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Joe 2.0 (The world’s original rockestra)
5 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Hypnotized (Milwaukee’s Fleetwood Mac Tribute)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 3 p.m. Another One (Grateful Dead tribute)
4 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Crossfire (Country rock)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Ronnie Nyles (Singer-songwriter)
4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Brooklynn Marti (Singer-songwriter)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Barbara Stephan and Peter Mac Duo (Singer-songwriters)
4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Admission rates (includes all bands and activities):
Adults: $17
Juniors (ages 3 to 12): $14
Children (ages 2 and under): FREE
Parking: $14
We talked with Jenny Diliberti from the Zoo a while back about this event and the Zoo’s history, animals, new designs, and more in this State Trunk Tour Podcast:
Milwaukee area restaurants at Zoo A La Carte include:
A la Crepes
Bear Garden
Brew City Snowballs
Bubble Waffle Shoppes
Café el Sol (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Caribou Beverage Bar
Catalano Corn (vegetarian)
Cedar Crest Ice Cream Parlor
Chillwaukee Pops (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
C-Viche
Funnel Cake Factory
Giraffe Beverage Bar
Giraffe Wine Bar
Golden Grill
Hot Potato
La Masa (vegetarian)
Leinie Lodge
Mama Bev’s Bakery
MIL-WOK-EE (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Nothing Bundt Cakes (gluten-free)
Nourish 414 (vegetarian, gluten-free)
OOZ
Penguin Beverage Bar
Pig Tailz (vegetarian)
Roll MKE (vegetarian)
Salentini’s Pizza
Saz’s (gluten-free)
Scrima’s Woodfired Pizza (gluten-free)
Shawarma House (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
The Coop
The Snack Barn
Thunder Bay Grille (vegetarian, gluten-free)
Tots on the Street (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Ultimate Confections Desserts featuring Suzy’s Cream Cheesecakes
Watering Hole Root Beer Floats
West End Snacks
Wild Burger
Woody’s Custard
Wong’s Wok
Zoo A La Carte at the Milwaukee County Zoo Address:
10001 W. Bluemound Road (U.S. 18)
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 256-5466 Website
The Zoo is surrounded by U.S. 18/Bluemound Road on the north, I-41/US. 45 on the east, I-94 on the south, and Highway 100 on the west. Despite the Zoo Interchange construction, it’s still easy to get to!
Port Fish Days is BACK to being a multi-day festival! This fun weekend, which for a long time has featured “The World’s Largest One-Day Outdoor Fish Fry,” offers a TON of fun in the beautiful downtown and harbor areas of Port Washington.
Okay, along with the fish fry, we’re talking lots of fun: music on four stages, rides, fireworks, and plenty of other cool stuff like soccer water fights all along Port Washington’s beautiful harbor on Lake Michigan, where even on a hot day it tends to be nice and comfortable.
Port Fish Day in 2023 begins on Thursday, July 13th and runs through Saturday, July 15th with a variety of events each day and night. It begins with the Corn Hole Tournament Thursday evening with music Friday afternoon into the evening by Nate Horlache.
Saturday is the busy day – it begins with a nice calorie burn in the form of the Coal Dock Park Portal Run/Walk/Roll at 8am. Starting at 10am, the Beer Garden, Arts & Crafts Show, and Family Zone activities fire up at Upper Lake Park. Coal Dock and Upper Lake Park essentially flank downtown Port Washington, with all of their shops, restaurants, and marina activities in between.
Along with the Beer Garden, Arts & Crafts Show, and Family Zone from 10am – 8pm in Upper Lake Park, Port Washington hosts the Downtown Parade from 11am – 12:30pm up Franklin Street. Upper Lake Park adds its Car, Bike & Truck Show at noon, lasting through 5pm.
Live music starts up in Lower Lake Park with performances from Zach Steinbach, Letter 8, and headliners The Love Monkeys – get more details here. It all caps off at 7pm in Rotary Park along the water with the Fireworks Watch Party.
Port Fish Day is focused around the beautiful harbor area in downtown Port Washington. Highways 32 and 33 bring you right into downtown Port, just east of I-43 and Highway 57, a few miles north of Highway 60.
Further details are on their website. While in Port Washington, be sure to check out Coal Dock Park, raise a glass at Inventors Brewpub, trace the history of the Blues, shop Duluth Trading Company or any of the local stores downtown, and enjoy the lakefront! Of course you can check out Allen Edmonds Shoe Outlet on the north side of town or get some exercise on the Interurban Trail, which cuts right through town.
Port Fish Day Address:
Port Washington Harbor
100 N. Franklin Street (Highway 32)
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-0900 Website
Start:
July 14, 2023
End:
July 15, 2023
Venue:
Port Washington Harbor
Phone:
262-284-0900
Address:
100 N. Franklin Street, Port Washington, WI, 53074, United States
The 2nd annual Jingle & Mingle at City Green in downtown Sheboygan is a family-friendly event that includes entertainment, a marketplace, a brat fry, trolley rides, and of course, Santa!
Make plans to visit Santa and his elves from 12:30pm – 2:00pm and 2:30pm -4:00pm.
The Marketplace is open from Noon to 4 :00pm with crafters, sweet treats, and a traditional brat fry.
Warm up around the bonfire while you roast a tasty s’more or two.
Climb aboard the trolley for rides around town and mingle through the local shops. The Holiday Open House will be happening in select downtown, riverfront and South Pier businesses to help with your holiday shopping.
Help us decorate our tree with handmade ornaments or write your letter to Santa and we’ll deliver it to the North Pole.
Participate in the ugly sweater contest to win prizes.
The Marketplace is open from Noon to 6pm with crafters, sweet treats, and a traditional Sheboygan Jaycees Brat Fry. Marketplace Vendors include:
Comfort & Joy Wooden Ornaments
Crafters Attic (soaps, lotions & more)
Fat Cat 3D creations
Hope Church Bake Sale
Infernal Candles
Mz.Nita’s Kitchen (desserts & baked goods)
Nap Time Treasures (wire jewelry)
She Sews Creations (purses, wallets, backpacks, kids pouches)
Sit back and relax for a bit with some holiday entertainment.
Jingle & Mingle Schedule of Events:
12:15 PM: Storytime with Santa.
12:30 PM: The Kohler High School Madrigal Singers
1 PM: Ugly Sweater Contest
1:30 PM: South High School Singers
2 PM: Lutheran High School Chamber Choir
2:30 PM: Noah & Grace
3 PM: Livie
You can get to City Green and downtown Sheboygan via Highways 23, 28, or 42 in from I-43. Just head towards the lake and make your way to 8th Street, City Green is right at the New York Avenue intersection. While in Sheboygan, you can check out so many fun attractions, restaurants, and more. They include the John Michael Kohler Arts Center – practically adjacent to City Green – the Above & Beyond Children’s Museum, also within blocks of City Green, the Harbor District along the Sheboygan River, North Beach, Maywood Environmental Park and 3 Sheeps Brewing on the north side (both just off Highway 42), and much more.
Jingle & Mingle Address:
City Green, downtown Sheboygan
710 New York Avenue
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 335-0060 Website
High above surrounding territory (hence the name), The Highground Veterans Memorial Park serves as one of the nation’s finest tribute locations for American military veterans. The Highground Veterans Day Ceremony takes place Thursday, November 11th. Due in part to COVID-19 precautionary steps, this event will be held outdoors and the total length will be determined in part by weather.
THe Highground Veterans Day Ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10am; the Wisconsin KIA/MIA/POW names from WWII to present day will be read and honored with the tolling of The Highground Liberty Bell. With all present and accounted for, the Thorp VFW Post #9057 will present Colors on the Plaza at 11am. As of this writing, the guest speaker is still to be determined.
The Ceremony itself will begin at 3pm.
Veteran support and services will be onsite for continued resources. Coffee and cookies will be served.
For questions about the ceremony, please contact Bonnie at events@thehighground.us or call 715-743-4224.
The Highground is an incredible place to visit any time of year; its 155 acres are staffed at pay tribute to the fallen while honoring the survivors, their service, and their sacrifices. The park includes 15 tributes, four miles of hiking trails, a gift shop, and a museum. Throughout the year, the park hosts a variety of events including Veterans retreats and reunions, military vehicle expos, motorcycle rides and an annual bike tour. The campus itself overlooks surrounding territory across the land and hills of rural Clark County and beyond, offering views of 20-30 miles on some clear days.
