Shawano SunDrop Dayz 2024 hits Friday, May 31st and Saturday, June 1st to celebrate the tasty citrus soda this town began making in the 1950s! SunDrop helps usher in summer with a wide variety of family-friendly activities, live performances, music, food, beverages. You can even enjoy tours and tastings at the SunDrop Museum.
Sun Drop soda is being made and bottled in returnable glass bottles. Tour the Sun Drop museum at 920 S. Franklin Street and experience fun interactive displays. Most importantly, visit the tasting room and sample their different soda flavors. They include Farmer’s Brew butterscotch root beer, rhu-berry, caramel apple, blue raspberry, black cherry, cream, or the original “Golden Soda” Sun Drop. Horse wagon rides will be available between the museum and the park so you can enjoy a ride to the tours and tastings!
Friday late afternoon into the evening, kids can enjoy the Kidz Zone with inflatables and more. Afterwards, all can enjoy live music from Spark Spark Bang! and Driftwood during the evening. Saturday, June 1st opens early with a Flea Market at 6am on Main Street. At 9am, the 5k Run/Walk kicks off. Both the Craft Fair and Kidz Zone fire up at 10am. The muscle comes out in the early afternoon with the Strongman Competition at 1pm and the Lumberjack Competition continuing from there through 5pm. For music, the Oneida Smoke Dancers will perform starting at Noon. Also, Wet Possum takes the stage at 3pm and the GLAM BAND plays from 6:45pm until 10 (at least.)
SunDrop Dayz is also a fundraiser, and the festival has raised over $100,000 for local charities since its inception in 2016. Sponsors keep admission FREE and there are plenty of vendors offering their crafts, food, beer, soda, and more for sale.
Shawano SunDrop Dayz Address:
Shawano is easily accessible via the Highway 29 expressway as well as Highways 22, 47, and 55 (which also sometimes joins 29 on the bypass). Memorial Park itself, where the festivities are centered, is along Main Street/Highway 22. Within blocks you’ll find Stubborn Brothers Brewing and the Mountain-Bay Trail.
909 S. Lincoln Street one block north of Lieg Street east of Main (Highway 22)
Shawano, WI Website
Stoughton’s Syttende Mai festival is a weekend-long celebration of Norwegian heritage featuring fun activities and cultural experiences for the whole family. Check out three days of parades, amazing food and drink, arts and music, athletic competitions, and kids’ activities steeped in centuries of Norwegian culture. From the late 1800s to the early 1900s, Stoughton enjoyed an influx of Norwegians, and at one time, as many as 75 percent of its residents spoke Norwegian. These immigrants celebrated Syttende Mai unofficially, but it became an annual, city-wide tradition in the 1950s.
The city-wide festival takes place every year on the weekend closest to Norway’s May 17th Constitution Day, also known as Syttende Mai. In 2024, the festivities run through the weekend of May 17th through the 19th. The Arts & Crafts Fair attracts arts and crafts enthusiasts and artists who appreciate Norwegian culture and its role in the arts. The Stoughton festival features an annual juried craft fair where artisans and artists show and sell their hand-crafted works. The Norwegian art of rosemaling, or decorative painting, traditional Norwegian embroidery and quilts are all on display. Many artists hold public demonstrations of how they create their works, too. It’s a great opportunity for Stoughton festival-goers to meet the artists and appreciate the art’s deep roots in traditional Norwegian culture. It includes the Arts & Craft Fair, Hardanger Embroidery Exhibit, the Quilt Show, the Rosemaling Exhibit and Sale, and Norwegian Cultural Demonstrations. It runs Saturday from 10am — 6pm and Sunday from 9am — 2pm at River Bluff Middle School Gymnasium, Cafetorium, and Grounds at 235 N. Forrest Street in Stoughton.
Festival activities include:
Stoughton Norwegian Dancers
20-Mile Run, 10-Mile Run, 17-Mile Walk, and Lil’ Community Run
Hardanger Fiddle Performances
Norwegian Heritage Center (Livsreise)
Live Norwegian Art Demonstrations
Edvard Grieg Chorus at the Stoughton Opera House
Norse Costume Style Show
Viking Games Strongman Competition
Craft Beer Tent
Traditional Norwegian Delicacies
Food Trucks
Youth Parade (Saturday)
Norwegian Parade (Sunday)
Canoe Race & Portage on the Yahara River
Stoughton Village Players Theater Original Presentation
Arts & Crafts Fair
Syttende Mai Festival Address:
via Stoughton Chamber of Commerce
532 E. Main Street
Stoughton, WI 53589
(608) 873-7912 Website
More details below!
