The annual Hartford Classic Car Show is back for 2026 and it runs Saturday, May 16th this year! Check out some amazing classic cars on display on Main Street (Highway 83) from 10am – 3pm, with an awards ceremony at 2:30. Cars and trucks are categorized by era:
1900-1939
1940-1954
1955-1964
1965-1969
1970-1979
1980-2001
Trucks will be categorized as pre-1960 and post-1960.
Those wanting to display their cars and trucks can enter for $15 on Saturday the 16th.
If you’re visiting the Hartford Classic Car Show, you can enjoy the beautiful vehicles and explore many more at the Wisconsin Automotive Museum a block away. The Museum features some true classics, including Wisconsin-made brands like Nash, American Motors, and the Hartford-made Kissel models. The Southeastern Wisconsin Short Track Hall of Fame is also there, plus other race cars, real trains, and a huge Lionel layout that will “wow” any car or train buff.
Of course, you can also visit The Mineshaft, the famous Wisconsin restaurant that serves as one of the state’s largest, with a huge game room on the second floor. Other great shops can be found up and down Main Street (Highway 83) and some of the nearby blocks as well. Scoop de Ville, for example, is a great old-fashioned sweet treat shop that supports the car show and you’ll find them right on Main Street.
Other sights in Hartford include the beautiful Willowbrook Park, which has classic stone buildings and bridges right along Highway 60/Sumner Street. The Schwartz Ballroom on the city’s south side is a classic dance hall, built in 1928 with a rich history of hosting events, musicians, and more. And of course, Pike Lake State Park is on Hartford’s eastern edge as part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Weather should be great for all kinds of fun!
Of course, Highways 60and 83 meet in downtown Hartford and they’re the best ways to get there. Hartford is less than 10 minutes west of I-41, Highway 164, and Highway 175.
Hartford Classic Car Show Address:
Downtown Hartford (Highways 60 & 83)
33 N. Hartford, WI 53027
(262) 673-7002 Website
Automotion: Muscle Car. Pony Car. Trailer Queen. Land Yacht. Antique vs. Vintage vs. Classic. Lead Sled. Drophead.
Familiar with any of those terms?
If yes, you’re probably already a fan of Automotion. If you haven’t experienced Automotion, head to the Dells the weekend of May 16-17, 2026! Some 1,000 classic rides are expected at the 40th Annual Automotion Classic Car Show. There will be music, food, car corral and swap meet too.
Cruise over to 350 Broadway on Saturday, May 16th from 2-9 PM where we’ll be celebrating some of movie and TV’s most iconic cars at “Hollywood at Elm Street Plaza.” Replica cars such as the Blues Brothers’ Bluesmobile, Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine, the Batmobile, and the Ghostbusters’ Ecto-1 will be on full display, so set your reminders and get your camera ready!
Check the full schedule of events below!
I-90/94, U.S. 12, and Highways 13, 16, and 23 all bring you to the Dells. And with the weather and conditions in May, the natural beauty of the area can’t be beat! Check out Automotion and then all the sights across Wisconsin Dells, Lake Delton, nearby Mirror Lake State Park, and more.
Automotion Address:
Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park
1881 Wisconsin Dells Parkway
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(800) 223-3557 Website
AUTOMOTION SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
All spectator parking is at the Tommy Bartlett Show lot, 560 Wisconsin Dells Parkway. Shuttle service sponsored by the Original Wisconsin Ducks® and Dells Boat Tours®. Schedule subject to change.
Saturday, May 16th, 2026
7 am – 5 pm Gates Open at Mt. Olympus Resort
7 am – 5 pm Concessions
7 am – 4 pm Auto Show, Swap Meet & Car Corral
7 am – 4 pm Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio
8 am – 3 pm Registrations for Auto Show & Car Corral
9 am – 3 pm Kids Activities
9 am – 2 pm Fire Truck Display
10 am – 4 pm Family Entertainment & Face Painting
2 pm – 9 pm Hollywood on Broadway (Downtown Wisconsin Dells at 350 Broadway
Sunday, May 17th, 2026
7 am – 3 pm Gates Open at Mt. Olympus Resort
7 am – 3 pm Concessions
7 am – 3 pm Auto Show, Swap Meet & Car Corral
7 am – 3 pm Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio
8 am – 2 pm Registrations for Auto Show & Car Corral
(Please note you must be registered by 10 am
to be considered for awards)
9 am – 2 pm Kids Activities
9 am – 1 pm Fire Truck Display
10 am – 2 pm Family Entertainment & Face Painting
2 pm Awards Presentation (Must be present to win)
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
Start:
May 16, 2026 7:00 am
End:
May 17, 2026 3:00 pm
Venue:
Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park
Phone:
800-223-3557
Address:
1881 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965, United States
The 3rd annual Wisconsin Cheese Festival runs May 15-17, 2026 at Lake Geneva House of Music, which is a very cool live music venue located right along County H (the original U.S. 12) in Lake Geneva! Wisconsin Cheese is amazing, and a festival further celebrating it will be a blast, since we know how much you love cheese!
The festival is a gathering of cheese makers and lovers, farmers, artisans and vendors to celebrate what is obviously Wisconsin’s most famous food. You can also enjoy world-class Americana, alt-country, folk and bluegrass music, whiskey, wine and craft beer. Plus fun contests, educational presentations, fantastic music, and then a delicious variety of creative foods including BBQ, locally-made pies, pig bacon candy, curds and more. During the fest, you can even learn about cheese sculpting and participate in a Stein Hoisting Competition Saturday night! It’s a particularly family-friendly weekend at the Lake Geneva House of Music festival grounds. Get the full list of vendors here!
Geneva Cheese Festival has FREE Admission this year! Get Tickets Here
It’s easy to get to Lake Geneva House of Music, just follow County H north from Lake Geneva. If you’d rather, you can certainly head south from U.S. 12 by the I-43 interchange when you reach County NN south of Elkhorn. Similarly, Highway 67 brings you close. Then just follow H until you see all the action! Prior to 1973, this was the original route of U.S. 12 before they built the freeway (some fun trivia for road geeks like us!)
Geneva Cheese Festival Address:
Lake Geneva House of Music
N3241 County Trunk H (formerly U.S. 12)
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262) 248-0606 Website
Stoughton’s Syttende Mai festival is a weekend-long celebration of Norwegian heritage featuring fun activities and cultural experiences for the whole family. Check out three days of parades, amazing food and drink, arts and music, athletic competitions, and kids’ activities steeped in centuries of Norwegian culture. From the late 1800s to the early 1900s, Stoughton enjoyed an influx of Norwegians, and at one time, as many as 75 percent of its residents spoke Norwegian. These immigrants celebrated Syttende Mai unofficially, but it became an annual, city-wide tradition in the 1950s.
The city-wide festival takes place every year on the weekend closest to Norway’s May 17th Constitution Day, also known as Syttende Mai. In 2026, the festivities run through the weekend of May 15th through the 17th. The Arts & Crafts Fair attracts arts and crafts enthusiasts and artists who appreciate Norwegian culture and its role in the arts. The Stoughton festival features an annual juried craft fair where artisans and artists show and sell their hand-crafted works. The Norwegian art of rosemaling, or decorative painting, traditional Norwegian embroidery and quilts are all on display. Many artists hold public demonstrations of how they create their works, too. It’s a great opportunity for Stoughton festival-goers to meet the artists and appreciate the art’s deep roots in traditional Norwegian culture. It includes the Arts & Craft Fair, Hardanger Embroidery Exhibit, the Quilt Show, the Rosemaling Exhibit and Sale, and Norwegian Cultural Demonstrations. It runs Saturday from 10am — 6pm and Sunday from 9am — 2pm at River Bluff Middle School Gymnasium, Cafetorium, and Grounds at 235 N. Forrest Street in Stoughton.
Festival activities include:
Stoughton Norwegian Dancers
20-Mile Run, 10-Mile Run, 17-Mile Walk, and Lil’ Community Run
Hardanger Fiddle Performances
Norwegian Heritage Center (Livsreise)
Live Norwegian Art Demonstrations
Edvard Grieg Chorus at the Stoughton Opera House
Norse Costume Style Show
Viking Games Strongman Competition
Craft Beer Tent
Traditional Norwegian Delicacies
Food Trucks
Youth Parade (Saturday)
Norwegian Parade (Sunday)
Canoe Race & Portage on the Yahara River
Stoughton Village Players Theater Original Presentation
Arts & Crafts Fair
Syttende Mai Festival Address:
via Stoughton Chamber of Commerce
532 E. Main Street
Stoughton, WI 53589
(608) 873-7912 Website
More details below!
