Enjoy some Friday night fun during First Fridays Racine, taking place along Main Street in Downtown Racine from May – December from 4-9pm! It happens throughout the downtown area, centered on Monument Square where Highways 20 and 38 cap the ends of a main thoroughfare that is Highway 32.
Friday, September 5th, 2025 is next for First Fridays Racine
The next First Fridays in 2025 will take place Friday (of course), September 5th from 4 pm to 9 pm. The theme is Country!
Get your boots and cowboy hats ready, because their vibrant community of merchants, restaurants, and bars is ready to roll out the red carpet with a shopping and dining experience that’s bigger and better than ever.
Enjoy Live Country Music at Monument Square by the Roundabouts and toe-tapping, boot-stomping country tunes on Monument Square
First Fridays are your golden ticket to keeping the energy alive and the fun rolling, month after month. From June through December of 2025, each month introduces a fresh new theme, ensuring that Downtown Racine continues to pulse with excitement, community spirit, and celebration.
Live music will fill the air at all your favorite downtown spots like Brickhouse, The Ivanhoe, Marci’s on Main, Reefpoint Brew House, Dimples, Chartroom, and Uncorkt. First Fridays are more than just an event – they’re a celebration of our thriving community, our rich culture, and the lively spirit that defines Downtown Racine.
Parking is conveniently available at the Lake Avenue Ramp (300 Lake Avenue), Civic Centre Ramp (501 Lake Avenue), and the McMynn Ramp (120 7th Street) or Shoop (Main & State) for an all-day rate of only $4.00.
In addition to First Fridays, check out the rest of downtown Racine. Right along the shores of Lake Michigan you can explore Reefpoint Marina, North Beach, the Racine Zoo, the new boutique Hotel Verdant, Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and SC Johnson sites.
Take the drive to where Highways 11, 20, 32, and 38 come together in downtown Racine. Enjoy happy people taking in the best of what downtown Racine has to offer! Check out the First Fridays Racine website for more details.
First Fridays Racine Address:
Monument Square
100 Main Street
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 634-4287 Website
Sister Bay has a beautiful marina along the waters of Green Bay. Hit the end of Highway 57 along Highway 42 for Marina Fest, which features live entertainment, plenty of food and drink, a water ski show by the Waterboard Warriors, a fireworks show, easy access to Al Johnson’s show you can watch goats on the roof, and more!
Sister Bay Marina Fest Schedule of Events
SATURDAY, AUG 30th
7:30 – 10 AM: Pancake Breakfast Presented by the Sister Bay & Liberty Grove Fire Department
8 AM – 4 PM: Used Book Sale
9 AM – 4 PM: Vintage Boat Show
9 AM – 5 PM: Arts & Crafts Fair with Stained Glass Mosaic Workshop
10 AM – 6 PM: Kid’s Bouncy Houses
11 AM – 4 PM: Kid’s Boat Building with the Lions Club
11 AM – 8 PM: Food Court
12 – 1:30 PM: Kid’s Ages 4-12 Pedal Tractor Pull – Presented by Peach Barn (Registration begins at 11 AM )
1 – 4 PM: Performance by Mistrial
4 – 7 PM: Performance by Modern Day Drifters
3:30 – 5 PM: Kid’s Ages 4-12 Pedal Tractor Pull Presented by Peach Barn (Registration begins at 2:30 PM)
7 – 10 PM: Performance by Big Mouth and the Power Tool Horns
Dusk: Fireworks Presented by Wild Tomato
SUNDAY, AUG 31st
9 AM – 5 PM: Arts & Crafts Fair
10 AM – 2 PM: Used Book Sale
10 AM – 6 PM: Kid’s Bouncy Houses
11 AM – 8 PM: Food Court
12 – 3 PM: Performance by Conscious Pilot
4 – 7 PM: Performance by Second Hand Stereo
Sister Bay Marina Fest Address:
Marina Park
10733 Wisconsin Highway 42 / Bay Shore Drive
Sister Bay, WI 54234
(920) 854-2812 Website
It’s an annual Labor Day weekend tradition in Prairie du Sac to toss cow “chips” at this annual Cow Chip Throw & Festival, which happens Friday & Saturday, August 29th & 30th this year. Dried out and surprisingly unoffensive to the nose, these nuggets of nastiness get hurled into the air by kids and adults alike with the goal of the most distance as possible – with a crowd of onlookers often in the sights where they land. The current record is 248 feet, but records were made to be broken!
Of course, that’s the main event; there’s also music with plenty of bands, a “Tournament of Chips” parade Saturday morning, kids’ activities including a pedal pull, a Fine Arts & Crafts Fair, a run/walk, and much more. So whether you want to throw cow chips, dodge them, or just watch from a safe distance, there’s plenty of bovine-related fun to be had at the annual Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw & Festival!
Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw & Festival Schedule of Events:
Friday • August 29th
• West on 12: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Corporate Throw: 5:30 PM
Saturday • August 30th
• Food Court: Open all day – See vendor list here
• 5K Run/Walk & 10K Run: 8:00 AM (registration at 6:30)
See race page for details and to sign up.
• Children’s Game Tent: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Children’s Chip Chucking: 9:00 AM – Noon ($2.00)
• Cow Chip Breakfast: 8:00am
• Volleyball Tournament: 8:30am Registration, 9:00am Start. Download 2022 registration form here.
• Arts & Crafts Fair: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (over 125 exhibits)
• Tony Rocker 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
• Mixed Nuts: 10:00 & 11:00 AM (Kids Area)
• Angela Puerta: 9:30 – 11:30 AM
• Tournament of Chips Parade: 12:00 PM
• Adult & Team Cow Chip Throw: 1:00 PM
• Aran Arms of James Jaxin Productions (DJ) 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
• German Wheel, Tight Rope, Trapeze: 1:30 – 3:30 PM (Kids Stage)
• Truly Remarkable Loon Comedy Juggler: 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 PM (Kids Stage)
• Best Practice: 1:30 – 4:30 PM
• Kid’s Pedal Pull: 2:30 PM
• High Mileage 5:00 – 9:00 PM
You’ll find the festival just off U.S. 12 and Highways 60 and 78 in Marion Park at 1st & Grand in Prairie du Sac.
Here’s a video short from when we first visited the Wisconsin State Cow Chip Toss in Prairie du Sac back in 2009:
And here’s how it went in 2016, produced by the Festival itself with better equipment:
Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw & Festival Address:
Marion Park
145 1st Street
Prairie du Sac, WI 53578
(608) 643-4317 Website
One of three “State Fairs” in Wisconsin, the Central Wisconsin State Fair takes place in Marshfield August 19-24, 2025 on the grounds that also feature the “World’s Largest Round Barn.” The Central Wisconsin State Fair has also been refreshing its equipment with new rides and games to enhance the experience!
Headliners include:
Chris Kroeze Wednesday night, August 20th
Hairball Thursday night, August 21st
Justin Moore Friday night, August 22nd
Halestorm Saturday night, August 23rd
Rice Rodeo, Sunday, August 24th at 3pm
This Fair also features 4-H and open class exhibits, free grandstand entertainment with gate admission, the Round Barn Express train, Junior Fair Market Animal Sale, 13th annual Kiss a Critter Contest, the Dress-A-Cow Contest, midway carnival rides, commercial exhibits and special programs, food and beer gardens, and more. This six-day extravaganza is definitely worth checking out if you want to hit the lovely city of Marshfield in the central part of the state (hence, the event’s name).
Central Wisconsin State Fair’s Round Barn Express Train
U.S. 10 and Highways 13, 80, and 97 all hit Marshfield, Wisconsin (“Hub City”) and the Central Wisconsin State Fair grounds are on the south side of town, a few blocks east of Central Avenue (Bus. Hwy 13) and the Wildwood Zoo. Also check out Central Avenue and the downtown district, the Blue Heron Brewpub, and a plenty of other things and to see and do around Hub City. Get more ideas from Visit Marshfield here!
Check their website for the complete entertainment lineup, ticket specials, and more!
Central Wisconsin State Fair Address:
Wood County Fairgrounds
513 E. 17th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 387-1261 Website
The World’s Largest celebration of Celtic music and culture, the 43rd Milwaukee Irish Fest happens Thursday, August 14th through Sunday, August 17th on Milwaukee’s lakefront! An amazing array of musical artists in Irish and Celtic music fill several stages.
Other Irish Fest activities include a Baking Contest, Photo and Poetry Contests, and “Red Hair & Freckles” Contest, a “Celtic Canines” exhibit, the Jameson Lounge (for whiskey tastings), a Marketplace filled with Irish crafts and other items from over 90 vendors, a Cultural Village, and much more.
Saturday the 16th features a 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. Later that day you can enjoy the Lesaffre/Red Star Yeast Baking Contest. Dog lovers can check out Milwaukee Irish Fest’s Celtic Canine Area; this unique area gives you the chance to see and pet some of Ireland’s most popular dog breeds, meet and talk with some of the Midwest’s top breeders, and learn about grooming, general care and training. The Irish dog breeds include Irish Wolfhounds, Irish Terriers, Irish Red Setters, Irish Red and White Setters, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, Irish Water Spaniels, Kerry Blue Terriers and Kerry Beagles. The Celtic Canines will be on display Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For a full lineup of activities and deals for everything else, check out the Irish Fest website!
You can reach Irish Fest at Henry Maier Festival Park (aka the Summerfest grounds) along Milwaukee’s lakefront via I-794 and U.S. 18 most directly. Highways 32, 38, 59, and 145 all bring you within a mile of the grounds.
Milwaukee Irish Fest Address:
Henry Maier Festival Park (aka Summerfest Grounds)
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 476-3378 Website
Lake Geneva knows how to throw a great party, and the 63rd annual Lake Geneva Venetian Fest – sponsored by the Lake Geneva Jaycees and running from Wednesday, August 13th through Sunday, August 17th – is a prime example! Five days of fun in town and along the shores of Geneva Lake awaits with a carnival, an arts and crafts fair, a Saturday water ski show, and the Sunday lighted boat parade complete with fireworks to cap it all off.
The Arts & Crafts Fair is returning to Venetian Fest and features over 110 exhibitors. It runs Saturday from 10am – 5pm and Sunday from 10am – 4pm in Library Park, right along Highway 50/Main Street along the lake on the west edge of downtown, just down from The Riviera. Details…
The Lake Geneva Venetian Festival Carnival offers family fun via “Mr. Ed’s Magical Midways” and is open every day of the festival: Wednesday-Thursday 5pm to 10:30pm, Friday 5pm – 11:30pm, Saturday Noon to 11:30pm, and Sunday Noon to 10:30pm.
Saturday you can experience the Baggo Tournament, which takes place at the Entertainment Pavilion in Flatiron Park. It’s a double elimination straight to 21. It starts at 11:30am Saturday and runs until about 3pm.
Check out the Lumberjack Show!
New last year the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack show is back and should be yet another great bit of entertainment for families of all sizes and ages. From log rolling, axe throwing, and wood-cutting, to chainsaw vs cross-cut racing, and quick chainsaw carving, there is something for everyone to enjoy. If you want great old-fashioned fun and family entertainment, the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show is where you’ll want to be.
New this year: Car Show! The inaugural Car Show run at Venetian Fest Sunday from 11am-3pm at Seminary Park, a great thing to check out ahead of all the bands, water ski shows, the lighted boat parade, and the fireworks that evening!