You’ll find The Highground along U.S. 10 just west Neillsville; Highway 73 also brings you to Neillsville, within a few miles of The Highground.
Highground Veterans Day Ceremony Address:
The Highground Veterans Memorial Park
W7031 Ridge Road (U.S. 10)
Neillsville, WI 54456
(715) 743-4244 Website
The Hartford Hot Air Balloon Rally is BACK after being gone for a decade, dotting the sky with colors and the city with all kinds of fun activities on Saturday, August 7, 2021! Enjoy the massive balloon launch, the Night Glow, vintage airplanes, plus plenty of food, music, and more at Hartford’s Municipal Airport. Fireworks will take place at dusk, too.
Admission is free! Carry-ins are allowed, although they request no glass items. Shuttle service begins at 4pm from the Jack Russell Memorial Library parking lot and Schauer Arts Center parking lot, right next to the Wisconsin Automotive Museum.
Note that the balloon launch is weather dependent; balloons will be arriving on the tarmac around 4:30pm and launch 1.5-2 hours before sunset. Arrive early, you don’t want to miss the launch! Following the launch, there will be a ping pong drop and night glow. Fireworks to follow the night glow.
Hartford Hot Air Balloon Rally Schedule of Events
12:00 – 7:00 – Kid’s Activities
1:00- 5:00- Washington County Sheriff Car display
2:00 – 4:00 – EMS display
2:00 – 4:30 – Safety Trailer display
3:00 – 7:00 – Dolce Duo’ & Company
5:00 – 5:30 – Hartford Energizers Dance
**4:00 – After Fireworks – Shuttle Service from Jack Russel Library Parking Lot & Schauer Center Parking Lot**
Flight Simulator – All Day (kids 12 & over)
Helicopter Rides – All Day ($50)
Hot Air Balloon Launch – 1 ½ Hours Before Sunset
Ping Pong Ball Drop – After Hot Air Balloon Launch
Hot Air Balloon Glow – 8:30 or when Balloons Return
Fireworks – After Balloon Glow
Food Trucks, Popcorn, Cotton Candy, Kids Vendors & Beverages – All Day
You’ll see the balloons in the air from miles around, but to get to Hartford’s Municipal Airport, head to County U northwest of downtown via Highway 60 or Highway 83. There is also FREE shuttle service from the Schauer Arts Center, right next to the Wisconsin Automotive Museum, from 4pm until after the fireworks are done.
Hear more about the Hot Air Balloon Rally in our State Trunk Tour Podcast interview with Doreen Buntrock from the Hartford Chamber! It begins about 19 minutes in…
Hartford Hot Air Balloon Rally Address:
Hartford Municipal Airport
4200 County Highway U
Hartford, WI 53027
(262) 673-7002 Website
“Quilts on Barns” Road Rally takes place Saturday, October 10, 2020. Enjoy spending the day – or even just a part of it if you prefer – driving around the highways and byways of Racine County where you can see the beauty of rural art, looking for the 26 quilt patterns on a variety of barns! Make your first stop the Real Racine Visitor Center to pick up a Quilts on Barns driving tour map and road rally instruction card. Take a tour of four (4) barns, Sew n’ Save Quilt Palette OR Country Rose Bakery Cafe Quilt Palette. Then take a “selfie” of each and come on down to the Quilts on Barns Road Rally Downtown Headquarters or Real Racine Visitor Center to show them off. Several lucky winners will be randomly chosen to win quilts, original artwork and other prizes!
The Quilts on Barns Driving Tour includes 26 barns with an 8′ x 8′ wooden quilt pattern. Many other “quilt treasures” adorn barns and buildings along your driving route. Feel free to visit local Racine County businesses , restaurants, art galleries, and quilt stores. You will be amazed at what you can find!
Quilts on Barns Road Rally Address:
The Rally is obviously happening all around Racine County, but the central meeting point is the Real Racine Visitors Center on Highway 20 just west of I-41/94. The address (for your GPS) is 14015 Washington Avenue/Highway 20, Sturtevant, WI 53177. For more info, call (262) 635-0261.
The 28th annual Exeland Trout Festival, sponsored by the Exeland Rod & Gun Club, will be held over Labor Day weekend, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, September 4, 5 & 6, 2020. A $3 Trout Fest button gets you admission to get on the Sports Center grounds, and the button is good for all three days. This year’s festival motto is “Make your day a keeper!”
Festivities begin Friday at the Sports Center at 5:00 p.m. A trout fish sandwich & chips basket will be the night’s specialty at Rod’s Bar & Grill. You can sign up for the cribbage tournament, which begins at 5:00 pm (play begins at 5:30 registration fee of $10 per team.) The men’s 8-team double elimination softball tournament also starts with games at 5:45 & 6:45 p.m. Everyone is welcome to play on the Bean Bag court during the evening. Presentation of the Medallion Hunt winner is at 7:00 p.m. DJ music will be played throughout the activities.
At 7:30 pm, Chris Kroeze performs. The former star on The Voice is from nearby and will put on a terrific show with great music! Fans are urged to bring a lawn chair.
Appropriately, Saturday’s events start with a trout fishing contest. Registration is on Main Street. The contest begins at 7:30 a.m. and concludes at 11:30 a.m. Entry fee is proof of a festival button. Contest is for brook trout only. Trophies will be awarded to the top three fish. The three winners of the contest will be invited to ride on the Exeland Rod & Gun Club float in Sunday’s parade. Once again, the trout fishing in the Exeland area this year has been unbelievable!
The Dave Lindau Memorial pancake breakfast will be from 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. inside the Exeland Rod & Gun Clubhouse located at the Sports Center.
Main Street will be busy on Saturday morning beginning at 8:00 a.m. Rummage sales, craft sales, garage sales, and a bake sale will be going on. If you have a craft booth or other items to sell, just show up, find a spot on the street, and start selling. There is no fee to vendors.
It’s a bike rider’s paradise! This will be the fourth year of the Trout Fest off road bike ride. A 27 mile loop through some of the most beautiful country northern Wisconsin has to offer. All ages are welcome but you should be in good physical shape as it’s a very challenging route. Registration is at 9:00 a.m. on Main Street in front of Superior Choice Credit Union and the ride will begin at 10:00 a.m. Cost is a Trout Fest button. A meal coupon will be presented to all participants after the ride to be redeemed at the Sports Center.
Follow the many sporting events taking place at the Sports Center. Enjoy watching the softball tourney (10 a.m. start) & volleyball tourney (11 a.m. start).
The horseshoe court will be open all day for everyone to enjoy and compete.
The 32-team co-ed Bean Bag Toss tournament begins at 10:30 a.m. 100% payback. Top 6 places will receive cash. Entry fee for the 2-person team is $20.
Inflatable games will be scattered on the grounds to entertain the kid’s. Enough fun to entertain them all day. A wrist band needs to be purchased to get into the games.
Nobody should go hungry. Stop at one of the Rod & Gun Club’s concession areas or pay the food vendors a visit. There’s a lot of good food everywhere.
At noon in the pavilion listen to the music of the “Bare Bones” of Rice Lake, formerly known as the Porch Dogs. 4 hours of great music.
The Texas Hold’em Tourney has been cancelled year but will return next year
At 4:30 p.m. a new Trout Festival queen will be crowned. Seven beautiful girls are competing for this year’s prestigious title. Last year’s queen Grace Zimmer will pass her crown onto the new winner. One of the 16 little gals competing for the Little Princess title will also be crowned at this time.
At 5:30 p.m. the Exeland Rod & Gun Club will make a little boy and girl happy when they draw to give away two free bikes and fishing poles.
Saturday concludes with a street dance at the Sports Center pavilion from 8:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Music will be provided by “The G Men”. The former Exeland band is reuniting for the first time in 30 years. Look for a fun night!
Sunday’s events continue in the morning at 7:30 a.m. with the pancake breakfast at the Rod & Gun Clubhouse located at the Sports Center. Blueberry pancakes are the specialty. Breakfast concludes at 10:30 a.m.
At high noon the “Joe Trcka Memorial Parade” with 75 units will move down Main Street. One of the best small town parades in the area with lots of candy being tossed out to the kids. If you haven’t registered your unit yet and would like to be in the parade, just show up at Swan Creek Park between 11 – 11:30 a.m. This year’s grand marshals are Neal & Marna Halberg, longtime Exeland residents who are very active in all community events.
After the parade, it’s back to the Sports Center to be part of the many events still going on. Watch the finals of all the sporting events. Once again, the kids can enjoy the inflatable games that are on the ground.