Stoughton Norwegian Dancers
This dance troupe delights audiences with their intricate footwork, athleticism, and enthusiasm for traditional Norwegian culture. Around since 1952 and clad in traditional Norwegian costumes, or bunad, their dancing to music from the fjords, and their colorful and captivating performances are in demand nationwide. You’ll be able to see the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers and their traditional folk performances every day during the three-day Syttende Mai festival.
Other Live Performances
While enjoying all the Syttende Mai sights and delicious foods, don’t forget to experience the music, dance, and theater performances. Be sure to catch a Norwegian Dancer performance to experience Scandinavian folk dancing. Attend a Stoughton Village Players theatrical performance written and performed by local actors who are expert at presenting the humorous side of life in Stoughton. Be sure to seek out a Hardanger fiddle performance to see and hear these beautiful instruments up close.
Enjoy:
Chorus Public House Live Music
Christ Lutheran Church
Craft Beer Tent Entertainment
Stoughton City Band Concert
Stoughton Opera House
Stoughton Village Players Theater
Crowning the Syttende Mai Royalty
Check out the crowning of Syttende Mai’s event ambassadors in a tradition that spans five decades. Stoughton’s Syttende Mai royalty kick off the three-day event and declare the weekend a statewide celebration.
Those who wear the Syttende Mai crown receive the honor for their commitment to community service and keeping the local Norwegian culture alive. Each year, a couple learns of their nomination in September and must keep it a secret from everyone, even friends and family, for five months. During the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers’ February Norse Afternoon of Fun, the new king and queen receive their crowns and join previous years’ honorees.
Although their reign is symbolic, the annual Syttende Mai King and Queen dress in traditional Norwegian clothing, or bunad, for the entire festival. In addition to opening the festival, the couple attend more than 40 events over the weekend. They are the festival’s icons and serve as cultural ambassadors to visitors. Have questions about the Norwegian cultural demonstrations, colors, music, foods and costumes you see? Ask this year’s king and queen (or one of our many volunteers).
Young people participate in the Syttende Mai royalty tradition, too. Two local third-grade students are selected as the festival’s annual Prince and Princess and are chosen to carry on Norwegian traditions among their peers. They serve as grand marshals of the Saturday Youth Parade, ride in the Sunday Norwegian Parade, and start The Lil’ Run. The pair also attend the opening dinner and make other appearances throughout the Syttende Mai festival.
Again, you’ll find Stoughton along U.S. 51 and Highway 138, southeast of Madison. I-39/90 and U.S. 14 also bring you close!
Muscoda celebrates the Morel Mushroom Festival every May, which is only fitting because that’s prime growing season in this “Morel Mushroom Capital of Wisconsin.” These unique mushrooms are considered quite a delicacy by top chefs everywhere; there are message boards and recipes and all kinds of resources for morel lovers. The soil in the Muscoda area is particularly suited for the growth of morels and they fully embrace this fungi. In 2026, the festival takes place Friday, May 15th and Saturday, May 16th.
This year’s event starts Friday evening with the 5th Annual Car Cruise Drive-In – all modes of transportation encouraged to attend. Join them at the paved parking lot next to the Riverdale bus garage in the 500 block of North Wisconsin. Jose’s Mexican Food Truck and Jovita’s Kitchen will be there serving their specialties and Udder Brothers Creamery will have their delicious ice cream. Two blocks south, at Mushroom Headquarters along Highway 80, the grills will be going with American Legion burgers. There’s also the 1st annual Antique Farm & Tractor Pull, a Little League Baseball Tournament, and Thunder Showers Bounce Houses will be there for kids’ fun.
On Saturday, May 16th starting at 9:00am, the whole Village bursts with events. The bounce house and pedal tractor pulls are back, you can check out the Tiny Acres Farms Petting Zoo, beer samples from 11am-3pm, and a parade. The awesome arts and crafts vendors, (many new ones!) and chainsaw carving are at Railroad Park as well as Food Vendors there and along the streets.
At Mushroom Headquarters, there are tastings, grilling with mushroom brats and Legion burgers (and fried morels if they’re are available). The Food and Beverage tasting area will include Meister Cheese, Moore Eggs, Studnicka Cattle Company, Wild Hills Winery, Dirftless Gold Organic Maple Syrup, Gillingham Meads, and Spurgeon Winery. And for your listening pleasure and maybe dancing, live music by Donnie Reyzek.
You can also catch tours of Effigy mounds, which start at 1pm, and baseball with the Muscoda Mudcats also at 1pm.
A big feature is the “Spring Mystery” Parade down main street (AKA Wisconsin Avenue), which starts at 3:00. Members of the UW Band will also perform starting around 3:45.
When you want a sit-down meal, there is pancake breakfast until noon, a chili cookoff with judging and tasting at 1:00 and the famous Firemen’s Steak Feed at the firehouse beginning at 4:00 until the steaks are gone! Enjoy the river views as the evening concludes with fireworks at dusk.
The Morel Mushroom Festival Schedule is coming soon!
You’ll find Muscoda along Highway 80 between the Wisconsin River and Highway 133. Highway 60 is just across the river. And this town comes to party for its Morel Mushroom Festival! Check their website for updates and full schedules.
Morel Mushroom Festival Address:
Muscoda Village Hall
206 N. Wisconsin Avenue (Highway 80)
Muscoda, WI 53573
(608) 739-3182 Website
The SVRA Spring Vintage Festival Weekend at Road America, May 15-17, celebrates automotive racing’s glorious past. This vintage racing event brings the past back to life with the sights, sounds and smells from motorsport’s pioneering age both on and off the track.
The SVRA (SportsCar Vintage Racing Association) weekend at Road America includes a packed vintage race car schedule featuring classic race cars covering several decades. Many of the entries have previously competed at classic events like Le Mans and the Indy 500. SVRA is one of the oldest organizations in vintage racing, and the only one with a national presence, committed to presenting the best possible experience for competitors and fans. From 200 MPH INDY and Formula 1 cars to classic Jaguars and Porsches, SVRA races provide a rolling history of motorsport where the cars are the stars at legendary tracks across the country.
The SVRA Spring Vintage Festival Weekend lineup includes race groups for all twelve SVRA classes including Formula 5000, Formula Ford, sports racing, and production sports cars. The classes feature the best classic sportscars from prestigious marques such as Lotus, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Porsche and Corvette with models from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. The Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.), Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas) series, Mazda Miata Heritage Cup Series, OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car championship and the Hagerty Cars & Caffeine vintage car rally will bolster the SVRA schedule for the weekend.
New this season is the opportunity to upgrade admission tickets to include access to the Finish Line Tower suites. The Finish Line Tower is located right at the Start/Finish line on the front straight across from the Main Paddock. Suites are furnished, climate-controlled, staffed with an attendant, and have restrooms conveniently located on the same floor. Two high-definition screens feature timing and scoring and a live feed of the races.
You’ll find Road America along Highway 67, just north of Plymouth and Highway 23 and a few miles west of Highway 57 in Sheboygan County, right by the beautiful resort town of Elkhart Lake.
Road America Address for Spring Vintage Weekend:
N7390 Highway 67
Plymouth, WI 53073
(800) 365-7223 Website
Check out the newest models of car, trucks, and while admiring the finest classics at the Milwaukee Auto Show! It’s back to Wisconsin State Fair Park Expo Center in West Allis May 14th-17th, 2026 showcasing the latest models, vintage antiques, muscle cars, and more. Over 350 vehicles will be on display; you can take some for test drives!
Cars, trucks, SUVs. Crossovers, Alternate Fuel Vehicles and more will be available to see, touch, sit in, and even test drive. Enjoy the Luxury Lineup, the Exotic Vehicles display, the Bennett Coachworks Showcase, and have some family fun with the Tricky Trails Golf Links right inside the show!
Details on everything available can be found on their website. It’s presented by ADAMM, the Automobile Dealers Association of Mega Milwaukee.
Tickets are $15 for adults 13 and over if they are pre-ordered online ($15 at the gate), Children ages 7-12 are $7.50, Senior Citizens (62+ are $13 . Children under 7 are admitted free. All ticket details are available here. Parking is accessible on area streets and garages, including the Clark Garage at 623 W. Wisconsin Avenue, one block from the Baird Center. Parking is $12 but you can save 40% when you pay in advance. All the details here.