Sunday is the topper, with all the Carnival and Arts & Crafts Fair activities, THREE performers covering live music, and the Lake Geneva Jaycees Water Ski Show featuring the Wonder Lake Ski Team. They’ll perform on Geneva Lake right by the Riviera starting at 6pm. At dusk, the Lighted Boat Parade begins with the theme this year being “Rat Pack” for Lake Geneva Venetian Fest’s 61st anniversary. It concludes with fireworks following the parade.
All of this fun is in downtown Lake Geneva, which is easily accessed via U.S. 12 or Highways 50 and 120. Highway 67 brings you close, as it runs along the west side of Geneva Lake. Make it a road trip destination the weekend of August 14th-18th!
Lake Geneva Venetian Fest Address:
Downtown Lake Geneva, centered at Riviera Ballroom
821 Wrigley Drive
Lake Geneva, WI 53147 Website
Ashley For The Arts celebrates music, art, and supporting nearby communities with a spectacular three-day event August 7-9, 2025. It takes place in Arcadia – home to Ashley Furniture – in the city’s 54-acre Memorial Park, which known for its Soldier’s Walk, one of the premier war memorials in the U.S. outside of Washington, D.C.
Arcadia is right along the Chippewa River nestled in the gorgeous hills of Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, where Highways 93 and 95 meet. The drive alone is worth it! Ashley for the Arts itself is a non-profit event, stacked with a star-studded lineup of musical entertainment as well as numerous family-friendly activities and some new additions to the venue. It’s one of Wisconsin’s largest charity events, growing from 300 attendees in 2009 to more than 50,000, with of course the exception of 2020, when the event had to skip a year.
With four stages this year, you won’t miss a beat! The Main Stage will host headline entertainment, the Amphitheater will portray participating school performances as well as entertaining circus acts, the Pavilion stage hosts early to mid-day side-stage performances and the Soldier’s Walk stage will create a unique ambiance for local bands to perform outdoors the second half of the day.
Ashley for the Arts’ headline lineup will include ZZ Top, Darius Rucker, Brad Paisley, Daughtry, Third Eye Blind, Chris Jenson, Neon Trees, The Castellows, Red – A Taylor Swift Tribute, area high school choirs and even an extreme juggling show! Truly something for everyone.
The three-day festival will also feature upbeat musical performances; in addition, 11 area schools will participate in the event’s activities and demonstrate the region’s student talent through performances on Friday and Saturday.
You can also enjoy a variety of off-stage entertainment including a living statue, balloon sculptors, Root Berry juggling and sword swallowing, a mariachi band, silly stilt walkers, an interactive drum circle, Magician Professor Pinkerton, and many more entertaining audiences throughout the grounds.
The park features nearly 100 art and craft vendors, a new interactive art space, a classic car show, two air parks including bouncy houses and obstacle courses, even a kid’s fitness course. Ashley for the Arts also hosts the Pursuit of a Cure 5K run/walk on Thursday and a spectacular firework display on Saturday.
From mini donuts to barbeque to gyros and frybread, an expanded selection of food trucks will decorate Memorial Park Drive along with Arcadia’s staple charcoal chicken, grilled to perfection in North America’s largest indoor chicken pit. A newly added beer garden, next to the main stage, will offer specialty beer and wine options for the adult audience. Event parking is free along with free bus shuttles to and from the grounds; including the county campground (Pietrek Park) just five miles north of Arcadia. Highways 93 and 95 bring you to town!
Ashley For the Arts Address:
Memorial Park
551 Memorial Park Drive
Arcadia, WI 54612
(608) 863-6700 Website
Sheboygan is the “Bratwurst Capital of the World” so it’s only fitting that Brat Days is one of their biggest celebrations! Taking place the first Saturday of August, Brat Days dates back to 1953. It’s BACK for 2025, admission is still free, and the activities are plentiful!
Check out a wide variety of tasty brats served up in buns, on sticks, in tacos, on pizza, egg rolls, jambalaya, even as a corn dog. Dance or rock out with plenty of live music. The Brat Days Parade kicks off at 9am Saturday and runs through downtown Sheboygan. The famous Brat-Eating Contest, featured on channels like ESPN, takes place Saturday at 1pm. Games are available for adults and kids alike; kids’ activities include a petting zoo and carnival.
Johnsonville Main Stage:
11:00am – 1:00 pm The Dirty Martinis
1:30pm – 4:00pm Pat McCurdy
4:30pm – 5:45 pm The Radio Effect
6:15pm – 7:30pm Stetsin & Lace
8:00pm – 9:15pm Blizzard of Randy: A Tribute to Ozzy – The Rhoads Years
9:45pm – 11:00 pm High ‘N’ Dry (Def Leppard Tribute)
The Brat Eating Contest is at 1pm!
Entertainment stages are free!
Brat Days is held in Kiwanis Park on the west bank of the Sheboygan River. The park is accessible just west of Highway 28 via New Jersey Avenue. You can also reach Kiwanis Park by heading south from the ends of Highways 23 and 42 via 17th Street. It’s all about three miles east of I-43.
For more details on bands, events, activities and more, check out the Brat Days website. Brat Days is sponsored by Johnsonville, which of course has its headquarters just west of town.
While in Sheboygan, check out the downtown area along 8th Street, theJohn Michael Kohler Arts Center, 3 Sheeps Brewing, City Green, South Pier with all of its activities, the World’s Tallest American Flagpole (along I-43 at Acuity Insurance headquarters), nearby Kohler, the marina and lovely lakefront, nearby Kohler-Andrae State Park, and more.
Brat Days Address:
Kiwanis Park
726 N. 17th Street
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 893-8980 Website
One of the nation’s great fairs, the Wisconsin State Fair runs July 31 – August 10, 2025 on the Wisconsin State Fair Park grounds in West Allis. Everything from the animals to rides, concerts, exhibits, and tasty food and beverages are yours for the taking!
Updates to the Central Mall area include with a new look and ample seating. The rides and games at SpinCity are in full swing, and they include a super assortment of over 40 rides and 25 games with chances to win plenty of prizes!
The Fairgrounds will have plenty of street performers and entertainers, but of course the excellent live music is a huge draw. There are two primary performance stages at Wisconsin State Fair: the Main Stage, which uses the Milwaukee Mile track and bleachers for seating, and the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater, which is near the Central Mall.
As always, the State Fair will feature a huge variety of animals from farms all across the state, letting you learn more about and even interact with some – from cows to chickens and rabbits to llamas, ostrich, goats, and more! Check out prize-winning exhibits, including art competitions, farming competitions, even one for the best alcohol-infused pie. Other exhibits include those for barn quilts, horticulture, textile, craft, and culinary exhibits, and even the Young People’s Art Exhibit.
ALL. THE. FOOD.
You will not go hungry: favorite foods at the Fair include the roasted corn, corn dogs, flavored milks, all kinds of creative deep-fried foods, sausages, as much as you can imagine on a stick, and the legendary Wisconsin cream puffs that become a “must have” for attendees needing their true dairy (and carb) fix! They get more eclectic with things like deep-fried bull testicles (listed as “Rocky Mountain Oysters” on the menu at Big Sky Country Bar & Grill), ants on a stick (literally), and earthworm and cricket jerky. But hey, it’s up to you. Last year’s “Sporkies” winner was the Deep Fried Lemonade Bites from Saz’s BBQ.
OTHER FOODS at State Fair include an Apple Crunch Cheesecake Quesadilla from the Mexican Grill, BBQ Mac Tater Tots from Jayme’s Chipstix, the Caramel Turtle Pretzel at Gertrude’s Fresh Pretzels, Loaded Baked Potato with Bacon Pizza from Pistol Pete’s, Prime Rib Sliders at Leadfoots Race Bar & Grill, the Unicorn Beer Float at Slim McGinn’s Irish Pub, and about 60 other choices!
The Milwaukee Mile race track, which hosts races, auto testing, and more throughout the year is just one of the places you can park – which is cool, since you can walk on and check out this legendary oval, the oldest continuously operating raceway in the world.
Get more details here. This is definitely one of the best State Fairs in the nation!
Check out this map of Wisconsin State Fair… you can enlarge it by clicking on it or get a printable .pdf HERE.
Wisconsin State Fair Park is in West Allis, less than ten minutes from downtown Milwaukee. Bordered on the south by Highway 59/Greenfield Ave., on the west by Highway 181/84th Street, on the north by I-94, and on the east by 76th Street. U.S. 18/Bluemound Road comes close to the north, I-41/U.S. 45 and then Highway 100 skim by 2 miles to the west, and Highway 175 is about 2 miles east as it passes Miller Park. There are a lot of great ways to get to the Park!
Wisconsin State Fair Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Park
640 S. 84th Street (Highway 181 at Highway 59)
West Allis, WI 53214
(414) 266-7000 Website
The Motl SportsCar Grand Prix featuring IMSA hits Road America Thursday, July 31st through Sunday, August 3rd! Get ready for some incredible racing – and a LOT of it!
If you need help getting around at Road America, their TRAM will run Saturday and Sunday. All Concession stands will be open.
Public Karting will be available for ages 14 and older. A parent/guardian must be present if under 18. You’ll find it at the CTECH Manufacturing Motorplex, infield over the SpeedVille Bridge, near Turns 7 and 8. Karts can reach speeds of up to 40 mph.
You can also test your skills on their 18 hole disc golf course – FREE fun for everyone! The Front Nine begins at Tee #1, located across from Gearbox concessions in the paddock. The Back Nine begins at Tee #10, located west of the Sargento Bridge, towards Motorplex. Rental discs are available in Paddock Shop.
Motul SportsCar Grand Prix Racing Schedule:
Thursday, July 31, 2025
1:05 PM – 1:50 PM | Practice #1 – Lamborghini Trofeo
2:10 PM – 2:40 PM | Practice #1 – Mustang Challenge
2:55 PM – 3:25 PM | Practice #1 – Porsche Carrera Cup
3:40-4:25 PM | Practice #2 – Lamborghini Trofeo
Friday, August 1, 2025
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Practice #1 – Michelin Challenge
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM | Practice #2 – Mustang Challenge
10:00 AM – 10:40 AM | Practice #2 – Porsche Carrera Cup
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | IMSA Driver Fan Forum -RoadAmerica Center
12:40 PM – 1:40 PM | Practice #2 – Michelin Challenge
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Practice #1 – WeatherTech Championship (All
Classes)3:50 PM – 4:05 PM | Qualifying – Mustang Challenge
4:20 PM – 4:50 PM | Qualifying – Porsche Carrera Cup
5:05PM -5:20PM |Qualifying #1 Lamborghini Trofeo
5:25PM -5:40PM |Qualifying #2 Lamborghini Trofeo
5:55-6:10PM |Qualifying- Michelinchallenge TCR
6:15PM -6:30PM | |Qualifying- MichelinChallengeGS
Saturday, August 2, 2025
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM | Race #1 – Mustang Challenge (45 Minutes)
9:05 AM – 10:35 AM | Practice #2 – WeatherTech Championship (All Classes)
10:55 AM – 11:35 AM | Race #1 – Porsche Carrera Cup (40 Minutes)
11:55 AM – 12:45 PM | Race #1 – Lamborghini Trofeo (50 Minutes)
12:15 PM – 12:45 PM | Autograph Session – WeatherTech Championship – at Team Transporters in the Paddock
1:05 PM – 1:45 PM | Michelin Challenge – Open Grid / Fan Walk – Pit Lane
2:05 PM – 4:05 PM | Race – Road America 120 for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (2 Hours)
4:40 PM – 4:55 PM | Qualifying – WeatherTech Championship (GTD – Any Driver)
5:05 PM – 5:20 PM | Qualifying – WeatherTech Championship (GTD PRO – Any Driver)
5:30 PM – 5:45 PM | Qualifying – WeatherTech Championship (LMP2 – Bronze Only)
5:55PM -6:10PM |Qualifying- WeatherTechChampionship(GTP-AnyDriver)
Sunday, August 3, 2025
8:20 AM – 9:05 AM | Race #2 – Mustang Challenge (45 Minutes)
9:25 AM – 10:15 AM | Race #2 – Lamborghini Trofeo (50 Minutes)
10:35 AM – 11:15 | Race #2 – Porsche Carrera Cup (40 Minutes)
11:50 AM – 12:50 PM | WeatherTech Championship – Open Grid / Fan Walk – Pit Lane
1:10 PM – 3:50 PM | Race – IMSA SportsCar Weekend for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
Hit Highway 67 north of Highway 23 near Elkhart Lake to find Road America – social distancing and mask safety is required, but easy on these grounds.