At 1:00 p.m. a delicious “chicken dinner” will be available at the new food shelter. Plus, a lot of other good food will be available all day long in and around the pavilion.
Cow Pie Bingo will take place south of the softball field shortly after the parade. $10 per square to win cash! Whichever one of the hundred spot the calf decides to crap on will determine the winner. Advance tickets are now being sold at local businesses. Event is compliments of North Star Acres Farm of Exeland.
At 2:00 p.m. the Jump River Valley Mow Masters lawn mower races will take place at the Club’s race track located southwest of the pavilion. An exciting & must see event.
If you want to stay near the pavilion and enjoy good food and cold beverages you can listen to the music of the popular “Man 2 Man” band. Denny Goin and his son will perform from 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
At 5:30 p.m. in the pavilion, all of the drawings will be held for the raffle prizes. The $100 cash raffle, Special 28th Anniversary raffle, the 4-wheeler, small cash prizes and a deer rifle will go to the lucky winners who have purchased raffle tickets. Two more kid’s bikes will also be given away.
Join the fun and help Exeland celebrate the 28th annual Exeland Trout Festival! Follow State Highway 48 to get to Exeland, east of Rice Lake off U.S. 53 or just a mile or so west of Highway 40 in Sawyer County. Truly a fun North Woods getaway event!
Exeland Trout Festival Address:
State Highway 48
Exeland, WI 54835
Info: (715) 943-2242 (ask for Jim) Website
The Lantern Festival at the Racine Zoo is a spectacular nighttime event, covering the zoo with incredible works of art! From tigers, lions, pandas, exotic flora, and a colossal dragon, Racine Zoo will be transformed into a world of illumination with custom-made lanterns. To top it off, an array of food and drink options will make the Lantern Festival a truly unforgettable event.
The Racine Zoo Lantern Festival continues in 2020 to run on weekends through February 9th.
Lantern Festival Hours:
Fridays – Sundays: 5pm – 8pm (Last entry 8pm. Zoo closes at 9pm.)
Ticket Prices: $5!!
Kids 2 and under are admitted free.
**Children 15 and younger need to be accompanied by a paying adult**. Also, note a $2.50 processing fee may be added if you pay with a credit card at the gate. But still, that’s a great deal!
Racine Zoo Lantern Festival Address:
Racine Zoo
2131 N. Main Street
Racine, WI 53402
(262) 636-9291 Website
Prairie du Sac and Sauk City, collectively known as Sauk Prairie, is the home of Bald Eagle Watching Days along the Wisconsin River. Bald eagles naturally flock to Prairie du Sac every winter to fish the river’s open waters. Check out Birds of Prey shows, an eagle release, guided bus tours, Native American legends, aerial antics, and family activities at this free, family-friendly event Friday, January 17th and Saturday, January 18th.
For winter survival, eagles need open water for fishing, undeveloped shoreline with large trees for perching, and sheltered valleys for night-time roosting. Eagle watching is best during the morning when the birds are most active fishing and are frequently seen perching in trees along the river. Spotting scopes are available for your use at Ferry Bluff Eagle Council’s Overlook in Prairie du Sac.
Marge from REGIS (the Raptor Education Group Inc.) will be releasing up to 3 eagles, including one “magnificent” adult, starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2019. Eagle release is held at VFW Park in Prairie du Sac.
Check out this video about the event from last year:
Prairie du Sac and neighboring Sauk City are often combined to be called “Sauk Prairie.” These two towns not only birthed Culver’s restaurants and host bald eagles in winter, they have a variety of great shops, galleries, restaurants, bars, and more. Vintage Brewing recently opened a satellite brewery in Sauk City and the riverfront views are fantastic across both towns. Highways 60 and 78 run through the heart of each downtown, while U.S. 12 provides high-speed access on the west side to Madison and Wisconsin Dells. Highway 188, on the other side of the river, offers access to the Wollersheim Winery & Distillery. You can truly make this an awesome road trip day or weekend!
Address for Bald Eagle Watching Days:
River Arts Center
105 9th Street (Highways 60/78)
Prairie du Sac, WI 53578 Website
Start:
January 17, 2020
End:
January 18, 2020
Venue:
River Arts Center
Phone:
608-643-4168
Address:
105 9th Street, Prairie du Sac, WI, 53578, United States
Applefest is an annual celebration in Two Rivers, filling the town’s Central Park with apple growers, bakers, and apple lovers enjoy this incredible fruit. An arts and crafts fair, apple pie social, and all kinds of entertainment will also take place throughout the day.
Central Park in Two Rivers, home to Applefest. (Photo credit: Lester Public Library’s Flicker.)
This year’s Applefest takes place on Saturday, October 12th from 9 am – 4 pm. You’ll find all the action in Central Park, right along Highway 42. This is also the place where the ice cream sundae was invented, so check out the Washington House and enjoy one in the original location. Explore the East and West Twin Rivers, the fascinating Rogers Street Historic Fishing Village, Neshotah Beach, and the beautiful area around the lakefront and city.
The drive along Lake Michigan on Highway 42/Memorial Drive between Two Rivers and Manitowoc is beautiful too, and there’s plenty more to see in Manitowoc, less than six miles away!
Applefest Address:
1710 W. Park Street
Two Rivers, WI 54241
(920) 755-2775 Website
Appleton Octoberfest is called “A Mile of Fun” in downtown Appleton and kicks off with License to Cruise, a classic car show featuring over 400 cars, plenty of live entertainment, and over 100 food vendors along College and nearby streets.
On Saturday, it’s Appleton’s largest block party! 100 food booths, 6 stages of music, 180 arts & crafts booths, family fun area.
Music starts as early as 9 a.m. (the full band line up is available on the website). Arts and Crafts and Family Fun for all ages! Octoberfest is a community-driven festival benefiting local non-profit organizations. Bring your ID if you plan to purchase beer tickets; beer ticket sales are from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Beer sales end at 5:30 p.m. and the event ends at 6 p.m.
Downtown Appleton is reached via U.S. 10, I-41, or Highways 47, 96, and 125.
Appleton Octoberfest Address:
100 College Avenue
Appleton, WI 54912
(920) 734-7101 Website
FRIDAY, 9/27/2019 Houdini Plaza (WVBO – 103.9 AND WNAM – 1280)
6:00 PM – 9:30 PM Doo Wop Daddies
6:00 PM – 9:30 PM Street Corner Entertainment
Corner of College & State WPKR (NASH FM)
Corner of College & Oneida Appleton Rock School w/their own stage & sound
Corner of College & Division 484th Army Band (6:00 PM – 7:30 PM)
Corner of College & Superior Joe Sly
Corner of College & Walnut Anna Little
Corner of College & Morrison The Polar Project
Corner of College & Durkee Lilie
Roaming Entertainment Jukebox Barbershop Quartet
SATURDAY, 9/28/2019 West End of College Avenue (105.7 WAPL)
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Appleton Rock School
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Coyote Kid
12:15 PM – 2:15 PM Road Trip N/A
2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Vic Ferrari
Corner of College Avenue & Division Street (KZ 104.3 AND WGBA-NBC26)
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Twisted Chords
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Ill Genesi
11:45 AM – 2:15 PM The Boy Band Night
2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Too White Crew
Corner of College Avenue & Superior Street (RAZOR 94.7 | 104.7)
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Stricken
12:15 PM – 3:15 PM Sir Real
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM Leading the Blind
Houdini Plaza (95.9 KISS FM)
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Newtonburg Oktoberfest Band
10:15 AM – 12:15 PM The Lately
12:30 PM – 2:45 PM Unity The Band
3:00 PM – 5:30 PM Kyle Megna & The Monsoons
Corner of College Avenue & Durkee Street (WHBY AND 95.3 | 99.1 THE SCORE)
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Doo Wop Daddies
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM Zeroed In (484th Army Variety Band)
12:30 PM – 2:15 PM Copper Box
2:30 PM – 5:30 PM The Glam Band
Corner of College Avenue & Morrison Street
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM FBI & The Untouchable Horns
1:30 PM – 5:30 PM The Polar Project
Corner of College Avenue & Drew Street
9:00 AM – 10:45 AM Happy Wanderers
11:00 AM – 3:45 PM 484th Army Band Ensembles
Family Fun Stage
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM Karate America Appleton East/Darboy
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Dan Kirk (Juggler)
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Randy Peterson (Children’s Singer)
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Cirq-Attude
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM Dan Kirk (Juggler)
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM Miller & Mike (Family Variety Act)
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM Randy Peterson (Children’s Singer)
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Miller & Mike (Family Variety Act)
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
Catalano Square in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward hosts the Under One Moon Festival, a three-day pop-up festival that celebrates everything lunar.
