Richland Center’s Richland County Fairgrounds has all the action with the Hybrid Redneck Rally this Saturday! Plenty of mud, tuff trucks, pulls, grass drags, ATV drags, it’s a great, loud, rockin’ time for the whole family! Enjoy the Twisted Metal Demo Derby at 2pm, the Kids’ Pedal Pull, a Craft Fair, and Fire Department Water Fights. See a full schedule of events below!
Admission is $10; for kids 6-12 years old, $5. Kids under 6 are admitted free. You can reach Richland Center in the beautiful Driftless Area via U.S. 14 or Highways 56 or 80. It’s a great drive!
Hybrid Redneck Rally Address:
Richland County Fairgrounds
23630 County AA
Richland Center, WI 53581
(608) 604-5068 Website
Check out the Hybrid Redneck Rally Schedule of Events below!
Schedule of Events:
11 am: Fire Department Water Fights (call Bryan (608) 604-5395 for details)
11 am: Mud Drags
11 am: Badger State Dirt Flingers
2 pm: Truck and Tractor Pull and Tri County Mini Rods (call Jason Schultz at (608)604-5068 for details)
12 pm: Kids Pedal Free (FREE for kids 12 and under)
2 pm: Twisted Metal Demolition Derby (inspection from 8am to 1pm) (call Jason Cox at 608-604-6902 for details)
6 pm: Car and Truck Drag Racing (call Shawn Grimm 608-604-9847 for details)
Camping available on site.
Craft vendors.
New food vendors.
Bounce Houses for the kids (additional charge)
Start:
October 12, 2019 11:00 am
End:
October 12, 2019 8:00 pm
Venue:
Richland County Fairgrounds
Phone:
608-604-5068
Address:
23630 County Road AA, Richland Center, WI, 53581, United States
Applefest is an annual celebration in Two Rivers, filling the town’s Central Park with apple growers, bakers, and apple lovers enjoy this incredible fruit. An arts and crafts fair, apple pie social, and all kinds of entertainment will also take place throughout the day.
Central Park in Two Rivers, home to Applefest. (Photo credit: Lester Public Library’s Flicker.)
This year’s Applefest takes place on Saturday, October 12th from 9 am – 4 pm. You’ll find all the action in Central Park, right along Highway 42. This is also the place where the ice cream sundae was invented, so check out the Washington House and enjoy one in the original location. Explore the East and West Twin Rivers, the fascinating Rogers Street Historic Fishing Village, Neshotah Beach, and the beautiful area around the lakefront and city.
The drive along Lake Michigan on Highway 42/Memorial Drive between Two Rivers and Manitowoc is beautiful too, and there’s plenty more to see in Manitowoc, less than six miles away!
Applefest Address:
1710 W. Park Street
Two Rivers, WI 54241
(920) 755-2775 Website
The 12th annual Flyway Film Festival is held in Pepin and Alma along Highway 35, our gorgeous Great River Road, from Thursday, October 10th through Sunday, October 13th, 2019. Flyway Film Festival’s mission is to bring the best in independent film to the Lake Pepin area of Wisconsin and Minnesota for the purpose of cultural enrichment, community-building, arts education, and to inspire the next generation of filmmakers. The festival venues are on the shores of Lake Pepin, a part of the Mississippi that widens to a 40-square-mile “lake” sixty miles downstream from the Twin Cities. The area is known for its scenic river bluffs as well as for its vibrant art scene, gourmet dining, and sailing. Over 50 national and international independent films will be shown across multiple venues, with many filmmakers and industry professionals in attendance to interact with audiences via Q&A and networking events. It’s three days of films, workshops, music, and parties along the beautiful bluffs of the Mississippi River.
Eagle River Cranberry Fest celebrates this lovely, healthy, and tasty fruit that is one of Wisconsin’s most significant crops. There’s something for everyone, with arts and crafts, cranberry food sales, a bakery, entertainment, fitness events and more. More than 40,000 attend this annually, making it one of the highlights of the fall season in Eagle River.
While you are at Eagle River Cranberry Fest, check out the food tent where you will find soups, cranberry brats, char-broiled chicken sandwiches and much more. Then visit the Information Headquarters tent where you can purchase fresh cranberry bakery goods and event souvenirs. Don’t forget to save room for our famous World’s Largest Cranberry Cheesecake and support the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
How about taking home some fresh locally grown cranberries or craisins? Approximately 10,000 pounds of premium select cranberries will be sold during the festival event. Cookbooks are also available to learn new and unique ways to use cranberries.
More Than Just Cranberries
In addition to the marvelous cranberry dishes and cranberry events, there will be over 300 Arts-n-Crafts vendors from all over the country selling all types of handmade arts and crafts on Cranberry Fest’s festival grounds, where are centered on the Vilas County Fairgrounds along Highway 70 West, just west of downtown. Meanwhile, in Downtown Eagle River you’ll find an open air antique market, farmers market, Cranberry Fest luncheon, Lake Country Weaver & Fiber Artists show and sale, food and lots of entertainment.
You can reach Eagle River via U.S. 45 or Highway 17, 32, or 70. It’s the heart of the World’s Largest Chain of Freshwater Lakes, with 28 of these beauties connected by waterways. It’s home to the world-famous World Championship Snowmobile Derby every year and a popular focal point for vacations in the North Woods.
Eagle River Cranberry Fest Address:
Vilas County Fairgrounds
146 Forest Street
Eagle River, WI 54521
(715) 479-6400 Website
A Schedule of Events is below!
Eagle River Cranberry Fest Schedule of Events
Thursday, October 3rd:
CRANBERRY MARSH TOURS
11:00 am, 11:30 am and Noon. Tours leave from the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center. Call 800-359-6315 for reservations.
Friday, October 4th:
CRANBERRY MARSH TOURS
10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Leaving every half hour. Tours leave from the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center. Call 800-359-6315 for reservations.
EARLY BIRD BERRY BOG 5K JOG FUN RUN at Riverview Park (located across from the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center): 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Saturday, October 5th:
9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Free Shuttle Bus to all the various festival locations: Festival Grounds (Vilas County Fairgrounds-Highway 70 West) and Downtown Eagle River. Shuttle available from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. (Shuttles run every 20-30 minutes depending on traffic).
CRANBERRY MARSH TOURS
9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Leaving every twenty minutes. Tours leave from the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center – 201 N. Railroad St. Call 800-359-6315 for reservations. Reservations are recommended.
FRESH CRANBERRY AND CRAISIN SALES
Cranberry Fest Festival Grounds (Hwy 70 West), Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center (201 N. Railroad St.), Corner of Hwy 70 West & Railroad St. and Downtown Eagle River.
CRANBERRY FESTIVAL GROUNDS ACTIVITIES
Vilas County Fairgrounds on Highway 70 West. Free Shuttle Bus available to all other activities available from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Arts & Crafts Fair – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cranberry Fest Pancake Breakfast 7:00 am to 10:00 am
Cranberry Bake Sale
Cranberry Food Products and Souvenirs
Cranberry Beer
Make A Wish Foundation’s World’s Largest Cranberry Cheesecake
Family Entertainment
A variety of foods with and without Cranberries
DOWNTOWN EAGLE RIVER ACTIVITIES
Free Shuttle Bus available to all other activities. Available from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Open Air Antique and Farmers Market 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
First Congregational Church Luncheon, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Lake Country Weaver and Fiber Artists Show and Sale
Entertainment
Mini Cranberry Bog Display – Northwoods Childrens Museum
Berry Bog 5K Jog – Fun Run/Walk 8:30 am – Riverview Park
Sunday, October 6th
9:00 am to 3:00 pm (No shuttle bus on Sunday)
CRANBERRY MARSH TOURS
10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Leaving every hour. Tours leave from the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center. Call 800-359-6315 for reservations.
FRESH CRANBERRY AND CRAISIN SALES
Cranberry Fest Festival Grounds (Hwy 70 West), Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center (201 N. Railroad St.) and Downtown Eagle River.
CRANBERRY FESTIVAL GROUNDS ACTIVITIES
Arts & Crafts Fair – 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Cranberry Fest Crafter Items Auction, 11:30 am at the Make A Wish Foundation Tent
Cranberry Bake Sale
Cranberry Food Products and Souvenirs
Cranberry Beer
Family Entertainment
A variety of foods with or without Cranberries
DOWNTOWN EAGLE RIVER ACTIVITIES
Farmers Market , 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Appleton Octoberfest is called “A Mile of Fun” in downtown Appleton and kicks off with License to Cruise, a classic car show featuring over 400 cars, plenty of live entertainment, and over 100 food vendors along College and nearby streets.
