A mid-summer favorite, The WeatherTech® International Challenge with Brian Redman presented by HAWK is one of the largest vintage racing events in the United States and features over 400 cars competing in several groups.
Taking place July 15-18, 2021, this four-day weekend event also includes the Concours d’ Elegance on the front straight of the racecourse on Friday for race cars and Saturday night for sports cars is a can’t miss event for any enthusiast!
Racecar Concours d’Elegance
A can’t miss spectacle for enthusiasts of all ages is the Racecar Concours d’Elegance on Friday night, where the cars park along Lake Street in downtown Elkhart Lake from 6-8 p.m. The experience itself is unique in that you are seeing the pinnacle of vintage motoring lined up on the racing surface where history was made for 65 years. Fans will have the rare opportunity to stand inches away from legends like the Porsche 917, 908, 906, Ferrari 312 and 312pb, Lola T165, 911 RSR’s, Shelby GT 350s, and on and on and on.
Sports Car Concours d’Elegance
Saturday night is the Sports Car Concours d’Elegance from 6-8 p.m., also in Elkhart Lake. Brimming with rarity, the track fills again. Most are rare metal, fast metal, and only once in a lifetime, you’ll see it sports car bravado. The access again is unprecedented. Seeing owners giving little kids seat time in the race and sports cars is part of the fun. In short, events like this, having the young ones exposed to the cars, and the sensations surrounding the event is critical to continuing the heritage of vintage racing.
During the Concours events, Road America encourages everyone to follow safe practices, such as social distancing (maintaining six feet from others), frequent hand washing, or using hand sanitizer. Cloth face coverings are also recommended in areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain.
Practice and qualifying will be on Friday and Saturday with Feature Races on Sunday.
Get updates, ticket and event details, and more on their website.
You’ll find Road America along Highway 67 just north of Highway 23 and Plymouth and just west of Highway 57 in Sheboygan County.
Address for the Road America WeatherTech International Challenge:
N7390 State Highway 67
Plymouth, WI 53073
(920) 892-4576 Website
Start:
July 15, 2021
End:
July 18, 2021
Venue:
Road America
Phone:
920-892-4576
Address:
N7390 State Highway 67, Plymouth, WI, 53073, United States
Motor Mania is on a mission is to build a community of high-octane enthusiasts who possess passion for anything with a motor. So join them June 25-27, 2021 at the Washington County Fairgrounds for Motor Mania, a great event for everyone who loves motorsports of all kinds. Trucks, Muscle cars, Hot Rods, Bikes, New Muscle, Antique and Imports. Don’t miss the music, fun and great people. For three days, you can enjoy the Builder Showcase, over 1,000 custom Hot Rods and Classics, Live Music at the Amphitheater, a SWAP Meet, food trucks, and dozens of vendors.
Music acts include Jack Russell’s Great White on Friday, Steelheart (can the guy still hit the high note on “Never Let You Go”??) Saturday, and Counts 77 on Sunday.
Ticket prices vary based on whether you want general admission or VIP concert access. Adults are $20 for general admission and Kids are $10 (plus fees), while concert access can run closer to $45. Get all the info and buy tickets here.
Washington County Fair Park is right along the U.S. 45 freeway on the south end of West Bend. Highways 33 and 144 bring you to West Bend, while you can also access the park from Highway 60 to U.S. 45 north. It’s part of a great road trip, since you can also check out Kettle Moraine and its scenic drives nearby!
Motor Mania is holding this event near West Bend, but their HQ is in Greenfield, a “dream garage” at 4251 S. 27th Street – the original U.S. 41 – with an amazing array of classic cars, hot rods, games, ice cold beer – it’s a pretty cool place and they are reopening it closer to fall. We’ll keep you posted!
Motor Mania Address:
Washington County Fairgrounds
3000 County Highway PV
West Bend, WI 53095
(414) 817-8888 Website
The NTT IndyCar Series REV Group Grand Prix takes center stage as an international lineup of drivers will have their chance to battle it out for glory on one of the world’s most majestic road courses: Road America in Elkhart Lake.
Presented by American Medical Response, the race will also feature the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires. Sanctioned by IndyCar, the Road to Indy develops the stars of tomorrow with many drivers on the NTT IndyCar Series grid as graduates. The weekend schedule will also be bolstered by Vintage Indy and the Radical Cup series, plus two junior development series of the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires, the Indy Pro 2000, and USF2000, of which many drivers of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES are graduates.
All active-duty first responders will receive FREE entry to the REV Group Grand Prix, presented by American Medical Response weekend. First responders including law enforcement, fire, paramedics and emergency medical technicians, will be admitted free of charge by showing valid identification indicating active service in the form of a department issued ID, badge, copies of certifications or an active roster copy from their department on department letterhead. FREE admission must be redeemed at the gate and is only valid during the event weekend.
Please Note: Due to increased interest and anticipated fan attendance for the Weekend, event parking availability and access will be closely controlled. Guests should expect increased traffic when coming to Road America and are strongly encouraged to enter through the gate nearest where they choose to park. All guests will be parked conveniently and efficiently as they enter the facility within reasonable proximity to the gate they enter. Please follow instructions from gate, security and parking personnel as you enter the facility.
Other activities include the Road America Family Fun Zone on Saturday & Sunday, located by Turn 1 adjacent to Perl’s concession stand; Disc Golf, where you can test your skills on their 18 hole disc golf course – FREE! The Front Nine Tee #1 will be located across from Gearbox concessions in the paddock and the Back Nine Tee #10 will be west of the Sargento Bridge, towards the Motorplex. You rent discs available in the Paddock Shop. Also, there will be Public Karting for all ages 14 and older (a parent/guardian must be present for those under 18). The karts can be found at the CTECH Manufacturing Motorplex, infield over the SpeedVille Bridge, near Turns 7 and 8. And remember, karts can reach speeds of up to 40 mph! (Even though that’s slow compared to the actual race cars.)
The NTT IndyCar Series REV Group Grand Prix takes center stage as an international lineup of drivers will have their chance to battle it out for glory on one of the world’s most majestic road courses: Road America in Elkhart Lake.
Presented by American Medical Response, the race will also feature the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires. Sanctioned by IndyCar, the Road to Indy develops the stars of tomorrow with many drivers on the NTT IndyCar Series grid as graduates. The weekend schedule will also be bolstered by Vintage Indy and the Radical Cup series, plus two junior development series of the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires, the Indy Pro 2000, and USF2000, of which many drivers of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES are graduates.
All active-duty first responders will receive FREE entry to the REV Group Grand Prix, presented by American Medical Response weekend. First responders including law enforcement, fire, paramedics and emergency medical technicians, will be admitted free of charge by showing valid identification indicating active service in the form of a department issued ID, badge, copies of certifications or an active roster copy from their department on department letterhead. FREE admission must be redeemed at the gate and is only valid during the event weekend.
Please Note: Due to increased interest and anticipated fan attendance for the Weekend, event parking availability and access will be closely controlled. Guests should expect increased traffic when coming to Road America and are strongly encouraged to enter through the gate nearest where they choose to park. All guests will be parked conveniently and efficiently as they enter the facility within reasonable proximity to the gate they enter. Please follow instructions from gate, security and parking personnel as you enter the facility.
Other activities include the Road America Family Fun Zone on Saturday & Sunday, located by Turn 1 adjacent to Perl’s concession stand; Disc Golf, where you can test your skills on their 18 hole disc golf course – FREE! The Front Nine Tee #1 will be located across from Gearbox concessions in the paddock and the Back Nine Tee #10 will be west of the Sargento Bridge, towards the Motorplex. You rent discs available in the Paddock Shop. Also, there will be Public Karting for all ages 14 and older (a parent/guardian must be present for those under 18). The karts can be found at the CTECH Manufacturing Motorplex, infield over the SpeedVille Bridge, near Turns 7 and 8. And remember, karts can reach speeds of up to 40 mph! (Even though that’s slow compared to the actual race cars.)