Stoughton Norwegian Dancers
This dance troupe delights audiences with their intricate footwork, athleticism, and enthusiasm for traditional Norwegian culture. Around since 1952 and clad in traditional Norwegian costumes, or bunad, their dancing to music from the fjords, and their colorful and captivating performances are in demand nationwide. You’ll be able to see the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers and their traditional folk performances every day during the three-day Syttende Mai festival.
Other Live Performances
While enjoying all the Syttende Mai sights and delicious foods, don’t forget to experience the music, dance, and theater performances. Be sure to catch a Norwegian Dancer performance to experience Scandinavian folk dancing. Attend a Stoughton Village Players theatrical performance written and performed by local actors who are expert at presenting the humorous side of life in Stoughton. Be sure to seek out a Hardanger fiddle performance to see and hear these beautiful instruments up close.
Enjoy:
Chorus Public House Live Music
Christ Lutheran Church
Craft Beer Tent Entertainment
Stoughton City Band Concert
Stoughton Opera House
Stoughton Village Players Theater
Crowning the Syttende Mai Royalty
Check out the crowning of Syttende Mai’s event ambassadors in a tradition that spans five decades. Stoughton’s Syttende Mai royalty kick off the three-day event and declare the weekend a statewide celebration.
Those who wear the Syttende Mai crown receive the honor for their commitment to community service and keeping the local Norwegian culture alive. Each year, a couple learns of their nomination in September and must keep it a secret from everyone, even friends and family, for five months. During the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers’ February Norse Afternoon of Fun, the new king and queen receive their crowns and join previous years’ honorees.
Although their reign is symbolic, the annual Syttende Mai King and Queen dress in traditional Norwegian clothing, or bunad, for the entire festival. In addition to opening the festival, the couple attend more than 40 events over the weekend. They are the festival’s icons and serve as cultural ambassadors to visitors. Have questions about the Norwegian cultural demonstrations, colors, music, foods and costumes you see? Ask this year’s king and queen (or one of our many volunteers).
Young people participate in the Syttende Mai royalty tradition, too. Two local third-grade students are selected as the festival’s annual Prince and Princess and are chosen to carry on Norwegian traditions among their peers. They serve as grand marshals of the Saturday Youth Parade, ride in the Sunday Norwegian Parade, and start The Lil’ Run. The pair also attend the opening dinner and make other appearances throughout the Syttende Mai festival.
Again, you’ll find Stoughton along U.S. 51 and Highway 138, southeast of Madison. I-39/90 and U.S. 14 also bring you close!
The 2024 Spring Fiber Extravaganza is a great opportunity to enjoy a road trip and learn about fiber farms around Manitowoc and Sheboygan Counties. The Extravaganza consist of a self-guided scenic road trip with roughly 30 minutes of driving time to three different fiber farms in or near Manitowoc County to visit alpacas, goats, llamas, sheep, ducks, turkeys and more. It runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday May 3rd-5th and takes place at these three farms:
All three invite you to visit the farms, meet the animals, learn more about agriculture, and shop their stores or vendors. This is FREE, open-house style event at all of the farms.
For everyone’s enjoyment and safety, children must be supervised at all times, no smoking or running is allowed, and safety rules at each farm must be strictly followed.
Spring Fiber Extravaganza Location Map:
A trip along Highway 147, which runs between Two Rivers and Maribel, is a fun one for this event. You can easily head down I-43 to Velvet Sheep Farms, which is just off Highway 42 northwest of the interchange. While you’re road tripping in the area, check out great food and beverages at locations throughout Manitowoc County along the Wisconsin Coastal Food Trail. You can also explore downtown Two Rivers with its vibrant shops, Nashotah Beach, Historic Rogers Street Fishing Village, the Washington House (birthplace of the ice cream sundae), and more. Closer to Maribel, stop off Highway 147 and up County R just a mile or so and explore Cherney Maribel Caves County Park, which offers great hiking trails and showcases the Niagara Escarpment beautifully. Down at Velvet Sheep Farms, you’re right by Sheboygan with its bustling downtown complete with museums, theater, a busy and fun harborfront district, wide variety of restaurant cuisine, and more right down Highway 42. If you crave breweries on this road trip, Cool City Brewing is one block off Highway 42 in Two Rivers, Manitowoc features PetSkull Brewing, Sabbatical Brewing, and Craft Creek Brewing. In Sheboygan, a visit to 3 Sheeps Brewing is a must!
Happy road tripping on the Spring Fiber Extravaganza… who knows what else it can lead to??