On Saturday, it’s Appleton’s largest block party! 100 food booths, 6 stages of music, 180 arts & crafts booths, family fun area.
Music starts as early as 9 a.m. (the full band line up is available on the website). Arts and Crafts and Family Fun for all ages! Octoberfest is a community-driven festival benefiting local non-profit organizations. Bring your ID if you plan to purchase beer tickets; beer ticket sales are from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Beer sales end at 5:30 p.m. and the event ends at 6 p.m.
Downtown Appleton is reached via U.S. 10, I-41, or Highways 47, 96, and 125.
Appleton Octoberfest Address:
100 College Avenue
Appleton, WI 54912
(920) 734-7101 Website
FRIDAY, 9/27/2019 Houdini Plaza (WVBO – 103.9 AND WNAM – 1280)
6:00 PM – 9:30 PM Doo Wop Daddies
6:00 PM – 9:30 PM Street Corner Entertainment
Corner of College & State WPKR (NASH FM)
Corner of College & Oneida Appleton Rock School w/their own stage & sound
Corner of College & Division 484th Army Band (6:00 PM – 7:30 PM)
Corner of College & Superior Joe Sly
Corner of College & Walnut Anna Little
Corner of College & Morrison The Polar Project
Corner of College & Durkee Lilie
Roaming Entertainment Jukebox Barbershop Quartet
SATURDAY, 9/28/2019 West End of College Avenue (105.7 WAPL)
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Appleton Rock School
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Coyote Kid
12:15 PM – 2:15 PM Road Trip N/A
2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Vic Ferrari
Corner of College Avenue & Division Street (KZ 104.3 AND WGBA-NBC26)
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Twisted Chords
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Ill Genesi
11:45 AM – 2:15 PM The Boy Band Night
2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Too White Crew
Corner of College Avenue & Superior Street (RAZOR 94.7 | 104.7)
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Stricken
12:15 PM – 3:15 PM Sir Real
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM Leading the Blind
Houdini Plaza (95.9 KISS FM)
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Newtonburg Oktoberfest Band
10:15 AM – 12:15 PM The Lately
12:30 PM – 2:45 PM Unity The Band
3:00 PM – 5:30 PM Kyle Megna & The Monsoons
Corner of College Avenue & Durkee Street (WHBY AND 95.3 | 99.1 THE SCORE)
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Doo Wop Daddies
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM Zeroed In (484th Army Variety Band)
12:30 PM – 2:15 PM Copper Box
2:30 PM – 5:30 PM The Glam Band
Corner of College Avenue & Morrison Street
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM FBI & The Untouchable Horns
1:30 PM – 5:30 PM The Polar Project
Corner of College Avenue & Drew Street
9:00 AM – 10:45 AM Happy Wanderers
11:00 AM – 3:45 PM 484th Army Band Ensembles
Family Fun Stage
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM Karate America Appleton East/Darboy
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Dan Kirk (Juggler)
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Randy Peterson (Children’s Singer)
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Cirq-Attude
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM Dan Kirk (Juggler)
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM Miller & Mike (Family Variety Act)
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM Randy Peterson (Children’s Singer)
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Miller & Mike (Family Variety Act)
The delightful Swiss-esque (if that’s a word) enclave of New Glarus comes alive with New Glarus Oktoberfest September 26-29, 2019!
Sponsored by the New Glarus Brewery, there’s plenty of lederhosen, live music, and a ceremonial keg tapping of New Glarus Brewery’s Staghorn Oktoberfest beer. You can also enjoy chainsaw wood carving, an antique tractor pull, wagon rides, activities for the kids, food stands, plus a fondue demonstration and tasting on Sunday afternoon. Admission to New Glarus Oktoberfest is FREE!
New Glarus is reached via Highways 39 and 69, just 30 minutes south of Madison.
Get the full lineup and updates at Swisstown.com. Also see the schedule below:
New Glarus Oktoberfest Address:
Downtown New Glarus
418 Railroad Street
New Glarus, WI 53574
(608) 527-2095 Website
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New Glarus Oktoberfest Schedule:
Thursday, Sept. 26
7pm – 11pm Polka music by the Steve Meisner Band (wear your lederhosen and dirndls!)
8;30 pm: King and Queen contest. You could be our Oktoberfest royalty for the weekend! Cash prizes, free beer and food for the King & Queen. Dress in your best Oktoberfest attire and let the people be the judges on best costumes.
Friday, Sept. 27
6pm Beer tent opens
6pm Food stands open
6pm Craft vendors and farmers market open
7:00pm Tap the Wooden Keg Annual Oktoberfest Event! New Glarus Brewing Company will be tapping a wooden keg of Staghorn Oktoberfest
8:00pm – Midnight Madison County Band. Hottest Country Band in Wisconsin!
Rhinelander’s first Project North Festival takes place from Thursday, September 26th through Saturday, September 28th throughout the downtown area. Project North is a dynamic festival designed to focus on music, art, and the environment to showcase Rhinelander’s artistic community, appreciation for its captivating Northwoods environment, and its community cultural development efforts.
On the Arts side of the Project North Festival, you can check out interactive art exhibits, artist demonstrations and educational opportunities, movement and dance experiences, and a Downtown Art Walk in participating storefronts. ArtStart’s School Of the Arts Legacy Program classes will be held at UWSP-Treehaven for an add-on experience. Classes include writing, drawing, painting, play writing, collage, fiber art, and more.
Musically, there’s an impressive lineup of artists including:
Shook Twins from Portland
Bad Bad Hats from Minneapolis
Reina Del Cid from Minneapolis
Kind Country from Minneapolis
20 Watt Tombstone from Wausau
McNasty Brass Band from Minneapolis
Armchair Boogie from Stevens Point
Scott Kirby from Rhinelander
Ultrea from Madison
Humbird from Minneapolis
Wardehns from Wausau
Har-Di-Har from St. Paul
The Red Flags from Janesville
Purple Funk Metropolis from Minneapolis
Radiochurch from Minneapolis
Paco Fralick from Rhinelander
The Unnecessary Gunpoint Lecture from Madison
Luke Callen from La Crosse
Wurk from Madison
X Undead from Wausau
Boat Patrol from Rhinelander
As Bullets Baptize from Minocqua
Brett Schwartz from Three Lakes
Carolyn Jo Starling from Eagle River
Purging Paradise from Wausau
Nate Sheppard from Rhinelander
Ave’ Imperator from Madison
Elms from Wausau
Zippnuts from Wausau
Hand-Picked Bluegrass from Tomahawk
Circle of Willis from Rhinelander
Stovepipe Stephens from Rhinelander
Jared Kay from Rhinelander
Stall Black from Milwaukee
Phyl Wickham from Minocqua
Jasmine Zeigelbauer from Wausau
The Rhinelander Community Band from Rhinelander (of course)
The Eco Village at Project North Festival will welcome experts in sustainable practices to share their knowledge through demonstrations, presentations and informational booths. Project North Eco Village runs from 12:00pm – 5:00pm on Friday, September 27th and 10:00am – 5:00pm on Saturday, September 28th.
Project North Festival Address:
68 S. Stevens Street (Historic Highway 17)
Rhinelander, WI 54501
(715) 365-7464 Website
The Driftless area, a unique region that escaped the glaciers of the ice age, is an inspirational setting to many talented artists and artisans. Its hills and valleys are home to painters and potters, woodworkers and weavers, musicians and metalsmiths. To see the breadth and variety of their creations, you usually have to visit studios, stores and galleries across the area. But once a year in September, these artists gather together in Crawford County at the Driftless Area Art Festival in Soldiers Grove along Highway 131, right by U.S. 61.
This year, the Driftless Area Art Festival happens Saturday and Sunday, September 21-22, 2019. Admission and parking are free! Enjoy a drive with exceptional scenery, as the Driftless Area of Wisconsin is ridiculously beautiful. You can then stroll through the exhibits, imbibe in some local fare, and sip some local wines. Also, we’re pretty sure if you want to buy some of the art you can do that.
Driftless Area Art Festival Address:
Beauford T Anderson Park
101 Church Street
Soldiers Grove, WI 54655
(608) Website
Ever meet alpacas up close and personal? National Alpaca Farm Days in Beloit offers you the chance to do just that. You can also learn about alpacas, their care, and their fiber, which can be spun into amazing products. It takes place at Pacesetter Alpacas in Beloit Saturday and Sunday, September 21-22 and September 28-29, 2019.