Well, well, this is something new: a seltzer-focused festival. Seltzerland is a traveling festival making stops at select golf courses in select cities across the United States, with quite a selection of seltzer brands and flavors to sample and enjoy.
Seltzerland includes Wisconsin on its tour in 2021, with a stop at the Oak Hills Golf Club in Oak Creek on Saturday, June 5th. Over 30 seltzer flavors will be available to try, with 2-oz. samples and numerous other options. General Admission tickets include 30+ seltzer samples, a White Claw® drawstring bag, your commemorative tasting cup, and food truck bites available for purchase. VIP tickets add a full can of hard seltzer, a ghost tequila specialty cocktail, complimentary lunch, and premier time slots.
Brands include: White Claw, Vizzy, Mamitas, Basic, Coors Hard Seltzer, Playa Mar, Volley, Purity, Press, 99, Bravazzi, Tierra Buena, Rockit, Carbliss, and more. Old Smoky Moonshine, Fun Wine, Fireball Whiskey, Ghost Tequila, and more will be there, too!
Tickets are $45 for general admission and $65 for VIP. They’re selling out fast (they had to open more slots, actually), so HURRY if you want to check this out! Get tickets here.
You’ll find the Seltzerland activities at Oak Hills Golf Club, which is right along Highway 38 (Howell Avenue) in Oak Creek, one mile south of Highway 100 and less than two miles east of I-41/94. It’s easy to get to! Oh, and don’t expect to golf on the course that day – it’s all seltzer on June 5th.
Seltzerland Address:
Oak Hills Golf Club
10360 S. Howell Avenue (Highway 38)
Oak Creek, WI 53154 Website
An artful way to spend part of Memorial Day weekend is to head to beautiful Port Washington and explore the Port Washington Art Walk downtown. From 11 am to 4pm on Sunday, May 30th, at least 15 business in Port Washington’s downtown will host a variety of fine artists, mixed media artists, photographers, musicians, ceramists, and more. Some artists will demonstrate their craft in real-time; all will have their art and craft work on display and for sale. Weather permitting, the artists will be outdoors; otherwise they will be inside their hosting business. Gallery 224 will host the current artist on exhibit, Kelly Alexander, from their ARTservancy program. A variety of Port’s local bars and restaurants will also run art-themed specials that day. Look for the children’s art area for kids to make their own art, along with some great music! It’s free to attend.
You can access downtown Port Washington via Highways 32 or 33 from I-43 or Highway 57. While you’re there, check out Coal Dock Park, the walkways in the marina, the Port Exploreum (a great maritime museum), Inventors Brewpub (located in a VFW hall with a lake view), and the shops, restaurants, and more up and down the streets!
Port Washington Art Walk Address:
Downtown Port Washington
100 N. Franklin Street (Highway 32)
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 268-1132 Website
The 36th Memorial Weekend ATV/UTV Rally will continue the tradition of Hurley’s kick off to the Summer Trail Riding Season! It runs Thursday, May 27th through Sunday, May 30th. Check out all of the pageantry that makes up this storied event! Thursday kicks off the Poker Run in Iron County. Friday join the fun as they present music, vendors, and mud all afternoon. Stick around for the annual parade of machines from the Iron Horse Trail through downtown Hurley. Saturday, the fun continues with the Poker Run and riding over 200 miles of the BEST trails in Wisconsin. Join the fun on Sunday and get down and dirty in the “Biggest, Baddest, Dirtiest of All” Mud Pit, sponsored by the Hurley Fire Department. Finish the weekend and poker run on Monday.
Lots of fun options! Ride U.S. 2, U.S. 51, and a variety of other highways to explore the Hurley area and Iron County. Their ATV/UTV trail system is incredible, and the natural beauty of the area – including Saxon Harbor and the Lake Superior shore – is alone worth the trip. For a fun kitschy thing to see, check out the World’s Largest Corkscrew along U.S. 2, just west of Hurley! You’ll find it in front of – what else – a liquor store. Enjoy!
Hurley Memorial Weekend ATV/UTV Rally Address:
Iron County locations include Hurley, Saxon, and Mercer
Hurley, WI 54534
(715) 561-4334 Website
The 4th annual West Bend Spring Fling Art & Craft Fair happens Saturday, May 22nd and Sunday, May 23rd at the Washington County Fair Park’s Ziegler Building! The Brew City Crafters host this two-day event with over 100 local exhibitors. It’s their first event in 18 months, so everybody is more than ready. It’s all indoors and approximately 85% of the booths will feature handmade arts & crafts focused on a wide variety of categories, including:
Bath, Body & Scent
Ceramics & Pottery
Fashion & Clothing
Food & Snack
Glasswork
Health & Beauty
Home Goods & Decor
Jewelry & Gemstone
Metalwork
Painting & Illustration
Pet Products
Prints & Photography
Textile Crafts
Woodwork
It runs from 10 am – 4pm both Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $3 for any individual over 12 years of age. Advance ticket sales are strongly recommended, as they are required to cap visitor volume per hour for this event. Your purchase of an ticket in advance directly supports the Wisconsin Humane Society!
You’ll find the Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center on the south side of West Bend, right off the U.S. 45 freeway. Highway 60 is about a mile south, and Highways 33 and 144 are to the north (they go right into town.) While you’re around West Bend, check out the downtown area including the Wisconsin Museum of Art, the shops on Main Street, the Toucan for some great custard, Riverside Brewery, and a lot more! It’s less than 10 minutes north of the I-41/U.S. 45 split, too.
West Bend Spring Fling Art & Craft Fair Address:
Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center
3000 County PV/Pleasant Valley Road
West Bend, WI 53095 Website
It’s like a prehistoric passport! Drive through and among over 40 giant moving dinosaurs with Dino Safari, a family-friendly drive-thru dinosaur adventure. Check out every type of dinosaur from the T. Rex to the giant Spinosaurus. As you watch them from your vehicle, you can learn how these dinosaurs evolved over millions of years, where they lived and roamed, what they ate, how they moved, and more. (Maybe, in the case of T. Rex, you can learn why they had such short arms!)
Before you go through, videos are available to help illustrate what you’re about to witness. An audio tour is also available to accompany you as you go through, helping to illustrate all of this information. Also be aware that earthquakes might erupt on your tour, dinosaurs might get into battles, and you might have to step up and help save a baby dinosaur! All COVID-safe, by the way.
Dino Safari Hours
Monday – Thursdays 12pm – 8pm, last ticket sold at 7:30
Fridays – Sundays 9am – 9pm, last ticket sold at 8:30
Get Tickets Here. Admission is $49.95 per regular car or SUV, up to 7 occupants allowed per vehicle. For larger vehicles (up to 6′ wide, 9′ high, and 20′ long) admission is $59.95. Admission includes the drive-thru experience, a survival pack with a park passport, and – as they say – “other surprises”!
The Dino Safari takes place on the Wisconsin State Fair Park grounds from April 18th through May 2nd, 2021. You can easily get to the grounds via I-94 (exit #306) and Highways 59 (Greenfield Avenue) and 181 (84th Street). U.S. 18/Bluemound Road is close by to the north, and you can access 84th Street via ramps from northbound and southbound I-41/I-894/U.S. 45. It’s a great way to have family fun while staying safe in your vehicle – from both COVID and the dinosaurs!
Dino Safari Drive-Thru Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Park (enter at North Lot 5 off Highway 181/84th Street)
640 S. 84th Street
West Allis, WI 53214
Website
Monster Energy’s King of the Elements: Arctic Derby Dash presented by SXS Sports takes place Saturday, February 27, 2021 at Eagle River’s world-famous Derby Complex. Check out UTVs racing for great prizes.
It’s an action-packed day, and admission is only $15! You can walk through pit areas (don’t forget the sharpies to get some driver autographs), enjoy family-friendly activities, partake in concessions, load up on SXS Sports swag, and more. Hot Seat Tickets are also available for purchase!