The annual 100 Mile Garage Sale is coming up! Spreading across miles and miles of roads on both sides of the Mississippi River, this fun event is perfect for driving and shopping from Thursday, May 2nd through Sunday, May 5th.
Every year, Lake Pepin historic river towns in both Wisconsin and Minnesota clean out their attics, garages and basements to create the most spectacular garage sale around. Bargain hunters can start anywhere along the river road – Minnesota or Wisconsin – rain or shine. The 100 Mile Garage Sale extends from Winona north to Red Wing on the Minnesota side of the River and Fountain City north to Prescott on the Wisconsin side of the River. Thousands of individuals and businesses participate with their own garage sales, often whole neighborhoods. While there are no maps indicating the exact location of the individual sales they are very easy to find and are identified by signage and pink balloons or ribbons. Many of the people who visit the Region for the garage sale weekend start on Thursday and stay until Sunday morning. They often comment that they attended half of the sales that they saw. You won’t have any problem what-so-ever finding as many garage sales as you feel like attending! Follow the trail marked with colored balloons or ribbons of participating sales and you’ll find deals, steals and fun.
Sales on the Minnesota side run from Hastings along U.S. 61 south to Winona; on the Wisconsin side the sales go from Fountain City on the south to Prescott on the north, all centered around Pepin – and you have to check out the gorgeous views of Lake Pepin! Don’t miss it!
100 Mile Garage Sale Address:
Various locations, centered around Pepin along Highway 35 in Wisconsin and U.S. 14/61 in Minnesota
Information: (651) 307-8364 Website
The annual Between the Bluffs Beer Wine & Cheese Festival is celebrating its return April 27, 2024! Join them for a tasting of over 200 quality beers poured by over 35 breweries. Experience over 45 types of wine, sample and purchase gourmet cheeses, all while enjoying live music. Don’t forget to sign-up for the Coulee Region Cornhole Tournament and play some Hammer-Schlagen.
It all begins Friday evening, April 26th, with Friday Night: Taster’s Eve. You can buy a wristband and ride the shuttles to various participating establishments for specials and tap take-overs by guest breweries attending the fest.
The main festival takes place at La Crosse’s Southside Oktoberfest Grounds on Saturday afternoon, April 23rd, with general admission ($50) from 2-6pm. VIP tickets ($90) allow for a noon entry. Details on what you get with each are below!
But that’s not all…
Sunday, April 28th is the Bacon Bloody Brunch! Jump back on the horse or come out for a “Sunday Funday” at the Oktoberfest Grounds! Enjoy specialty breakfast drinks, yard games, live music, and of course BACON. Specialty drinks include beer bloodies, mimosas and breakfast beer served up by Del’s Bar, Pearl Street Brewery, and Surly Brewing Company. For eats, enjoy giant pancakes served up by Mindoro Lions Club, bacon provided by Bubba’s Meats and Premier Catering, cheesy potatoes, and eggs. Coffee will also be available.
For Sunday’s Bacon Bloody Brunch, tickets are available for $15, which are available online or at the gates. You must be 21 years or older and show ID at the gate.
I-90, U.S. 14/61, U.S. 53, and Highways 16, 33, and 35 all bring you to La Crosse, and they’re all beautiful drives as you head “Between the Bluffs”!
Between the Bluffs Beer Wine and Cheese Festival Address:
Southside Oktoberfest Grounds
2nd & La Crosse Streets
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 782-2250 or (800) 658-9424 Website
Between the Bluffs Ticket ($55) Details:
General Admission Tickets include:
Souvenir sampling glass
Sampling of Beer, Wine, and Cheese
Live Music
Tasters Eve events on Friday, April 26th
Free shuttle for Tasters Eve events and on day of Fest from and to Host Hotels
Voucher for La Crosse County Tavern League “Safe Ride Home” upon request
VIP Tickets ($95) Include:
ALL GENERAL ADMISSION PERKS PLUS:
VIP and Brewers Reception Friday, April 26th
Private access from 12:00 – 2:00 PM before the general admission entry at 2:00pm
On-site VIP parking
VIP special gift
2 Free Pearl Street Brewery Drinks and 1 Free Food Coupon Redeemable at Monkey Business Food Truck on Taster’s Eve (April 26th) @ Pearl Street Brewery from 5-10 PM
Happening quarterly, Gallery Night & Day is one of the premier art events in Milwaukee. It’s the “Ultimate Art Weekend,” with over 50 venues throughout the Historic Third Ward and Downtown that serve as showcases for viewing art from paintings to sculptures to other creative outlets. Bars and restaurants stay open later than usual Friday night, while Saturday is a prime time to continue the gallery gallivanting while also enjoying the area’s unique and eclectic selection of shops.