Its centerpiece is the Museum of the Moon, a 23-foot diameter, inflatable art installation of the lunar surface by Luke Jerram that rises over Catalano Square all weekend. The lunar celebration, going on night and day, includes moon songs, chalk art, original dance, lectures from leading space experts and much more. The festival is produced under the direction of Black Box Fund, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that supports public art, music and performances that inspire and educate.
The remarkable detail of the Moon installation, which suspends from a crane and hangs over the Catalano Square Fountain, is the centerpiece. It shines at night and serves as a beacon for the festival. You’ll find it right along Highway 32 as you drive through Milwaukee’s Third Ward, along Milwaukee and Young Streets, also bounded by Erie and Menomonee Streets.
Under One Moon Festival Address:
Catalano Square
100 Block of N. Broadway
Milwaukee, WI 53202 Facebook Page
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events › Outdoor
September 27, 2024 – September 29, 2024
Harvest Fair
Harvest Fair at Wisconsin State Fair Park features tons of fall-focused events, activities, live entertainment, competitions, scarecrow making and the much anticipated Pumpkin Bowling. It runs September 27-29, 2024 and has FREE admission.
Over 30 vendors will be there, selling everything from tasty food to cool crafts. Since it’s fall, imbibe in a pumpkin spice cream puff; enjoy pies from the Elegant Farmer; grab a cup of Kozie’s Harvest Stew; explore a multitude of Wisconsin cheeses; and The Micro will be offering over 60 varieties of craft beers. Prefer wine? No problem, Wineberry will be serving up red wines, white wines, even wine slushies.
Check out the Antique Tractors Display, the Backyard Circus, Camel and Pony Rides, a Farmers’ Market, Free Live Music, Giant Cookie Decorating, Hay Rides, a Kiddie Tractor Maze, “Make Your Own Caramel Apple” fun (they provide a lot of toppings), even a chance for kids to slide down the “World’s Largest Piggy Bank.” Free, lively entertainment is rocking stages all weekend long, including performances by the 5 Card Studs, Too Hype Crew, Rhythm Kings, The Toys and more will be on the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater with nightly entertainment presented by Bud Light. Plus, multiple Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Shows, presented by WaterStone Bank, are also on deck.
A major feature of Harvest Fair is the massive pumpkin patch, big enough to impress Linus from Peanuts (yes, we’re going old school here.)
And, a lot more! Check their website for full schedules and details.
Wisconsin State Fair Park is in West Allis, minutes west of downtown Milwaukee. I-94 and Highways 59 and 181 border the park; I-41, I-894, U.S. 18, U.S. 45, and Highway 100 all get you close.
Harvest Fair / Maker Faire Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Park
640 S. 84th Street (Highways 181 & 59)
West Allis, WI 53214
(800) 884-3247
Website
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September 7, 2024
Sputnik Fest
The festival draws plenty of space fans – with Star Wars and Star Trek characters well-represented – costume contests, music, go-kart racing down 8th Street (there’s a bit of a hill towards the heart of downtown), food, drinks, and even an “alien drop”, where hundreds of mini-alien figures are dropped from a cherry picker – some with prizes. Even the hosting group, the Rahr-West Art Museum, calls it a “wacky tacky” weekend. Music from bands like Bazooka Joe add to the fun! Family fun continues with the Cosmic Kids Creation Station, which offers tye-dye, clay painting, and rocket building, plus live statues, portrait paintings, and more.
Sputnikfest Schedule of Events:
11:00-2:00PM DJ
11:30AM Photo Op with Sputnikfest Police (courtesy of the Masquers theater company)
12:00-5:00PM Art Space and Children’s Games
12:00-Noon 5K Art Walk/Run (register at: https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Manitowoc/Sputnikfest5KWalkRun)
1:00-3:00PM Meet and Greet with 501st Wisconsin Garrison
12:00PM Lakeshore 1st Robotics
2:00-6:00PM Musical entertainment by XPOSED 4 HEADS
3:00PM Pet Parade and contest
4:00PM Cosmic Kids Parade and contest
5:00PM Captain Space Debris (Alien Adults) Parade and Contest
6:00PM Alien Raffle Drop
Get more details here.
Sputnikfest Address:
Rahr-West Art Museum
610 N. 8th Street (8th & Park, U.S. 10 & Business 42)
Manitowoc, WI 54220
Website
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August 31, 2024 – September 1, 2024
Kites Over Lake Michigan
Kites Over Lake Michigan is one of the largest kite festivals in the Midwest and attracts kite fliers from all over. Check out giant show kites, precision stunt kite teams flying dual- and quad-line kites, spectacular and colorful ground displays, running of the bols, and games for kids! Learn how to fly two and quad line stunt kites from the experts.
Kites Over Lake Michigan continues at Two Rivers High School with other activities taking place along Lake Michigan nearby. It will take place Saturday, August 31st and Sunday, September 1st. This includes a night fly on Saturday night, conditions permitting.
Since the High School serves as the festival grounds, Walsh Field (on 22nd Street just before the turn into Neshotah Beach) will serve as the overflow parking area. A shuttle bus service will run between Walsh Field and the high school both days from 11 am to 5 pm. Please note that the bus will be limited to 23 people per trip to allow for social distancing, more if family members living together are present. All those using the shuttle will have to be masked. Also, pets are not allowed anywhere on school property.
Good news: Free kite making for kids will continue, taking place Sunday 9/2/24 at 9.00 am.
Great News: The Fireworks Show WILL take place, and it will happen Saturday evening at 8 pm. Fireworks will be shot off behind the Coast Guard Station, allowing people to spread out over a wide area and still have optimum viewing from various places along the waterfront.
Highway 42 is the road to both Neshotah Beach and Two Rivers High School; Highway 147 brings you to Two Rivers from the north, and Highway 310 provides quick access to and from I-43. Check out this colorful fest (which we need in 2020) September 5th and 6th!
Kites Over Lake Michigan Event Address:
Two Rivers High School
4519 Lincoln Avenue (Highway 42)
Two Rivers, WI 54241
(920) 793-9599
Website
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August 31, 2024 – September 1, 2024
Taste of Madison
Taste of Madison happens on the Capitol Square, one of the most dynamic and beautiful places in Wisconsin with the shops, restaurants, bars, museums, and more surrounding our gorgeous State Capitol. U.S. 151/Washington Avenue brings you closest, although U.S. 12, U.S. 14, U.S. 18, U.S. 51, and Highways 30 and 113 all bring you to Madison.
Taste of Madison Hours:
Saturday, August 31st 2pm – 9pm
Sunday, September 5th: 11am – 7pm
Get the full list of participating restaurants (with address and phone where available) below or from the Taste of Madison website!