IMSA Motul SportsCar Grand Prix Weekend Address for Road America:
Road America
N7390 Highway 67
Elkhart Lake, WI 53073
(800) 365-7223 Website
All over Kenosha’s beautiful harbor area, you’ll find the Taste of Wisconsin July 25th-27th 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
Marshfield is known as “Hub City” and its 19th annual Hub City Days celebrates the city’s heritage, present, and future. Check out a weekend of fun July 24-26, 2025, including a big screen movie shown right on Central Avenue and Wenzel Family Plaza!
The massive Car & Bike Show, Family Zone with bounce houses and kids’ games, the Craft Show, the Brew Fest and Beer Garden, tons of live music and more are all ready!
The Hub City Brew Fest will feature craft beers from all over Wisconsin and the Midwest! The Car Show will be right on Central Avenue (Historic Highway 13).
You can reach Marshfield via U.S. 10 or Highways 13, 80, and 97. It’s right in the center of Wisconsin, hence the name “Hub City”!
Hub City Days Schedule:
Thursday, July 24th
DOWNTOWN BUSINESS AFTER 5
5 – 7 PM | Elk’s Club
Main Street welcomes MACCI’s monthly business networking event downtown to kick off Hub City Days! Enjoy live music with Curtis Samuel, appetizers, and drinks.
Questions? Contact MACCI: (715) 384-3454
MOVIE IN THE PLAZA
Dusk | Wenzel Family Plaza
Grab some fundraiser concessions alfresco in the Wenzel Family Plaza. Don’t forget your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and your fam! Movie hint: “Smile, Smile,”, Rated PG
Books will be given to kids in attendance thanks to the generosity of the Friends of Marshfield Public Library. (One per household while supplies last.)
Friday, July 25th
SHOP HOP
5 – 7 PM | Downtown Marshfield
Streets will be closed to traffic Central Ave – Veteran’s to 4th St. for pedestrians to enjoy evening shopping and dining downtown.
+ Wander the streets to discover more!
Win Hub City Brew Fest tickets! *Shop downtown this evening and bring your receipt to the Main Street Marshfield tent at Wenzel Family Plaza between 7-9 p.m. You’ll receive an entry for each receipt you show with your 21+ ID. Winners will be announced at 9 p.m. Tickets will be held at Hub City Brew Fest for those not present for the announcement.*
BIKE CRUISE & BIKE ACTIVITIES
5:30-7 PM | Downtown Marshfield
Enjoy a group bicycle ride into downtown from a predetermined Marshfield trail location (TBD). Once downtown, park your bike to shop & dine or enjoy a variety of bike activities set up on Central Ave, including a safety station, local trail updates, summer community ride info, and the bikeshare program. All group ride participants earn a free ice cream at Hiller’s Ice Cream Bike, located near Northside Cycle.
HUB CITY CONCERT SERIES FEATURING ADAM GRUEL AND THE SPACE BURRITOS
7 – 10 PM | Wenzel Family Plaza
Grab your picnic blanket or lawn chairs for a leisurely night out on the grass. Main Street Marshfield will be selling beer, seltzer, and soft drinks to raise funds for downtown events and programming!
Saturday, July 26th
CAR SHOW
10 AM – 3 PM | Downtown Marshfield
The Hub City Days Car Show spans over 10 city blocks, features 500+ car/bike entries, a live DJ, kids games, tons of door prizes, free t-shirts for veterans, veteran appreciation raffle (2 PM), and kids-only raffle (2 PM). It’s the car show you can’t miss! Car show vehicle awards are presented at 3 PM. Car show vehicle registration is free with a suggested donation of a non-perishable food item.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT & BEER GARDEN
11 AM – 11 PM | Wenzel Family Plaza
Enjoy live music with no cover charge! Bands will play 11 AM to 11 PM thanks to our day stage sponsor, Prevail Bank, and main stage sponsors, Marshfield Insurance & West Bend.
11 AM – 3 PM Live Music: Modern Throwback
3 – 7 PM Live Music: Tim Dorsey
7 – 11 PM Live Music: Shirts and Skins
Rain location: Central WI Fairgrounds Expo Building
HUB CITY BREW FEST
12 – 3 PM | Wenzel Family Plaza
Participants receive a souvenir pint glass. Enjoy seating and beer tasting exclusive to Brew Fest attendees. $30/ticket. Tickets on sale here: eventbrite.com
Rain location: Central WI Fairgrounds Expo Building
HORSE POWER SHOW
10 AM – 3 PM | Upham Mansion
Visit the Governor Upham House and walk through an exhibit of horse-drawn carriages dating from the early 1900s.
FAMILY ZONE
10 AM – 3 PM | Veteran’s Park
Find family fun at the Family Zone! Kiddie Cars, Marshfield Fire Dept, Hiller’s Bounce Houses, face painting, and more all in the relaxing shade of Veteran’s Park. Reis Martial Arts’ demonstrations will begin at 11AM. Performances by Main Street Conservatory of Dance will begin at 12PM and 1PM.
NEW: HUB CITY DAYS CRAFT SHOW
10 AM – 3 PM | 100 Block of South Central Avenue Peruse local craft vendors conveniently located near live music and the start of the car show. Wander through the sidewalks to see what local shops have in store for the day and take something home to commemorate the event.
You can easily reach Marshfield via U.S. 10 or Highways 13, 80, and 97. Head to the Hub!
Check out our State Trunk Tour Marshfield Podcast with Matt McLean from VISIT Marshfield, where we talk Hub City Days, the city and all the things to do and see in it, here or stream it below!
Automobile manufacturing took place in Kenosha for more than 100 years. The Kenosha County Historical Society (aka the Kenosha History Center) celebrates the area’s industrial history, including how Kenosha’s auto-making legacy shaped history through the 20th Century. Both the Museum and the Kenosha Homecoming Car Show help celebrate this legacy.
The Kenosha Homecoming Car Show is a signature event in the Kenosha Area. Typically held every three years, the celebration runs July 22-27, 2025 with a variety of events across multiple locations. The big car show/swap meet is Saturday, July 26. This is among the largest AMC shows in the world!
Bring your car to show it, or just come as a spectator. The Kenosha History Center recommends car owners and swap meet vendors preregister for the show/swap meet. Cars and Vendors can also register the day of the show.
Kenosha Homecoming Car Show Schedule of Events
Thursday 7/24 4PM – 8PM: Evening Car Cruise-in at AMC Factory Site, off of 22nd Avenue and 30th Avenue. For the first time ever, the Homecoming Car Show Thursday Night Cruise-in will be held on the site where it all started. All Kenosha-made automobiles are invited to attend an evening cruise-in on the Nash/AMC/Chrysler Factory Site (now the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood). Bring your car back to where it was manufactured; it is sure to be a nostalgic evening. The event will be part of the City of Kenosha’s 175th Anniversary Celebration. All Kenosha-made vehicles will enter from 56th Street. Spectator parking will be announced soon.
Friday 7/25 8AM – 4PM: Homecoming Car Show Swap Meet at Kennedy Park, 4051 5th Avenue. Fee for vendors.
10AM – Noon: Gremlin Event at Jeffery Elementary School, 4011 87th Street
4PM: Homecoming Car Show Parade starts at Southport Park, 7501 2nd Avenue. Staging starts around 3PM. The parade will travel west on 78th Street, right on 7th Avenue, and continue through Downtown Kenosha. It will continue on 6th Avenue, right into Pennoyer Park, continue through Kennedy Park, and continue through Simmons Island Park. The parade ends at the Kenosha History Center Block Party, 220 51st Place.
4PM – 8PM: Kenosha Homecoming Block Party at Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Place. The road will be closed to all other traffic. Vehicles coming to the 2025 Kenosha Homecoming Car Show at Kennedy Park on July 26 can register their car at the museum that evening and save time and hassle the next morning. Registration packets can also be picked up for anyone who pre-registered. The museum and gift shop will be open until 7PM and stocked full of AMC/Nash T-shirts and other keepsakes. Food trucks will be on-site.
Saturday 7/26 8AM – 4PM: 2025 Kenosha Homecoming Car Show & Swap Meet at Kennedy Park, 4051 5th Avenue. Fee for show cars and vendors.
Sunday 7/27 9AM: Racing at Great Lakes Dragaway, 18411 1st Street. Fee for spectators and race cars.
You can get to downtown Kenosha, Simmons Island, and the Kenosha History Center via Highway 32 (Sheridan Road, named for Fort Sheridon just down the way in northern Illinois), Highway 50 (75th Street coming in from I-41/94, also Roosevelt and 63rd Streets as you approach downtown), and Highway 158 (52nd Street). It’s a 10-12 minute drive or so east of I-41/94 and 5-7 minute drive east from Highway 31, which skirts the west side of the city.
Kenosha Homecoming Week and Car Show Address:
Kenosha History Center (and other locations)
220 51st Place
Kenosha, WI 53142 Website
EAA AirVenture is the World’s Largest Fly-In! What CAN’T you experience here? It’s rolling for 2025 and better than ever!
EAA stands for Experimental Aircraft Association. It was founded in 1953 by Paul Poberezny for a community of passionate aviation enthusiasts that promote and support recreational flying. Today, EAA has over 200,000 members throughout the world. EAA AirVenture is their biggest event, welcoming members and other flight enthusiasts to Oshkosh for a week every year… and it’s a total blast! Over 670,000 people from 92 countries attended EAA AirVenture in 2023 as over 10,000 aircraft flew in and out of Oshkosh.
Whether you come to fly or just watch, you experience the world’s greatest aviation celebration. Warbirds. Vintage. Homebuilts, Ultralights, even the Blue Angels! Enjoy all kinds of planes, aerobatics, hands-on workshops, and celebrations. AirVenture draws flight enthusiasts from across the globe, briefly turning Oshkosh’s Wittman Regional Airport into the busiest airport in the world in terms of takeoffs and landings.
EAA AirVenture runs a full week, from Monday, July 21st – Sunday, July 27th, 2025. Regular features and attractions include air shows and aircraft neighborhoods where you can check out full assortments of plane types and styles. Some of the planes and their pilots offer rides for unbelievable views of the Oshkosh area, Lake Winnebago, and more! Plus, there’s KidVenture for the young ones, the Aviators Club, Aviation Gateway Park, the Pathways Pavilion, and more.