It’s back again! Green Bay welcomes the annual Titletown Train Show to the KI Convention Center – May 9-10, 2026. One of the largest train shows in Wisconsin, it features over 42,000 square feet of trains and accessories, including:
15+ operating display layouts, in all scales
Dozens of friendly vendors, selling everything trains
Register to win a complete train set given away at the end of the show!
Other hourly door prizes
Kids train ride
Modeling contest
Demonstrations
National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) information
Local model “ambassadors” to answer your questions
Children’s activities
Many call model railroading the “World’s Greatest Hobby” and the Titletown Train Show offers a terrific look at this hobby. Just to the west across the Fox River from where it takes place, you can visit Green Bay’s original train station in what is now part of the original Titletown Brewing Company. Furthermore, the National Railroad Museum is on the city’s south side just off Highway 32, and makes a great complement to your visit!
You’ll find the KI Convention Center in downtown Green Bay, right along U.S. 141/Main Street. Highway 29 (Walnut Street) is one block to the south and Highways 54 and 57 (Monroe and University Avenues) are two blocks to the east. They provide easy access via any of these roads from I-41 and I-43, too.
Titletown Train Show Tickets:
Tickets are sold at the door the day of the event.
Ages 13-64 – $7
Seniors 65+ – $6
Ages 6-12 – $w
Ages 0-5 – FREE
Parking is FREE, too!
Titletown Train Show Address:
KI Convention Center
333 Main Street (U.S. 141)
Green Bay, WI 54301
(920) 217-5318 Website
Downtown Baraboo Fair on the Square happens semi-annually, in May and October. The May event takes place Saturday, May 9th from 9 am to 4 pm on the Sauk County Courthouse Square. Over 150 artists and crafters from all over the Midwest will be there, along with plenty of food, a farmer’s market, live music, family entertainment, and more.
The farmer’s market will begin at 7:30 am and run through 1 pm. Children’s activities include face painting, bounce houses, and more lasting for the duration of the Baraboo Fair on the Square.
Surrounding the square, you’ll find plenty of shops, the Al. Ringling Theater, and more. U.S. 12 skirts the west side of Baraboo, Highways 33 and 113 bring you right downtown.
Downtown Baraboo Fair on the Square Address:
Courthouse Square, Sauk County Courthouse
515 Oak Street
Baraboo, WI 53913
(608) 448-3490 Website
The annual 100 Mile Garage Sale is coming up! Spreading across miles and miles of roads on both sides of the Mississippi River, this fun event is perfect for driving and shopping from Thursday, May 7th through Sunday, May 10th.
Every year, Lake Pepin historic river towns in both Wisconsin and Minnesota clean out their attics, garages and basements to create the most spectacular garage sale around. Bargain hunters can start anywhere along the river road – Minnesota or Wisconsin – rain or shine. The 100 Mile Garage Sale extends from Winona north to Red Wing on the Minnesota side of the River and Fountain City north to Prescott on the Wisconsin side of the River. Thousands of individuals and businesses participate with their own garage sales, often whole neighborhoods. While there are no maps indicating the exact location of the individual sales they are very easy to find and are identified by signage and pink balloons or ribbons. Many of the people who visit the Region for the garage sale weekend start on Thursday and stay until Sunday morning. They often comment that they attended half of the sales that they saw. You won’t have any problem what-so-ever finding as many garage sales as you feel like attending! Follow the trail marked with colored balloons or ribbons of participating sales and you’ll find deals, steals and fun.
Sales on the Minnesota side run from Hastings along U.S. 61 south to Winona; on the Wisconsin side the sales go from Fountain City on the south to Prescott on the north, all centered around Pepin – and you have to check out the gorgeous views of Lake Pepin! Don’t miss it!
100 Mile Garage Sale Address:
Various locations, centered around Pepin along Highway 35 in Wisconsin and U.S. 14/61 in Minnesota
Information: (651) 307-8364 Website
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, May 1st is next for First Fridays Racine
The first First Fridays in 2026 will take place Friday (of course), May 1st from 4 pm to 9 pm. The theme is Creative Crawl!
The Creative Crawl will be a citywide celebration of art, creativity, and community. Enjoy hands-on activities, artist demos, local author readings, pop-up exhibits, and more throughout Downtown Racine. More details to come!
As always, Downtown Racine’s merchants, restaurants, and bars are rolling out the red carpet with shopping and dining deals that are too good to pass up. Live music will fill the air at hotspots like Brickhouse, The Ivanhoe, Marci’s on Main, Reefpoint Brew House, Dimples, Chartroom, and Uncorkt, keeping the party going all night long.
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
Mmmm… Grilled Cheese. Can it get any better?? Dodgeville is “Grilled Cheese Central” on Saturday, April 25, 2026 as the Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship takes place at the Leo Pavilion in Harris Park. Amateurs and professionals compete in 4 “heats” to determine the best grilled cheese sandwiches in Wisconsin and compete for fabulous prizes. Listen to live music, drink some beer and wine, sample outstanding grilled cheese sandwiches. Fun for all ages. Free admission! Get all the details at their website, grilledcheesewisconsin.com.
You can get to Dodgeville via U.S. 18 & 151 and Highway 23. Any trip is worth it for grilled cheese!
Our previous favorites have included the Gouda Girls (below); Tina and Katherine make grilled cheese sandwich combos that win all across the nation. They’re based in Milwaukee and do incredible things with taste buds. Our head State Trunk Tour guy Eric Paulsen got to experience their creations firsthand in this Discover Wisconsinepisode. We don’t have any vote, though, so we’ll see how this goes.
Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship Address:
Harris Park
600 Bennett Road
Dodgeville, WI 53533
(608) 935-9200 Website
The annual Between the Bluffs Beverages & Bites Festival returns Saturday, April 25th, 2026! Between the Bluffs brings together craft beverages, THC, and non-alcoholic/mocktail drinks, specialty meats, and artisan cheeses from the La Crosse Region, across Wisconsin, and throughout the Midwest. Don’t forget to sign-up for the Coulee Region Cornhole Tournament and play some Hammer-Schlagen.
It all begins Friday evening, April 24th, with Friday Night: Taster’s Eve. You can buy a wristband and ride the shuttles to various participating establishments for specials and tap take-overs by guest breweries attending the fest.
The main festival takes place at La Crosse’s Southside Oktoberfest Grounds on Saturday afternoon, April 25rd, with general admission ($50) from 2-6pm. VIP tickets ($90) allow for a noon entry. Details on what you get with each are below!
Here’s how it has looked in previous years!
Sunday, April 26th is the Bacon Bloody Brunch! Jump back on the horse or come out for a “Sunday Funday” at the Oktoberfest Grounds! Enjoy specialty breakfast drinks, yard games, live music, and of course BACON. Specialty drinks include beer bloodies, mimosas and breakfast beer served up by Del’s Bar, Pearl Street Brewery, and Surly Brewing Company. For eats, enjoy giant pancakes served up by Mindoro Lions Club, bacon provided by Bubba’s Meats and Premier Catering, cheesy potatoes, and eggs. Coffee will also be available.
For Sunday’s Bacon Bloody Brunch, tickets are available for $15, which are available online or at the gates. You must be 21 years or older and show ID at the gate.
I-90, U.S. 14/61, U.S. 53, and Highways 16, 33, and 35 all bring you to La Crosse, and they’re all beautiful drives as you head “Between the Bluffs”!
Between the Bluffs Beverages & Bites Festival Address:
Southside Oktoberfest Grounds
2nd & La Crosse Streets
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 782-2250 or (800) 658-9424 Website
Come and browse over 99 acres of Jefferson County Fair Park for classics, collectibles and parts to find that special piece for your collection. The 46th Annual Spring Jefferson Swap Meet & Car Show runs April 24-25, 2026 and features more than 3,100 vendor spaces and hundreds of cars for sale. The Swap Meet and Car Corral is all three days and the car show is Saturday and Sunday only. For the auto enthusiasts this swap meet boasts thousands of car parts and car accessory vendors making it a great place to buy or sell those hard to find car parts. For those looking to buy or sell cars, the Cars for Sale Corral is full of hundreds of cars of all makes and models for sale.
The feature cars are Drag Cars, but all makes and models are welcome at the car show.
Admission is $15 per adult; kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by paying adult. Parking is included in the admission price; no pets are allowed. The Jefferson County Fairgrounds are near U.S. 18 and the junction with the Highway 26 bypass, very close to Highway 89. It’s all about 7 miles south of I-94’s Johnson Creek exit via Highway 26. Hours are 8am – 4pm Friday and 6am – 4pm Saturday.