During National Alpaca Farm Days, you will be able to learn about alpacas, their care, and their fiber. There will be local fiber artists on-site to demonstrate fiber preparation techniques (skirting, picking, carding), spinning fiber into yarn, then knitting, weaving, or felting the fiber and yarn into product. The event provides an excellent opportunity to shop early for the holidays! Items for sale include clothing, socks, handmade accessories, dryer balls, raw fleece, roving, yarn, and more! There will also be fun activities for kids, and food will be available from Rosemarie’s Kitchen Table.
The owners of Pacesetters Alpacas, Dennis and Christy Pace, purchased 80 acres of land in 1995 and soon after became interested in Suri alpacas. There are two kinds of alpacas, the Huacaya (pronounced Wuh-kai-ya) and the Suri. Huacaya alpacas are fluffy like teddy bears and Suri alpacas have long shiny locks like very soft, slightly curly hair. Along with their alpacas, the Paces have a store with a variety of items for sale including warm and soft alpaca socks, hats, scarves, sweaters and much more. The store is open on Saturdays 9 am-3 pm and Sundays 12-4 pm between Thanksgiving and Christmas or by appointment. The store will be also open during the event. Saturday hours are 9 am-4 pm and Sunday hours are 12-4 pm. If you are unable to visit us during those times, give us them a call at 608-751-2261.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Friends of Noah Wisconsin—an all-breed animal rescue.
Hours:
Saturday, September 28, 9 am-4 pm
Sunday, September 29, 12-4 pm
National Alpaca Farm Days Address:
LondonDairy Alpacas
6827 State Highway 147
Two Rivers, WI 54241
(920) 793-4165 Website
Hey, all roads lead to Tomah, take one of them (I-90, I-94, US 12, Highway 16, Highway 21, or Highway 131… we weren’t kidding about “all roads”) Saturday, September 14th and check out the Tomah Rotary Kegs Corks & Forks Festival! It was formerly the Tomah Beer & Sausage Festival, but with more food, wine, and more being added, a new name was created. We’re cool with that.
Kegs Corks & Forks takes place from 5-8pm at Tomah Recreational Park’s Ice Hockey Rink, although partying will continue well past that. There will be a Smoked Meat Competition where the competitors are the Tomah Police Department vs. the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, craft beer sampling, wine tasting, plenty of area food vendors offering samples and food for sale, along with prizes, raffles, drawings, and a post-event concert featuring Lassos and Lace followed by Jay Allen.
Tickets range from $40 for general admission, which starts at 6pm; $60 for VIP admission, which begins at 5pm; you can also get concert-only tickets for $20 ahead of time or $25 the day of the show. You can buy tickets ahead of time here.
Tomah is the seat of Monroe County and the place where all the major roads meet and split. I-90 & I-94 converge here, as do their pre-Interstate compatriots, U.S. 12 and Highway 16. Highway 21 skims Tomah to the north and Highway 131 comes in from the Driftless Area south.
This is the start of “Cranberry Country” too, so check out the nearby bogs, sample fresh cranberries and all kinds of tasty foods made with this remarkable little fruit, and explore the town while you’re there!
Tomah Kegs Corks & Forks Address:
Recreation Park (just off Highway 16)
1625 Butts Avenue
Tomah, WI 54660 Website
You’ll find Recreation Park in Tomah just off Highway 16, once the main highway to La Crosse before I-90 was built. Best exit from I-90 to access Recreation Park is via Exit 41 (Highway 131), then west on Highway 16 to Butts Avenue and the Park.
Great Lakes Brew Fest takes place Saturday, September 14th in Racine. The 2019 Festival Theme is Woodstock’s 50 years! The Fest features unlimited sampling of more than 450 craft beers and sodas from over 100 brewers, plus many food trucks with a variety of food offerings, all on the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan at the Racine Zoological Gardens just north of downtown.
All paid attendees will receive a souvenir tasting glass, and local restaurants will have plenty of menu items available for purchase. Doors open at 3pm; VIP members begin at 2 (they get first crack at everything, you see.) The festival also features live music including performances by the world renowned Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps, the internationally-acclaimed group for whom the Great Lakes Brew Fest helps raise money for. There will be more music from Duosonic.
The Great Lakes Brew Fest also serves as the host of the Schooner Home Brew Championship. Home Brew Island will also welcome groups like the Beer Barons of Milwaukee, the Brain Roasters Guild of Pleasant Prairie, Central Wisconsin Vintners & Brewers from Fond du Lac, Society of Oshkosh Brewers, Chicago Home Brewers Group, Square Kegs Homebrewers from Chicago, Forest City Brewers from Rockford, North Shore Brewers Club from Milwaukee, Dells Unified Frequent Fermenters (D.U.F.F.) from Reedsburg, Racine’s own Belle City Home Brewers, and more.
You must be at least 21 to attend. This is an adult event and all attendees must be of legal drinking age to participate. Children, toddlers, babies or pets are not permitted. However, at other times they are welcome to enjoy the Racine Zoological Gardens, because it’s a terrific zoo!
General Admission tickets are $50; a Basic Designated Driver Fest Pass is $20, which includes admission, a fest pint glass, and complimentary soda and water. A VIP Fest Pass runs $90 and includes early admission (2pm instead of 3pm), a commemorative stein and a pint glass, sausage and cheese sampling, a VIP Lounge area, and secure article check-in, and a $10 voucher off “festival swag.” Get all the ticket details here!
To reach Great Lakes Brew Fest, access Racine via Highways 11, 20, 32, or 38. Downtown Racine is about 8 miles east of I-41/94 and about 4 miles east of Highway 31. The Racine Zoological Gardens is just north of downtown along Lake Michigan via Highway 32, just follow the signs.
The 31st annual International Fall Festival takes place in downtown Eau Claire Saturday, September 14th!
The International Fall Festival celebrates the diverse cultural makeup of Eau Claire through food, music, and fun. Enjoy a wide variety of food, vendors, and entertainment along South Barstow Street and throughout the South Barstow District in Downtown Eau Claire throughout the day. The Parade begins at 3 pm, and admission is free. This is a great event to bring the whole family so they can experience the culture and all Eau Claire has to do – which is quite a bit!
International Fall Festival Address:
Downtown Eau Claire
203 S. Farwell Street
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715) 839-4914 Website
Eau Claire is easily reached via I-94, U.S. 12, U.S. 53, or Highways 37, 93, and 124. Downtown Eau Claire has a ton of great restaurants, shops, music venues, and more. The Children’s Museum of Eau Claire is right downtown, so you can add that to the list with the kids. Nearby, Carson Park offers plenty to do from visiting Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox to canoeing and kayaking in Braun’s Bay in the Chippewa River. You can also ride the miniature train, explore the trails, or grab an ice cream soda at the Chippewa Valley Museum & Ice Cream Parlor. The city will definitely be buzzing with activity from students returning to UW-Eau Claire, too! Phoenix Park will be busy and it’s a great launching point for a nice tube float down the Chippewa River. You can also check out The Oxbow, a boutique hotel on Galloway Street on the north side of downtown and The Lakely, a great restaurant offering unique culinary combinations, inside the hotel. And right across the street you’ll find the Volume One Local Store, one of our favorite Eau Claire (and Wisconsin) shops!
Boerner Botanical Gardens hosts “China Lights: Panda Mania” and the Chinese Lantern Festival, September 13- October 27, 2019!
China Lights brings stunning illuminated sculptures to select venues around the world. Now, it floats into Milwaukee for an after-sundown celebration of Asian life and culture. The 9-acre Gardens transform into a magical paradise of enchanting illuminated displays. Dragons, glowing pagodas and iridescent pinwheels add color, vibrancy, and excitement.
Check out a backstage tour of the lanterns and participate in the nightly parade. Or simply enjoy wandering through the thrilling spectacle, which includes live performances of music, juggling and other arts. Enjoy a variety of Asian and Western cuisine from numerous local vendors, celebrate Asian culture with entertainment and live performances and a bustling marketplace. The entertainment ramps up Tuesdays through Sundays, 5:30pm-10pm – China Lights is closed Mondays.
Admission includes a link to the official festival tour mobile guide, which will provide fascinating insight about the wonders all around you as you stroll with your cell phone. Parking is free for China Lights; simply follow the signs along 92nd Street – one mile east of U.S. 45/Highway 100 – to find the lots.