All Star Catering
Arod’s Tex-Mex
Banzo
Bel-Air Cantina
Ben’s Soft Pretzels
Bob’s BBQ Emporium
Buraka East African Cuisine
Cafe Costa Rica – Mango Man Cooks
Caracas Arepas/Caracas Empenadas
Chez Moi
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company
Common Pasta
Cooper’s Hawk
Culinarynirvana
Curd Girl
Daddy Rocks
David’s Jamaican Cuisine
DonutNV
Draper Brothers Chophouse
El Gran Taco Gato
El Sabor de Puebla
Ernie’s Kettle Korn
Famous Dave’s
Fresh Mart
Gigi’s Cupcakes
Glazed
Gyros Express
Hibachi Hut
Hong Kong Cafe
Jakarta Cafe
JDs Taste of Chicago
Just Veggiez
KC Taste Asian Cuisine
Kerol’s Kitchen
Keur Fatou Catering
Kona Ice of Madison
La Pollera Columbiana
La Taguara
Lao Laan-Xang
Les Delices de Awa
Little Orbits Mini Donuts
Little Tibet Madison
Lombardino’s Restaurant
Melting Pot
6816 Odana Rd., Madison
608-833-5676
Milano Ice
6816 Odana Rd., Madison
608-572-5543
Mirch Masala
449 State St., Madison
608-665-3667
Monona Bakery & Eatery
4544 Monona Drive, Madison
608-720-1133
Native Food Network – Mobile Farmers Market
7 N. Pickney, Suite 235, Madison
608-280-1267
Natural Juice
7 N. Pinckney, Suite 235, Madison
608-628-9280
North & South Seafood & Smokehouse
6604 Mineral Point Rd., Madison
608-829-0093
The Old Fashioned
23 N. Pinckney, Madison
608-310-4545
Pagoda Smoothie Food Cart
People’s Bakery
2810 E. Washington Ave., Madison
608-245-0404
The Post
24 S. Carroll St., Madison
608-327-1101
Poke Poke
600 Williamson St., Madison
608-665-3306
RibMasters WI
Food Truck, Madison
608-669-0955
The Rigby Pub and Grill
119 E Main St, Madison
608-442-1112
The Rodeo Wagon
Food Cart
Roll Play
The Roman Candle
1054 Williamson St., Madison
608-258-2000
Sabor Queretano
4512 E. Washington Ave., Madison
608-209-0643
Savi Cafe & Catering
215 S. Hamilton, Madison
608-283-4903
Schultz’s Sugar River Kettle Corn
N9560 Hwy. 92, Belleville
608-217-9137
Smokin’ Cantina
Madison Food Cart
608-438-9643
Smokin’ Dragons
Soho Gourmet Cuisines
2990 Cahill Main #106, Madison
608-960-4011
Steak Escape
212 East Towne Mall, Madison
608-333-1103
Surco Peruvian
515 Cottage Grove Rd., Madison
608-957-1716
Tavernakaya
27 E. Main St., Madison
608-286-1548
Teriyaki Samurai
Food Cart, Madison
608-338-5660
The Globe
309 N. Henry St., Madison
608-640-4435
TnT’s Coffee & Cafe
729 N High Point Rd, Madison
608-831-2298
Toast
728 State Street, Madison
608-692-4549
Toppers
1368 Regent St., Madison
Ugly Apple
Food Cart
608-352-8459
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August 23, 2024 – August 25, 2024
Lake Geneva Maxwell Street Days
Lake Geneva is a great place to visit and shop, and Maxwell Street Days offers “Hot Deals for Those Hot Summer Days”!
Maxwell Street Days Annual Summer Sidewalk Sale returns with the best shopping steals of the year Friday, August 23rd through Sunday, August 25th with more than 25 years of great bargains on clothing, shoes, jewelry, gifts, artwork, sporting goods, books and more, plus fabulous food and entertainment from downtown shops and restaurants. Dine al fresco, enjoy live music, and celebrate the end of summer! offers extra opportunities to find bargains on some great stuff! Check out the list of participating locations here.
U.S. 12 and Highways 50 and 120 bring you to Lake Geneva, home to plenty of fun activities. Enjoy the downtown shops and restaurants, craft breweries like Topsy Turvy Brewing and MashTun Brewing, the beautiful beach along the shores of Geneva Lake, shows from the internationally-renown Tristan Crist Magic Theater to The Belfry, amazing golf courses including Geneva National and the Grand Geneva, winter skiing at Alpine Valley, The Mountaintop at Grand Geneva, and Wilmot Mountain… the list goes on!
Lake Geneva Maxwell Street Days Address:
Downtown Lake Geneva, centered on Highway 50 (Main Street) at Broad Street (see map)
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Info: (262) 248-4416
Website
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August 22, 2024 – August 25, 2024
West Bend GERMANFest
Welcome to the 38th Annual West Bend GERMANfest! This celebration of German Heritage and Gemütlichkeit takes place Thursday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 25th, 2024. GERMANfest is an outdoor festival featuring two stages of continuous ethnic and other music, authentic German food and dancing, Sheepshead tournaments, Kinderzone, fine selection of beer and wine, souvenirs, daily raffles, and more.
Take in all the food, fun, and Festlichkeit that awaits you and others as you enjoy the huge outdoor, tented danced floor, fabulous array of musical guests and of course excellent food and beverages. West Bend Germanfest is easy to find, located centrally on the corners of Walnut and Main Street in the heart of downtown West Bend, rich with history. Highways 33 and 144 meet in downtown West Bend, a few miles east of the U.S. 45 bypass of the city. The original U.S. 45, as Main Street, cuts right past the GERMANfest grounds. Check out Riverside Brewery while you’re there!
West Bend GERMANfest Address:
5th Avenue & Walnut Street
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 338-0690
Website
2024 West Bend GERMANfest Music Lineup
Thursday, August 22nd
Liquid Crush 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Rebel Grace 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Friday, August 23rd
Cedar Singers 10:00-11:00am
Goodtime Dutchmen 11:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-2:00pm
John Dietz & the Twin Lakes Trio 12:00-1:00pm, 2:00-3:00pm
Ryan Kautzer Band 3:00pm-4:00pm, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Copper Box 4:00-5:00pm, 6:00-8:00pm
The Nix 8:00pm-11:00pm
Saturday, August 24th
Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt 10:00-11:00am
RiverCity Blaskapelle 11:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-2:00pm
Dave Austin Band 12:00-1:00pm, 2:00pm-3:00pm
Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen 3:00pm-4:00pm, 5:30-6:30pm
Lynn Marie and the Nashville Polka Guys 4:15pm-5:30pm, 6:45pm-8:00pm
Alex Meixner Band 8:00-11:00pm
Sunday, August 25th
The Mike Schneider Band 10:00am-11:00am, 11:45am-1:00pm
Pint Sixed Polkas 11am-11:45am
Lynn Marie and the Nashville Polka Guys 1:00pm-2:30pm, 4:00pm-5:30pm
Alex Meixner Band 2:30pm-4:00pm, 5:30pm-8:00pm
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August 10, 2024
Yellowstone Trail Heritage Day
Hudson was the last Wisconsin stop for westbound travelers on the iconic Yellowstone Trail, which in St. Croix County roughly follows the path of today’s U.S. 12. The city celebrates 111 years of history for the Trail on Saturday, August 10th this year with Yellowstone Trail Heritage Day.
The year was 1912 and the auto was gaining popularity. It wasn’t uncommon for horse drawn wagons to share potholes with the automobiles that also traveled the country roads and passed through everything the horses left behind.
A few ambitious folks got together and decided to connect county roads which resulted in the first transcontinental road – The Yellowstone Trail. From “Plymouth Rock to Puget Sound!”
Check out Hudson on August 10th for family fun around town with a Vintage and Class Car Show, Cemetery Walk, Pie and Ice Cream Social, Children’s Activities and a drive on the Yellowstone Trail!
Other activities planned include a Car Show, Children’s Activities, a Pie & Ice Cream Social at First Baptist Church, Historic Downtown Hudson Walking Tours, Cemetery Walk @ Willow River Cemetery, Octagon House Tours, Ciranda Garden Fair, Non-Profit Community Fair, Coco’s Heart Rescue, and more. Check out their website for details.
Hudson is right along U.S. 12 (which follows portions of the original Yellowstone Trail) and Highway 35. I-94 runs along the south side of town, and Highway 64 is just a few miles north. Check out this beautiful city on the St. Croix River, and for great waterfalls and trails be sure to hit Willow River State Park nearby!
Yellowstone Trail Heritage Day Address:
Various locations in downtown Hudson
Hudson, WI 54016
(715) 386-8411
Website
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August 20, 2023
Zoo A La Carte at the Milwaukee County Zoo
“Feast with the Beasts” at the Milwaukee County Zoo! Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a la Carte, presented by Meijer, runs Thursday, August 17th through Sunday August 20th. Check out 27 area restaurants with palate-pleasing offers and national and local bands performing throughout Zoo grounds, including Vertical Horizon Thursday night,
Plenty of family-friendly activities are also available throughout the grounds, and of course the Milwaukee County Zoo’s remarkable collection of 2,100+ animals you can see and learn about. It’s one of the best family activities of the year.
Crafty kids can show their artistic side with Kohl’s Color Wheels, a mobile art experience. You can also enjoy a glass of wine, while listening to local bands at the Giraffe Village Wine Tent, sponsored by Champion Windows & Sunrooms. On top of that, you can visit the Brick Dinos exhibit, sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets, which includes interactive LEGO® play-scapes and more. Admission is $3 per person.