While in Jefferson, head downtown and try a burger at Wedl’s, the smallest burger stand in the country. It’s a State Trunk Tour favorite! Also see what’s developing along the Rock River and along Business Highway 26… Jefferson has a lot developing right now!
Jefferson, the seat of Jefferson County along the Rock River, is easily accessible via U.S. 18 or Highway 26; Highway 89 approaches from the west, I-94 passes to the north by about 6 miles. Jefferson is best accessed from I-94 via Exit 267.
Spring Jefferson Swap Meet & Car Show Address:
Jefferson County Fair Park
503 N. Jackson Avenue
Jefferson, WI 53549
(608) 244-8416 Website
The Midwest Gaming Classic is a 350,000+ square foot trade show featuring over 10,000 games on free play, along with over 200 vendors and over 100 industry guests! It’s the largest and longest-running all-encompassing gaming event, and it takes place at Milwaukee’s Baird Center April 24-26, 2026 – and it’s the 25th anniversary!
Celebrate gaming, try new things, learn about the gaming hobby, meet others who share the love of gaming, and have fun doing it! We feature retro and modern home video game consoles, pinball machines, arcade video games, tabletop RPGs, computers, tabletop board games, crane games, collectible card games, air hockey, and much more.
No matter if you have one game or thousands of games in every room of your house, you’ll find something to love!
Enjoy the resurging downtown area of Beloit while you taste a variety of wines at a multitude of venues! General registration includes a commemorative etched wine glass and 2 ounce sips at 10 venues of your choice. You must be 21 years of age or older to participate. It all begins when you check in at the Downtown Beloit Association, 557 E. Grand Avenue. The Spring Wine Walk takes place across several blocks of the downtown area.
VIP registration includes VIP treatment at Grand Slam with appetizers, wine tasting, swag bag, stainless steel wine tumbler, raffle chance to win a $50 Downtown Beloit Gift Card and more! Limited to 50 tickets. Must be 21 years of age or older. Registration will start at 1 pm at Grand Slam with drawings at 1:50 pm.
The Trolley will be available to take you to all of our destinations so watch for it and be ready to hop on board!
Early registration will be available Thursday, April 16th through Friday, April 17th from 9 am to 5 pm at the Downtown Beloit Association office, 557 E. Grand Avenue. U.S. 51, Highway 81, and Highway 213 all bring you to the downtown area, which is minutes away from I-39/90 and I-43.
Downtown Beloit Spring Wine Walk Address:
557 E. Grand Avenue
Beloit, WI 53511
(608) 365-0150 Website
The 18th Annual Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival returns to the legendary Brat Stop in Kenosha on Saturday, April 18th! This fun-filled event features a variety of Wisconsin cheeses, some of the most sought after beers from Wisconsin and beyond and awesome live music!. This is a “don’t miss event” for anybody who likes beer, cheese and music!
The festival typically draws over 900 attendees and features over 100 different styles of beer, a home brew competition, and local breweries with unlimited beer and cheese samples. Additionally, live music plays all afternoon with the Empty Bottle Boys and One Shot Jane performing. They play in the Parkway Chateau, adjacent to the Brat Stop.
Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival Tickets
The Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival has a rather extensive VIP ticket package. For $80 in advance or $85 at the door, VIP fest goers receive a lunch buffet courtesy of Festival Foods, specialty cheese and beers, a VIP beer stein and an extra hour of festing! The food buffet is available for the duration of the fest from noon until 5 p.m.
General admission ticketsare $55 in advance and $60 at the door. All tickets include a commemorative glass, live music and four hours of unlimited beer and cheese samples. Designated driver tickets are $15. This is a 21+ only event.
Last time we checked over 50 different brewers will be there. They include large brewers like Miller and Coors to small craft brewers including Lakefront, Bell’s, Toppling Goliath, Bare Bones, Alaskan, and more. Local home brew societies also represent at the festival. All will be pouring samples and providing info about their beers and brewing processes. Also, great food – including brats – will be part of the sustenance as the bands serenade your eating, drinking, talking, and enjoying.
Wisconsin Dells’ own Dells On Tap: Signature Springtime Sips embraces spring in a NEW location!
This year, Dells On Tap: Signature Springtime Sips takes place on Saturday, April 18th, and it moves to Newport Park, right on the Lower Dells overlooking the Wisconsin River. They offer samples from many of Wisconsin’s craft beer producers, including Al Ringling, Hillsboro, Moosejaw, Pals, Lombardi, New Glarus, Titletown, Untitled Art and Vintage. You can also enjoy live entertainment, cornhole games, and food for sale.
General admission tickets are $50 and include a tasting mug. They can be purchased online HERE. Parking for the event will be at nearby Kaminski Park and shuttle services are available to the event site.
This is on top of all the things there are to throughout the Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton areas, from water parks to fun shops, museums, and even the World’s Largest Wooden Trojan Horse along Wisconsin Dells Parkway! Hit I-90/94, U.S. 12, or Highways 13, 16, or 23.
You’ll find the festivities in Wisconsin Dells (of course), an easy ride off I-90/94 (Exits 85-92), U.S. 12, or Highways 13, 16, or 23.
Wisconsin Dells On Tap Address:
70 County Road A
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(800) 223-3557 Event Website
Lake Geneva Restaurant Week gives you an opportunity to sample unique dishes and often nice deals at over 45 venues across the area from April 18th to April 26th, 2026!
It’s a culinary adventure, showcasing the best dining experiences in the area. Participating Lake Geneva restaurants will serve up special menus, exclusive deals, and creative dishes that highlight local flavors. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore new restaurants or revisit old favorites while enjoying the beauty of the area.
Restaurants will create exclusive menus at special pricing available only during the nine days of Restaurant Week. Featured restaurants range from casual cafes and bistros to elegant fine dining and fabulous lake views – a vibe for every palate! These restaurants are one-of-a-kind, locally owned establishments where owners and chefs part of the dining experience in Lake Geneva,
bringing not only their culinary talents but also their personality and experiences which resonate with guests.
Sips & Snacks:Go “Beyond the Plate” as local sweet shops, cheese shops, breweries, and wineries will also get in the foodie game by featuring special Sips & Snacks offers during Restaurant Week. Think beer and cheese or desserts and wine pairings, sweet treats, and late-night snacks.
Dining for a Cause – Lake Geneva Restaurant Week isn’t just about great food, it’s also about great causes. The Charity Check Ballot is a tradition created to raise awareness for the many non-profit organizations doing important work in the community. During Restaurant Week, diners receive a Charity Check Ballot each time they dine at a participating Restaurant Week location. They use the ballot to vote for one of the Charity Check nominees. (The more you dine, the more you can vote!) The top four charities with
the most votes will each receive a $2,500 donation courtesy of the 2025 Charity Check Sponsor, none other than Tito’s Handmade Vodka!
Beyond wonderful places to eat and drink, the Lake Geneva area offers one-of-a-kind attractions, activities, and adventures, both indoors and out. Plus great shopping, world-class entertainment, and a bevy of options for lodging from cozy B&Bs to sprawling resorts offering every activity imaginable. VisitLakeGeneva.com has your guide to it all!
Happening quarterly, Gallery Night & Day is one of the premier art events in Milwaukee. It’s the “Ultimate Art Weekend,” with over 50 venues throughout the Historic Third Ward and Downtown that serve as showcases for viewing art from paintings to sculptures to other creative outlets. Bars and restaurants stay open later than usual Friday night, while Saturday is a prime time to continue the gallery gallivanting while also enjoying the area’s unique and eclectic selection of shops.
Along with art galleries, Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward is filled with locally-owned boutique shops along with national stores like Anthropologie, Designs Within Reach, Francesca’s, Mod Gen, Retique, Warby Parker, Lululemon Athletica, and more. You can also stop in Wizard Works Brewing orBroken Bat Brewery for craft beer, or Vino 100 or Thief Wine in the Milwaukee Public Market for a fantastic selection of wines. Numerous restaurants in the Third Ward offer everything from bar food to Asian fusion, Indian cuisine, American and Korean barbecue, and Italian – plus Shake Shack. The Milwaukee Public Marketdraws visitors from all over and offers takeaway and ready-to-eat food, drinks, and sundries in one dynamic setting.
This quarter, Gallery Night runs Friday and Saturday, April 17th and 18th. Activities begin late afternoon Friday and run through Saturday afternoon. I-43/94, I-794, U.S. 18, and Highway 32 are all amidst where it takes place; Highways 38, 59, and 145 get you close! The city has signs directing you to the Third Ward from the Marquette Interchange. You can also ride The Hop, the local streetcar
Full details and venue listings are available on their website. You’ll find the latest listings of shops, galleries, bars, restaurants, and more – things develop and change quickly in the Third Ward!