Here’s an example of some of the air show performances you’ll see at EAA AirVenture:
Be sure to check out the EAA AirVenture Museum while you’re there. Hit I-41, U.S. 45, or Highways 21, 26, 44, 76, or 91 to get you to Oshkosh to take in all the fun of EAA’s AirVenture!
The Milwaukee Air & Water Show, sponsored by Waterstone Bank, offers one of the top air shows in the Midwest along the city’s gorgeous lakefront. They roar along Milwaukee’s lakefront Saturday, July 19th and Sunday, July 20th.
An “M” for Milwaukee at the Milwaukee Air & Water Show we snapped from Back Bay Park on Milwaukee’s East Side.
Exciting acts having performed in Milwaukee’s skies this July include the U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon Patrol Aircraft, U.S. Navy Leapfrogs Parachute Team, the USAF T-38 “Talons”in 2-3 ship formation, the return of the U.S. Air Force A-10 Warthogs, the U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super-Hornet Tactical Demonstration Squadron, the Wisconsin Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker straight from Milwaukee’s own 128th Air Refueling Wing base, and the Firebirds X-treme Team. Solo aerobatics and stunts have been performed by Bill Stein, Mike Wiscus, Jack Knutson, Matt Chapman, and Lt. Colonel Josh “Tater” Boudreaux of the “Wild Blue Rodeo.”
On the waters of Lake Michigan, you’ve been able to enjoy the USCGC Bristol Bay (WLB), a 225-foot multi-mission buoy tender out of Detroit; a Water Show act from Milwaukee’s own Dennis Pinter, who demonstrated the “Air Chair” on the water! Daredevil and Pro Flyboard competitor Casey “Swizzle” McElwee who performed with his Hydroflyte and Flyboard act. We also hope to see the return of the Milwaukee Fire Department’s “Trident Fireboat,” which demonstrates its capabilities on the water, and witness an HH-60 Jayhawk Rescue Helicopter Air-Sea Rescue Demostration courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station out of Traverse City, Michigan.
You can watch from Bradford Beach and many other areas along Milwaukee’s lakefront for free. Ticketed areas offer the closest proximity, the best views, hosted narration, the best access to concessions, and great seating. This is definitely a benchmark summer event in Milwaukee! U.S. 18, Highways 32, 36, 38, 57, 59, 145, 190 and more all bring to within eye (and definitely ear!) shot of the show.
Milwaukee Air & Water Show Schedule of Events (both days):
10 AM: Water Show
12 PM: National Anthem / Army Golden Knights
3 PM: US Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron
Milwaukee Air & Water Show Address:
2272 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53211
(414) 482-2069 Website
It’s Milwaukee’s annual French festival, one of the largest French celebrations in the United States, and it’s tres magnifique! This FREE four-day bash attracts over 250,000 visitors each year. In 2025, Bastille Days runs Thursday, July 17th through Sunday, July 20th. Set around Cathedral Square on the east side of downtown, Bastille Days begins with a 5K “Storm the Bastille” run on Thursday night and then plenty of live music, an international marketplace, chef and wine demos, French and Cajun cuisine, roaming busker entertainment and a signature 43-foot Eiffel Tower replica offering hourly light shows.
The event is known for the impromptu street performers, roaming minstrels, and a variety of interactive and musical entertainment. Bastille Days also boasts a wide variety of some of the best restaurant vendors in Milwaukee!
Check out Bastille Days wine tastings where you can let your taste buds explore and compare delicious wines from around the world! A wine specialist will guide you through the taste test with selected wines from 5 countries. A separate ticket is needed for each tasting, and seating is limited to 76 per tasting. You’ll find all these tastings at the NE corner of Cathedral Square Park along Jackson Street – look for the tent!
The festival covers the blocks around Cathedral Square, including along Wells, Kilbourn, Jefferson, and Jackson Streets. U.S. 18 and Highway 32 actually detour around the festival, which is one of the largest French festivals in the nation. I-43/94, I-794, and Highways 38, 59, and 145 all bring you close. Grab your beret and check it out!
Thousands line up for the “Storm the Bastille” 5K Run & Walk at Bastille Days in Milwaukee
Bastille Days Hours:
Thursday July 17- 11am-11:30pm
Friday July 18- 11am-11:30pm
Saturday July 19- 10am-11:30pm
(Kid’s Day Activities 10am – 3pm)
Sunday July 20- 11am-8pm
Bastille Days Address:
825 N. Jefferson Street/Cathedral Square
Milwaukee, WI 53202 Website
Hayward hosts the 65th annual Lumberjack World Championships July 17-19, 2025! The Lumberjack World Championships began in 1960 as a way to acknowledge the rich history of the logging industry across the United States. Once again, over 21 events will offer international competition showcasing the best sawing, chopping, speed climbing, log rolling, boom-running & more! It’s great family fun.
More than 100 lumberjacks and lumberjills vie for more than $50,000 in prize money, making this one of the largest paybacks for lumberjack competition in the world – and of course, world records in these events could be set – they often have!
Up to 12,000 spectators enjoy the action in Hayward.
Opening night – Thursday, August 1st – is Mountain Dew Family Night, with special family pricing for admission ($45 for two adults and up to four children) and other specials. Other ticket packages run around $53 for three days’ worth of admission.
Getting to Hayward means a beautiful drive through the North Woods – just what we like! Hayward is along U.S. 63 on the drive from Spooner to Ashland; it’s also where Highways 27 and 77 meet up. While in town, check out the great trails, shopping, the World’s Largest Musky at the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, the Angry Minnow Brewpub, and more!
Hayward Lumberjack World Championships Address:
15670 West County Road B
Hayward, WI 54843
(715) 634-2484 Website
Lumberjack World Championships Schedule of Events
Thursday, July 17
Quarterfinal Competition
8:00 – 11:00am – Amateur Log Rolling
11:30am – LWC Festival Grounds Open to Ticket Holders, Swinging Axe Beer Tent open, Food & Unique Vendors, All Day Family Fun, Try Log Rolling!
11:35am – Qualifying Competitions for Chopping and Sawing Events; ongoing
Noon – Professional Log Rolling Preliminaries
3:00pm-5:00pm – Happy Hour & Live Music in Swinging Axe Beer Garden by Steve Beguhn, American Idol Finalist
3:45pm – Boom Running Qualifiers
5:30pm – Opening Ceremonies and Professional Quaterfinal Competition
Hot Saw
60-Foot Speed Climb
Women’s Underhand Chop
Men’s Log Roll
60-Foot Speed Climb
Men’s Standing Block Chop
Jill & Jill Cross Cut Sawing
Women’s Boom Run
Springboard Chop
90-Foot Speed Climb
Master’s Underhand Chop
Intermission
90-Foot Speed Climb
Women’s Standing Block Chop
Men’s Single Buck Saw
Women’s Log Roll
Jack & Jill Double Buck Saw
90-Foot Speed Climb
Men’s Log Roll
Women’s Single Buck Saw
Men’s Underhand Chop
Men’s Boom Run
Team Relay
Friday, July 18
Semifinal Competition
8:00 – 11:00am – Amateur Log Rolling
11:30am – LWC Festival Grounds Open to Ticket Holders, Swinging Axe Beer Tent open, Food & Unique Vendors, All Day Family Fun, Try Log Rolling!
11:35am – Qualifying Competitions for chopping and sawing; ongoing
Noon – Professional Log Rolling Competitions
3:00pm – 5:00pm – Happy Hour & Live Music – Swinging Axe Beer Garden Music by Molly & the Danger Band
5:30pm – Opening Ceremonies and Professional Semi-Final Competition
Hot Saw
60-Foot Speed Climb
Men’s Log Roll
60-Foot Speed Climb
Women’s Underhand Chop
Women’s Boom Run
Men’s Standing Block Chop
Jill & Jill Double Buck Saw
Springboard Chop
Master’s Underhand Chop
Intermission
90-Foot Speed Climb
Men’s Single Buck Saw
Women’s Standing Block Chop
Women’s Log Roll
90-Foot Speed Climb
Jack & Jill Double Buck Saw
90-Foot Speed Climb
Men’s Log Roll
Women’s Single Buck Saw
Men’s Underhand Chop
Men’s Boom Run
Team Relay
Saturday, July 19
Final World Championship Competition
8:00am – Lumberjack Run 5K Run/Walk – Start and Finish at the Lumberjack Bowl (15670 W County Road B, Hayward, WI 54843)
11:30am – LWC Festival Grounds Open to Ticket Holders, Swinging Axe Beer Tent open, Food & Unique Vendors, All Day Family Fun, Try Log Rolling!
Noon – Professional Log Rolling Competitions and Small Finals Wood Chopping Competitions
1:30pm – Axe Throwing Competition
3:00pm – 5:00pm – Happy Hour & Live Music – Swinging Axe Beer Garden with Live Music by Little Way
5:30pm – Opening Ceremonies and World Championships Finals Competition
The 53rd annual Iola Car Show is happening Thursday, July 10th through Saturday, July 12th. It’s the Midwest’s biggest and best car show and swap meet, with over 100,000+ attendees, 2,500 Show Cars, 4,000+ Swap Spaces, and more!
Join them as they celebrate all things automotive across the decades. With a huge variety of vehicles, a great lineup of celebrities, even Mother Nature cooperating with nice weather predicted, this should be fantastic! Enjoy all the cheese curds, chocolate shakes and fun you could ever wish for at the car show. As one of the biggest and best in the nation, the Iola Car Show is back and going full throttle.
You can get to Iola along Highway 49 and/or Highway 161 in Waupaca County; it’s not too far off the U.S. 10 freeway.
Iola Car Show Address:
700 E. State Street
Iola, WI 54945
(715) 445-4000 Website
Along the Wisconsin-Illinois border you can go back to the 16th century at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. A plethora of entertainment, great food, performances, and a marketplace filled with crafts, art, musical instruments, clothes, jewelry, and more await. You’ll find plenty of colorful characters in period costumery, performers twirling fire, people mashing their mouths into giant turkey legs, wandering minstrels, swordfights, jousting… the list goes on and on. It’s a great summer weekend activity just west of Kenosha on the Illinois border!
Bristol Renaissance Faire runs Saturdays and Sundays July 5th though Labor Day, September 1st (yes, it runs that Monday and that’s the only Monday.)
The Kid’s Kingdom features the Castle Stage where children can get knighted, a face-painting area (don’t worry, it washes off eventually), hobbit houses, an entrance area with five huge thrones that provide great photo opportunities, and an air-conditioned rest area.
A giant turkey leg slathered in barbecue sauce is an essential part of the Bristol Renaissance Faire experience, but they also offer everything from Cornish pasties and bakery goods to vegan items and gelato. The number of entertainment stages now totals sixteen. Comedic sword-fighting, ropewalking, juggling, fire-whipping, acrobatics, chalk art, a variety of musicians, and more. The Marketplace offers the work of nearly 175 artisans and crafters; you can find Scottish kilts, leather masks, bamboo flutes, jester socks, stage-combat-approved swords, steampunkery, and much more. Glass blowing and blacksmithing activities frequently happen in the Marketplace as well as a variety of other crafting.