Zoo A La Carte Music Schedule:
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Jake Williams (90s, R&B, modern, & classics)
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jon Rouse (Classic rock)
7 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Vertical Horizon (Alternative rock)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Driving Buddies (Pop, rock, & country)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jordan and Ernie (Bluegrass)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Andrea and The Mods (70s, 80s, & more)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Geoff Landon Duo (Country hits)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Xeno and Joe (Classic hits)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Brady Lee (Pop country)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Phil Norby (Acoustic classics)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Sam and Cookie (Folk, classic rock, & bluegrass)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Grimm Brothers Trio (Classic hits)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Steve Cohen and Jim Ohlschmidt (Twisted acoustic blues)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. JC Munguía (Latin music)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Diamond (Neil Diamond & more)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Carmen and Kostia (Pop vocals with piano)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Anthony Deutsch (Pianist, vocalist, & composer)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Friday, August 18, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Kris and Dani Crow (Harmonies & great banter)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Trapper Schoepp Band (Singer-songwriter)
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Eli Young Band (Country)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Ebert and Grass (Classics)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jessie Haines (Singer-songwriter)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Barbieri and the Rockin’ Krakens (Classic rock hits)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Scott E. Berendt Trio (Acoustic rock & pop)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bad Medicine (80s party rock)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. The Playlist (Top 40 hits)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Hearthfire (Irish roots & rock)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Joey Gleesing (Top 40 hits)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Scott Hlavenka Duo (Acoustic gypsy jazz)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Rudy and Vee (Acoustic duo)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Michael Sean (Wisconsin musical mainstay)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Frogwater (Celtic bluegrass fusion)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Keshena Armon (Singer-songwriter)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Katy Ambrose (Dynamic piano stylings)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bath (Classic to modern pop and rock)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. The Morrison Sessions (Roots rock & roll)
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Record Company (Rock)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Tangled Lines (Roots, rock, & Americana)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Kitty Soft Paw (Indie rock & soul)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. V-Funk (Funk)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Busted Mullet (Rock)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bruce Humphries and the Rockabilly Rebels (Rockabilly)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Our House (50s, 60s, 70s, & more)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Chris Haise Duo (Indie folk rock)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Belle Weather (Orchestral indie folk rock)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Ronnie Nyles (Singer-songwriter)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Patrick Van Bibber (Guitarist, singer-songwriter)
2:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Jake Warne Duo (Singer-songwriters)
6:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Barbieri (Classic hits)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Christopher’s Project Duo (Jazz, R&B, pop, & swing)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Marcya Daneille (Jazz & soul)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Sunday, August 20, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Joe 2.0 (The world’s original rockestra)
5 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Hypnotized (Milwaukee’s Fleetwood Mac Tribute)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 3 p.m. Another One (Grateful Dead tribute)
4 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Crossfire (Country rock)
Zoofari Stage
12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Shuga Blu (R&B, soul, & pop)
4:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Lovin Kind (Classic rock)
Lakeview Stage
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Beautiful Collide (Blues, jazz, & light rock)
4:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. The Lounge Dogs (Acoustic hits, classics, sing-alongs)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Ronnie Nyles (Singer-songwriter)
4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Brooklynn Marti (Singer-songwriter)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Barbara Stephan and Peter Mac Duo (Singer-songwriters)
4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Admission rates (includes all bands and activities):
Adults: $17
Juniors (ages 3 to 12): $14
Children (ages 2 and under): FREE
Parking: $14
We talked with Jenny Diliberti from the Zoo a while back about this event and the Zoo’s history, animals, new designs, and more in this State Trunk Tour Podcast:
Milwaukee area restaurants at Zoo A La Carte include:
A la Crepes
Bear Garden
Brew City Snowballs
Bubble Waffle Shoppes
Café el Sol (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Caribou Beverage Bar
Catalano Corn (vegetarian)
Cedar Crest Ice Cream Parlor
Chillwaukee Pops (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
C-Viche
Funnel Cake Factory
Giraffe Beverage Bar
Giraffe Wine Bar
Golden Grill
Hot Potato
La Masa (vegetarian)
Leinie Lodge
Mama Bev’s Bakery
MIL-WOK-EE (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Nothing Bundt Cakes (gluten-free)
Nourish 414 (vegetarian, gluten-free)
OOZ
Penguin Beverage Bar
Pig Tailz (vegetarian)
Roll MKE (vegetarian)
Salentini’s Pizza
Saz’s (gluten-free)
Scrima’s Woodfired Pizza (gluten-free)
Shawarma House (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
The Coop
The Snack Barn
Thunder Bay Grille (vegetarian, gluten-free)
Tots on the Street (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Ultimate Confections Desserts featuring Suzy’s Cream Cheesecakes
Watering Hole Root Beer Floats
West End Snacks
Wild Burger
Woody’s Custard
Wong’s Wok
Zoo A La Carte at the Milwaukee County Zoo Address:
10001 W. Bluemound Road (U.S. 18)
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 256-5466
Website
The Zoo is surrounded by U.S. 18/Bluemound Road on the north, I-41/US. 45 on the east, I-94 on the south, and Highway 100 on the west. Despite the Zoo Interchange construction, it’s still easy to get to!
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July 14, 2023 – July 15, 2023
Port Fish Days
Okay, along with the fish fry, we’re talking lots of fun: music on four stages, rides, fireworks, and plenty of other cool stuff like soccer water fights all along Port Washington’s beautiful harbor on Lake Michigan, where even on a hot day it tends to be nice and comfortable.
Port Fish Day in 2023 begins on Thursday, July 13th and runs through Saturday, July 15th with a variety of events each day and night. It begins with the Corn Hole Tournament Thursday evening with music Friday afternoon into the evening by Nate Horlache.
Saturday is the busy day – it begins with a nice calorie burn in the form of the Coal Dock Park Portal Run/Walk/Roll at 8am. Starting at 10am, the Beer Garden, Arts & Crafts Show, and Family Zone activities fire up at Upper Lake Park. Coal Dock and Upper Lake Park essentially flank downtown Port Washington, with all of their shops, restaurants, and marina activities in between.
Live music starts up in Lower Lake Park with performances from Zach Steinbach, Letter 8, and headliners The Love Monkeys – get more details here. It all caps off at 7pm in Rotary Park along the water with the Fireworks Watch Party.
Port Fish Day is focused around the beautiful harbor area in downtown Port Washington. Highways 32 and 33 bring you right into downtown Port, just east of I-43 and Highway 57, a few miles north of Highway 60.
Further details are on their website. While in Port Washington, be sure to check out Coal Dock Park, raise a glass at Inventors Brewpub, trace the history of the Blues, shop Duluth Trading Company or any of the local stores downtown, and enjoy the lakefront! Of course you can check out Allen Edmonds Shoe Outlet on the north side of town or get some exercise on the Interurban Trail, which cuts right through town.
Port Fish Day Address:
Port Washington Harbor
100 N. Franklin Street (Highway 32)
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-0900
Website
December 3, 2022
Jingle & Mingle, Sheboygan
The 2nd annual Jingle & Mingle at City Green in downtown Sheboygan is a family-friendly event that includes entertainment, a marketplace, a brat fry, trolley rides, and of course, Santa!
Jingle & Mingle Schedule of Events:
12:15 PM: Storytime with Santa.
12:30 PM: The Kohler High School Madrigal Singers
1 PM: Ugly Sweater Contest
1:30 PM: South High School Singers
2 PM: Lutheran High School Chamber Choir
2:30 PM: Noah & Grace
3 PM: Livie
You can get to City Green and downtown Sheboygan via Highways 23, 28, or 42 in from I-43. Just head towards the lake and make your way to 8th Street, City Green is right at the New York Avenue intersection. While in Sheboygan, you can check out so many fun attractions, restaurants, and more. They include the John Michael Kohler Arts Center – practically adjacent to City Green – the Above & Beyond Children’s Museum, also within blocks of City Green, the Harbor District along the Sheboygan River, North Beach, Maywood Environmental Park and 3 Sheeps Brewing on the north side (both just off Highway 42), and much more.
Jingle & Mingle Address:
City Green, downtown Sheboygan
710 New York Avenue
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 335-0060
Website
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November 11, 2021
The Highground Veterans Day Ceremony
High above surrounding territory (hence the name), The Highground Veterans Memorial Park serves as one of the nation’s finest tribute locations for American military veterans. The Highground Veterans Day Ceremony takes place Thursday, November 11th. Due in part to COVID-19 precautionary steps, this event will be held outdoors and the total length will be determined in part by weather.
THe Highground Veterans Day Ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10am; the Wisconsin KIA/MIA/POW names from WWII to present day will be read and honored with the tolling of The Highground Liberty Bell. With all present and accounted for, the Thorp VFW Post #9057 will present Colors on the Plaza at 11am. As of this writing, the guest speaker is still to be determined.