Gallery Night & Day Address:
Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward
300 N. Broadway (and all over the area)
Milwaukee, WI 53202 Website
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events
May 16, 2026
Hartford Classic Car Show
The annual Hartford Classic Car Show is back for 2026 and it runs Saturday, May 16th this year! Check out some amazing classic cars on display on Main Street (Highway 83) from 10am – 3pm, with an awards ceremony at 2:30. Cars and trucks are categorized by era:
Trucks will be categorized as pre-1960 and post-1960.
Those wanting to display their cars and trucks can enter for $15 on Saturday the 16th.
If you’re visiting the Hartford Classic Car Show, you can enjoy the beautiful vehicles and explore many more at the Wisconsin Automotive Museum a block away. The Museum features some true classics, including Wisconsin-made brands like Nash, American Motors, and the Hartford-made Kissel models. The Southeastern Wisconsin Short Track Hall of Fame is also there, plus other race cars, real trains, and a huge Lionel layout that will “wow” any car or train buff.
Of course, you can also visit The Mineshaft, the famous Wisconsin restaurant that serves as one of the state’s largest, with a huge game room on the second floor. Other great shops can be found up and down Main Street (Highway 83) and some of the nearby blocks as well. Scoop de Ville, for example, is a great old-fashioned sweet treat shop that supports the car show and you’ll find them right on Main Street.
Other sights in Hartford include the beautiful Willowbrook Park, which has classic stone buildings and bridges right along Highway 60/Sumner Street. The Schwartz Ballroom on the city’s south side is a classic dance hall, built in 1928 with a rich history of hosting events, musicians, and more. And of course, Pike Lake State Park is on Hartford’s eastern edge as part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Weather should be great for all kinds of fun!
Of course, Highways 60 and 83 meet in downtown Hartford and they’re the best ways to get there. Hartford is less than 10 minutes west of I-41, Highway 164, and Highway 175.
Hartford Classic Car Show Address:
Downtown Hartford (Highways 60 & 83)
33 N. Hartford, WI 53027
(262) 673-7002
Website
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May 16, 2026 – May 17, 2026
Automotion Classic Car Show
Familiar with any of those terms?
If yes, you’re probably already a fan of Automotion. If you haven’t experienced Automotion, head to the Dells the weekend of May 16-17, 2026! Some 1,000 classic rides are expected at the 40th Annual Automotion Classic Car Show. There will be music, food, car corral and swap meet too.
Cruise over to 350 Broadway on Saturday, May 16th from 2-9 PM where we’ll be celebrating some of movie and TV’s most iconic cars at “Hollywood at Elm Street Plaza.” Replica cars such as the Blues Brothers’ Bluesmobile, Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine, the Batmobile, and the Ghostbusters’ Ecto-1 will be on full display, so set your reminders and get your camera ready!
Check the full schedule of events below!
I-90/94, U.S. 12, and Highways 13, 16, and 23 all bring you to the Dells. And with the weather and conditions in May, the natural beauty of the area can’t be beat! Check out Automotion and then all the sights across Wisconsin Dells, Lake Delton, nearby Mirror Lake State Park, and more.
Automotion Address:
Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park
1881 Wisconsin Dells Parkway
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(800) 223-3557
Website
AUTOMOTION SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
All spectator parking is at the Tommy Bartlett Show lot, 560 Wisconsin Dells Parkway. Shuttle service sponsored by the Original Wisconsin Ducks® and Dells Boat Tours®. Schedule subject to change.
Saturday, May 16th, 2026
7 am – 5 pm Gates Open at Mt. Olympus Resort
7 am – 5 pm Concessions
7 am – 4 pm Auto Show, Swap Meet & Car Corral
7 am – 4 pm Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio
8 am – 3 pm Registrations for Auto Show & Car Corral
9 am – 3 pm Kids Activities
9 am – 2 pm Fire Truck Display
10 am – 4 pm Family Entertainment & Face Painting
2 pm – 9 pm Hollywood on Broadway (Downtown Wisconsin Dells at 350 Broadway
Sunday, May 17th, 2026
7 am – 3 pm Gates Open at Mt. Olympus Resort
7 am – 3 pm Concessions
7 am – 3 pm Auto Show, Swap Meet & Car Corral
7 am – 3 pm Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio
8 am – 2 pm Registrations for Auto Show & Car Corral
(Please note you must be registered by 10 am
to be considered for awards)
9 am – 2 pm Kids Activities
9 am – 1 pm Fire Truck Display
10 am – 2 pm Family Entertainment & Face Painting
2 pm Awards Presentation (Must be present to win)
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May 15, 2026 – May 17, 2026
Wisconsin Cheese Festival
The 3rd annual Wisconsin Cheese Festival runs May 15-17, 2026 at Lake Geneva House of Music, which is a very cool live music venue located right along County H (the original U.S. 12) in Lake Geneva! Wisconsin Cheese is amazing, and a festival further celebrating it will be a blast, since we know how much you love cheese!
The festival is a gathering of cheese makers and lovers, farmers, artisans and vendors to celebrate what is obviously Wisconsin’s most famous food. You can also enjoy world-class Americana, alt-country, folk and bluegrass music, whiskey, wine and craft beer. Plus fun contests, educational presentations, fantastic music, and then a delicious variety of creative foods including BBQ, locally-made pies, pig bacon candy, curds and more. During the fest, you can even learn about cheese sculpting and participate in a Stein Hoisting Competition Saturday night! It’s a particularly family-friendly weekend at the Lake Geneva House of Music festival grounds. Get the full list of vendors here!
Geneva Cheese Festival has FREE Admission this year! Get Tickets Here
It’s easy to get to Lake Geneva House of Music, just follow County H north from Lake Geneva. If you’d rather, you can certainly head south from U.S. 12 by the I-43 interchange when you reach County NN south of Elkhorn. Similarly, Highway 67 brings you close. Then just follow H until you see all the action! Prior to 1973, this was the original route of U.S. 12 before they built the freeway (some fun trivia for road geeks like us!)
Geneva Cheese Festival Address:
Lake Geneva House of Music
N3241 County Trunk H (formerly U.S. 12)
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262) 248-0606
Website
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May 15, 2026 – May 17, 2026
Syttende Mai Festival, Stoughton
Stoughton’s Syttende Mai festival is a weekend-long celebration of Norwegian heritage featuring fun activities and cultural experiences for the whole family. Check out three days of parades, amazing food and drink, arts and music, athletic competitions, and kids’ activities steeped in centuries of Norwegian culture. From the late 1800s to the early 1900s, Stoughton enjoyed an influx of Norwegians, and at one time, as many as 75 percent of its residents spoke Norwegian. These immigrants celebrated Syttende Mai unofficially, but it became an annual, city-wide tradition in the 1950s.
The city-wide festival takes place every year on the weekend closest to Norway’s May 17th Constitution Day, also known as Syttende Mai. In 2026, the festivities run through the weekend of May 15th through the 17th. The Arts & Crafts Fair attracts arts and crafts enthusiasts and artists who appreciate Norwegian culture and its role in the arts. The Stoughton festival features an annual juried craft fair where artisans and artists show and sell their hand-crafted works. The Norwegian art of rosemaling, or decorative painting, traditional Norwegian embroidery and quilts are all on display. Many artists hold public demonstrations of how they create their works, too. It’s a great opportunity for Stoughton festival-goers to meet the artists and appreciate the art’s deep roots in traditional Norwegian culture. It includes the Arts & Craft Fair, Hardanger Embroidery Exhibit, the Quilt Show, the Rosemaling Exhibit and Sale, and Norwegian Cultural Demonstrations. It runs Saturday from 10am — 6pm and Sunday from 9am — 2pm at River Bluff Middle School Gymnasium, Cafetorium, and Grounds at 235 N. Forrest Street in Stoughton.
Festival activities include:
Syttende Mai Festival Address:
via Stoughton Chamber of Commerce
532 E. Main Street
Stoughton, WI 53589
(608) 873-7912
Website
More details below!
Stoughton Norwegian Dancers
This dance troupe delights audiences with their intricate footwork, athleticism, and enthusiasm for traditional Norwegian culture. Around since 1952 and clad in traditional Norwegian costumes, or bunad, their dancing to music from the fjords, and their colorful and captivating performances are in demand nationwide. You’ll be able to see the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers and their traditional folk performances every day during the three-day Syttende Mai festival.