Tickets can be purchased at the on-site box office during the event, through the event website at ChinaLights.org or they may be purchased at various county park locations. Tickets are good for any night of the current season that the event is open. No reciprocal garden admissions or Friends of Boerner Botanical Garden Memberships are valid during the China Lights special event. There is no refund due to rain, power outages, and/or other unforeseen conditions. In the unlikely event of a weather caused cancellation, patrons on the grounds will be given rain checks for a subsequent show.
Check their Facebook page for updates. You can get to Boerner Botanical Gardens just off U.S. 45/Highway 100 and Highway 24 via Whitnall Park in Hales Corners. I-41/894 & I-43 are also close by!
Address for China Lights: Panda Mania & the Chinese Lantern Festival at Boerner:
Sheboygan is a fantastic town for German heritage, brats, and beer! The 8th Street Ale Haus Oktoberfest celebrates this heritage Friday, September 13th and Saturday, September 14th. 8th Street Ale Haus always has at least 100 beers available, but this particular weekend they’ll have extra on hand for everyone showing up in lederhosen – or whatever clothes, really.
Of course, beer will be involved. 8th Street Ale Haus will also feature terrific German food, HAMMERSCHLAGEN (the game where you drive nails into a huge tree trunk), German Potato Salad Contest, keg tapping, and live music with the Charlie Bucket Band, The Waltzmeister, the Newton Brass Band, and The Honeygoats. Check out the full schedule below!
You can get to the 8th Street Ale Haus heading east on Highway 23, continuing past its end, and going south on 8th Street. Highways 28 and 42 come together close by, and I-43 is just a few miles to the west.
8th Street Ale Haus Oktoberfest Address:
1132 N. 8th Street
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 208-7540 Website
“COWabunga!” as they say. Hit Platteville not only for the natural beauty surrounding it, the World’s Largest M, the Rollo Jamison Museum, a cool downtown and college campus, and museums, but for the 71st Annual Dairy Days at Legion Field the weekend of September 6-8th. This fun packed weekend starts friday with a flea market, amusement rides and beer tent. The parade down Main Street on Saturday morning is followed by a dairy cattle show at Legion Field Park. While at Legion Field Park, enjoy the arts and crafts fair and plenty of fair food. Evenings are filled with truck and tractor pulls, live music and so much more. Heavy on 4-H exhibits, arts, crafts, a market, and dairy show, you can also enjoy Midway rides, family entertainment and more. The Dairy Days Parade will take place on Main Street Saturday, with a car show on Sunday. There’s also a Talent Show and much more. Get the full schedule on theirwebsite here!
Admission is FREE, and unlimited rides can be enjoyed for $20 all weekend long.
Platteville Dairy Days Address:
Legion Field (off Highway 80/Water Street)
Platteville, WI 53818
(608) 348-8888 Website
Platteville is easily accessible via U.S. 151 and Highways 80 and 81.
The Potosi Tour de Pints is a three-day bicycle tour of the gorgeous (and hilly) Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin and portions of Iowa and far northwestern Illinois. This tour begins Friday, September 6th and finishes on Sunday, September 8th with camping and lodging options, music, food, and more provided at the basecamp each night: Potosi Brewing Company.
Day 1: Friday, September 6th, features a ride from Potosi south to Galena, Illinois. Galena is a beautiful community with rich history, and very popular with tourists. It’s just a few miles south of the Wisconsin-Illinois border. The ride heads down a variety of roadways from Potosi to Galena and then back, where music and entertainment await at the base a.k.a. the Brewery.
Day 2: Saturday, September 7th, you’ll ride southwest from Potosi to Dubuque, Iowa, crossing the Mississippi by bridge into the city. The ride returns to Potosi later that day, where more music, entertainment, and of course craft beer await.
Day 3: Sunday, September 8th includes a ferry ride across the Mississippi! You ride from Potosi to Cassville using Highway 133, cross the river on the Cassville Ferry to Turkey Creek, Iowa, ride to Guttenberg in Iowa, and then loop back to Potosi.
More details will be released as September gets closer.
Potosi Tour de Pints Basecamp Address:
Potosi Brewing Company
209 S. Main Street
Potosi, WI 53820
(608) 763-4002 Website
Start:
September 6, 2019
End:
September 8, 2019
Venue:
Potosi Brewing Company
Phone:
608-763-4002
Address:
209 S. Main Street, Potosi, WI, 53820, United States
On Sunday of Labor Day weekend, the Big Gig BBQ will take place on the Summerfest Grounds to coincide with the Harley-Davidson annual Rally! Enjoy the best BBQ in town on the south end of Henry Maier Festival Park from Noon – 7pm, rain or shine. The Big Pig BBQ will be serving up smoky ribs, savory brisket and signature BBQ from 14 of the best local and national cookers.
An officially sanctioned event of the Milwaukee Rally, the Big Gig BBQ will feature two stages of live entertainment, including a national headliner, and the finest beer. Some of the BBQ participants include:
The cooker voted “fan favorite” wins the Big Gig Pig Award!
As they say, the fun goes beyond the food (which also includes the Corn Man, kettle corn, ice cream and more.) There will be plenty of live music on two stages, Cooking Demonstrations, Family Fun Picnic Games (including Giant Jenga, Kerplunk, and the legendary “Mechanical Pig” you can ride), even a Celebrity Bacon-Eating Contest. The grounds have plenty of room for partying, parking, and the smells alone will direct you to this tasty event. The Big Gig BBQ website has the full schedule and all the details!
The Big Pig BBQ takes place on the south end of Henry Maier Festival Park, which many simply call the Summerfest Grounds. It’s along Milwaukee’s lakefront bordered by downtown, I-794, U.S. 18 and Discovery World, and the Milwaukee River as it meets Lake Michigan. Highways 32, 38, 59, and 145 also bring you with blocks. It will be a fun part of the Milwaukee Rally Labor Day weekend!
Big Pig BBQ Address:
639 E. Summerfest Place
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 273-2680 Website
The skirl of the pipes… the mighty strength of the athletes… the leaping grace of the dancers… the Wisconsin Highland Games are back at the Waukesha Expo Center August 30 – September 1, 2019!
It’s a weekend of affordable Celtic fun for the entire family, with a convenient location right near the interstate, plenty of easy parking, and kids 12 and under get in free. Explore your family history, hurl a battle axe, check out the kilts, play with the dogs, or have a pint at the pub with some authentic Celtic music!
The event covers more than just Scotland — the Wisconsin Highland Games celebrate all the cultures of the British isles and the Celtic nations, including Britain, Wales, Ireland and more!
Friday night: Opening Ceremonies – free admission and parking! Ceremonies and party afterward.
Saturday and Sunday parking is $5 in the Waukesha County Expo Center parking lot.
You’ll find the Waukesha Expo Center just south of I-94 where Highway 16 ends; U.S. 18 is just to the south and Highways 59 and 164 are just to the east.
Wisconsin Highland Games Address:
1000 Northview Road
Waukesha, WI 53188
(262) 548-7200 Website
Start:
August 30, 2019
End:
September 1, 2019
Venue:
Waukesha Expo Center
Phone:
262-548-7200
Address:
1000 Northview Road, Waukesha, WI, 53188, United States
Wednesday, August 28th will feature Taste of Durand, which features food venues from area restaurants, bars, grocery store & other private vendors. Music in the Park also takes place that evening, with The Whitesidewalls “Rock-N-Roll Revue” playing at the Memorial Park Bandshell. Durand is the county seat of Pepin County, located along the Chippewa River in a beautiful valley. U.S. 10 and Highways 25 and 85 reach town – and this is a great opportunity to enjoy a nice range of food from area restaurants and enjoy some music.
Durand is only about 15 miles upstream from the Mississippi River and lies in the heart of west-central Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. It’s a fairly quick and scenic ride from Eau Claire via Highway 85, Menomonie or Nelson via Highway 25, or Ellsworth or Osseo via U.S. 10.
Taste of Durand and Music in the Park Address:
Memorial Park
2nd Avenue E
Durand, WI 54736
(715) 672-5709 (That’s the Pepin County Visitors Bureau line) Website
The 11th Annual Potosi Brewfest takes place in “Beer’s Hometown” on Saturday, August 24th, 2019. The Brewfest includes samples from more than 60 vendors of craft beer, wine, specialty meat & cheeses – and of course, the local Potosi beers!
Try your hand at the Beer Stein Holding contest or enjoy music along with all those craft beers, wines, meats and cheese – all in the beautiful setting of the Holiday Gardens across from the historic Potosi Brewery. Check out the National Brewery Museum while you’re there and enjoy a trip down Highway 133 on the way to or fro! Highway 35 & U.S. 61 are close by for easy access.