Tickets range from $40 for adults to $15 for children ages 5-12. Seniors (62+) and Military with ID are $38. Kids 4 and under are free. Season passes can be purchased for $225. You can also get discounted tickets at Menard’s and if you join Friends of the Faire you can also get discounts. U.S. 41, I-41/94, Highway 165, and the state line border the “Fairegrounds,” with U.S. 45 and Highway 50 also getting you close!
Bristol Renaissance Faire Location:
12550 120th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53142
(877) 395-7773 Website
The annual Blue Ox Music Festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin offers an intimate Bluegrass and Americana music experience from June 26-28. 2025. Founded in 2015, both the festival and campgrounds are family owned and operated by a team striving for a music festival experience designed to be welcoming and approachable for people of all ages. Blue Ox features over 35 artists spread across 3 days on three stages and on-site camping.
Blue Ox 2025 Experience/Activities include:
The Soul Sanctuary: A wellness tent featuring yoga, sonic Ceremony, sound healing, meditation, breathwork, reiki and more.
Instrument Workshops: Learn more about Bluegrass, Americana, Roots and traditional string genres of music from instructors who are musicians themselves. 2021 instructors include The High 48s and Nora Brown.
Potluck Pickin Area: Bring your instruments and meetup with fellow musicians for campground jam sessions hosted by the Potluck String Band.
Late Night Sets: From Midnight – 2AM enjoy music on the Backwoods Stage, located in the heart of the campground.
Beverage Options: Blue Ox 2021 official Breweries: Founders Brewery & Summit Brewing. Also on tap: Odell Brewing, New Belgium, Dogfish Head, Earth Rider and Third Space. Seltzers by Founders Brewery and Ciders by Milk & Honey Cider. Wollersheim Wines and Signature cocktails featuring Tattersall distillery Liquor will be available. (Non-alcoholic options will be provided by Food Vendors).
Fire/Flow Performing Artists: The Torch Sisters performing Sat, August 21st at 10PM
Art In the Pines Art Installations: An assortment of unique and engaging art created and installed by regional artists spread around the campground and within the festival bowl.
Over the past five years the Blue Ox Music Festival has featured artists such as Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Greensky Bluegrass, The Sam Bush Band, Peter Rowan, Drive by Truckers, The Del McCoury Band, Billy Strings, Margo Price, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Devil Makes Three, Trampled By Turtles, Railroad Earth, Tyler Childers, Son Volt and many more…
You can even check out the Blue Ox Podcast to find out more about the artists, venue, things to do, and more!
Tickets are available in a variety of pricing and combinations, find out more here.
The Pines Music Park, where Blue Ox Music Festival is held, is just southwest of Eau Claire on the west side of the Chippewa River, opposite Highway 85. I-94 and Highway 37 connections bring you there. U.S. 12, U.S. 53, and Highway 93 also bring you to Eau Claire.
Blue Ox Music Festival Address:
The Pines Music Park
5024 Crescent Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 602-4440 Website
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events
September 5, 2025
First Fridays Racine
Enjoy some Friday night fun during First Fridays Racine, taking place along Main Street in Downtown Racine from May – December from 4-9pm! It happens throughout the downtown area, centered on Monument Square where Highways 20 and 38 cap the ends of a main thoroughfare that is Highway 32.
Friday, September 5th, 2025 is next for First Fridays Racine
The next First Fridays in 2025 will take place Friday (of course), September 5th from 4 pm to 9 pm. The theme is Country!
Get your boots and cowboy hats ready, because their vibrant community of merchants, restaurants, and bars is ready to roll out the red carpet with a shopping and dining experience that’s bigger and better than ever.
Enjoy Live Country Music at Monument Square by the Roundabouts and toe-tapping, boot-stomping country tunes on Monument Square
First Fridays are your golden ticket to keeping the energy alive and the fun rolling, month after month. From June through December of 2025, each month introduces a fresh new theme, ensuring that Downtown Racine continues to pulse with excitement, community spirit, and celebration.
Live music will fill the air at all your favorite downtown spots like Brickhouse, The Ivanhoe, Marci’s on Main, Reefpoint Brew House, Dimples, Chartroom, and Uncorkt. First Fridays are more than just an event – they’re a celebration of our thriving community, our rich culture, and the lively spirit that defines Downtown Racine.
Parking is conveniently available at the Lake Avenue Ramp (300 Lake Avenue), Civic Centre Ramp (501 Lake Avenue), and the McMynn Ramp (120 7th Street) or Shoop (Main & State) for an all-day rate of only $4.00.
In addition to First Fridays, check out the rest of downtown Racine. Right along the shores of Lake Michigan you can explore Reefpoint Marina, North Beach, the Racine Zoo, the new boutique Hotel Verdant, Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and SC Johnson sites.
Take the drive to where Highways 11, 20, 32, and 38 come together in downtown Racine. Enjoy happy people taking in the best of what downtown Racine has to offer! Check out the First Fridays Racine website for more details.
First Fridays Racine Address:
Monument Square
100 Main Street
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 634-4287
Website
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August 30, 2025 – August 31, 2025
Marina Fest
Sister Bay has a beautiful marina along the waters of Green Bay. Hit the end of Highway 57 along Highway 42 for Marina Fest, which features live entertainment, plenty of food and drink, a water ski show by the Waterboard Warriors, a fireworks show, easy access to Al Johnson’s show you can watch goats on the roof, and more!
Sister Bay Marina Fest Schedule of Events
7:30 – 10 AM: Pancake Breakfast Presented by the Sister Bay & Liberty Grove Fire Department
8 AM – 4 PM: Used Book Sale
9 AM – 4 PM: Vintage Boat Show
9 AM – 5 PM: Arts & Crafts Fair with Stained Glass Mosaic Workshop
10 AM – 6 PM: Kid’s Bouncy Houses
11 AM – 4 PM: Kid’s Boat Building with the Lions Club
11 AM – 8 PM: Food Court
12 – 1:30 PM: Kid’s Ages 4-12 Pedal Tractor Pull – Presented by Peach Barn (Registration begins at 11 AM )
1 – 4 PM: Performance by Mistrial
4 – 7 PM: Performance by Modern Day Drifters
3:30 – 5 PM: Kid’s Ages 4-12 Pedal Tractor Pull Presented by Peach Barn (Registration begins at 2:30 PM)
7 – 10 PM: Performance by Big Mouth and the Power Tool Horns
Dusk: Fireworks Presented by Wild Tomato
SUNDAY, AUG 31st
9 AM – 5 PM: Arts & Crafts Fair
10 AM – 2 PM: Used Book Sale
10 AM – 6 PM: Kid’s Bouncy Houses
11 AM – 8 PM: Food Court
12 – 3 PM: Performance by Conscious Pilot
4 – 7 PM: Performance by Second Hand Stereo
Sister Bay Marina Fest Address:
Marina Park
10733 Wisconsin Highway 42 / Bay Shore Drive
Sister Bay, WI 54234
(920) 854-2812
Website
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August 29, 2025 – August 30, 2025
Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw & Festival
It’s an annual Labor Day weekend tradition in Prairie du Sac to toss cow “chips” at this annual Cow Chip Throw & Festival, which happens Friday & Saturday, August 29th & 30th this year. Dried out and surprisingly unoffensive to the nose, these nuggets of nastiness get hurled into the air by kids and adults alike with the goal of the most distance as possible – with a crowd of onlookers often in the sights where they land. The current record is 248 feet, but records were made to be broken!
Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw & Festival Schedule of Events:
Friday • August 29th
• West on 12: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Corporate Throw: 5:30 PM
Saturday • August 30th
• Food Court: Open all day – See vendor list here
• 5K Run/Walk & 10K Run: 8:00 AM (registration at 6:30)
See race page for details and to sign up.
• Children’s Game Tent: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Children’s Chip Chucking: 9:00 AM – Noon ($2.00)
• Cow Chip Breakfast: 8:00am
• Volleyball Tournament: 8:30am Registration, 9:00am Start. Download 2022 registration form here.
• Arts & Crafts Fair: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (over 125 exhibits)
• Tony Rocker 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
• Mixed Nuts: 10:00 & 11:00 AM (Kids Area)
• Angela Puerta: 9:30 – 11:30 AM
• Tournament of Chips Parade: 12:00 PM
• Adult & Team Cow Chip Throw: 1:00 PM
• Aran Arms of James Jaxin Productions (DJ) 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
• German Wheel, Tight Rope, Trapeze: 1:30 – 3:30 PM (Kids Stage)
• Truly Remarkable Loon Comedy Juggler: 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 PM (Kids Stage)
• Best Practice: 1:30 – 4:30 PM
• Kid’s Pedal Pull: 2:30 PM
• High Mileage 5:00 – 9:00 PM
You’ll find the festival just off U.S. 12 and Highways 60 and 78 in Marion Park at 1st & Grand in Prairie du Sac.
Here’s a video short from when we first visited the Wisconsin State Cow Chip Toss in Prairie du Sac back in 2009:
And here’s how it went in 2016, produced by the Festival itself with better equipment:
Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw & Festival Address:
Marion Park
145 1st Street
Prairie du Sac, WI 53578
(608) 643-4317
Website
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August 20, 2025 – August 24, 2025
Central Wisconsin State Fair
One of three “State Fairs” in Wisconsin, the Central Wisconsin State Fair takes place in Marshfield August 19-24, 2025 on the grounds that also feature the “World’s Largest Round Barn.” The Central Wisconsin State Fair has also been refreshing its equipment with new rides and games to enhance the experience!
Headliners include:
This Fair also features 4-H and open class exhibits, free grandstand entertainment with gate admission, the Round Barn Express train, Junior Fair Market Animal Sale, 13th annual Kiss a Critter Contest, the Dress-A-Cow Contest, midway carnival rides, commercial exhibits and special programs, food and beer gardens, and more. This six-day extravaganza is definitely worth checking out if you want to hit the lovely city of Marshfield in the central part of the state (hence, the event’s name).
U.S. 10 and Highways 13, 80, and 97 all hit Marshfield, Wisconsin (“Hub City”) and the Central Wisconsin State Fair grounds are on the south side of town, a few blocks east of Central Avenue (Bus. Hwy 13) and the Wildwood Zoo. Also check out Central Avenue and the downtown district, the Blue Heron Brewpub, and a plenty of other things and to see and do around Hub City. Get more ideas from Visit Marshfield here!
Check their website for the complete entertainment lineup, ticket specials, and more!
Central Wisconsin State Fair Address:
Wood County Fairgrounds
513 E. 17th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 387-1261
Website
Find out more about Marshfield in this episode of our State Trunk Tour Podcast!
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
August 14, 2025 – August 17, 2025
Irish Fest Milwaukee
The World’s Largest celebration of Celtic music and culture, the 43rd Milwaukee Irish Fest happens Thursday, August 14th through Sunday, August 17th on Milwaukee’s lakefront! An amazing array of musical artists in Irish and Celtic music fill several stages.
Other Irish Fest activities include a Baking Contest, Photo and Poetry Contests, and “Red Hair & Freckles” Contest, a “Celtic Canines” exhibit, the Jameson Lounge (for whiskey tastings), a Marketplace filled with Irish crafts and other items from over 90 vendors, a Cultural Village, and much more.
Saturday the 16th features a 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. Later that day you can enjoy the Lesaffre/Red Star Yeast Baking Contest. Dog lovers can check out Milwaukee Irish Fest’s Celtic Canine Area; this unique area gives you the chance to see and pet some of Ireland’s most popular dog breeds, meet and talk with some of the Midwest’s top breeders, and learn about grooming, general care and training. The Irish dog breeds include Irish Wolfhounds, Irish Terriers, Irish Red Setters, Irish Red and White Setters, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, Irish Water Spaniels, Kerry Blue Terriers and Kerry Beagles. The Celtic Canines will be on display Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For a full lineup of activities and deals for everything else, check out the Irish Fest website!