The Ceremony itself will begin at 3pm.
Veteran support and services will be onsite for continued resources. Coffee and cookies will be served.
For questions about the ceremony, please contact Bonnie at events@thehighground.us or call 715-743-4224.
The Highground is an incredible place to visit any time of year; its 155 acres are staffed at pay tribute to the fallen while honoring the survivors, their service, and their sacrifices. The park includes 15 tributes, four miles of hiking trails, a gift shop, and a museum. Throughout the year, the park hosts a variety of events including Veterans retreats and reunions, military vehicle expos, motorcycle rides and an annual bike tour. The campus itself overlooks surrounding territory across the land and hills of rural Clark County and beyond, offering views of 20-30 miles on some clear days.
You’ll find The Highground along U.S. 10 just west Neillsville; Highway 73 also brings you to Neillsville, within a few miles of The Highground.
Highground Veterans Day Ceremony Address:
The Highground Veterans Memorial Park
W7031 Ridge Road (U.S. 10)
Neillsville, WI 54456
(715) 743-4244
Website
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August 7, 2021
Hartford Hot Air Balloon Rally
Hartford Hot Air Balloon Rally Schedule of Events
You’ll see the balloons in the air from miles around, but to get to Hartford’s Municipal Airport, head to County U northwest of downtown via Highway 60 or Highway 83. There is also FREE shuttle service from the Schauer Arts Center, right next to the Wisconsin Automotive Museum, from 4pm until after the fireworks are done.
Hear more about the Hot Air Balloon Rally in our State Trunk Tour Podcast interview with Doreen Buntrock from the Hartford Chamber! It begins about 19 minutes in…
Hartford Hot Air Balloon Rally Address:
Hartford Municipal Airport
4200 County Highway U
Hartford, WI 53027
(262) 673-7002
Website
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October 10, 2020
Quilts on Barns Road Rally
“Quilts on Barns” Road Rally takes place Saturday, October 10, 2020. Enjoy spending the day – or even just a part of it if you prefer – driving around the highways and byways of Racine County where you can see the beauty of rural art, looking for the 26 quilt patterns on a variety of barns! Make your first stop the Real Racine Visitor Center to pick up a Quilts on Barns driving tour map and road rally instruction card. Take a tour of four (4) barns, Sew n’ Save Quilt Palette OR Country Rose Bakery Cafe Quilt Palette. Then take a “selfie” of each and come on down to the Quilts on Barns Road Rally Downtown Headquarters or Real Racine Visitor Center to show them off. Several lucky winners will be randomly chosen to win quilts, original artwork and other prizes!
The Quilts on Barns Driving Tour includes 26 barns with an 8′ x 8′ wooden quilt pattern. Many other “quilt treasures” adorn barns and buildings along your driving route. Feel free to visit local Racine County businesses , restaurants, art galleries, and quilt stores. You will be amazed at what you can find!
Quilts on Barns Road Rally Address:
The Rally is obviously happening all around Racine County, but the central meeting point is the Real Racine Visitors Center on Highway 20 just west of I-41/94. The address (for your GPS) is 14015 Washington Avenue/Highway 20, Sturtevant, WI 53177. For more info, call (262) 635-0261.
More info is available on the Racine Arts Council website.
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September 4, 2020 – September 6, 2020
Exeland Trout Festival
The 28th annual Exeland Trout Festival, sponsored by the Exeland Rod & Gun Club, will be held over Labor Day weekend, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, September 4, 5 & 6, 2020. A $3 Trout Fest button gets you admission to get on the Sports Center grounds, and the button is good for all three days. This year’s festival motto is “Make your day a keeper!”
Festivities begin Friday at the Sports Center at 5:00 p.m. A trout fish sandwich & chips basket will be the night’s specialty at Rod’s Bar & Grill. You can sign up for the cribbage tournament, which begins at 5:00 pm (play begins at 5:30 registration fee of $10 per team.) The men’s 8-team double elimination softball tournament also starts with games at 5:45 & 6:45 p.m. Everyone is welcome to play on the Bean Bag court during the evening. Presentation of the Medallion Hunt winner is at 7:00 p.m. DJ music will be played throughout the activities.
At 7:30 pm, Chris Kroeze performs. The former star on The Voice is from nearby and will put on a terrific show with great music! Fans are urged to bring a lawn chair.
Appropriately, Saturday’s events start with a trout fishing contest. Registration is on Main Street. The contest begins at 7:30 a.m. and concludes at 11:30 a.m. Entry fee is proof of a festival button. Contest is for brook trout only. Trophies will be awarded to the top three fish. The three winners of the contest will be invited to ride on the Exeland Rod & Gun Club float in Sunday’s parade. Once again, the trout fishing in the Exeland area this year has been unbelievable!
The Dave Lindau Memorial pancake breakfast will be from 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. inside the Exeland Rod & Gun Clubhouse located at the Sports Center.
Main Street will be busy on Saturday morning beginning at 8:00 a.m. Rummage sales, craft sales, garage sales, and a bake sale will be going on. If you have a craft booth or other items to sell, just show up, find a spot on the street, and start selling. There is no fee to vendors.
It’s a bike rider’s paradise! This will be the fourth year of the Trout Fest off road bike ride. A 27 mile loop through some of the most beautiful country northern Wisconsin has to offer. All ages are welcome but you should be in good physical shape as it’s a very challenging route. Registration is at 9:00 a.m. on Main Street in front of Superior Choice Credit Union and the ride will begin at 10:00 a.m. Cost is a Trout Fest button. A meal coupon will be presented to all participants after the ride to be redeemed at the Sports Center.
Follow the many sporting events taking place at the Sports Center. Enjoy watching the softball tourney (10 a.m. start) & volleyball tourney (11 a.m. start).
The horseshoe court will be open all day for everyone to enjoy and compete.
The 32-team co-ed Bean Bag Toss tournament begins at 10:30 a.m. 100% payback. Top 6 places will receive cash. Entry fee for the 2-person team is $20.
Inflatable games will be scattered on the grounds to entertain the kid’s. Enough fun to entertain them all day. A wrist band needs to be purchased to get into the games.
Nobody should go hungry. Stop at one of the Rod & Gun Club’s concession areas or pay the food vendors a visit. There’s a lot of good food everywhere.
At noon in the pavilion listen to the music of the “Bare Bones” of Rice Lake, formerly known as the Porch Dogs. 4 hours of great music.
The Texas Hold’em Tourney has been cancelled year but will return next year
At 4:30 p.m. a new Trout Festival queen will be crowned. Seven beautiful girls are competing for this year’s prestigious title. Last year’s queen Grace Zimmer will pass her crown onto the new winner. One of the 16 little gals competing for the Little Princess title will also be crowned at this time.
At 5:30 p.m. the Exeland Rod & Gun Club will make a little boy and girl happy when they draw to give away two free bikes and fishing poles.
Saturday concludes with a street dance at the Sports Center pavilion from 8:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Music will be provided by “The G Men”. The former Exeland band is reuniting for the first time in 30 years. Look for a fun night!
Sunday’s events continue in the morning at 7:30 a.m. with the pancake breakfast at the Rod & Gun Clubhouse located at the Sports Center. Blueberry pancakes are the specialty. Breakfast concludes at 10:30 a.m.
At high noon the “Joe Trcka Memorial Parade” with 75 units will move down Main Street. One of the best small town parades in the area with lots of candy being tossed out to the kids. If you haven’t registered your unit yet and would like to be in the parade, just show up at Swan Creek Park between 11 – 11:30 a.m. This year’s grand marshals are Neal & Marna Halberg, longtime Exeland residents who are very active in all community events.
After the parade, it’s back to the Sports Center to be part of the many events still going on. Watch the finals of all the sporting events. Once again, the kids can enjoy the inflatable games that are on the ground.
At 1:00 p.m. a delicious “chicken dinner” will be available at the new food shelter. Plus, a lot of other good food will be available all day long in and around the pavilion.
Cow Pie Bingo will take place south of the softball field shortly after the parade. $10 per square to win cash! Whichever one of the hundred spot the calf decides to crap on will determine the winner. Advance tickets are now being sold at local businesses. Event is compliments of North Star Acres Farm of Exeland.
At 2:00 p.m. the Jump River Valley Mow Masters lawn mower races will take place at the Club’s race track located southwest of the pavilion. An exciting & must see event.