Hold that stein!
Potosi Brewfest runs from 1-5pm Saturday, August 24th.
Tickets: General Admission tickets are $45 and VIP tickets are $55. Designated driver tickets are $10, but you don’t get any beer for obvious reasons.
Potosi Brewfest Address:
Holiday Gardens Event Center
109 Main Street (Highway 133)
Potosi, WI 53820
(608) 763-4002 Event Website
Start:
August 24, 2019 1:00 pm
End:
August 24, 2019 4:30 pm
Venue:
Potosi Brewing Company Holiday Gardens Event Center
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events
October 12, 2019
Hybrid Redneck Rally
Richland Center’s Richland County Fairgrounds has all the action with the Hybrid Redneck Rally this Saturday! Plenty of mud, tuff trucks, pulls, grass drags, ATV drags, it’s a great, loud, rockin’ time for the whole family! Enjoy the Twisted Metal Demo Derby at 2pm, the Kids’ Pedal Pull, a Craft Fair, and Fire Department Water Fights. See a full schedule of events below!
Admission is $10; for kids 6-12 years old, $5. Kids under 6 are admitted free. You can reach Richland Center in the beautiful Driftless Area via U.S. 14 or Highways 56 or 80. It’s a great drive!
Hybrid Redneck Rally Address:
Richland County Fairgrounds
23630 County AA
Richland Center, WI 53581
(608) 604-5068
Website
Check out the Hybrid Redneck Rally Schedule of Events below!
Schedule of Events:
11 am: Fire Department Water Fights (call Bryan (608) 604-5395 for details)
11 am: Mud Drags
11 am: Badger State Dirt Flingers
2 pm: Truck and Tractor Pull and Tri County Mini Rods (call Jason Schultz at (608)604-5068 for details)
12 pm: Kids Pedal Free (FREE for kids 12 and under)
2 pm: Twisted Metal Demolition Derby (inspection from 8am to 1pm) (call Jason Cox at 608-604-6902 for details)
6 pm: Car and Truck Drag Racing (call Shawn Grimm 608-604-9847 for details)
Camping available on site.
Craft vendors.
New food vendors.
Bounce Houses for the kids (additional charge)
Applefest, Two Rivers
Applefest is an annual celebration in Two Rivers, filling the town’s Central Park with apple growers, bakers, and apple lovers enjoy this incredible fruit. An arts and crafts fair, apple pie social, and all kinds of entertainment will also take place throughout the day.
This year’s Applefest takes place on Saturday, October 12th from 9 am – 4 pm. You’ll find all the action in Central Park, right along Highway 42. This is also the place where the ice cream sundae was invented, so check out the Washington House and enjoy one in the original location. Explore the East and West Twin Rivers, the fascinating Rogers Street Historic Fishing Village, Neshotah Beach, and the beautiful area around the lakefront and city.
The drive along Lake Michigan on Highway 42/Memorial Drive between Two Rivers and Manitowoc is beautiful too, and there’s plenty more to see in Manitowoc, less than six miles away!
Applefest Address:
1710 W. Park Street
Two Rivers, WI 54241
(920) 755-2775
Website
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October 10, 2019 – October 13, 2019
Flyway Film Festival
Check their website for films, times, and more!
Follow them on Twitter at @flywayfilmfest for updates, too.
Flyway Minema (that’s spelled right, it’s named for a “mini cinema”)
408 2nd Street
Pepin, WI 54759
(855) 800-8008
Website
Big River Theatre
121 S. Main Street (Highway 35)
Alma, WI 54610
(608) 685-4002
Website
Broadway Theatre
611 Broadway Avenue
Wabasha, MN 55981
(651) 564-0569
Website
Pepin Village Hall Community Room
508 2nd Street
Pepin, WI 54759
WideSpot Performing Arts Center
N2030 Spring Street, 2nd floor
Stockholm, WI 54769
(715) 307-8941
Website
Click HERE for more schedule details!
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October 5, 2019 – October 6, 2019
Eagle River Cranberry Fest
Eagle River Cranberry Fest celebrates this lovely, healthy, and tasty fruit that is one of Wisconsin’s most significant crops. There’s something for everyone, with arts and crafts, cranberry food sales, a bakery, entertainment, fitness events and more. More than 40,000 attend this annually, making it one of the highlights of the fall season in Eagle River.
While you are at Eagle River Cranberry Fest, check out the food tent where you will find soups, cranberry brats, char-broiled chicken sandwiches and much more. Then visit the Information Headquarters tent where you can purchase fresh cranberry bakery goods and event souvenirs. Don’t forget to save room for our famous World’s Largest Cranberry Cheesecake and support the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
How about taking home some fresh locally grown cranberries or craisins? Approximately 10,000 pounds of premium select cranberries will be sold during the festival event. Cookbooks are also available to learn new and unique ways to use cranberries.
More Than Just Cranberries
In addition to the marvelous cranberry dishes and cranberry events, there will be over 300 Arts-n-Crafts vendors from all over the country selling all types of handmade arts and crafts on Cranberry Fest’s festival grounds, where are centered on the Vilas County Fairgrounds along Highway 70 West, just west of downtown. Meanwhile, in Downtown Eagle River you’ll find an open air antique market, farmers market, Cranberry Fest luncheon, Lake Country Weaver & Fiber Artists show and sale, food and lots of entertainment.
You can reach Eagle River via U.S. 45 or Highway 17, 32, or 70. It’s the heart of the World’s Largest Chain of Freshwater Lakes, with 28 of these beauties connected by waterways. It’s home to the world-famous World Championship Snowmobile Derby every year and a popular focal point for vacations in the North Woods.
Eagle River Cranberry Fest Address:
Vilas County Fairgrounds
146 Forest Street
Eagle River, WI 54521
(715) 479-6400
Website
A Schedule of Events is below!
Eagle River Cranberry Fest Schedule of Events
Thursday, October 3rd:
CRANBERRY MARSH TOURS
11:00 am, 11:30 am and Noon. Tours leave from the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center. Call 800-359-6315 for reservations.
Friday, October 4th:
CRANBERRY MARSH TOURS
10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Leaving every half hour. Tours leave from the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center. Call 800-359-6315 for reservations.
EARLY BIRD BERRY BOG 5K JOG FUN RUN at Riverview Park (located across from the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center): 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Saturday, October 5th:
9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Free Shuttle Bus to all the various festival locations: Festival Grounds (Vilas County Fairgrounds-Highway 70 West) and Downtown Eagle River. Shuttle available from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. (Shuttles run every 20-30 minutes depending on traffic).
CRANBERRY MARSH TOURS
9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Leaving every twenty minutes. Tours leave from the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center – 201 N. Railroad St. Call 800-359-6315 for reservations. Reservations are recommended.
FRESH CRANBERRY AND CRAISIN SALES
Cranberry Fest Festival Grounds (Hwy 70 West), Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center (201 N. Railroad St.), Corner of Hwy 70 West & Railroad St. and Downtown Eagle River.
CRANBERRY FESTIVAL GROUNDS ACTIVITIES
Vilas County Fairgrounds on Highway 70 West. Free Shuttle Bus available to all other activities available from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Arts & Crafts Fair – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cranberry Fest Pancake Breakfast 7:00 am to 10:00 am
Cranberry Bake Sale
Cranberry Food Products and Souvenirs
Cranberry Beer
Make A Wish Foundation’s World’s Largest Cranberry Cheesecake
Family Entertainment
A variety of foods with and without Cranberries
DOWNTOWN EAGLE RIVER ACTIVITIES
Free Shuttle Bus available to all other activities. Available from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Open Air Antique and Farmers Market 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
First Congregational Church Luncheon, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Lake Country Weaver and Fiber Artists Show and Sale
Entertainment
Mini Cranberry Bog Display – Northwoods Childrens Museum
Berry Bog 5K Jog – Fun Run/Walk 8:30 am – Riverview Park
Sunday, October 6th
9:00 am to 3:00 pm (No shuttle bus on Sunday)
CRANBERRY MARSH TOURS
10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Leaving every hour. Tours leave from the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center. Call 800-359-6315 for reservations.
FRESH CRANBERRY AND CRAISIN SALES
Cranberry Fest Festival Grounds (Hwy 70 West), Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center (201 N. Railroad St.) and Downtown Eagle River.