You can reach Irish Fest at Henry Maier Festival Park (aka the Summerfest grounds) along Milwaukee’s lakefront via I-794 and U.S. 18 most directly. Highways 32, 38, 59, and 145 all bring you within a mile of the grounds.
Milwaukee Irish Fest Address:
Henry Maier Festival Park (aka Summerfest Grounds)
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 476-3378
Website
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August 13, 2025 – August 17, 2025
Lake Geneva Venetian Fest
The Entertainment Pavilion includes a beer tent and stage for live music. Here’s the Music Schedule:
Wednesday 8/14: Sons of Sconnie, 8pm-midnight
Thursday 8/15: Rok Brigade, 8pm-midnight
Friday 8/18: Kelly Daniels, 8pm-midnight
Saturday 8/19: Rebecca and the Grey Notes, 3pm-6pm
Saturday 8/19: Too Hype Crew, 8pm-midnight
Sunday 8/20: Rock Central, Noon-3pm
Sunday 8/20: Big Al Wetzel Band, 3pm-6pm
Sunday 8/20: Venetian All-Stars, 8pm-midnight
The Arts & Crafts Fair is returning to Venetian Fest and features over 110 exhibitors. It runs Saturday from 10am – 5pm and Sunday from 10am – 4pm in Library Park, right along Highway 50/Main Street along the lake on the west edge of downtown, just down from The Riviera. Details…
The Lake Geneva Venetian Festival Carnival offers family fun via “Mr. Ed’s Magical Midways” and is open every day of the festival: Wednesday-Thursday 5pm to 10:30pm, Friday 5pm – 11:30pm, Saturday Noon to 11:30pm, and Sunday Noon to 10:30pm.
Saturday you can experience the Baggo Tournament, which takes place at the Entertainment Pavilion in Flatiron Park. It’s a double elimination straight to 21. It starts at 11:30am Saturday and runs until about 3pm.
Check out the Lumberjack Show!
New last year the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack show is back and should be yet another great bit of entertainment for families of all sizes and ages. From log rolling, axe throwing, and wood-cutting, to chainsaw vs cross-cut racing, and quick chainsaw carving, there is something for everyone to enjoy. If you want great old-fashioned fun and family entertainment, the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show is where you’ll want to be.
New this year: Car Show! The inaugural Car Show run at Venetian Fest Sunday from 11am-3pm at Seminary Park, a great thing to check out ahead of all the bands, water ski shows, the lighted boat parade, and the fireworks that evening!
Sunday is the topper, with all the Carnival and Arts & Crafts Fair activities, THREE performers covering live music, and the Lake Geneva Jaycees Water Ski Show featuring the Wonder Lake Ski Team. They’ll perform on Geneva Lake right by the Riviera starting at 6pm. At dusk, the Lighted Boat Parade begins with the theme this year being “Rat Pack” for Lake Geneva Venetian Fest’s 61st anniversary. It concludes with fireworks following the parade.
All of this fun is in downtown Lake Geneva, which is easily accessed via U.S. 12 or Highways 50 and 120. Highway 67 brings you close, as it runs along the west side of Geneva Lake. Make it a road trip destination the weekend of August 14th-18th!
Lake Geneva Venetian Fest Address:
Downtown Lake Geneva, centered at Riviera Ballroom
821 Wrigley Drive
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Website
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August 7, 2025 – August 9, 2025
Ashley for the Arts
Ashley For The Arts celebrates music, art, and supporting nearby communities with a spectacular three-day event August 7-9, 2025. It takes place in Arcadia – home to Ashley Furniture – in the city’s 54-acre Memorial Park, which known for its Soldier’s Walk, one of the premier war memorials in the U.S. outside of Washington, D.C.
With four stages this year, you won’t miss a beat! The Main Stage will host headline entertainment, the Amphitheater will portray participating school performances as well as entertaining circus acts, the Pavilion stage hosts early to mid-day side-stage performances and the Soldier’s Walk stage will create a unique ambiance for local bands to perform outdoors the second half of the day.
Ashley for the Arts’ headline lineup will include ZZ Top, Darius Rucker, Brad Paisley, Daughtry, Third Eye Blind, Chris Jenson, Neon Trees, The Castellows, Red – A Taylor Swift Tribute, area high school choirs and even an extreme juggling show! Truly something for everyone.
The three-day festival will also feature upbeat musical performances; in addition, 11 area schools will participate in the event’s activities and demonstrate the region’s student talent through performances on Friday and Saturday.
You can also enjoy a variety of off-stage entertainment including a living statue, balloon sculptors, Root Berry juggling and sword swallowing, a mariachi band, silly stilt walkers, an interactive drum circle, Magician Professor Pinkerton, and many more entertaining audiences throughout the grounds.
The park features nearly 100 art and craft vendors, a new interactive art space, a classic car show, two air parks including bouncy houses and obstacle courses, even a kid’s fitness course. Ashley for the Arts also hosts the Pursuit of a Cure 5K run/walk on Thursday and a spectacular firework display on Saturday.
From mini donuts to barbeque to gyros and frybread, an expanded selection of food trucks will decorate Memorial Park Drive along with Arcadia’s staple charcoal chicken, grilled to perfection in North America’s largest indoor chicken pit. A newly added beer garden, next to the main stage, will offer specialty beer and wine options for the adult audience. Event parking is free along with free bus shuttles to and from the grounds; including the county campground (Pietrek Park) just five miles north of Arcadia. Highways 93 and 95 bring you to town!
Ashley For the Arts Address:
Memorial Park
551 Memorial Park Drive
Arcadia, WI 54612
(608) 863-6700
Website
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August 2, 2025
Johnsonville Brat Days
Sheboygan is the “Bratwurst Capital of the World” so it’s only fitting that Brat Days is one of their biggest celebrations! Taking place the first Saturday of August, Brat Days dates back to 1953. It’s BACK for 2025, admission is still free, and the activities are plentiful!
Check out a wide variety of tasty brats served up in buns, on sticks, in tacos, on pizza, egg rolls, jambalaya, even as a corn dog. Dance or rock out with plenty of live music. The Brat Days Parade kicks off at 9am Saturday and runs through downtown Sheboygan. The famous Brat-Eating Contest, featured on channels like ESPN, takes place Saturday at 1pm. Games are available for adults and kids alike; kids’ activities include a petting zoo and carnival.
Bands this year include:
Saturday, August 2nd
Johnsonville Main Stage:
11:00am – 1:00 pm The Dirty Martinis
1:30pm – 4:00pm Pat McCurdy
4:30pm – 5:45 pm The Radio Effect
6:15pm – 7:30pm Stetsin & Lace
8:00pm – 9:15pm Blizzard of Randy: A Tribute to Ozzy – The Rhoads Years
9:45pm – 11:00 pm High ‘N’ Dry (Def Leppard Tribute)
The Brat Eating Contest is at 1pm!
Entertainment stages are free!
Brat Days is held in Kiwanis Park on the west bank of the Sheboygan River. The park is accessible just west of Highway 28 via New Jersey Avenue. You can also reach Kiwanis Park by heading south from the ends of Highways 23 and 42 via 17th Street. It’s all about three miles east of I-43.
For more details on bands, events, activities and more, check out the Brat Days website. Brat Days is sponsored by Johnsonville, which of course has its headquarters just west of town.
While in Sheboygan, check out the downtown area along 8th Street, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, 3 Sheeps Brewing, City Green, South Pier with all of its activities, the World’s Tallest American Flagpole (along I-43 at Acuity Insurance headquarters), nearby Kohler, the marina and lovely lakefront, nearby Kohler-Andrae State Park, and more.
Brat Days Address:
Kiwanis Park
726 N. 17th Street
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 893-8980
Website
And check out our State Trunk Tour Podcast about Sheboygan!
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July 31, 2025 – August 10, 2025
Wisconsin State Fair
One of the nation’s great fairs, the Wisconsin State Fair runs July 31 – August 10, 2025 on the Wisconsin State Fair Park grounds in West Allis. Everything from the animals to rides, concerts, exhibits, and tasty food and beverages are yours for the taking!
Updates to the Central Mall area include with a new look and ample seating. The rides and games at SpinCity are in full swing, and they include a super assortment of over 40 rides and 25 games with chances to win plenty of prizes!
The Fairgrounds will have plenty of street performers and entertainers, but of course the excellent live music is a huge draw. There are two primary performance stages at Wisconsin State Fair: the Main Stage, which uses the Milwaukee Mile track and bleachers for seating, and the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater, which is near the Central Mall.
Bank Five Nine Main Stage headliners at Wisconsin State Fair include:
Thursday, July 31st: Midland
Friday, August 1st: Boyz II Men
Saturday, August 2nd: Ne-Yo with Bryce Vine
Sunday, August 3rd: Queensrÿche
Monday, August 4th: We the Kingdom & Josiah Queen
Tuesday, August 5th: Kidz Bop LIVE 2024
Wednesday, August 6th: Jon Pardi with Easton Corbin
Thursday, August 7th: Gabriel Iglesias
Friday, August 8th: Darius Rucker with Uncle Kracker
Saturday, August 9th: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sunday, August 10th: The “Happy Together” Tour
Bank Five Nine Amphitheater headliners include:
Thursday, July 31st: Journey from the Heart
Friday, August 1st: Here Come the Mummies
Saturday, August 2nd: Here Come the Mummies
Sunday, August 3rd: Los Fugitivos
Monday, August 4th: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
Tuesday, August 5th: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
Wednesday, August 6th: Too Hype Crew
Thursday, August 7th: Hairbangers Ball
Friday, August 8th: Ying Yang Twins
Saturday, August 9th: Taylor Inspired Dance Party
Sunday, August 10th: Pat McCurdy
You will not go hungry: favorite foods at the Fair include the roasted corn, corn dogs, flavored milks, all kinds of creative deep-fried foods, sausages, as much as you can imagine on a stick, and the legendary Wisconsin cream puffs that become a “must have” for attendees needing their true dairy (and carb) fix! They get more eclectic with things like deep-fried bull testicles (listed as “Rocky Mountain Oysters” on the menu at Big Sky Country Bar & Grill), ants on a stick (literally), and earthworm and cricket jerky. But hey, it’s up to you. Last year’s “Sporkies” winner was the Deep Fried Lemonade Bites from Saz’s BBQ.
SPORKIES AND DRINKIES FINALISTS THIS YEAR
The Sporkies and Drinkies competition finalists are among the best – or most unique – offerings (according to a crack team of judges) each year. In 2025, Sporkies finalists included A Hunk A Hunk Fat Elvis Donut Ice Cream Sandwich, Blueberry Breakfast Bratwurst, Brat Rangoon, the Gochujang Smashburger with Kimchi Bacon Jam, Mexican Street Corn Pizza, Pretzaroni Pizza Brat, S’mores Churro Fries, and the Ube Butter Banana French Toast Lumpia. Drinkies finalists include the Carnival Cooler, Dirty Pancakes, Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie, and a Purple Rain Refresher.