If you want to stay near the pavilion and enjoy good food and cold beverages you can listen to the music of the popular “Man 2 Man” band. Denny Goin and his son will perform from 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
At 5:30 p.m. in the pavilion, all of the drawings will be held for the raffle prizes. The $100 cash raffle, Special 28th Anniversary raffle, the 4-wheeler, small cash prizes and a deer rifle will go to the lucky winners who have purchased raffle tickets. Two more kid’s bikes will also be given away.
Join the fun and help Exeland celebrate the 28th annual Exeland Trout Festival! Follow State Highway 48 to get to Exeland, east of Rice Lake off U.S. 53 or just a mile or so west of Highway 40 in Sawyer County. Truly a fun North Woods getaway event!
Exeland Trout Festival Address:
State Highway 48
Exeland, WI 54835
Info: (715) 943-2242 (ask for Jim)
Website
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January 24, 2020 – February 9, 2020
Racine Zoo Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival at the Racine Zoo is a spectacular nighttime event, covering the zoo with incredible works of art! From tigers, lions, pandas, exotic flora, and a colossal dragon, Racine Zoo will be transformed into a world of illumination with custom-made lanterns. To top it off, an array of food and drink options will make the Lantern Festival a truly unforgettable event.
The Racine Zoo Lantern Festival continues in 2020 to run on weekends through February 9th.
Lantern Festival Hours:
Fridays – Sundays: 5pm – 8pm (Last entry 8pm. Zoo closes at 9pm.)
Ticket Prices: $5!!
Kids 2 and under are admitted free.
**Children 15 and younger need to be accompanied by a paying adult**. Also, note a $2.50 processing fee may be added if you pay with a credit card at the gate. But still, that’s a great deal!
Racine Zoo Lantern Festival Address:
Racine Zoo
2131 N. Main Street
Racine, WI 53402
(262) 636-9291
Website
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January 17, 2020 – January 18, 2020
Bald Eagle Watching Days
For winter survival, eagles need open water for fishing, undeveloped shoreline with large trees for perching, and sheltered valleys for night-time roosting. Eagle watching is best during the morning when the birds are most active fishing and are frequently seen perching in trees along the river. Spotting scopes are available for your use at Ferry Bluff Eagle Council’s Overlook in Prairie du Sac.
Marge from REGIS (the Raptor Education Group Inc.) will be releasing up to 3 eagles, including one “magnificent” adult, starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2019. Eagle release is held at VFW Park in Prairie du Sac.
Check out this video about the event from last year:
Prairie du Sac and neighboring Sauk City are often combined to be called “Sauk Prairie.” These two towns not only birthed Culver’s restaurants and host bald eagles in winter, they have a variety of great shops, galleries, restaurants, bars, and more. Vintage Brewing recently opened a satellite brewery in Sauk City and the riverfront views are fantastic across both towns. Highways 60 and 78 run through the heart of each downtown, while U.S. 12 provides high-speed access on the west side to Madison and Wisconsin Dells. Highway 188, on the other side of the river, offers access to the Wollersheim Winery & Distillery. You can truly make this an awesome road trip day or weekend!
Address for Bald Eagle Watching Days:
River Arts Center
105 9th Street (Highways 60/78)
Prairie du Sac, WI 53578
Website
October 12, 2019
Applefest, Two Rivers
Applefest is an annual celebration in Two Rivers, filling the town’s Central Park with apple growers, bakers, and apple lovers enjoy this incredible fruit. An arts and crafts fair, apple pie social, and all kinds of entertainment will also take place throughout the day.
This year’s Applefest takes place on Saturday, October 12th from 9 am – 4 pm. You’ll find all the action in Central Park, right along Highway 42. This is also the place where the ice cream sundae was invented, so check out the Washington House and enjoy one in the original location. Explore the East and West Twin Rivers, the fascinating Rogers Street Historic Fishing Village, Neshotah Beach, and the beautiful area around the lakefront and city.
The drive along Lake Michigan on Highway 42/Memorial Drive between Two Rivers and Manitowoc is beautiful too, and there’s plenty more to see in Manitowoc, less than six miles away!
Applefest Address:
1710 W. Park Street
Two Rivers, WI 54241
(920) 755-2775
Website
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September 27, 2019 – September 28, 2019
Appleton Octoberfest
On Saturday, it’s Appleton’s largest block party! 100 food booths, 6 stages of music, 180 arts & crafts booths, family fun area.
Music starts as early as 9 a.m. (the full band line up is available on the website). Arts and Crafts and Family Fun for all ages! Octoberfest is a community-driven festival benefiting local non-profit organizations. Bring your ID if you plan to purchase beer tickets; beer ticket sales are from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Beer sales end at 5:30 p.m. and the event ends at 6 p.m.
Appleton Octoberfest Address:
100 College Avenue
Appleton, WI 54912
(920) 734-7101
Website
You can download their Octoberfest app here. See their website for complete schedules and details or check the music lineup below!
Schedule of Appleton Octoberfest Events:
FRIDAY, 9/27/2019
Houdini Plaza (WVBO – 103.9 AND WNAM – 1280)
6:00 PM – 9:30 PM Doo Wop Daddies
6:00 PM – 9:30 PM Street Corner Entertainment
Corner of College & State WPKR (NASH FM)
Corner of College & Oneida Appleton Rock School w/their own stage & sound
Corner of College & Division 484th Army Band (6:00 PM – 7:30 PM)
Corner of College & Superior Joe Sly
Corner of College & Walnut Anna Little
Corner of College & Morrison The Polar Project
Corner of College & Durkee Lilie
Roaming Entertainment Jukebox Barbershop Quartet
SATURDAY, 9/28/2019
West End of College Avenue (105.7 WAPL)
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Appleton Rock School
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Coyote Kid
12:15 PM – 2:15 PM Road Trip N/A
2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Vic Ferrari
Corner of College Avenue & Division Street (KZ 104.3 AND WGBA-NBC26)
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Twisted Chords
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Ill Genesi
11:45 AM – 2:15 PM The Boy Band Night
2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Too White Crew
Corner of College Avenue & Superior Street (RAZOR 94.7 | 104.7)
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Stricken
12:15 PM – 3:15 PM Sir Real
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM Leading the Blind
Houdini Plaza (95.9 KISS FM)
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Newtonburg Oktoberfest Band
10:15 AM – 12:15 PM The Lately
12:30 PM – 2:45 PM Unity The Band
3:00 PM – 5:30 PM Kyle Megna & The Monsoons
Corner of College Avenue & Durkee Street (WHBY AND 95.3 | 99.1 THE SCORE)
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Doo Wop Daddies
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM Zeroed In (484th Army Variety Band)
12:30 PM – 2:15 PM Copper Box
2:30 PM – 5:30 PM The Glam Band
Corner of College Avenue & Morrison Street
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM FBI & The Untouchable Horns
1:30 PM – 5:30 PM The Polar Project
Corner of College Avenue & Drew Street
9:00 AM – 10:45 AM Happy Wanderers
11:00 AM – 3:45 PM 484th Army Band Ensembles
Family Fun Stage
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM Karate America Appleton East/Darboy
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Dan Kirk (Juggler)
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Randy Peterson (Children’s Singer)
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Cirq-Attude
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM Dan Kirk (Juggler)
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM Miller & Mike (Family Variety Act)
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM Randy Peterson (Children’s Singer)
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Miller & Mike (Family Variety Act)
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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 9, 2019 – August 11, 2019
Under One Moon Festival, Milwaukee
Catalano Square in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward hosts the Under One Moon Festival, a three-day pop-up festival that celebrates everything lunar.
Its centerpiece is the Museum of the Moon, a 23-foot diameter, inflatable art installation of the lunar surface by Luke Jerram that rises over Catalano Square all weekend. The lunar celebration, going on night and day, includes moon songs, chalk art, original dance, lectures from leading space experts and much more. The festival is produced under the direction of Black Box Fund, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that supports public art, music and performances that inspire and educate.
The remarkable detail of the Moon installation, which suspends from a crane and hangs over the Catalano Square Fountain, is the centerpiece. It shines at night and serves as a beacon for the festival. You’ll find it right along Highway 32 as you drive through Milwaukee’s Third Ward, along Milwaukee and Young Streets, also bounded by Erie and Menomonee Streets.
Under One Moon Festival Address:
Catalano Square
100 Block of N. Broadway
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Facebook Page
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