CRANBERRY FESTIVAL GROUNDS ACTIVITIES
Arts & Crafts Fair – 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Cranberry Fest Crafter Items Auction, 11:30 am at the Make A Wish Foundation Tent
Cranberry Bake Sale
Cranberry Food Products and Souvenirs
Cranberry Beer
Family Entertainment
A variety of foods with or without Cranberries
DOWNTOWN EAGLE RIVER ACTIVITIES
Farmers Market , 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
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September 27, 2019 – September 28, 2019
Appleton Octoberfest
On Saturday, it’s Appleton’s largest block party! 100 food booths, 6 stages of music, 180 arts & crafts booths, family fun area.
Music starts as early as 9 a.m. (the full band line up is available on the website). Arts and Crafts and Family Fun for all ages! Octoberfest is a community-driven festival benefiting local non-profit organizations. Bring your ID if you plan to purchase beer tickets; beer ticket sales are from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Beer sales end at 5:30 p.m. and the event ends at 6 p.m.
Appleton Octoberfest Address:
100 College Avenue
Appleton, WI 54912
(920) 734-7101
Website
You can download their Octoberfest app here. See their website for complete schedules and details or check the music lineup below!
Schedule of Appleton Octoberfest Events:
FRIDAY, 9/27/2019
Houdini Plaza (WVBO – 103.9 AND WNAM – 1280)
6:00 PM – 9:30 PM Doo Wop Daddies
6:00 PM – 9:30 PM Street Corner Entertainment
Corner of College & State WPKR (NASH FM)
Corner of College & Oneida Appleton Rock School w/their own stage & sound
Corner of College & Division 484th Army Band (6:00 PM – 7:30 PM)
Corner of College & Superior Joe Sly
Corner of College & Walnut Anna Little
Corner of College & Morrison The Polar Project
Corner of College & Durkee Lilie
Roaming Entertainment Jukebox Barbershop Quartet
SATURDAY, 9/28/2019
West End of College Avenue (105.7 WAPL)
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Appleton Rock School
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Coyote Kid
12:15 PM – 2:15 PM Road Trip N/A
2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Vic Ferrari
Corner of College Avenue & Division Street (KZ 104.3 AND WGBA-NBC26)
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Twisted Chords
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Ill Genesi
11:45 AM – 2:15 PM The Boy Band Night
2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Too White Crew
Corner of College Avenue & Superior Street (RAZOR 94.7 | 104.7)
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Stricken
12:15 PM – 3:15 PM Sir Real
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM Leading the Blind
Houdini Plaza (95.9 KISS FM)
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Newtonburg Oktoberfest Band
10:15 AM – 12:15 PM The Lately
12:30 PM – 2:45 PM Unity The Band
3:00 PM – 5:30 PM Kyle Megna & The Monsoons
Corner of College Avenue & Durkee Street (WHBY AND 95.3 | 99.1 THE SCORE)
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Doo Wop Daddies
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM Zeroed In (484th Army Variety Band)
12:30 PM – 2:15 PM Copper Box
2:30 PM – 5:30 PM The Glam Band
Corner of College Avenue & Morrison Street
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM FBI & The Untouchable Horns
1:30 PM – 5:30 PM The Polar Project
Corner of College Avenue & Drew Street
9:00 AM – 10:45 AM Happy Wanderers
11:00 AM – 3:45 PM 484th Army Band Ensembles
Family Fun Stage
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM Karate America Appleton East/Darboy
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Dan Kirk (Juggler)
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Randy Peterson (Children’s Singer)
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Cirq-Attude
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM Dan Kirk (Juggler)
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM Miller & Mike (Family Variety Act)
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM Randy Peterson (Children’s Singer)
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Miller & Mike (Family Variety Act)
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September 26, 2019 – September 29, 2019
New Glarus Oktoberfest
The delightful Swiss-esque (if that’s a word) enclave of New Glarus comes alive with New Glarus Oktoberfest September 26-29, 2019!
Sponsored by the New Glarus Brewery, there’s plenty of lederhosen, live music, and a ceremonial keg tapping of New Glarus Brewery’s Staghorn Oktoberfest beer. You can also enjoy chainsaw wood carving, an antique tractor pull, wagon rides, activities for the kids, food stands, plus a fondue demonstration and tasting on Sunday afternoon. Admission to New Glarus Oktoberfest is FREE!
New Glarus is reached via Highways 39 and 69, just 30 minutes south of Madison.
Get the full lineup and updates at Swisstown.com. Also see the schedule below:
New Glarus Oktoberfest Address:
Downtown New Glarus
418 Railroad Street
New Glarus, WI 53574
(608) 527-2095
Website
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New Glarus Oktoberfest Schedule:
Thursday, Sept. 26
7pm – 11pm Polka music by the Steve Meisner Band (wear your lederhosen and dirndls!)
8;30 pm: King and Queen contest. You could be our Oktoberfest royalty for the weekend! Cash prizes, free beer and food for the King & Queen. Dress in your best Oktoberfest attire and let the people be the judges on best costumes.
Friday, Sept. 27
6pm Beer tent opens
6pm Food stands open
6pm Craft vendors and farmers market open
7:00pm Tap the Wooden Keg Annual Oktoberfest Event! New Glarus Brewing Company will be tapping a wooden keg of Staghorn Oktoberfest
8:00pm – Midnight Madison County Band. Hottest Country Band in Wisconsin!
Saturday, Sept. 28
8am 5K/10K Run & 2 Mile Walk
11am Beer tent opens
11am Craft vendors and farmers market opens
11am Food stands open
Noon – 6pm Antique Tractor Pul
Noon – 3:00pm Mex Drexler Bavarian Brass Band
1pm – 4pm Chainsaw wood carver
4pm – 7pm Wheelhouse Band
7:00pm Tap the Wooden Keg Annual Oktoberfest Event! New Glarus Brewing Company will be tapping a wooden keg of Staghorn Oktoberfest
8pm – Midnight Music by Boogie & the Yo-Yo’z
Sunday, Sept. 29
7am Chili Cook-off starts
11am Beer tent opens
11am Food stands open
11am Craft vendors and farmers market opens
11am – 2pm DJ music
3pm – 6pm The Jimmys wrap up our Oktoberfest celebration!
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September 26, 2019 – September 28, 2019
Project North Festival
Rhinelander’s first Project North Festival takes place from Thursday, September 26th through Saturday, September 28th throughout the downtown area. Project North is a dynamic festival designed to focus on music, art, and the environment to showcase Rhinelander’s artistic community, appreciation for its captivating Northwoods environment, and its community cultural development efforts.
On the Arts side of the Project North Festival, you can check out interactive art exhibits, artist demonstrations and educational opportunities, movement and dance experiences, and a Downtown Art Walk in participating storefronts. ArtStart’s School Of the Arts Legacy Program classes will be held at UWSP-Treehaven for an add-on experience. Classes include writing, drawing, painting, play writing, collage, fiber art, and more.
Musically, there’s an impressive lineup of artists including:
Get details on each band and schedules, stages and more HERE!
The Eco Village at Project North Festival will welcome experts in sustainable practices to share their knowledge through demonstrations, presentations and informational booths. Project North Eco Village runs from 12:00pm – 5:00pm on Friday, September 27th and 10:00am – 5:00pm on Saturday, September 28th.
Project North Festival Address:
68 S. Stevens Street (Historic Highway 17)
Rhinelander, WI 54501
(715) 365-7464
Website
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September 21, 2019 – September 22, 2019
Driftless Area Art Festival
The Driftless area, a unique region that escaped the glaciers of the ice age, is an inspirational setting to many talented artists and artisans. Its hills and valleys are home to painters and potters, woodworkers and weavers, musicians and metalsmiths. To see the breadth and variety of their creations, you usually have to visit studios, stores and galleries across the area. But once a year in September, these artists gather together in Crawford County at the Driftless Area Art Festival in Soldiers Grove along Highway 131, right by U.S. 61.
This year, the Driftless Area Art Festival happens Saturday and Sunday, September 21-22, 2019. Admission and parking are free! Enjoy a drive with exceptional scenery, as the Driftless Area of Wisconsin is ridiculously beautiful. You can then stroll through the exhibits, imbibe in some local fare, and sip some local wines. Also, we’re pretty sure if you want to buy some of the art you can do that.
Driftless Area Art Festival Address:
Beauford T Anderson Park
101 Church Street
Soldiers Grove, WI 54655
(608)
Website
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September 21, 2019 – September 29, 2019
National Alpaca Farm Days
Ever meet alpacas up close and personal? National Alpaca Farm Days in Beloit offers you the chance to do just that. You can also learn about alpacas, their care, and their fiber, which can be spun into amazing products. It takes place at Pacesetter Alpacas in Beloit Saturday and Sunday, September 21-22 and September 28-29, 2019.