The Derby Complex is on the north side of Eagle River, right along U.S. 45 and Highways 17 and 32. Highway 70 is just to the south in the downtown area. And of course, a ton of awesome snowmobile and ATV/UTV trails await throughout Vilas and the surrounding Counties!
World Championship Snowmobile Derby Address for the Arctic Derby Dash:
1311 Railroad Street (along Hwy 17/Hwy 32/U.S. 45)
Eagle River, WI 54521
(715) 479-4424 Website
West Bend, named for a bend in the Milwaukee River, is the seat of Washington County and is known for great shops and its beautiful downtown. Saturday, January 23rd and Sunday, January 24th, you can enjoy the city in full at the annual West Bend Winter Warm Up!
Check out the ice sculptures in the downtown area, including a live Ice Sculpture Demo in Old Settlers Park on Saturday between 1pm and 2:30pm. Downtown shops will have specials, treats, and chances for you to win gift baskets.
The High Jass Fat Tire Bike Race will take place in Regner Park, just across Highways 33/144 from downtown, both Saturday and Sunday. Check out the bikes churning their wide tires up and down hills and across trails in this two-day fun competition!
The Winter Luminary Walk is a free, lighted walking experience at and through the Lac Lawrann Conservancy. It happens from 5pm to 7pm Saturday evening.
Check out great stops downtown too, including Now and Then Antiques, West Bend Pilot Boutique & Unique Finds, Savoring Thyme, The Oaken Hogg Whiskey Bar, Riverside Brewery, Urban Bend Trends, Perfect Timing Gift Shop, Xpressions Yarn, Bead & Gift Boutique, All In Books, Over the Moon Gift Shop, and more! The Wisconsin Museum of Art is downtown across the river from Main Street, too.
You can easily access West Bend via Highways 33 and 144, just east of the U.S. 45 freeway in the heart of Washington County. Nearby, check out Sunburst Ski Hill in Kewaskum or Little Switzerland in Slinger for winter fun involving skiing, snowboarding, or tubing!
West Bend Winter Warm Up Address:
Downtown West Bend (120 N. Main Street)
West Bend, WI 53095 Website
Beloit embraces the cold and snowy season with its annual Beloit Winterfest, which this year offers a mix of virtual and in-person activities throughout locations in the city. It takes place Thursday, January 21st through Sunday, January 24th, 2021.
The City of Beloit Parks and Recreation Division runs these events, with in-person activities incorporating safety and social distance to increase opportunities for families and visitors to get out and enjoy winter in Beloit.
Beloit Winterfest Events include:
Virtual events such as: The “No Snow” Man Building Contest, where you can gather basic household items and build your snowman indoors. The winner will receive a prize bag filled with goodies; the deadline for sending in your photo is 3pm on Sunday the 24th.
The “Ralphie Challenge”, where you put on as many shirts and sweaters as you can, send in a picture, and potentially win another prize bag filled with goodies. This deadline is also 3pm on Sunday the 24th.
In-Person events, including: Snow Golf, which has a twist: you use a tennis ball as a ball and the snow as your tee. This takes place at Krueger-Haskell Golf Course (1611 Hackett Street) on Saturday, January 23rd. Golfers of all ages and all abilities are encouraged to participate. Reservations are required, and are for 9 holes walking. The rate applies for all ages. Updated COVID-19 guidelines will be in place and social distancing will be required. You must register by Thursday the 21st!
The “Welty Winder” Scavenger Hunt, where you can test your knowledge (and bloodhound-type skills) to find everything in this hunt throughout the city. The Welty Environmental Center takes you on this journey with 20 total clues. Share your journey on social media using the hashtags #BeloitWinterfest, #WeltyWinder and #BeloitWI… and #stt or #StateTrunkTour!
Find out more details with their online flyer, and check out other cool stuff in Beloit like G5 Brewing, the Ironworks Hotel and complex, the shops and restaurants downtown along Grand Avenue and adjacent streets, and more.
It’s easy to get to Beloit! Follow I-39/90 south, I-43 southwest from Milwaukee, or U.S. 51 south from Janesville. Highway 81 goes through town and provides access from Monroe and other points west; Highway 213 comes into Beloit from the northwest. Downtown is nestled in Beloit right next to the Beloit College campus, just blocks north of the Wisconsin-Illinois state line. It’s remarkable to see what Beloit has done with the city’s resurgence; see it this weekend with Beloit Winterfest!
Downtown Waukesha, along with being a crazy maze of streets, offers up a lot of fun places. That includes art galleries. For the Waukesha Art Crawl (this one being #113), over 175 artisans represented, live music, galleries, studios, food/drinks, gifts, gifts, antiques, live music & more! There will also be a special Teacher’s Art Showcase at Otto’s Fine Art Academy. Look for a special Pop Up gallery at Art Links 333. As part of Waukesha Silver Bells, there will also be Reindeer at People’s Park from 1pm – 4pm. Many of the galleries and business open at 10am, so you can make a day of it. With COVID, of course CDC Guidelines are in place so you can enjoy the Waukesha Art Crawl safely. Please check with the participating to find out specifics for their businesses. Walk the downtown streets to discover your next artistic treasure, shop the boutiques, listen to live music or indulge in food and drink!
How do you get into Waukesha? I-94 and Highway 16 bring you to the north side; Highways 59 and 164 round the south and east sides. U.S. 18 cuts right through, take that or East or St. Paul Avenues.
West Bend’s Regner Park hosts Washington County’s premier holiday lights event from November 27th through Christmas Eve (December 24th, obviously), 2020 with Enchantment in the Park.
Flush with holiday lights throughout the park, you can do the drive-thru or walk-thru; the drive-thru entrance is off Silverbook Drive while walk-thru visitors are asked to enter via Main Street. The walk-thru is shorter than the drive-thru. Another option is a Horse and Carriage Ride, which costs $5 per person; rides are available for anyone age 16 or over from 5pm – 9pm; they are spacing out riders to follow COVID-19 precautions.
There’s no cost to enter Enchantment in the Park, but donations are welcome – a suggested cash donation is $10; non-perishable food donations are also welcome.
Enchantment in the Park is open daily, 5pm to 9pm. You’ll find Regner Park along Highway 144/Main Street just north ofHighway 33 and downtown West Bend. It’s less than five minutes east of the U.S. 45 freeway.
Enchantment in the Park Address:
Regner Park
800 N. Main Street
West Bend, WI 53090 Website
West Bend’s Museum of Wisconsin Art offers Bloomin’ Holidays the first full weekend of November. In this crazy year, a “Floral Sanctuary” is the theme, showcasing (as they note) the “ephemeral beauty of flowers.” The event technically begins Friday, November 6th, but earlier in the week the museum will kick things off with a rather impressive large-scale exterior art installation using animated video projection right onto the building. The event itself includes three full days of floral arrangements throughout the museum, including pre-recorded video experts who discuss the flowers in 15-minutes talks throughout the weekend, on display in the atrium. The expanded MOWA Shop will offer a variety of gift giving items including unique hats, soaps, candles, ceramic dishware, and even delicious chocolates and maple syrup.
Featured Designers and Programs include:
Michael Alt, who will install a spectacular floral installation the museum’s atrium. Alt, who owns a shop in Milwaukee’s Walkers Point with his name on it, was awarded Best of Show at both 2017 and 2018 Bloomin’ Holidays for his creative floral masterpieces.
At Home with Ikebana featuring Elaine Jo, author and the Executive Master of the Ichiyo School of Ikebana. What is Ikebana, you ask? It’s the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging, used for centuries to bring harmony to living spaces. She will demonstrate how to arrange and position different flowers to create specific moods, effects, and feelings.
Enhancing Your Living Space featuring Zannah Crowe, a horticulturalist at Johnson’s Gardens, will help you discover ways to bring a beautiful, natural exterior to your indoor spaces. She’ll share tips for the proper care and placement of house plants, so you can benefit from that extra boost in mood and oxygen!