OTHER FOODS at State Fair include an Apple Crunch Cheesecake Quesadilla from the Mexican Grill, BBQ Mac Tater Tots from Jayme’s Chipstix, the Caramel Turtle Pretzel at Gertrude’s Fresh Pretzels, Loaded Baked Potato with Bacon Pizza from Pistol Pete’s, Prime Rib Sliders at Leadfoots Race Bar & Grill, the Unicorn Beer Float at Slim McGinn’s Irish Pub, and about 60 other choices!
The Milwaukee Mile race track, which hosts races, auto testing, and more throughout the year is just one of the places you can park – which is cool, since you can walk on and check out this legendary oval, the oldest continuously operating raceway in the world.
Get more details here. This is definitely one of the best State Fairs in the nation!
Check out this map of Wisconsin State Fair… you can enlarge it by clicking on it or get a printable .pdf HERE.
Wisconsin State Fair Park is in West Allis, less than ten minutes from downtown Milwaukee. Bordered on the south by Highway 59/Greenfield Ave., on the west by Highway 181/84th Street, on the north by I-94, and on the east by 76th Street. U.S. 18/Bluemound Road comes close to the north, I-41/U.S. 45 and then Highway 100 skim by 2 miles to the west, and Highway 175 is about 2 miles east as it passes Miller Park. There are a lot of great ways to get to the Park!
Wisconsin State Fair Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Park
640 S. 84th Street (Highway 181 at Highway 59)
West Allis, WI 53214
(414) 266-7000
Website
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July 31, 2025 – August 3, 2025
IMSA Motul SportsCar Grand Prix at Road America
The Motl SportsCar Grand Prix featuring IMSA hits Road America Thursday, July 31st through Sunday, August 3rd! Get ready for some incredible racing – and a LOT of it!
Gate entrances open at 7:00 am. Here’s a .pdf of the weekend schedule.
If you need help getting around at Road America, their TRAM will run Saturday and Sunday. All Concession stands will be open.
Public Karting will be available for ages 14 and older. A parent/guardian must be present if under 18. You’ll find it at the CTECH Manufacturing Motorplex, infield over the SpeedVille Bridge, near Turns 7 and 8. Karts can reach speeds of up to 40 mph.
You can also test your skills on their 18 hole disc golf course – FREE fun for everyone! The Front Nine begins at Tee #1, located across from Gearbox concessions in the paddock. The Back Nine begins at Tee #10, located west of the Sargento Bridge, towards Motorplex. Rental discs are available in Paddock Shop.
Motul SportsCar Grand Prix Racing Schedule:
Thursday, July 31, 2025
1:05 PM – 1:50 PM | Practice #1 – Lamborghini Trofeo
2:10 PM – 2:40 PM | Practice #1 – Mustang Challenge
2:55 PM – 3:25 PM | Practice #1 – Porsche Carrera Cup
3:40-4:25 PM | Practice #2 – Lamborghini Trofeo
Friday, August 1, 2025
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Practice #1 – Michelin Challenge
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM | Practice #2 – Mustang Challenge
10:00 AM – 10:40 AM | Practice #2 – Porsche Carrera Cup
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | IMSA Driver Fan Forum -RoadAmerica Center
12:40 PM – 1:40 PM | Practice #2 – Michelin Challenge
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Practice #1 – WeatherTech Championship (All
Classes)3:50 PM – 4:05 PM | Qualifying – Mustang Challenge
4:20 PM – 4:50 PM | Qualifying – Porsche Carrera Cup
5:05PM -5:20PM |Qualifying #1 Lamborghini Trofeo
5:25PM -5:40PM |Qualifying #2 Lamborghini Trofeo
5:55-6:10PM |Qualifying- Michelinchallenge TCR
6:15PM -6:30PM | |Qualifying- MichelinChallengeGS
Saturday, August 2, 2025
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM | Race #1 – Mustang Challenge (45 Minutes)
9:05 AM – 10:35 AM | Practice #2 – WeatherTech Championship (All Classes)
10:55 AM – 11:35 AM | Race #1 – Porsche Carrera Cup (40 Minutes)
11:55 AM – 12:45 PM | Race #1 – Lamborghini Trofeo (50 Minutes)
12:15 PM – 12:45 PM | Autograph Session – WeatherTech Championship – at Team Transporters in the Paddock
1:05 PM – 1:45 PM | Michelin Challenge – Open Grid / Fan Walk – Pit Lane
2:05 PM – 4:05 PM | Race – Road America 120 for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (2 Hours)
4:40 PM – 4:55 PM | Qualifying – WeatherTech Championship (GTD – Any Driver)
5:05 PM – 5:20 PM | Qualifying – WeatherTech Championship (GTD PRO – Any Driver)
5:30 PM – 5:45 PM | Qualifying – WeatherTech Championship (LMP2 – Bronze Only)
5:55PM -6:10PM |Qualifying- WeatherTechChampionship(GTP-AnyDriver)
Sunday, August 3, 2025
8:20 AM – 9:05 AM | Race #2 – Mustang Challenge (45 Minutes)
9:25 AM – 10:15 AM | Race #2 – Lamborghini Trofeo (50 Minutes)
10:35 AM – 11:15 | Race #2 – Porsche Carrera Cup (40 Minutes)
11:50 AM – 12:50 PM | WeatherTech Championship – Open Grid / Fan Walk – Pit Lane
1:10 PM – 3:50 PM | Race – IMSA SportsCar Weekend for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
Hit Highway 67 north of Highway 23 near Elkhart Lake to find Road America – social distancing and mask safety is required, but easy on these grounds.
IMSA Motul SportsCar Grand Prix Weekend Address for Road America:
Road America
N7390 Highway 67
Elkhart Lake, WI 53073
(800) 365-7223
Website
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July 25, 2025 – July 27, 2025
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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July 24, 2025 – July 26, 2025
Hub City Days
The massive Car & Bike Show, Family Zone with bounce houses and kids’ games, the Craft Show, the Brew Fest and Beer Garden, tons of live music and more are all ready!
The Hub City Brew Fest will feature craft beers from all over Wisconsin and the Midwest! The Car Show will be right on Central Avenue (Historic Highway 13).
You can reach Marshfield via U.S. 10 or Highways 13, 80, and 97. It’s right in the center of Wisconsin, hence the name “Hub City”!
Hub City Days Schedule:
Thursday, July 24th
DOWNTOWN BUSINESS AFTER 5
Friday, July 25th
Saturday, July 26th
Find out more here from Visit Marshfield.
You can easily reach Marshfield via U.S. 10 or Highways 13, 80, and 97. Head to the Hub!
Check out our State Trunk Tour Marshfield Podcast with Matt McLean from VISIT Marshfield, where we talk Hub City Days, the city and all the things to do and see in it, here or stream it below!
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July 22, 2025 – July 27, 2025
Kenosha Homecoming Car Show
Automobile manufacturing took place in Kenosha for more than 100 years. The Kenosha County Historical Society (aka the Kenosha History Center) celebrates the area’s industrial history, including how Kenosha’s auto-making legacy shaped history through the 20th Century. Both the Museum and the Kenosha Homecoming Car Show help celebrate this legacy.
Bring your car to show it, or just come as a spectator. The Kenosha History Center recommends car owners and swap meet vendors preregister for the show/swap meet. Cars and Vendors can also register the day of the show.
Kenosha Homecoming Car Show Schedule of Events
Thursday 7/24
4PM – 8PM: Evening Car Cruise-in at AMC Factory Site, off of 22nd Avenue and 30th Avenue. For the first time ever, the Homecoming Car Show Thursday Night Cruise-in will be held on the site where it all started. All Kenosha-made automobiles are invited to attend an evening cruise-in on the Nash/AMC/Chrysler Factory Site (now the Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood). Bring your car back to where it was manufactured; it is sure to be a nostalgic evening. The event will be part of the City of Kenosha’s 175th Anniversary Celebration. All Kenosha-made vehicles will enter from 56th Street. Spectator parking will be announced soon.
Friday 7/25
8AM – 4PM: Homecoming Car Show Swap Meet at Kennedy Park, 4051 5th Avenue. Fee for vendors.
10AM – Noon: Gremlin Event at Jeffery Elementary School, 4011 87th Street
4PM: Homecoming Car Show Parade starts at Southport Park, 7501 2nd Avenue. Staging starts around 3PM. The parade will travel west on 78th Street, right on 7th Avenue, and continue through Downtown Kenosha. It will continue on 6th Avenue, right into Pennoyer Park, continue through Kennedy Park, and continue through Simmons Island Park. The parade ends at the Kenosha History Center Block Party, 220 51st Place.
4PM – 8PM: Kenosha Homecoming Block Party at Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Place. The road will be closed to all other traffic. Vehicles coming to the 2025 Kenosha Homecoming Car Show at Kennedy Park on July 26 can register their car at the museum that evening and save time and hassle the next morning. Registration packets can also be picked up for anyone who pre-registered. The museum and gift shop will be open until 7PM and stocked full of AMC/Nash T-shirts and other keepsakes. Food trucks will be on-site.
Saturday 7/26
8AM – 4PM: 2025 Kenosha Homecoming Car Show & Swap Meet at Kennedy Park, 4051 5th Avenue. Fee for show cars and vendors.
Sunday 7/27
9AM: Racing at Great Lakes Dragaway, 18411 1st Street. Fee for spectators and race cars.
You can get to downtown Kenosha, Simmons Island, and the Kenosha History Center via Highway 32 (Sheridan Road, named for Fort Sheridon just down the way in northern Illinois), Highway 50 (75th Street coming in from I-41/94, also Roosevelt and 63rd Streets as you approach downtown), and Highway 158 (52nd Street). It’s a 10-12 minute drive or so east of I-41/94 and 5-7 minute drive east from Highway 31, which skirts the west side of the city.
Kenosha Homecoming Week and Car Show Address:
Kenosha History Center (and other locations)
220 51st Place
Kenosha, WI 53142
Website
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July 21, 2025 – July 27, 2025
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AirVenture is the World’s Largest Fly-In! What CAN’T you experience here? It’s rolling for 2025 and better than ever!
EAA stands for Experimental Aircraft Association. It was founded in 1953 by Paul Poberezny for a community of passionate aviation enthusiasts that promote and support recreational flying. Today, EAA has over 200,000 members throughout the world. EAA AirVenture is their biggest event, welcoming members and other flight enthusiasts to Oshkosh for a week every year… and it’s a total blast! Over 670,000 people from 92 countries attended EAA AirVenture in 2023 as over 10,000 aircraft flew in and out of Oshkosh.
Whether you come to fly or just watch, you experience the world’s greatest aviation celebration. Warbirds. Vintage. Homebuilts, Ultralights, even the Blue Angels! Enjoy all kinds of planes, aerobatics, hands-on workshops, and celebrations. AirVenture draws flight enthusiasts from across the globe, briefly turning Oshkosh’s Wittman Regional Airport into the busiest airport in the world in terms of takeoffs and landings.
EAA AirVenture runs a full week, from Monday, July 21st – Sunday, July 27th, 2025. Regular features and attractions include air shows and aircraft neighborhoods where you can check out full assortments of plane types and styles. Some of the planes and their pilots offer rides for unbelievable views of the Oshkosh area, Lake Winnebago, and more! Plus, there’s KidVenture for the young ones, the Aviators Club, Aviation Gateway Park, the Pathways Pavilion, and more.