During National Alpaca Farm Days, you will be able to learn about alpacas, their care, and their fiber. There will be local fiber artists on-site to demonstrate fiber preparation techniques (skirting, picking, carding), spinning fiber into yarn, then knitting, weaving, or felting the fiber and yarn into product. The event provides an excellent opportunity to shop early for the holidays! Items for sale include clothing, socks, handmade accessories, dryer balls, raw fleece, roving, yarn, and more! There will also be fun activities for kids, and food will be available from Rosemarie’s Kitchen Table.
The owners of Pacesetters Alpacas, Dennis and Christy Pace, purchased 80 acres of land in 1995 and soon after became interested in Suri alpacas. There are two kinds of alpacas, the Huacaya (pronounced Wuh-kai-ya) and the Suri. Huacaya alpacas are fluffy like teddy bears and Suri alpacas have long shiny locks like very soft, slightly curly hair. Along with their alpacas, the Paces have a store with a variety of items for sale including warm and soft alpaca socks, hats, scarves, sweaters and much more. The store is open on Saturdays 9 am-3 pm and Sundays 12-4 pm between Thanksgiving and Christmas or by appointment. The store will be also open during the event. Saturday hours are 9 am-4 pm and Sunday hours are 12-4 pm. If you are unable to visit us during those times, give us them a call at 608-751-2261.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Friends of Noah Wisconsin—an all-breed animal rescue.
Hours:
Saturday, September 28, 9 am-4 pm
Sunday, September 29, 12-4 pm
National Alpaca Farm Days Address:
LondonDairy Alpacas
6827 State Highway 147
Two Rivers, WI 54241
(920) 793-4165
Website
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September 14, 2019
Tomah Kegs, Corks & Forks
Hey, all roads lead to Tomah, take one of them (I-90, I-94, US 12, Highway 16, Highway 21, or Highway 131… we weren’t kidding about “all roads”) Saturday, September 14th and check out the Tomah Rotary Kegs Corks & Forks Festival! It was formerly the Tomah Beer & Sausage Festival, but with more food, wine, and more being added, a new name was created. We’re cool with that.
Kegs Corks & Forks takes place from 5-8pm at Tomah Recreational Park’s Ice Hockey Rink, although partying will continue well past that. There will be a Smoked Meat Competition where the competitors are the Tomah Police Department vs. the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, craft beer sampling, wine tasting, plenty of area food vendors offering samples and food for sale, along with prizes, raffles, drawings, and a post-event concert featuring Lassos and Lace followed by Jay Allen.
Tickets range from $40 for general admission, which starts at 6pm; $60 for VIP admission, which begins at 5pm; you can also get concert-only tickets for $20 ahead of time or $25 the day of the show. You can buy tickets ahead of time here.
Tomah is the seat of Monroe County and the place where all the major roads meet and split. I-90 & I-94 converge here, as do their pre-Interstate compatriots, U.S. 12 and Highway 16. Highway 21 skims Tomah to the north and Highway 131 comes in from the Driftless Area south.
This is the start of “Cranberry Country” too, so check out the nearby bogs, sample fresh cranberries and all kinds of tasty foods made with this remarkable little fruit, and explore the town while you’re there!
Tomah Kegs Corks & Forks Address:
Recreation Park (just off Highway 16)
1625 Butts Avenue
Tomah, WI 54660
Website
You’ll find Recreation Park in Tomah just off Highway 16, once the main highway to La Crosse before I-90 was built. Best exit from I-90 to access Recreation Park is via Exit 41 (Highway 131), then west on Highway 16 to Butts Avenue and the Park.
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Great Lakes Brew Fest
Great Lakes Brew Fest takes place Saturday, September 14th in Racine. The 2019 Festival Theme is Woodstock’s 50 years! The Fest features unlimited sampling of more than 450 craft beers and sodas from over 100 brewers, plus many food trucks with a variety of food offerings, all on the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan at the Racine Zoological Gardens just north of downtown.
All paid attendees will receive a souvenir tasting glass, and local restaurants will have plenty of menu items available for purchase. Doors open at 3pm; VIP members begin at 2 (they get first crack at everything, you see.) The festival also features live music including performances by the world renowned Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps, the internationally-acclaimed group for whom the Great Lakes Brew Fest helps raise money for. There will be more music from Duosonic.
The Great Lakes Brew Fest also serves as the host of the Schooner Home Brew Championship. Home Brew Island will also welcome groups like the Beer Barons of Milwaukee, the Brain Roasters Guild of Pleasant Prairie, Central Wisconsin Vintners & Brewers from Fond du Lac, Society of Oshkosh Brewers, Chicago Home Brewers Group, Square Kegs Homebrewers from Chicago, Forest City Brewers from Rockford, North Shore Brewers Club from Milwaukee, Dells Unified Frequent Fermenters (D.U.F.F.) from Reedsburg, Racine’s own Belle City Home Brewers, and more.
General Admission tickets are $50; a Basic Designated Driver Fest Pass is $20, which includes admission, a fest pint glass, and complimentary soda and water. A VIP Fest Pass runs $90 and includes early admission (2pm instead of 3pm), a commemorative stein and a pint glass, sausage and cheese sampling, a VIP Lounge area, and secure article check-in, and a $10 voucher off “festival swag.” Get all the ticket details here!
To reach Great Lakes Brew Fest, access Racine via Highways 11, 20, 32, or 38. Downtown Racine is about 8 miles east of I-41/94 and about 4 miles east of Highway 31. The Racine Zoological Gardens is just north of downtown along Lake Michigan via Highway 32, just follow the signs.
TICKETS ARE ALMOST GONE – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS!
Great Lakes Brew Fest Address:
200 Goold Street
Racine, WI 53402
(262) 634-2100
Website
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International Fall Festival, Eau Claire
The 31st annual International Fall Festival takes place in downtown Eau Claire Saturday, September 14th!
International Fall Festival Address:
Downtown Eau Claire
203 S. Farwell Street
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715) 839-4914
Website
Eau Claire is easily reached via I-94, U.S. 12, U.S. 53, or Highways 37, 93, and 124. Downtown Eau Claire has a ton of great restaurants, shops, music venues, and more. The Children’s Museum of Eau Claire is right downtown, so you can add that to the list with the kids. Nearby, Carson Park offers plenty to do from visiting Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox to canoeing and kayaking in Braun’s Bay in the Chippewa River. You can also ride the miniature train, explore the trails, or grab an ice cream soda at the Chippewa Valley Museum & Ice Cream Parlor. The city will definitely be buzzing with activity from students returning to UW-Eau Claire, too! Phoenix Park will be busy and it’s a great launching point for a nice tube float down the Chippewa River. You can also check out The Oxbow, a boutique hotel on Galloway Street on the north side of downtown and The Lakely, a great restaurant offering unique culinary combinations, inside the hotel. And right across the street you’ll find the Volume One Local Store, one of our favorite Eau Claire (and Wisconsin) shops!
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September 13, 2019 – October 27, 2019
China Lights: Panda Mania at Boerner Botanical Gardens
China Lights brings stunning illuminated sculptures to select venues around the world. Now, it floats into Milwaukee for an after-sundown celebration of Asian life and culture. The 9-acre Gardens transform into a magical paradise of enchanting illuminated displays. Dragons, glowing pagodas and iridescent pinwheels add color, vibrancy, and excitement.
Check out a backstage tour of the lanterns and participate in the nightly parade. Or simply enjoy wandering through the thrilling spectacle, which includes live performances of music, juggling and other arts. Enjoy a variety of Asian and Western cuisine from numerous local vendors, celebrate Asian culture with entertainment and live performances and a bustling marketplace. The entertainment ramps up Tuesdays through Sundays, 5:30pm-10pm – China Lights is closed Mondays.
Admission includes a link to the official festival tour mobile guide, which will provide fascinating insight about the wonders all around you as you stroll with your cell phone. Parking is free for China Lights; simply follow the signs along 92nd Street – one mile east of U.S. 45/Highway 100 – to find the lots.
Tickets can be purchased at the on-site box office during the event, through the event website at ChinaLights.org or they may be purchased at various county park locations. Tickets are good for any night of the current season that the event is open. No reciprocal garden admissions or Friends of Boerner Botanical Garden Memberships are valid during the China Lights special event. There is no refund due to rain, power outages, and/or other unforeseen conditions. In the unlikely event of a weather caused cancellation, patrons on the grounds will be given rain checks for a subsequent show.