Grapevine Wreaths featuring Dane County botanist Kevin Kawula will help you learn which wood and vine elements can be best used for floral arrangements; he’ll also demonstrate the construction of a natural, DIY grapevine wreath for your home.
Fall Forage featuring John Holzwart from Plant Based Services LLC will showcase our native Wisconsin plant life, complete with tips and information on local foraging, medicinal plant life, and seasonal flower collecting.
Bloomin’ Holidays is free with membership or $15 for the weekend, which includes a complimentary annual membership – so it’s a good deal!
Timed Entry due to COVID for safety and enjoyment
MOWA provides a safe socially distanced experience, limiting gallery capacity to 25% or less. To ensure you can visit at your preferred time during Bloomin’ Holidays, you can make a timed reservation for Friday, November 6th, Saturday, November 7th, or Sunday, November 8th. You can also call (262) 334-9638. If you don’t make a reservation beforehand, you will be welcomed in at the first available entry time. Please note, the 9:30-11:30 timed entry reservations will be reserved for seniors and at-risk members.
The Museum of Wisconsin Art is in the heart of West Bend, just east across the Milwaukee River from the downtown shops. It’s accessible right off Highways 33; Highway 144 meets up just across the river. U.S. 45’s freeway bypass is just a few miles to the west and provides quick access to West Bend, and following the historic U.S. 45 route (Main Street) from the south brings you right there.
Bloomin’ Holidays Address:
Wisconsin Museum of Art
205 Veterans Avenue
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 334-9638 Website
Oak Creek Fall Festival is the city’s annual harvest tradition, taking place throughout the Drexel Town Square complex! It’s an outdoor event that celebrates everything autumn on Saturday, October 24th from 9am to 6pm. Family-friendly events will feature pumpkin decorating, vendor booths, and more!
Check out live music, including the Five Card Studs from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and SuperFly from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Activities around Drexel Town Square include:
Oak Creek Farmers Market (last day of the year!)
Art vendors
Beer/food vendors
Pumpkin decorating
Scarecrow building
Rock painting
Mad science show
More to come!
Donate a nonperishable food item at the event and receive a free pumpkin! (while supplies last.)
They ask that you please wear a mask when in line or walking around Oak Creek Fall Festival; masks can be removed when sitting at your table. They will monitor for social distancing, and will frequently clean common touchpoints (tables, bathrooms, etc.). Hand sanitizer will be provided at the event!
Great shops, bars, and restaurants are located in and right around Drexel Town Square; feel free to imbibe and enjoy in as many as possible. You’ll find Drexel Town Square along Drexel Avenue, just west of Highway 38/Howell Avenue, 1 1/2 miles east of I-41/94 (where you’ll also find IKEA) and two miles north of Highway 100/Ryan Road.
Oak Creek Fall Festival Address:
Drexel Town Square
361 W. Town Square Way
Oak Creek, WI 53154 Website
Old World Wisconsin, the 1870s-era crossroads village and ethnic farmsteads on 576 acres of wooded hills in the Southern Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, has gone drive-thru with the Old World Wisconsin Fall Family Fun Drive. This amazing Wisconsin State Historic Site is offering the opportunity for people and families to tour the grounds from the comfort and safety of their vehicles.
Enjoy the fall colors, historic sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of Old World Wisconsin on this scenic, 45-minute drive tour of the grounds. This is designed to let you experience OWW differently than ever before; you can even cover routes that aren’t normally accessible during the regular season. The set route offers vignettes that capture the beauty of the landscapes and architecture on the grounds – especially in autumn.
Adding to the fun, an interactive Old World Wisconsin Bingo game will help guide the journey. You’re supposed to remain in your vehicle for most of the tour, but “Instagrammable” opportunities allow you to hop out for photos at select locations. You can also munch on “Fall Flavor Samplers,” filled with tastes of fall like apple cider donuts, landjaeger sausages, and pumpkin cookies, which are available for pre-order that you can then pick up at The Creamery to enjoy during the drive.
The cost for this drive-thru is $20 per vehicle; the optional Fall Flavor Samplers are also $20 and should feed two easily.
You can enjoy the Old World Wisconsin Fall Family Fun Drive-Thru (yes, that’s a long title) on Saturdays and Sundays, October 10th, 11th, 17th, and 18th, from 9am – 3pm. Advanced registration and payment is required; tickets are timed entry, giving guests a 15-minute window to enter the site. You can call 262-594-6311 to register, Shout-out to WaterStone Bank and the Old World Foundation for supporting this!
As part of the COVID-19 precautions, face masks are required for all guests upon entry.
Old World Wisconsin Fall Family Fun Drive Address:
Old World Wisconsin
W372 S9727 Highway 67
Eagle, WI 53119-9503
(262) 594-6311 Website
The Up North Sports Snow & Ice Fishing Consumer Show is the largest snow and ice fishing show of the year, and it comes to Milwaukee the weekend of October 16-18 at the Wisconsin Center downtown.
This is your chance to see the largest inventory of 2021 Snowmobile and Ice Fishing Gear, equipment, and accessories in the same building! All the Top Manufacturers in both Ice and Snow including FXR, KLIM, 509, CASTLE X, FLY, BCA, DSG, TOBE in Snow and CLAM, ICE ARMOR, STRIKER, OTTER, STRIKEMASTER, 13 FISHING, ESKIMO, ION, MARCUM and RAZR in Ice Fishing will be there.
Hours:
Friday, October 16 – 3:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 17 – 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 18 – 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The Wisconsin Center is in the heart of the west side of Milwaukee’s downtown, right where Highway 145 (6th Street) ends at U.S. 18 (Wells Street). I-794, I-43/94, and Highway 32 also bring you within blocks of the venue.
Up North Sports Snow & Ice Fishing Consumer Show Address:
Wisconsin Center
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53203
(414) 908-6000 Website
“Quilts on Barns” Road Rally takes place Saturday, October 10, 2020. Enjoy spending the day – or even just a part of it if you prefer – driving around the highways and byways of Racine County where you can see the beauty of rural art, looking for the 26 quilt patterns on a variety of barns! Make your first stop the Real Racine Visitor Center to pick up a Quilts on Barns driving tour map and road rally instruction card. Take a tour of four (4) barns, Sew n’ Save Quilt Palette OR Country Rose Bakery Cafe Quilt Palette. Then take a “selfie” of each and come on down to the Quilts on Barns Road Rally Downtown Headquarters or Real Racine Visitor Center to show them off. Several lucky winners will be randomly chosen to win quilts, original artwork and other prizes!
The Quilts on Barns Driving Tour includes 26 barns with an 8′ x 8′ wooden quilt pattern. Many other “quilt treasures” adorn barns and buildings along your driving route. Feel free to visit local Racine County businesses , restaurants, art galleries, and quilt stores. You will be amazed at what you can find!
Quilts on Barns Road Rally Address:
The Rally is obviously happening all around Racine County, but the central meeting point is the Real Racine Visitors Center on Highway 20 just west of I-41/94. The address (for your GPS) is 14015 Washington Avenue/Highway 20, Sturtevant, WI 53177. For more info, call (262) 635-0261.
It’s a spooktacular experience filled with light displays and ghostly charms at the Halloween Glow Drive-Thru at Racine Zoo, running October 7th through November 1st, 2020! Enjoy this “illuminated Halloween adventure” from the safety and comfort of your vehicle. Just follow the dedicated light pathway and be prepared for surprises – but they’re all family friendly.
Halloween Glow is open Wednesdays – Sundays from 6pm to 9pm; admission is $5 per person at the gate. Children 2 years and younger are admitted FREE. Proceeds benefit Racine Zoo’s animals and programs.
You’ll find the Racine Zoo just north of downtown Racine. It’s along Main Street and Goold, abutting Lake Michigan just east of Highways 32 and 38. Highways 11 and 20 also bring you into the Belle City, all about 8 miles east of I-41/94.