Along with art galleries, Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward is filled with boutique shops like Lela, Bangles & Bags, Shoo, Untuck’d, Stephanie Horne Boutique, MILWORKS, Lizzibeth, Drybar, Too Much Metal, MODA3, and more. You’ll also find Anthropologie, Designs Within Reach, Restoration Hardware, Francesca’s, Mod Gen, Retique, Warby Parker, Lululemon Athletica, and more. You can also stop in Wizard Works Brewing orBroken Bat Brewery for craft beer, or Vino 100 or Thief Wine in the Milwaukee Public Market for a fantastic selection of wines. Numerous restaurants in the Third Ward offer everything from bar food to Asian fusion, American and Korean barbecue, and Italian – plus Shake Shack. The Milwaukee Public Marketdraws visitors from all over and offers takeaway and ready-to-eat food, drinks, and sundries in one dynamic setting.
This quarter, Gallery Night runs Friday and Saturday, April 19th and 20th. Activities begin late afternoon Friday and run through Saturday afternoon. I-43/94, I-794, U.S. 18, and Highway 32 are all amidst where it takes place; Highways 38, 59, and 145 get you close! The city has signs directing you to the Third Ward from the Marquette Interchange. You can also ride The Hop, the local streetcar
Full details and venue listings are available on their website. You’ll find the latest listings of shops, galleries, bars, restaurants, and more – things develop and change quickly in the Third Ward!
Gallery Night & Day Address:
Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward
300 N. Broadway (and all over the area)
Milwaukee, WI 53202 Website
“Feast with the Beasts” at the Milwaukee County Zoo! Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a la Carte, presented by Meijer, runs Thursday, August 17th through Sunday August 20th. Check out 27 area restaurants with palate-pleasing offers and national and local bands performing throughout Zoo grounds, including Vertical Horizon Thursday night,
Plenty of family-friendly activities are also available throughout the grounds, and of course the Milwaukee County Zoo’s remarkable collection of 2,100+ animals you can see and learn about. It’s one of the best family activities of the year.
Crafty kids can show their artistic side with Kohl’s Color Wheels, a mobile art experience. You can also enjoy a glass of wine, while listening to local bands at the Giraffe Village Wine Tent, sponsored by Champion Windows & Sunrooms. On top of that, you can visit the Brick Dinos exhibit, sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets, which includes interactive LEGO® play-scapes and more. Admission is $3 per person.
Zoo A La Carte Music Schedule:
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Jake Williams (90s, R&B, modern, & classics)
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jon Rouse (Classic rock)
7 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Vertical Horizon (Alternative rock)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Driving Buddies (Pop, rock, & country)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jordan and Ernie (Bluegrass)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Andrea and The Mods (70s, 80s, & more)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Geoff Landon Duo (Country hits)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Xeno and Joe (Classic hits)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Brady Lee (Pop country)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Phil Norby (Acoustic classics)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Sam and Cookie (Folk, classic rock, & bluegrass)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Grimm Brothers Trio (Classic hits)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Steve Cohen and Jim Ohlschmidt (Twisted acoustic blues)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. JC Munguía (Latin music)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Diamond (Neil Diamond & more)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Carmen and Kostia (Pop vocals with piano)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Anthony Deutsch (Pianist, vocalist, & composer)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Friday, August 18, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Kris and Dani Crow (Harmonies & great banter)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Trapper Schoepp Band (Singer-songwriter)
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Eli Young Band (Country)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Ebert and Grass (Classics)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jessie Haines (Singer-songwriter)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Barbieri and the Rockin’ Krakens (Classic rock hits)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Scott E. Berendt Trio (Acoustic rock & pop)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bad Medicine (80s party rock)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. The Playlist (Top 40 hits)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Rudy and Vee (Acoustic duo)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Michael Sean (Wisconsin musical mainstay)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Frogwater (Celtic bluegrass fusion)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Keshena Armon (Singer-songwriter)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Katy Ambrose (Dynamic piano stylings)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bath (Classic to modern pop and rock)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. The Morrison Sessions (Roots rock & roll)