Other Live Performances
While enjoying all the Syttende Mai sights and delicious foods, don’t forget to experience the music, dance, and theater performances. Be sure to catch a Norwegian Dancer performance to experience Scandinavian folk dancing. Attend a Stoughton Village Players theatrical performance written and performed by local actors who are expert at presenting the humorous side of life in Stoughton. Be sure to seek out a Hardanger fiddle performance to see and hear these beautiful instruments up close.
Enjoy:
Crowning the Syttende Mai Royalty
Check out the crowning of Syttende Mai’s event ambassadors in a tradition that spans five decades. Stoughton’s Syttende Mai royalty kick off the three-day event and declare the weekend a statewide celebration.
Those who wear the Syttende Mai crown receive the honor for their commitment to community service and keeping the local Norwegian culture alive. Each year, a couple learns of their nomination in September and must keep it a secret from everyone, even friends and family, for five months. During the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers’ February Norse Afternoon of Fun, the new king and queen receive their crowns and join previous years’ honorees.
Although their reign is symbolic, the annual Syttende Mai King and Queen dress in traditional Norwegian clothing, or bunad, for the entire festival. In addition to opening the festival, the couple attend more than 40 events over the weekend. They are the festival’s icons and serve as cultural ambassadors to visitors. Have questions about the Norwegian cultural demonstrations, colors, music, foods and costumes you see? Ask this year’s king and queen (or one of our many volunteers).
Young people participate in the Syttende Mai royalty tradition, too. Two local third-grade students are selected as the festival’s annual Prince and Princess and are chosen to carry on Norwegian traditions among their peers. They serve as grand marshals of the Saturday Youth Parade, ride in the Sunday Norwegian Parade, and start The Lil’ Run. The pair also attend the opening dinner and make other appearances throughout the Syttende Mai festival.
Again, you’ll find Stoughton along U.S. 51 and Highway 138, southeast of Madison. I-39/90 and U.S. 14 also bring you close!
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May 15, 2026 – May 16, 2026
Morel Mushroom Festival
Muscoda celebrates the Morel Mushroom Festival every May, which is only fitting because that’s prime growing season in this “Morel Mushroom Capital of Wisconsin.” These unique mushrooms are considered quite a delicacy by top chefs everywhere; there are message boards and recipes and all kinds of resources for morel lovers. The soil in the Muscoda area is particularly suited for the growth of morels and they fully embrace this fungi. In 2026, the festival takes place Friday, May 15th and Saturday, May 16th.
This year’s event starts Friday evening with the 5th Annual Car Cruise Drive-In – all modes of transportation encouraged to attend. Join them at the paved parking lot next to the Riverdale bus garage in the 500 block of North Wisconsin. Jose’s Mexican Food Truck and Jovita’s Kitchen will be there serving their specialties and Udder Brothers Creamery will have their delicious ice cream. Two blocks south, at Mushroom Headquarters along Highway 80, the grills will be going with American Legion burgers. There’s also the 1st annual Antique Farm & Tractor Pull, a Little League Baseball Tournament, and Thunder Showers Bounce Houses will be there for kids’ fun.
On Saturday, May 16th starting at 9:00am, the whole Village bursts with events. The bounce house and pedal tractor pulls are back, you can check out the Tiny Acres Farms Petting Zoo, beer samples from 11am-3pm, and a parade. The awesome arts and crafts vendors, (many new ones!) and chainsaw carving are at Railroad Park as well as Food Vendors there and along the streets.
At Mushroom Headquarters, there are tastings, grilling with mushroom brats and Legion burgers (and fried morels if they’re are available). The Food and Beverage tasting area will include Meister Cheese, Moore Eggs, Studnicka Cattle Company, Wild Hills Winery, Dirftless Gold Organic Maple Syrup, Gillingham Meads, and Spurgeon Winery. And for your listening pleasure and maybe dancing, live music by Donnie Reyzek.
You can also catch tours of Effigy mounds, which start at 1pm, and baseball with the Muscoda Mudcats also at 1pm.
A big feature is the “Spring Mystery” Parade down main street (AKA Wisconsin Avenue), which starts at 3:00. Members of the UW Band will also perform starting around 3:45.
When you want a sit-down meal, there is pancake breakfast until noon, a chili cookoff with judging and tasting at 1:00 and the famous Firemen’s Steak Feed at the firehouse beginning at 4:00 until the steaks are gone! Enjoy the river views as the evening concludes with fireworks at dusk.
The Morel Mushroom Festival Schedule is coming soon!
You’ll find Muscoda along Highway 80 between the Wisconsin River and Highway 133. Highway 60 is just across the river. And this town comes to party for its Morel Mushroom Festival! Check their website for updates and full schedules.
Morel Mushroom Festival Address:
Muscoda Village Hall
206 N. Wisconsin Avenue (Highway 80)
Muscoda, WI 53573
(608) 739-3182
Website
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May 15, 2026 – May 17, 2026
SVRA Spring Vintage Weekend at Road America
The SVRA Spring Vintage Festival Weekend at Road America, May 15-17, celebrates automotive racing’s glorious past. This vintage racing event brings the past back to life with the sights, sounds and smells from motorsport’s pioneering age both on and off the track.
The SVRA (SportsCar Vintage Racing Association) weekend at Road America includes a packed vintage race car schedule featuring classic race cars covering several decades. Many of the entries have previously competed at classic events like Le Mans and the Indy 500. SVRA is one of the oldest organizations in vintage racing, and the only one with a national presence, committed to presenting the best possible experience for competitors and fans. From 200 MPH INDY and Formula 1 cars to classic Jaguars and Porsches, SVRA races provide a rolling history of motorsport where the cars are the stars at legendary tracks across the country.
The SVRA Spring Vintage Festival Weekend lineup includes race groups for all twelve SVRA classes including Formula 5000, Formula Ford, sports racing, and production sports cars. The classes feature the best classic sportscars from prestigious marques such as Lotus, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Porsche and Corvette with models from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. The Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.), Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas) series, Mazda Miata Heritage Cup Series, OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car championship and the Hagerty Cars & Caffeine vintage car rally will bolster the SVRA schedule for the weekend.
New this season is the opportunity to upgrade admission tickets to include access to the Finish Line Tower suites. The Finish Line Tower is located right at the Start/Finish line on the front straight across from the Main Paddock. Suites are furnished, climate-controlled, staffed with an attendant, and have restrooms conveniently located on the same floor. Two high-definition screens feature timing and scoring and a live feed of the races.
Check their website for ticket and event details.
You’ll find Road America along Highway 67, just north of Plymouth and Highway 23 and a few miles west of Highway 57 in Sheboygan County, right by the beautiful resort town of Elkhart Lake.
Road America Address for Spring Vintage Weekend:
N7390 Highway 67
Plymouth, WI 53073
(800) 365-7223
Website
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May 14, 2026 – May 17, 2026
Milwaukee Auto Show
Check out the newest models of car, trucks, and while admiring the finest classics at the Milwaukee Auto Show! It’s back to Wisconsin State Fair Park Expo Center in West Allis May 14th-17th, 2026 showcasing the latest models, vintage antiques, muscle cars, and more. Over 350 vehicles will be on display; you can take some for test drives!
Details on everything available can be found on their website. It’s presented by ADAMM, the Automobile Dealers Association of Mega Milwaukee.
Tickets are $15 for adults 13 and over if they are pre-ordered online ($15 at the gate), Children ages 7-12 are $7.50, Senior Citizens (62+ are $13 . Children under 7 are admitted free. All ticket details are available here.
Parking is accessible on area streets and garages, including the Clark Garage at 623 W. Wisconsin Avenue, one block from the Baird Center. Parking is $12 but you can save 40% when you pay in advance. All the details here.
Hours:
Thursday Noon – 9pm
Friday & Saturday 10am – 9pm
Sunday 10am – 6pm
It’s a great auto show and easily accessible via I-94 and Highways 59 and 181. U.S. 18, I-41/U.S. 45/I-894, and Highway 100 all bring you close!
Milwaukee Auto Show Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Expo Center
8200 W. Greenfield Avenue/Highway 59
West Allis, WI 53214
(414) 908-6000
Website
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May 9, 2026 – May 10, 2026
Titletown Train Show
It’s back again! Green Bay welcomes the annual Titletown Train Show to the KI Convention Center – May 9-10, 2026. One of the largest train shows in Wisconsin, it features over 42,000 square feet of trains and accessories, including:
Many call model railroading the “World’s Greatest Hobby” and the Titletown Train Show offers a terrific look at this hobby. Just to the west across the Fox River from where it takes place, you can visit Green Bay’s original train station in what is now part of the original Titletown Brewing Company. Furthermore, the National Railroad Museum is on the city’s south side just off Highway 32, and makes a great complement to your visit!