Halloween Glow Address:
Racine Zoo
200 Goold Street
Racine, WI 53402
(262) 636-9189 Website
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events
July 15, 2021 – July 18, 2021
The WeatherTech® International Challenge at Road America
A mid-summer favorite, The WeatherTech® International Challenge with Brian Redman presented by HAWK is one of the largest vintage racing events in the United States and features over 400 cars competing in several groups.
Taking place July 15-18, 2021, this four-day weekend event also includes the Concours d’ Elegance on the front straight of the racecourse on Friday for race cars and Saturday night for sports cars is a can’t miss event for any enthusiast!
Racecar Concours d’Elegance
A can’t miss spectacle for enthusiasts of all ages is the Racecar Concours d’Elegance on Friday night, where the cars park along Lake Street in downtown Elkhart Lake from 6-8 p.m. The experience itself is unique in that you are seeing the pinnacle of vintage motoring lined up on the racing surface where history was made for 65 years. Fans will have the rare opportunity to stand inches away from legends like the Porsche 917, 908, 906, Ferrari 312 and 312pb, Lola T165, 911 RSR’s, Shelby GT 350s, and on and on and on.
Sports Car Concours d’Elegance
Saturday night is the Sports Car Concours d’Elegance from 6-8 p.m., also in Elkhart Lake. Brimming with rarity, the track fills again. Most are rare metal, fast metal, and only once in a lifetime, you’ll see it sports car bravado. The access again is unprecedented. Seeing owners giving little kids seat time in the race and sports cars is part of the fun. In short, events like this, having the young ones exposed to the cars, and the sensations surrounding the event is critical to continuing the heritage of vintage racing.
During the Concours events, Road America encourages everyone to follow safe practices, such as social distancing (maintaining six feet from others), frequent hand washing, or using hand sanitizer. Cloth face coverings are also recommended in areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain.
Practice and qualifying will be on Friday and Saturday with Feature Races on Sunday.
Get updates, ticket and event details, and more on their website.
You’ll find Road America along Highway 67 just north of Highway 23 and Plymouth and just west of Highway 57 in Sheboygan County.
Address for the Road America WeatherTech International Challenge:
N7390 State Highway 67
Plymouth, WI 53073
(920) 892-4576
Website
June 25, 2021 – June 27, 2021
Motor Mania
Motor Mania is on a mission is to build a community of high-octane enthusiasts who possess passion for anything with a motor. So join them June 25-27, 2021 at the Washington County Fairgrounds for Motor Mania, a great event for everyone who loves motorsports of all kinds. Trucks, Muscle cars, Hot Rods, Bikes, New Muscle, Antique and Imports. Don’t miss the music, fun and great people. For three days, you can enjoy the Builder Showcase, over 1,000 custom Hot Rods and Classics, Live Music at the Amphitheater, a SWAP Meet, food trucks, and dozens of vendors.
Music acts include Jack Russell’s Great White on Friday, Steelheart (can the guy still hit the high note on “Never Let You Go”??) Saturday, and Counts 77 on Sunday.
Ticket prices vary based on whether you want general admission or VIP concert access. Adults are $20 for general admission and Kids are $10 (plus fees), while concert access can run closer to $45. Get all the info and buy tickets here.
Washington County Fair Park is right along the U.S. 45 freeway on the south end of West Bend. Highways 33 and 144 bring you to West Bend, while you can also access the park from Highway 60 to U.S. 45 north. It’s part of a great road trip, since you can also check out Kettle Moraine and its scenic drives nearby!
Motor Mania is holding this event near West Bend, but their HQ is in Greenfield, a “dream garage” at 4251 S. 27th Street – the original U.S. 41 – with an amazing array of classic cars, hot rods, games, ice cold beer – it’s a pretty cool place and they are reopening it closer to fall. We’ll keep you posted!
Motor Mania Address:
Washington County Fairgrounds
3000 County Highway PV
West Bend, WI 53095
(414) 817-8888
Website
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June 18, 2021 – June 20, 2021
NTT IndyCar Series REV Group Grand Prix at Road America
Presented by American Medical Response, the race will also feature the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires. Sanctioned by IndyCar, the Road to Indy develops the stars of tomorrow with many drivers on the NTT IndyCar Series grid as graduates. The weekend schedule will also be bolstered by Vintage Indy and the Radical Cup series, plus two junior development series of the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires, the Indy Pro 2000, and USF2000, of which many drivers of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES are graduates.
All active-duty first responders will receive FREE entry to the REV Group Grand Prix, presented by American Medical Response weekend. First responders including law enforcement, fire, paramedics and emergency medical technicians, will be admitted free of charge by showing valid identification indicating active service in the form of a department issued ID, badge, copies of certifications or an active roster copy from their department on department letterhead. FREE admission must be redeemed at the gate and is only valid during the event weekend.
Please Note: Due to increased interest and anticipated fan attendance for the Weekend, event parking availability and access will be closely controlled. Guests should expect increased traffic when coming to Road America and are strongly encouraged to enter through the gate nearest where they choose to park. All guests will be parked conveniently and efficiently as they enter the facility within reasonable proximity to the gate they enter. Please follow instructions from gate, security and parking personnel as you enter the facility.
Other activities include the Road America Family Fun Zone on Saturday & Sunday, located by Turn 1 adjacent to Perl’s concession stand; Disc Golf, where you can test your skills on their 18 hole disc golf course – FREE! The Front Nine Tee #1 will be located across from Gearbox concessions in the paddock and the Back Nine Tee #10 will be west of the Sargento Bridge, towards the Motorplex. You rent discs available in the Paddock Shop. Also, there will be Public Karting for all ages 14 and older (a parent/guardian must be present for those under 18). The karts can be found at the CTECH Manufacturing Motorplex, infield over the SpeedVille Bridge, near Turns 7 and 8. And remember, karts can reach speeds of up to 40 mph! (Even though that’s slow compared to the actual race cars.)
Get pricing and order your tickets HERE.
You can reach Road America via Highway 67, just north of Highway 23 and west of Highway 57 in Sheboygan County. I-43 is about 10 miles to the east.
NTT IndyCar Series REV Group Grand Prix Address:
Road America
N7390 Highway 67
Elkhart Lake, WI 53073
(920) 892-4576
Website
June 18, 2021 – June 20, 2021
NTT IndyCar Series REV Group Grand Prix
Presented by American Medical Response, the race will also feature the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires. Sanctioned by IndyCar, the Road to Indy develops the stars of tomorrow with many drivers on the NTT IndyCar Series grid as graduates. The weekend schedule will also be bolstered by Vintage Indy and the Radical Cup series, plus two junior development series of the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires, the Indy Pro 2000, and USF2000, of which many drivers of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES are graduates.
All active-duty first responders will receive FREE entry to the REV Group Grand Prix, presented by American Medical Response weekend. First responders including law enforcement, fire, paramedics and emergency medical technicians, will be admitted free of charge by showing valid identification indicating active service in the form of a department issued ID, badge, copies of certifications or an active roster copy from their department on department letterhead. FREE admission must be redeemed at the gate and is only valid during the event weekend.
Please Note: Due to increased interest and anticipated fan attendance for the Weekend, event parking availability and access will be closely controlled. Guests should expect increased traffic when coming to Road America and are strongly encouraged to enter through the gate nearest where they choose to park. All guests will be parked conveniently and efficiently as they enter the facility within reasonable proximity to the gate they enter. Please follow instructions from gate, security and parking personnel as you enter the facility.
Other activities include the Road America Family Fun Zone on Saturday & Sunday, located by Turn 1 adjacent to Perl’s concession stand; Disc Golf, where you can test your skills on their 18 hole disc golf course – FREE! The Front Nine Tee #1 will be located across from Gearbox concessions in the paddock and the Back Nine Tee #10 will be west of the Sargento Bridge, towards the Motorplex. You rent discs available in the Paddock Shop. Also, there will be Public Karting for all ages 14 and older (a parent/guardian must be present for those under 18). The karts can be found at the CTECH Manufacturing Motorplex, infield over the SpeedVille Bridge, near Turns 7 and 8. And remember, karts can reach speeds of up to 40 mph! (Even though that’s slow compared to the actual race cars.)