Check their Facebook page for updates. You can get to Boerner Botanical Gardens just off U.S. 45/Highway 100 and Highway 24 via Whitnall Park in Hales Corners. I-41/894 & I-43 are also close by!
Address for China Lights: Panda Mania & the Chinese Lantern Festival at Boerner:
Boerner Botanical Gardens
9400 Boerner Drive
Hales Corners, WI 53130
(414) 525-5600
Website
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September 13, 2019 – September 14, 2019
8th Street Ale Haus Oktoberfest
Sheboygan is a fantastic town for German heritage, brats, and beer! The 8th Street Ale Haus Oktoberfest celebrates this heritage Friday, September 13th and Saturday, September 14th. 8th Street Ale Haus always has at least 100 beers available, but this particular weekend they’ll have extra on hand for everyone showing up in lederhosen – or whatever clothes, really.
Of course, beer will be involved. 8th Street Ale Haus will also feature terrific German food, HAMMERSCHLAGEN (the game where you drive nails into a huge tree trunk), German Potato Salad Contest, keg tapping, and live music with the Charlie Bucket Band, The Waltzmeister, the Newton Brass Band, and The Honeygoats. Check out the full schedule below!
You can get to the 8th Street Ale Haus heading east on Highway 23, continuing past its end, and going south on 8th Street. Highways 28 and 42 come together close by, and I-43 is just a few miles to the west.
8th Street Ale Haus Oktoberfest Address:
1132 N. 8th Street
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 208-7540
Website
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September 6, 2019 – September 8, 2019
Dairy Days Celebration
“COWabunga!” as they say. Hit Platteville not only for the natural beauty surrounding it, the World’s Largest M, the Rollo Jamison Museum, a cool downtown and college campus, and museums, but for the 71st Annual Dairy Days at Legion Field the weekend of September 6-8th. This fun packed weekend starts friday with a flea market, amusement rides and beer tent. The parade down Main Street on Saturday morning is followed by a dairy cattle show at Legion Field Park. While at Legion Field Park, enjoy the arts and crafts fair and plenty of fair food. Evenings are filled with truck and tractor pulls, live music and so much more. Heavy on 4-H exhibits, arts, crafts, a market, and dairy show, you can also enjoy Midway rides, family entertainment and more. The Dairy Days Parade will take place on Main Street Saturday, with a car show on Sunday. There’s also a Talent Show and much more. Get the full schedule on their website here!
Admission is FREE, and unlimited rides can be enjoyed for $20 all weekend long.
Platteville Dairy Days Address:
Legion Field (off Highway 80/Water Street)
Platteville, WI 53818
(608) 348-8888
Website
Platteville is easily accessible via U.S. 151 and Highways 80 and 81.
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September 6, 2019 – September 8, 2019
Potosi Tour de Pints
The Potosi Tour de Pints is a three-day bicycle tour of the gorgeous (and hilly) Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin and portions of Iowa and far northwestern Illinois. This tour begins Friday, September 6th and finishes on Sunday, September 8th with camping and lodging options, music, food, and more provided at the basecamp each night: Potosi Brewing Company.
Day 1: Friday, September 6th, features a ride from Potosi south to Galena, Illinois. Galena is a beautiful community with rich history, and very popular with tourists. It’s just a few miles south of the Wisconsin-Illinois border. The ride heads down a variety of roadways from Potosi to Galena and then back, where music and entertainment await at the base a.k.a. the Brewery.
Day 2: Saturday, September 7th, you’ll ride southwest from Potosi to Dubuque, Iowa, crossing the Mississippi by bridge into the city. The ride returns to Potosi later that day, where more music, entertainment, and of course craft beer await.
Day 3: Sunday, September 8th includes a ferry ride across the Mississippi! You ride from Potosi to Cassville using Highway 133, cross the river on the Cassville Ferry to Turkey Creek, Iowa, ride to Guttenberg in Iowa, and then loop back to Potosi.
More details will be released as September gets closer.
Potosi Tour de Pints Basecamp Address:
Potosi Brewing Company
209 S. Main Street
Potosi, WI 53820
(608) 763-4002
Website
September 1, 2019
Big Pig BBQ, Milwaukee
Char’d Milwaukee
Iron Grate BBQ Co.
Pigtailz MKE
Pop’s BBQ
Rollin’ Smoke BBQ
Saucy Swine
Saz’s State House
Silver Spur Texas Smokehouse BBQ
Smoke Shack
Yummy Bones BBQ
The cooker voted “fan favorite” wins the Big Gig Pig Award!
As they say, the fun goes beyond the food (which also includes the Corn Man, kettle corn, ice cream and more.) There will be plenty of live music on two stages, Cooking Demonstrations, Family Fun Picnic Games (including Giant Jenga, Kerplunk, and the legendary “Mechanical Pig” you can ride), even a Celebrity Bacon-Eating Contest. The grounds have plenty of room for partying, parking, and the smells alone will direct you to this tasty event. The Big Gig BBQ website has the full schedule and all the details!
Big Pig BBQ Music Schedule:
11am – 12:30 pm: Listening Party
1:30pm – 3:30pm: Idle Minds
4pm – 6pm: Saving Savannah
The Big Pig BBQ takes place on the south end of Henry Maier Festival Park, which many simply call the Summerfest Grounds. It’s along Milwaukee’s lakefront bordered by downtown, I-794, U.S. 18 and Discovery World, and the Milwaukee River as it meets Lake Michigan. Highways 32, 38, 59, and 145 also bring you with blocks. It will be a fun part of the Milwaukee Rally Labor Day weekend!
Big Pig BBQ Address:
639 E. Summerfest Place
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 273-2680
Website
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August 30, 2019 – September 1, 2019
Wisconsin Highland Games
It’s a weekend of affordable Celtic fun for the entire family, with a convenient location right near the interstate, plenty of easy parking, and kids 12 and under get in free. Explore your family history, hurl a battle axe, check out the kilts, play with the dogs, or have a pint at the pub with some authentic Celtic music!
The event covers more than just Scotland — the Wisconsin Highland Games celebrate all the cultures of the British isles and the Celtic nations, including Britain, Wales, Ireland and more!
Friday night: Opening Ceremonies – free admission and parking! Ceremonies and party afterward.
Saturday and Sunday parking is $5 in the Waukesha County Expo Center parking lot.
You’ll find the Waukesha Expo Center just south of I-94 where Highway 16 ends; U.S. 18 is just to the south and Highways 59 and 164 are just to the east.
Wisconsin Highland Games Address:
1000 Northview Road
Waukesha, WI 53188
(262) 548-7200
Website
August 28, 2019
Taste of Durand & Music in the Park
Wednesday, August 28th will feature Taste of Durand, which features food venues from area restaurants, bars, grocery store & other private vendors. Music in the Park also takes place that evening, with The Whitesidewalls “Rock-N-Roll Revue” playing at the Memorial Park Bandshell. Durand is the county seat of Pepin County, located along the Chippewa River in a beautiful valley. U.S. 10 and Highways 25 and 85 reach town – and this is a great opportunity to enjoy a nice range of food from area restaurants and enjoy some music.
Durand is only about 15 miles upstream from the Mississippi River and lies in the heart of west-central Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. It’s a fairly quick and scenic ride from Eau Claire via Highway 85, Menomonie or Nelson via Highway 25, or Ellsworth or Osseo via U.S. 10.
Taste of Durand and Music in the Park Address:
Memorial Park
2nd Avenue E
Durand, WI 54736
(715) 672-5709 (That’s the Pepin County Visitors Bureau line)
Website
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August 24, 2019
Potosi Brewfest
The 11th Annual Potosi Brewfest takes place in “Beer’s Hometown” on Saturday, August 24th, 2019. The Brewfest includes samples from more than 60 vendors of craft beer, wine, specialty meat & cheeses – and of course, the local Potosi beers!
Try your hand at the Beer Stein Holding contest or enjoy music along with all those craft beers, wines, meats and cheese – all in the beautiful setting of the Holiday Gardens across from the historic Potosi Brewery. Check out the National Brewery Museum while you’re there and enjoy a trip down Highway 133 on the way to or fro! Highway 35 & U.S. 61 are close by for easy access.
Potosi Brewfest runs from 1-5pm Saturday, August 24th.
Tickets: General Admission tickets are $45 and VIP tickets are $55. Designated driver tickets are $10, but you don’t get any beer for obvious reasons.
Potosi Brewfest Address:
Holiday Gardens Event Center
109 Main Street (Highway 133)
Potosi, WI 53820
(608) 763-4002
Event Website