You’ll find the KI Convention Center in downtown Green Bay, right along U.S. 141/Main Street. Highway 29 (Walnut Street) is one block to the south and Highways 54 and 57 (Monroe and University Avenues) are two blocks to the east. They provide easy access via any of these roads from I-41 and I-43, too.
Titletown Train Show Tickets:
Tickets are sold at the door the day of the event.
Ages 13-64 – $7
Seniors 65+ – $6
Ages 6-12 – $w
Ages 0-5 – FREE
Parking is FREE, too!
Titletown Train Show Address:
KI Convention Center
333 Main Street (U.S. 141)
Green Bay, WI 54301
(920) 217-5318
Website
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Downtown Baraboo Fair on the Square
Downtown Baraboo Fair on the Square happens semi-annually, in May and October. The May event takes place Saturday, May 9th from 9 am to 4 pm on the Sauk County Courthouse Square. Over 150 artists and crafters from all over the Midwest will be there, along with plenty of food, a farmer’s market, live music, family entertainment, and more.
The farmer’s market will begin at 7:30 am and run through 1 pm. Children’s activities include face painting, bounce houses, and more lasting for the duration of the Baraboo Fair on the Square.
Surrounding the square, you’ll find plenty of shops, the Al. Ringling Theater, and more. U.S. 12 skirts the west side of Baraboo, Highways 33 and 113 bring you right downtown.
Downtown Baraboo Fair on the Square Address:
Courthouse Square, Sauk County Courthouse
515 Oak Street
Baraboo, WI 53913
(608) 448-3490
Website
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May 7, 2026 – May 10, 2026
100 Mile Garage Sale along the Great River Road
Every year, Lake Pepin historic river towns in both Wisconsin and Minnesota clean out their attics, garages and basements to create the most spectacular garage sale around. Bargain hunters can start anywhere along the river road – Minnesota or Wisconsin – rain or shine. The 100 Mile Garage Sale extends from Winona north to Red Wing on the Minnesota side of the River and Fountain City north to Prescott on the Wisconsin side of the River. Thousands of individuals and businesses participate with their own garage sales, often whole neighborhoods. While there are no maps indicating the exact location of the individual sales they are very easy to find and are identified by signage and pink balloons or ribbons. Many of the people who visit the Region for the garage sale weekend start on Thursday and stay until Sunday morning. They often comment that they attended half of the sales that they saw. You won’t have any problem what-so-ever finding as many garage sales as you feel like attending! Follow the trail marked with colored balloons or ribbons of participating sales and you’ll find deals, steals and fun.
Sales on the Minnesota side run from Hastings along U.S. 61 south to Winona; on the Wisconsin side the sales go from Fountain City on the south to Prescott on the north, all centered around Pepin – and you have to check out the gorgeous views of Lake Pepin! Don’t miss it!
100 Mile Garage Sale Address:
Various locations, centered around Pepin along Highway 35 in Wisconsin and U.S. 14/61 in Minnesota
Information: (651) 307-8364
Website
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May 1, 2026
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, May 1st is next for First Fridays Racine
The first First Fridays in 2026 will take place Friday (of course), May 1st from 4 pm to 9 pm. The theme is Creative Crawl!
The Creative Crawl will be a citywide celebration of art, creativity, and community. Enjoy hands-on activities, artist demos, local author readings, pop-up exhibits, and more throughout Downtown Racine. More details to come!
As always, Downtown Racine’s merchants, restaurants, and bars are rolling out the red carpet with shopping and dining deals that are too good to pass up. Live music will fill the air at hotspots like Brickhouse, The Ivanhoe, Marci’s on Main, Reefpoint Brew House, Dimples, Chartroom, and Uncorkt, keeping the party going all night long.
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.
Monument Square
100 Main Street
Racine, WI 53403
(262) 634-4287
Website
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April 25, 2026
Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship
You can get to Dodgeville via U.S. 18 & 151 and Highway 23. Any trip is worth it for grilled cheese!
Our previous favorites have included the Gouda Girls (below); Tina and Katherine make grilled cheese sandwich combos that win all across the nation. They’re based in Milwaukee and do incredible things with taste buds. Our head State Trunk Tour guy Eric Paulsen got to experience their creations firsthand in this Discover Wisconsin episode. We don’t have any vote, though, so we’ll see how this goes.
Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship Address:
Harris Park
600 Bennett Road
Dodgeville, WI 53533
(608) 935-9200
Website
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Between the Bluffs Beer Wine and Cheese Festival
The annual Between the Bluffs Beverages & Bites Festival returns Saturday, April 25th, 2026! Between the Bluffs brings together craft beverages, THC, and non-alcoholic/mocktail drinks, specialty meats, and artisan cheeses from the La Crosse Region, across Wisconsin, and throughout the Midwest. Don’t forget to sign-up for the Coulee Region Cornhole Tournament and play some Hammer-Schlagen.
It all begins Friday evening, April 24th, with Friday Night: Taster’s Eve. You can buy a wristband and ride the shuttles to various participating establishments for specials and tap take-overs by guest breweries attending the fest.
The main festival takes place at La Crosse’s Southside Oktoberfest Grounds on Saturday afternoon, April 25rd, with general admission ($50) from 2-6pm. VIP tickets ($90) allow for a noon entry. Details on what you get with each are below!
Here’s how it has looked in previous years!
Sunday, April 26th is the Bacon Bloody Brunch! Jump back on the horse or come out for a “Sunday Funday” at the Oktoberfest Grounds! Enjoy specialty breakfast drinks, yard games, live music, and of course BACON. Specialty drinks include beer bloodies, mimosas and breakfast beer served up by Del’s Bar, Pearl Street Brewery, and Surly Brewing Company. For eats, enjoy giant pancakes served up by Mindoro Lions Club, bacon provided by Bubba’s Meats and Premier Catering, cheesy potatoes, and eggs. Coffee will also be available.
For Sunday’s Bacon Bloody Brunch, tickets are available for $15, which are available online or at the gates. You must be 21 years or older and show ID at the gate.
I-90, U.S. 14/61, U.S. 53, and Highways 16, 33, and 35 all bring you to La Crosse, and they’re all beautiful drives as you head “Between the Bluffs”!
Between the Bluffs Beverages & Bites Festival Address:
Southside Oktoberfest Grounds
2nd & La Crosse Streets
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 782-2250 or (800) 658-9424
Website
Between the Bluffs Ticket ($65-70) Details:
General Admission Tickets include:
VIP Tickets ($110) Include:
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April 24, 2026 – April 25, 2026
Spring Jefferson Swap Meet & Car Show
The Spring Jefferson Swap Meet & Car Show is the largest swap meet in the Midwest!
Come and browse over 99 acres of Jefferson County Fair Park for classics, collectibles and parts to find that special piece for your collection. The 46th Annual Spring Jefferson Swap Meet & Car Show runs April 24-25, 2026 and features more than 3,100 vendor spaces and hundreds of cars for sale. The Swap Meet and Car Corral is all three days and the car show is Saturday and Sunday only. For the auto enthusiasts this swap meet boasts thousands of car parts and car accessory vendors making it a great place to buy or sell those hard to find car parts. For those looking to buy or sell cars, the Cars for Sale Corral is full of hundreds of cars of all makes and models for sale.
The feature cars are Drag Cars, but all makes and models are welcome at the car show.
Admission is $15 per adult; kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by paying adult. Parking is included in the admission price; no pets are allowed. The Jefferson County Fairgrounds are near U.S. 18 and the junction with the Highway 26 bypass, very close to Highway 89. It’s all about 7 miles south of I-94’s Johnson Creek exit via Highway 26. Hours are 8am – 4pm Friday and 6am – 4pm Saturday.
While in Jefferson, head downtown and try a burger at Wedl’s, the smallest burger stand in the country. It’s a State Trunk Tour favorite! Also see what’s developing along the Rock River and along Business Highway 26… Jefferson has a lot developing right now!
Jefferson, the seat of Jefferson County along the Rock River, is easily accessible via U.S. 18 or Highway 26; Highway 89 approaches from the west, I-94 passes to the north by about 6 miles. Jefferson is best accessed from I-94 via Exit 267.