Get pricing and order your tickets HERE.
You can reach Road America via Highway 67, just north of Highway 23 and west of Highway 57 in Sheboygan County. I-43 is about 10 miles to the east.
NTT IndyCar Series REV Group Grand Prix Address:
Road America
N7390 Highway 67
Elkhart Lake, WI 53073
(920) 892-4576
Website
June 5, 2021
Seltzerland Hard Seltzer Festival
Seltzerland includes Wisconsin on its tour in 2021, with a stop at the Oak Hills Golf Club in Oak Creek on Saturday, June 5th. Over 30 seltzer flavors will be available to try, with 2-oz. samples and numerous other options. General Admission tickets include 30+ seltzer samples, a White Claw® drawstring bag, your commemorative tasting cup, and food truck bites available for purchase. VIP tickets add a full can of hard seltzer, a ghost tequila specialty cocktail, complimentary lunch, and premier time slots.
Brands include: White Claw, Vizzy, Mamitas, Basic, Coors Hard Seltzer, Playa Mar, Volley, Purity, Press, 99, Bravazzi, Tierra Buena, Rockit, Carbliss, and more. Old Smoky Moonshine, Fun Wine, Fireball Whiskey, Ghost Tequila, and more will be there, too!
Tickets are $45 for general admission and $65 for VIP. They’re selling out fast (they had to open more slots, actually), so HURRY if you want to check this out! Get tickets here.
You’ll find the Seltzerland activities at Oak Hills Golf Club, which is right along Highway 38 (Howell Avenue) in Oak Creek, one mile south of Highway 100 and less than two miles east of I-41/94. It’s easy to get to! Oh, and don’t expect to golf on the course that day – it’s all seltzer on June 5th.
Seltzerland Address:
Oak Hills Golf Club
10360 S. Howell Avenue (Highway 38)
Oak Creek, WI 53154
Website
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May 30, 2021
Port Washington Art Walk
You can access downtown Port Washington via Highways 32 or 33 from I-43 or Highway 57. While you’re there, check out Coal Dock Park, the walkways in the marina, the Port Exploreum (a great maritime museum), Inventors Brewpub (located in a VFW hall with a lake view), and the shops, restaurants, and more up and down the streets!
Port Washington Art Walk Address:
Downtown Port Washington
100 N. Franklin Street (Highway 32)
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 268-1132
Website
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May 27, 2021 – May 30, 2021
Hurley Memorial Weekend ATV/UTV Rally
The 36th Memorial Weekend ATV/UTV Rally will continue the tradition of Hurley’s kick off to the Summer Trail Riding Season! It runs Thursday, May 27th through Sunday, May 30th. Check out all of the pageantry that makes up this storied event! Thursday kicks off the Poker Run in Iron County. Friday join the fun as they present music, vendors, and mud all afternoon. Stick around for the annual parade of machines from the Iron Horse Trail through downtown Hurley. Saturday, the fun continues with the Poker Run and riding over 200 miles of the BEST trails in Wisconsin. Join the fun on Sunday and get down and dirty in the “Biggest, Baddest, Dirtiest of All” Mud Pit, sponsored by the Hurley Fire Department. Finish the weekend and poker run on Monday.
Lots of fun options! Ride U.S. 2, U.S. 51, and a variety of other highways to explore the Hurley area and Iron County. Their ATV/UTV trail system is incredible, and the natural beauty of the area – including Saxon Harbor and the Lake Superior shore – is alone worth the trip. For a fun kitschy thing to see, check out the World’s Largest Corkscrew along U.S. 2, just west of Hurley! You’ll find it in front of – what else – a liquor store. Enjoy!
Hurley Memorial Weekend ATV/UTV Rally Address:
Iron County locations include Hurley, Saxon, and Mercer
Hurley, WI 54534
(715) 561-4334
Website
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May 22, 2021 – May 23, 2021
West Bend Spring Fling Art & Craft Fair
The 4th annual West Bend Spring Fling Art & Craft Fair happens Saturday, May 22nd and Sunday, May 23rd at the Washington County Fair Park’s Ziegler Building! The Brew City Crafters host this two-day event with over 100 local exhibitors. It’s their first event in 18 months, so everybody is more than ready. It’s all indoors and approximately 85% of the booths will feature handmade arts & crafts focused on a wide variety of categories, including:
It runs from 10 am – 4pm both Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $3 for any individual over 12 years of age. Advance ticket sales are strongly recommended, as they are required to cap visitor volume per hour for this event. Your purchase of an ticket in advance directly supports the Wisconsin Humane Society!
You’ll find the Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center on the south side of West Bend, right off the U.S. 45 freeway. Highway 60 is about a mile south, and Highways 33 and 144 are to the north (they go right into town.) While you’re around West Bend, check out the downtown area including the Wisconsin Museum of Art, the shops on Main Street, the Toucan for some great custard, Riverside Brewery, and a lot more! It’s less than 10 minutes north of the I-41/U.S. 45 split, too.
West Bend Spring Fling Art & Craft Fair Address:
Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center
3000 County PV/Pleasant Valley Road
West Bend, WI 53095
Website
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April 18, 2021 – May 2, 2021
Dino Safari – A Drive-Thru Adventure
It’s like a prehistoric passport! Drive through and among over 40 giant moving dinosaurs with Dino Safari, a family-friendly drive-thru dinosaur adventure. Check out every type of dinosaur from the T. Rex to the giant Spinosaurus. As you watch them from your vehicle, you can learn how these dinosaurs evolved over millions of years, where they lived and roamed, what they ate, how they moved, and more. (Maybe, in the case of T. Rex, you can learn why they had such short arms!)
Before you go through, videos are available to help illustrate what you’re about to witness. An audio tour is also available to accompany you as you go through, helping to illustrate all of this information. Also be aware that earthquakes might erupt on your tour, dinosaurs might get into battles, and you might have to step up and help save a baby dinosaur! All COVID-safe, by the way.
Dino Safari Hours
Monday – Thursdays 12pm – 8pm, last ticket sold at 7:30
Fridays – Sundays 9am – 9pm, last ticket sold at 8:30
Get Tickets Here. Admission is $49.95 per regular car or SUV, up to 7 occupants allowed per vehicle. For larger vehicles (up to 6′ wide, 9′ high, and 20′ long) admission is $59.95. Admission includes the drive-thru experience, a survival pack with a park passport, and – as they say – “other surprises”!
The Dino Safari takes place on the Wisconsin State Fair Park grounds from April 18th through May 2nd, 2021. You can easily get to the grounds via I-94 (exit #306) and Highways 59 (Greenfield Avenue) and 181 (84th Street). U.S. 18/Bluemound Road is close by to the north, and you can access 84th Street via ramps from northbound and southbound I-41/I-894/U.S. 45. It’s a great way to have family fun while staying safe in your vehicle – from both COVID and the dinosaurs!
Dino Safari Drive-Thru Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Park (enter at North Lot 5 off Highway 181/84th Street)
640 S. 84th Street
West Allis, WI 53214
Website
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February 27, 2021
Arctic Derby Dash presented by SXS Sports
Monster Energy’s King of the Elements: Arctic Derby Dash presented by SXS Sports takes place Saturday, February 27, 2021 at Eagle River’s world-famous Derby Complex. Check out UTVs racing for great prizes.
It’s an action-packed day, and admission is only $15! You can walk through pit areas (don’t forget the sharpies to get some driver autographs), enjoy family-friendly activities, partake in concessions, load up on SXS Sports swag, and more. Hot Seat Tickets are also available for purchase!