Plenty of activities run all day. But into the evening, concerts, feature films, and special programs take place to keep the fun going. It’s a full week of camaraderie. Here’s an “insider guide” (their words) on some what’s happening all week.
Here’s an example of some of the air show performances you’ll see at EAA AirVenture:
Be sure to check out the EAA AirVenture Museum while you’re there. Hit I-41, U.S. 45, or Highways 21, 26, 44, 76, or 91 to get you to Oshkosh to take in all the fun of EAA’s AirVenture!
Ticket prices vary, check this out for all the details. Kids 18 and under are admitted FREE, courtesy of Boeing!
EAA AirVenture Address:
Wittman Regional Airport
525 W. 20th Avenue
Oshkosh, WI 54902
Website
Fly over to AirVenture.org for all the info!
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July 19, 2025 – July 20, 2025
Milwaukee WaterStone Bank Air & Water Show
The Milwaukee Air & Water Show, sponsored by Waterstone Bank, offers one of the top air shows in the Midwest along the city’s gorgeous lakefront. They roar along Milwaukee’s lakefront Saturday, July 19th and Sunday, July 20th.
Exciting acts having performed in Milwaukee’s skies this July include the U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon Patrol Aircraft, U.S. Navy Leapfrogs Parachute Team, the USAF T-38 “Talons”in 2-3 ship formation, the return of the U.S. Air Force A-10 Warthogs, the U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super-Hornet Tactical Demonstration Squadron, the Wisconsin Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker straight from Milwaukee’s own 128th Air Refueling Wing base, and the Firebirds X-treme Team. Solo aerobatics and stunts have been performed by Bill Stein, Mike Wiscus, Jack Knutson, Matt Chapman, and Lt. Colonel Josh “Tater” Boudreaux of the “Wild Blue Rodeo.”
On the waters of Lake Michigan, you’ve been able to enjoy the USCGC Bristol Bay (WLB), a 225-foot multi-mission buoy tender out of Detroit; a Water Show act from Milwaukee’s own Dennis Pinter, who demonstrated the “Air Chair” on the water! Daredevil and Pro Flyboard competitor Casey “Swizzle” McElwee who performed with his Hydroflyte and Flyboard act. We also hope to see the return of the Milwaukee Fire Department’s “Trident Fireboat,” which demonstrates its capabilities on the water, and witness an HH-60 Jayhawk Rescue Helicopter Air-Sea Rescue Demostration courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station out of Traverse City, Michigan.
You can watch from Bradford Beach and many other areas along Milwaukee’s lakefront for free. Ticketed areas offer the closest proximity, the best views, hosted narration, the best access to concessions, and great seating. This is definitely a benchmark summer event in Milwaukee! U.S. 18, Highways 32, 36, 38, 57, 59, 145, 190 and more all bring to within eye (and definitely ear!) shot of the show.
Milwaukee Air & Water Show Schedule of Events (both days):
10 AM: Water Show
12 PM: National Anthem / Army Golden Knights
3 PM: US Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron
Milwaukee Air & Water Show Address:
2272 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53211
(414) 482-2069
Website
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July 17, 2025 – July 20, 2025
Bastille Days
It’s Milwaukee’s annual French festival, one of the largest French celebrations in the United States, and it’s tres magnifique! This FREE four-day bash attracts over 250,000 visitors each year. In 2025, Bastille Days runs Thursday, July 17th through Sunday, July 20th. Set around Cathedral Square on the east side of downtown, Bastille Days begins with a 5K “Storm the Bastille” run on Thursday night and then plenty of live music, an international marketplace, chef and wine demos, French and Cajun cuisine, roaming busker entertainment and a signature 43-foot Eiffel Tower replica offering hourly light shows.
The event is known for the impromptu street performers, roaming minstrels, and a variety of interactive and musical entertainment. Bastille Days also boasts a wide variety of some of the best restaurant vendors in Milwaukee!
Check out Bastille Days wine tastings where you can let your taste buds explore and compare delicious wines from around the world! A wine specialist will guide you through the taste test with selected wines from 5 countries. A separate ticket is needed for each tasting, and seating is limited to 76 per tasting. You’ll find all these tastings at the NE corner of Cathedral Square Park along Jackson Street – look for the tent!
The festival covers the blocks around Cathedral Square, including along Wells, Kilbourn, Jefferson, and Jackson Streets. U.S. 18 and Highway 32 actually detour around the festival, which is one of the largest French festivals in the nation. I-43/94, I-794, and Highways 38, 59, and 145 all bring you close. Grab your beret and check it out!
Bastille Days Hours:
Thursday July 17- 11am-11:30pm
Friday July 18- 11am-11:30pm
Saturday July 19- 10am-11:30pm
(Kid’s Day Activities 10am – 3pm)
Sunday July 20- 11am-8pm
Bastille Days Address:
825 N. Jefferson Street/Cathedral Square
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Website
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July 16, 2025 – July 19, 2025
Lumberjack World Championships
Hayward hosts the 65th annual Lumberjack World Championships July 17-19, 2025! The Lumberjack World Championships began in 1960 as a way to acknowledge the rich history of the logging industry across the United States. Once again, over 21 events will offer international competition showcasing the best sawing, chopping, speed climbing, log rolling, boom-running & more! It’s great family fun.
More than 100 lumberjacks and lumberjills vie for more than $50,000 in prize money, making this one of the largest paybacks for lumberjack competition in the world – and of course, world records in these events could be set – they often have!
Opening night – Thursday, August 1st – is Mountain Dew Family Night, with special family pricing for admission ($45 for two adults and up to four children) and other specials. Other ticket packages run around $53 for three days’ worth of admission.
Tickets can be purchased online here!
Getting to Hayward means a beautiful drive through the North Woods – just what we like! Hayward is along U.S. 63 on the drive from Spooner to Ashland; it’s also where Highways 27 and 77 meet up. While in town, check out the great trails, shopping, the World’s Largest Musky at the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, the Angry Minnow Brewpub, and more!
Hayward Lumberjack World Championships Address:
15670 West County Road B
Hayward, WI 54843
(715) 634-2484
Website
Lumberjack World Championships Schedule of Events
Thursday, July 17
Quarterfinal Competition
Friday, July 18
Semifinal Competition
Saturday, July 19
Final World Championship Competition
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July 10, 2025 – July 12, 2025
Iola Car Show
The 53rd annual Iola Car Show is happening Thursday, July 10th through Saturday, July 12th. It’s the Midwest’s biggest and best car show and swap meet, with over 100,000+ attendees, 2,500 Show Cars, 4,000+ Swap Spaces, and more!
Join them as they celebrate all things automotive across the decades. With a huge variety of vehicles, a great lineup of celebrities, even Mother Nature cooperating with nice weather predicted, this should be fantastic! Enjoy all the cheese curds, chocolate shakes and fun you could ever wish for at the car show. As one of the biggest and best in the nation, the Iola Car Show is back and going full throttle.
You can get to Iola along Highway 49 and/or Highway 161 in Waupaca County; it’s not too far off the U.S. 10 freeway.
Iola Car Show Address:
700 E. State Street
Iola, WI 54945
(715) 445-4000
Website
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July 5, 2025 – September 1, 2025
Bristol Renaissance Faire
Bristol Renaissance Faire runs Saturdays and Sundays July 5th though Labor Day, September 1st (yes, it runs that Monday and that’s the only Monday.)
The Kid’s Kingdom features the Castle Stage where children can get knighted, a face-painting area (don’t worry, it washes off eventually), hobbit houses, an entrance area with five huge thrones that provide great photo opportunities, and an air-conditioned rest area.
A giant turkey leg slathered in barbecue sauce is an essential part of the Bristol Renaissance Faire experience, but they also offer everything from Cornish pasties and bakery goods to vegan items and gelato. The number of entertainment stages now totals sixteen. Comedic sword-fighting, ropewalking, juggling, fire-whipping, acrobatics, chalk art, a variety of musicians, and more. The Marketplace offers the work of nearly 175 artisans and crafters; you can find Scottish kilts, leather masks, bamboo flutes, jester socks, stage-combat-approved swords, steampunkery, and much more. Glass blowing and blacksmithing activities frequently happen in the Marketplace as well as a variety of other crafting.
Tickets range from $40 for adults to $15 for children ages 5-12. Seniors (62+) and Military with ID are $38. Kids 4 and under are free. Season passes can be purchased for $225. You can also get discounted tickets at Menard’s and if you join Friends of the Faire you can also get discounts. U.S. 41, I-41/94, Highway 165, and the state line border the “Fairegrounds,” with U.S. 45 and Highway 50 also getting you close!
Bristol Renaissance Faire Location:
12550 120th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53142
(877) 395-7773
Website
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June 26, 2025 – June 28, 2025
Blue Ox Music Festival
The annual Blue Ox Music Festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin offers an intimate Bluegrass and Americana music experience from June 26-28. 2025. Founded in 2015, both the festival and campgrounds are family owned and operated by a team striving for a music festival experience designed to be welcoming and approachable for people of all ages. Blue Ox features over 35 artists spread across 3 days on three stages and on-site camping.
Blue Ox 2025 Experience/Activities include:
Over the past five years the Blue Ox Music Festival has featured artists such as Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Greensky Bluegrass, The Sam Bush Band, Peter Rowan, Drive by Truckers, The Del McCoury Band, Billy Strings, Margo Price, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Devil Makes Three, Trampled By Turtles, Railroad Earth, Tyler Childers, Son Volt and many more…
You can even check out the Blue Ox Podcast to find out more about the artists, venue, things to do, and more!
Tickets are available in a variety of pricing and combinations, find out more here.
Blue Ox Music Festival Schedule
THURSDAY
MAIN STAGE
Sam Bush Band
Rising Appalachia
Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
Chaparelle
SALOON STAGE
Mountain Grass Unit
Cole Chaney
Two Runner
Molly Brandt
BACKWOODS STAGE
(TBA as of late March, check back for updates)
*Set-times subject to change
FRIDAY
MAIN STAGE
Greensky Bluegrass
St. Paul and the Broken Bones
Molly Tuttle
Big Richard
Charlie Parr
SALOON STAGE
Amigo the Devil
The Last Revel
Dig Deep
Tall Tall Trees
The Cody Sisters
Clare Doyle
*Set-times subject to change
BACKWOODS STAGE
Ginstrings
The Spine Stealers
Hemlock Chaser
Triple Fiddle
Sandhill Strangers
*Set-times subject to change
SATURDAY
MAIN STAGE
Warren Haynes Band
Margo Price
Pert Near Sandstone
Peter Rowan w/Sam Grisman Project
Hurray for the Riff Raff
*Set-times subject to change
SALOON STAGE
Them Coulee Boys
The Fretliners
Willi Carlisle
The Resonant Rogues
The Wildmans
Long Mama
*Set-times subject to change
BACKWOODS STAGE
Awful Purdies
Ben Mulwana and the Village
Wheels North
Dandelion Delivery Service
Virtual Band Competition Winner
*Set-times subject to change
The Blue Ox Music Festival welcomes campers on-site; shuttle service is also available from a number of hotels in the Eau Claire area.
The Pines Music Park, where Blue Ox Music Festival is held, is just southwest of Eau Claire on the west side of the Chippewa River, opposite Highway 85. I-94 and Highway 37 connections bring you there. U.S. 12, U.S. 53, and Highway 93 also bring you to Eau Claire.
Blue Ox Music Festival Address:
The Pines Music Park
5024 Crescent Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 602-4440
Website
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