Spring Jefferson Swap Meet & Car Show Address:
Jefferson County Fair Park
503 N. Jackson Avenue
Jefferson, WI 53549
(608) 244-8416
Website
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April 24, 2026 – April 26, 2026
Midwest Gaming Classic
The Midwest Gaming Classic is a 350,000+ square foot trade show featuring over 10,000 games on free play, along with over 200 vendors and over 100 industry guests! It’s the largest and longest-running all-encompassing gaming event, and it takes place at Milwaukee’s Baird Center April 24-26, 2026 – and it’s the 25th anniversary!
Celebrate gaming, try new things, learn about the gaming hobby, meet others who share the love of gaming, and have fun doing it! We feature retro and modern home video game consoles, pinball machines, arcade video games, tabletop RPGs, computers, tabletop board games, crane games, collectible card games, air hockey, and much more.
No matter if you have one game or thousands of games in every room of your house, you’ll find something to love!
Midwest Gaming Classic Hours:
Friday preview runs 6pm – Midnight
Saturday 10am-8pm
Sunday 10am-5pm
Buy Tickets & Get More Info HERE!
Midwest Gaming Classic Address:
Baird Center
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Website
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April 18, 2026
Downtown Beloit Spring Wine Walk
VIP registration includes VIP treatment at Grand Slam with appetizers, wine tasting, swag bag, stainless steel wine tumbler, raffle chance to win a $50 Downtown Beloit Gift Card and more! Limited to 50 tickets. Must be 21 years of age or older. Registration will start at 1 pm at Grand Slam with drawings at 1:50 pm.
The Trolley will be available to take you to all of our destinations so watch for it and be ready to hop on board!
Early registration will be available Thursday, April 16th through Friday, April 17th from 9 am to 5 pm at the Downtown Beloit Association office, 557 E. Grand Avenue. U.S. 51, Highway 81, and Highway 213 all bring you to the downtown area, which is minutes away from I-39/90 and I-43.
Downtown Beloit Spring Wine Walk Address:
557 E. Grand Avenue
Beloit, WI 53511
(608) 365-0150
Website
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Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival
The festival typically draws over 900 attendees and features over 100 different styles of beer, a home brew competition, and local breweries with unlimited beer and cheese samples. Additionally, live music plays all afternoon with the Empty Bottle Boys and One Shot Jane performing. They play in the Parkway Chateau, adjacent to the Brat Stop.
Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival Tickets
General admission tickets are $55 in advance and $60 at the door. All tickets include a commemorative glass, live music and four hours of unlimited beer and cheese samples. Designated driver tickets are $15. This is a 21+ only event.
Last time we checked over 50 different brewers will be there. They include large brewers like Miller and Coors to small craft brewers including Lakefront, Bell’s, Toppling Goliath, Bare Bones, Alaskan, and more. Local home brew societies also represent at the festival. All will be pouring samples and providing info about their beers and brewing processes. Also, great food – including brats – will be part of the sustenance as the bands serenade your eating, drinking, talking, and enjoying.
Proceeds benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Kenosha. Check the Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival Website for tickets, continued updates, and other details!
You’ll find the Brat Stop right along Highway 50, just west of the I-41/94 interchange. It’s a Wisconsin staple, after all.
Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival Address:
The Brat Stop
12304 75th Street (Highway 50)
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 653-7304
Website
Buy Tickets Here
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Dells On Tap: Signature Springtime Sips
Wisconsin Dells’ own Dells On Tap: Signature Springtime Sips embraces spring in a NEW location!
This year, Dells On Tap: Signature Springtime Sips takes place on Saturday, April 18th, and it moves to Newport Park, right on the Lower Dells overlooking the Wisconsin River. They offer samples from many of Wisconsin’s craft beer producers, including Al Ringling, Hillsboro, Moosejaw, Pals, Lombardi, New Glarus, Titletown, Untitled Art and Vintage. You can also enjoy live entertainment, cornhole games, and food for sale.
General admission tickets are $50 and include a tasting mug. They can be purchased online HERE. Parking for the event will be at nearby Kaminski Park and shuttle services are available to the event site.
This is on top of all the things there are to throughout the Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton areas, from water parks to fun shops, museums, and even the World’s Largest Wooden Trojan Horse along Wisconsin Dells Parkway! Hit I-90/94, U.S. 12, or Highways 13, 16, or 23.
You’ll find the festivities in Wisconsin Dells (of course), an easy ride off I-90/94 (Exits 85-92), U.S. 12, or Highways 13, 16, or 23.
Wisconsin Dells On Tap Address:
70 County Road A
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(800) 223-3557
Event Website
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April 18, 2026 – April 26, 2026
Lake Geneva Restaurant Week
Lake Geneva Restaurant Week gives you an opportunity to sample unique dishes and often nice deals at over 45 venues across the area from April 18th to April 26th, 2026!
It’s a culinary adventure, showcasing the best dining experiences in the area. Participating Lake Geneva restaurants will serve up special menus, exclusive deals, and creative dishes that highlight local flavors. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore new restaurants or revisit old favorites while enjoying the beauty of the area.
Restaurants will create exclusive menus at special pricing available only during the nine days of Restaurant Week. Featured restaurants range from casual cafes and bistros to elegant fine dining and fabulous lake views – a vibe for every palate! These restaurants are one-of-a-kind, locally owned establishments where owners and chefs part of the dining experience in Lake Geneva,
bringing not only their culinary talents but also their personality and experiences which resonate with guests.
Find Participating Restaurants here
Download a PDF of the Full Menu Guide here
Sips & Snacks: Go “Beyond the Plate” as local sweet shops, cheese shops, breweries, and wineries will also get in the foodie game by featuring special Sips & Snacks offers during Restaurant Week. Think beer and cheese or desserts and wine pairings, sweet treats, and late-night snacks.
Dining for a Cause – Lake Geneva Restaurant Week isn’t just about great food, it’s also about great causes. The Charity Check Ballot is a tradition created to raise awareness for the many non-profit organizations doing important work in the community. During Restaurant Week, diners receive a Charity Check Ballot each time they dine at a participating Restaurant Week location. They use the ballot to vote for one of the Charity Check nominees. (The more you dine, the more you can vote!) The top four charities with
the most votes will each receive a $2,500 donation courtesy of the 2025 Charity Check Sponsor, none other than Tito’s Handmade Vodka!
Beyond wonderful places to eat and drink, the Lake Geneva area offers one-of-a-kind attractions, activities, and adventures, both indoors and out. Plus great shopping, world-class entertainment, and a bevy of options for lodging from cozy B&Bs to sprawling resorts offering every activity imaginable. VisitLakeGeneva.com has your guide to it all!
Lake Geneva Restaurant Week Website
The Lake Geneva area is easily accessible via the U.S. 12 freeway, Highway 36, Highway 50, Highway 67, and Highway 120.
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April 17, 2026 – April 18, 2026
Gallery Night & Day, Milwaukee
Happening quarterly, Gallery Night & Day is one of the premier art events in Milwaukee. It’s the “Ultimate Art Weekend,” with over 50 venues throughout the Historic Third Ward and Downtown that serve as showcases for viewing art from paintings to sculptures to other creative outlets. Bars and restaurants stay open later than usual Friday night, while Saturday is a prime time to continue the gallery gallivanting while also enjoying the area’s unique and eclectic selection of shops.
Along with art galleries, Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward is filled with locally-owned boutique shops along with national stores like Anthropologie, Designs Within Reach, Francesca’s, Mod Gen, Retique, Warby Parker, Lululemon Athletica, and more. You can also stop in Wizard Works Brewing or Broken Bat Brewery for craft beer, or Vino 100 or Thief Wine in the Milwaukee Public Market for a fantastic selection of wines. Numerous restaurants in the Third Ward offer everything from bar food to Asian fusion, Indian cuisine, American and Korean barbecue, and Italian – plus Shake Shack. The Milwaukee Public Market draws visitors from all over and offers takeaway and ready-to-eat food, drinks, and sundries in one dynamic setting.
This quarter, Gallery Night runs Friday and Saturday, April 17th and 18th. Activities begin late afternoon Friday and run through Saturday afternoon. I-43/94, I-794, U.S. 18, and Highway 32 are all amidst where it takes place; Highways 38, 59, and 145 get you close! The city has signs directing you to the Third Ward from the Marquette Interchange. You can also ride The Hop, the local streetcar
Full details and venue listings are available on their website. You’ll find the latest listings of shops, galleries, bars, restaurants, and more – things develop and change quickly in the Third Ward!
Gallery Night & Day Address:
Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward
300 N. Broadway (and all over the area)
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Website
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