The Derby Complex is on the north side of Eagle River, right along U.S. 45 and Highways 17 and 32. Highway 70 is just to the south in the downtown area. And of course, a ton of awesome snowmobile and ATV/UTV trails await throughout Vilas and the surrounding Counties!
World Championship Snowmobile Derby Address for the Arctic Derby Dash:
1311 Railroad Street (along Hwy 17/Hwy 32/U.S. 45)
Eagle River, WI 54521
(715) 479-4424
Website
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January 23, 2021 – January 24, 2021
West Bend Winter Warm Up
West Bend, named for a bend in the Milwaukee River, is the seat of Washington County and is known for great shops and its beautiful downtown. Saturday, January 23rd and Sunday, January 24th, you can enjoy the city in full at the annual West Bend Winter Warm Up!
Check out the ice sculptures in the downtown area, including a live Ice Sculpture Demo in Old Settlers Park on Saturday between 1pm and 2:30pm. Downtown shops will have specials, treats, and chances for you to win gift baskets.
The High Jass Fat Tire Bike Race will take place in Regner Park, just across Highways 33/144 from downtown, both Saturday and Sunday. Check out the bikes churning their wide tires up and down hills and across trails in this two-day fun competition!
The Winter Luminary Walk is a free, lighted walking experience at and through the Lac Lawrann Conservancy. It happens from 5pm to 7pm Saturday evening.
Check out great stops downtown too, including Now and Then Antiques, West Bend Pilot Boutique & Unique Finds, Savoring Thyme, The Oaken Hogg Whiskey Bar, Riverside Brewery, Urban Bend Trends, Perfect Timing Gift Shop, Xpressions Yarn, Bead & Gift Boutique, All In Books, Over the Moon Gift Shop, and more! The Wisconsin Museum of Art is downtown across the river from Main Street, too.
You can easily access West Bend via Highways 33 and 144, just east of the U.S. 45 freeway in the heart of Washington County. Nearby, check out Sunburst Ski Hill in Kewaskum or Little Switzerland in Slinger for winter fun involving skiing, snowboarding, or tubing!
West Bend Winter Warm Up Address:
Downtown West Bend (120 N. Main Street)
West Bend, WI 53095
Website
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January 21, 2021 – January 24, 2021
Beloit Winterfest
Beloit embraces the cold and snowy season with its annual Beloit Winterfest, which this year offers a mix of virtual and in-person activities throughout locations in the city. It takes place Thursday, January 21st through Sunday, January 24th, 2021.
The City of Beloit Parks and Recreation Division runs these events, with in-person activities incorporating safety and social distance to increase opportunities for families and visitors to get out and enjoy winter in Beloit.
Beloit Winterfest Events include:
Virtual events such as:
The “No Snow” Man Building Contest, where you can gather basic household items and build your snowman indoors. The winner will receive a prize bag filled with goodies; the deadline for sending in your photo is 3pm on Sunday the 24th.
The “Ralphie Challenge”, where you put on as many shirts and sweaters as you can, send in a picture, and potentially win another prize bag filled with goodies. This deadline is also 3pm on Sunday the 24th.
In-Person events, including:
Snow Golf, which has a twist: you use a tennis ball as a ball and the snow as your tee. This takes place at Krueger-Haskell Golf Course (1611 Hackett Street) on Saturday, January 23rd. Golfers of all ages and all abilities are encouraged to participate. Reservations are required, and are for 9 holes walking. The rate applies for all ages. Updated COVID-19 guidelines will be in place and social distancing will be required. You must register by Thursday the 21st!
The “Welty Winder” Scavenger Hunt, where you can test your knowledge (and bloodhound-type skills) to find everything in this hunt throughout the city. The Welty Environmental Center takes you on this journey with 20 total clues. Share your journey on social media using the hashtags #BeloitWinterfest, #WeltyWinder and #BeloitWI… and #stt or #StateTrunkTour!
Find out more details with their online flyer, and check out other cool stuff in Beloit like G5 Brewing, the Ironworks Hotel and complex, the shops and restaurants downtown along Grand Avenue and adjacent streets, and more.
It’s easy to get to Beloit! Follow I-39/90 south, I-43 southwest from Milwaukee, or U.S. 51 south from Janesville. Highway 81 goes through town and provides access from Monroe and other points west; Highway 213 comes into Beloit from the northwest. Downtown is nestled in Beloit right next to the Beloit College campus, just blocks north of the Wisconsin-Illinois state line. It’s remarkable to see what Beloit has done with the city’s resurgence; see it this weekend with Beloit Winterfest!
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December 5, 2020
Waukesha Art Crawl
Downtown Waukesha, along with being a crazy maze of streets, offers up a lot of fun places. That includes art galleries. For the Waukesha Art Crawl (this one being #113), over 175 artisans represented, live music, galleries, studios, food/drinks, gifts, gifts, antiques, live music & more! There will also be a special Teacher’s Art Showcase at Otto’s Fine Art Academy. Look for a special Pop Up gallery at Art Links 333. As part of Waukesha Silver Bells, there will also be Reindeer at People’s Park from 1pm – 4pm. Many of the galleries and business open at 10am, so you can make a day of it. With COVID, of course CDC Guidelines are in place so you can enjoy the Waukesha Art Crawl safely. Please check with the participating to find out specifics for their businesses. Walk the downtown streets to discover your next artistic treasure, shop the boutiques, listen to live music or indulge in food and drink!
Check out WaukeshaArt.com for all the updates and details!
How do you get into Waukesha? I-94 and Highway 16 bring you to the north side; Highways 59 and 164 round the south and east sides. U.S. 18 cuts right through, take that or East or St. Paul Avenues.
Get a map of the events here!
Waukesha Art Crawl Address:
Downtown Waukesha, WI
(262) 542-1522
Website
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November 27, 2020 – December 24, 2020
Enchantment in the Park, West Bend
West Bend’s Regner Park hosts Washington County’s premier holiday lights event from November 27th through Christmas Eve (December 24th, obviously), 2020 with Enchantment in the Park.
There’s no cost to enter Enchantment in the Park, but donations are welcome – a suggested cash donation is $10; non-perishable food donations are also welcome.
Enchantment in the Park is open daily, 5pm to 9pm. You’ll find Regner Park along Highway 144/Main Street just north of Highway 33 and downtown West Bend. It’s less than five minutes east of the U.S. 45 freeway.
Enchantment in the Park Address:
Regner Park
800 N. Main Street
West Bend, WI 53090
Website
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November 6, 2020 – November 8, 2020
Bloomin’ Holidays, Museum of Wisconsin Art
West Bend’s Museum of Wisconsin Art offers Bloomin’ Holidays the first full weekend of November. In this crazy year, a “Floral Sanctuary” is the theme, showcasing (as they note) the “ephemeral beauty of flowers.” The event technically begins Friday, November 6th, but earlier in the week the museum will kick things off with a rather impressive large-scale exterior art installation using animated video projection right onto the building. The event itself includes three full days of floral arrangements throughout the museum, including pre-recorded video experts who discuss the flowers in 15-minutes talks throughout the weekend, on display in the atrium. The expanded MOWA Shop will offer a variety of gift giving items including unique hats, soaps, candles, ceramic dishware, and even delicious chocolates and maple syrup.
Featured Designers and Programs include:
Michael Alt, who will install a spectacular floral installation the museum’s atrium. Alt, who owns a shop in Milwaukee’s Walkers Point with his name on it, was awarded Best of Show at both 2017 and 2018 Bloomin’ Holidays for his creative floral masterpieces.
Enhancing Your Living Space featuring Zannah Crowe, a horticulturalist at Johnson’s Gardens, will help you discover ways to bring a beautiful, natural exterior to your indoor spaces. She’ll share tips for the proper care and placement of house plants, so you can benefit from that extra boost in mood and oxygen!
Grapevine Wreaths featuring Dane County botanist Kevin Kawula will help you learn which wood and vine elements can be best used for floral arrangements; he’ll also demonstrate the construction of a natural, DIY grapevine wreath for your home.
Fall Forage featuring John Holzwart from Plant Based Services LLC will showcase our native Wisconsin plant life, complete with tips and information on local foraging, medicinal plant life, and seasonal flower collecting.
Timed Entry due to COVID for safety and enjoyment
MOWA provides a safe socially distanced experience, limiting gallery capacity to 25% or less. To ensure you can visit at your preferred time during Bloomin’ Holidays, you can make a timed reservation for Friday, November 6th, Saturday, November 7th, or Sunday, November 8th. You can also call (262) 334-9638. If you don’t make a reservation beforehand, you will be welcomed in at the first available entry time. Please note, the 9:30-11:30 timed entry reservations will be reserved for seniors and at-risk members.
The Museum of Wisconsin Art is in the heart of West Bend, just east across the Milwaukee River from the downtown shops. It’s accessible right off Highways 33; Highway 144 meets up just across the river. U.S. 45’s freeway bypass is just a few miles to the west and provides quick access to West Bend, and following the historic U.S. 45 route (Main Street) from the south brings you right there.
Bloomin’ Holidays Address:
Wisconsin Museum of Art
205 Veterans Avenue
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 334-9638
Website
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October 24, 2020
Oak Creek Fall Festival
Oak Creek Fall Festival is the city’s annual harvest tradition, taking place throughout the Drexel Town Square complex! It’s an outdoor event that celebrates everything autumn on Saturday, October 24th from 9am to 6pm. Family-friendly events will feature pumpkin decorating, vendor booths, and more!
Check out live music, including the Five Card Studs from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and SuperFly from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Activities around Drexel Town Square include:
They ask that you please wear a mask when in line or walking around Oak Creek Fall Festival; masks can be removed when sitting at your table. They will monitor for social distancing, and will frequently clean common touchpoints (tables, bathrooms, etc.). Hand sanitizer will be provided at the event!
Great shops, bars, and restaurants are located in and right around Drexel Town Square; feel free to imbibe and enjoy in as many as possible. You’ll find Drexel Town Square along Drexel Avenue, just west of Highway 38/Howell Avenue, 1 1/2 miles east of I-41/94 (where you’ll also find IKEA) and two miles north of Highway 100/Ryan Road.
Oak Creek Fall Festival Address:
Drexel Town Square
361 W. Town Square Way
Oak Creek, WI 53154
Website
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October 17, 2020 – October 18, 2020
Old World Wisconsin Fall Family Fun Drive
Old World Wisconsin, the 1870s-era crossroads village and ethnic farmsteads on 576 acres of wooded hills in the Southern Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, has gone drive-thru with the Old World Wisconsin Fall Family Fun Drive. This amazing Wisconsin State Historic Site is offering the opportunity for people and families to tour the grounds from the comfort and safety of their vehicles.
Enjoy the fall colors, historic sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of Old World Wisconsin on this scenic, 45-minute drive tour of the grounds. This is designed to let you experience OWW differently than ever before; you can even cover routes that aren’t normally accessible during the regular season. The set route offers vignettes that capture the beauty of the landscapes and architecture on the grounds – especially in autumn.
Adding to the fun, an interactive Old World Wisconsin Bingo game will help guide the journey. You’re supposed to remain in your vehicle for most of the tour, but “Instagrammable” opportunities allow you to hop out for photos at select locations. You can also munch on “Fall Flavor Samplers,” filled with tastes of fall like apple cider donuts, landjaeger sausages, and pumpkin cookies, which are available for pre-order that you can then pick up at The Creamery to enjoy during the drive.
The cost for this drive-thru is $20 per vehicle; the optional Fall Flavor Samplers are also $20 and should feed two easily.
You can enjoy the Old World Wisconsin Fall Family Fun Drive-Thru (yes, that’s a long title) on Saturdays and Sundays, October 10th, 11th, 17th, and 18th, from 9am – 3pm. Advanced registration and payment is required; tickets are timed entry, giving guests a 15-minute window to enter the site. You can call 262-594-6311 to register, Shout-out to WaterStone Bank and the Old World Foundation for supporting this!
As part of the COVID-19 precautions, face masks are required for all guests upon entry.
Old World Wisconsin Fall Family Fun Drive Address:
Old World Wisconsin
W372 S9727 Highway 67
Eagle, WI 53119-9503
(262) 594-6311
Website
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October 16, 2020 – October 18, 2020
Up North Sports Snow & Ice Fishing Consumer Show
The Up North Sports Snow & Ice Fishing Consumer Show is the largest snow and ice fishing show of the year, and it comes to Milwaukee the weekend of October 16-18 at the Wisconsin Center downtown.
This is your chance to see the largest inventory of 2021 Snowmobile and Ice Fishing Gear, equipment, and accessories in the same building! All the Top Manufacturers in both Ice and Snow including FXR, KLIM, 509, CASTLE X, FLY, BCA, DSG, TOBE in Snow and CLAM, ICE ARMOR, STRIKER, OTTER, STRIKEMASTER, 13 FISHING, ESKIMO, ION, MARCUM and RAZR in Ice Fishing will be there.
Hours:
Friday, October 16 – 3:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 17 – 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 18 – 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The Wisconsin Center is in the heart of the west side of Milwaukee’s downtown, right where Highway 145 (6th Street) ends at U.S. 18 (Wells Street). I-794, I-43/94, and Highway 32 also bring you within blocks of the venue.
Up North Sports Snow & Ice Fishing Consumer Show Address:
Wisconsin Center
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53203
(414) 908-6000
Website
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October 10, 2020
Quilts on Barns Road Rally
“Quilts on Barns” Road Rally takes place Saturday, October 10, 2020. Enjoy spending the day – or even just a part of it if you prefer – driving around the highways and byways of Racine County where you can see the beauty of rural art, looking for the 26 quilt patterns on a variety of barns! Make your first stop the Real Racine Visitor Center to pick up a Quilts on Barns driving tour map and road rally instruction card. Take a tour of four (4) barns, Sew n’ Save Quilt Palette OR Country Rose Bakery Cafe Quilt Palette. Then take a “selfie” of each and come on down to the Quilts on Barns Road Rally Downtown Headquarters or Real Racine Visitor Center to show them off. Several lucky winners will be randomly chosen to win quilts, original artwork and other prizes!
The Quilts on Barns Driving Tour includes 26 barns with an 8′ x 8′ wooden quilt pattern. Many other “quilt treasures” adorn barns and buildings along your driving route. Feel free to visit local Racine County businesses , restaurants, art galleries, and quilt stores. You will be amazed at what you can find!
Quilts on Barns Road Rally Address:
The Rally is obviously happening all around Racine County, but the central meeting point is the Real Racine Visitors Center on Highway 20 just west of I-41/94. The address (for your GPS) is 14015 Washington Avenue/Highway 20, Sturtevant, WI 53177. For more info, call (262) 635-0261.
More info is available on the Racine Arts Council website.
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October 7, 2020 – November 1, 2020
Halloween Glow Drive-Thru at Racine Zoo
It’s a spooktacular experience filled with light displays and ghostly charms at the Halloween Glow Drive-Thru at Racine Zoo, running October 7th through November 1st, 2020! Enjoy this “illuminated Halloween adventure” from the safety and comfort of your vehicle. Just follow the dedicated light pathway and be prepared for surprises – but they’re all family friendly.
Halloween Glow is open Wednesdays – Sundays from 6pm to 9pm; admission is $5 per person at the gate. Children 2 years and younger are admitted FREE. Proceeds benefit Racine Zoo’s animals and programs.
You’ll find the Racine Zoo just north of downtown Racine. It’s along Main Street and Goold, abutting Lake Michigan just east of Highways 32 and 38. Highways 11 and 20 also bring you into the Belle City, all about 8 miles east of I-41/94.
Halloween Glow Address:
Racine Zoo
200 Goold Street
Racine, WI 53402
(262) 636-9189
Website
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