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Record Company (Rock)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Busted Mullet (Rock)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bruce Humphries and the Rockabilly Rebels (Rockabilly)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Our House (50s, 60s, 70s, & more)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Chris Haise Duo (Indie folk rock)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Belle Weather (Orchestral indie folk rock)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Ronnie Nyles (Singer-songwriter)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Patrick Van Bibber (Guitarist, singer-songwriter)
2:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Jake Warne Duo (Singer-songwriters)
6:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Barbieri (Classic hits)
Sunday, August 20, 2023 Miller Lite Caribou Stage
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Joe 2.0 (The world’s original rockestra)
5 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Hypnotized (Milwaukee’s Fleetwood Mac Tribute)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 3 p.m. Another One (Grateful Dead tribute)
4 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Crossfire (Country rock)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Ronnie Nyles (Singer-songwriter)
4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Brooklynn Marti (Singer-songwriter)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Barbara Stephan and Peter Mac Duo (Singer-songwriters)
4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Admission rates (includes all bands and activities):
Adults: $17
Juniors (ages 3 to 12): $14
Children (ages 2 and under): FREE
Parking: $14
We talked with Jenny Diliberti from the Zoo a while back about this event and the Zoo’s history, animals, new designs, and more in this State Trunk Tour Podcast:
Milwaukee area restaurants at Zoo A La Carte include:
A la Crepes
Bear Garden
Brew City Snowballs
Bubble Waffle Shoppes
Café el Sol (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Caribou Beverage Bar
Catalano Corn (vegetarian)
Cedar Crest Ice Cream Parlor
Chillwaukee Pops (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
C-Viche
Funnel Cake Factory
Giraffe Beverage Bar
Giraffe Wine Bar
Golden Grill
Hot Potato
La Masa (vegetarian)
Leinie Lodge
Mama Bev’s Bakery
MIL-WOK-EE (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Nothing Bundt Cakes (gluten-free)
Nourish 414 (vegetarian, gluten-free)
OOZ
Penguin Beverage Bar
Pig Tailz (vegetarian)
Roll MKE (vegetarian)
Salentini’s Pizza
Saz’s (gluten-free)
Scrima’s Woodfired Pizza (gluten-free)
Shawarma House (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
The Coop
The Snack Barn
Thunder Bay Grille (vegetarian, gluten-free)
Tots on the Street (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Ultimate Confections Desserts featuring Suzy’s Cream Cheesecakes
Watering Hole Root Beer Floats
West End Snacks
Wild Burger
Woody’s Custard
Wong’s Wok
Zoo A La Carte at the Milwaukee County Zoo Address:
10001 W. Bluemound Road (U.S. 18)
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 256-5466 Website
The Zoo is surrounded by U.S. 18/Bluemound Road on the north, I-41/US. 45 on the east, I-94 on the south, and Highway 100 on the west. Despite the Zoo Interchange construction, it’s still easy to get to!
Port Fish Days is BACK to being a multi-day festival! This fun weekend, which for a long time has featured “The World’s Largest One-Day Outdoor Fish Fry,” offers a TON of fun in the beautiful downtown and harbor areas of Port Washington.
Okay, along with the fish fry, we’re talking lots of fun: music on four stages, rides, fireworks, and plenty of other cool stuff like soccer water fights all along Port Washington’s beautiful harbor on Lake Michigan, where even on a hot day it tends to be nice and comfortable.
Port Fish Day in 2023 begins on Thursday, July 13th and runs through Saturday, July 15th with a variety of events each day and night. It begins with the Corn Hole Tournament Thursday evening with music Friday afternoon into the evening by Nate Horlache.
Saturday is the busy day – it begins with a nice calorie burn in the form of the Coal Dock Park Portal Run/Walk/Roll at 8am. Starting at 10am, the Beer Garden, Arts & Crafts Show, and Family Zone activities fire up at Upper Lake Park. Coal Dock and Upper Lake Park essentially flank downtown Port Washington, with all of their shops, restaurants, and marina activities in between.
Along with the Beer Garden, Arts & Crafts Show, and Family Zone from 10am – 8pm in Upper Lake Park, Port Washington hosts the Downtown Parade from 11am – 12:30pm up Franklin Street. Upper Lake Park adds its Car, Bike & Truck Show at noon, lasting through 5pm.
Live music starts up in Lower Lake Park with performances from Zach Steinbach, Letter 8, and headliners The Love Monkeys – get more details here. It all caps off at 7pm in Rotary Park along the water with the Fireworks Watch Party.
Port Fish Day is focused around the beautiful harbor area in downtown Port Washington. Highways 32 and 33 bring you right into downtown Port, just east of I-43 and Highway 57, a few miles north of Highway 60.
Further details are on their website. While in Port Washington, be sure to check out Coal Dock Park, raise a glass at Inventors Brewpub, trace the history of the Blues, shop Duluth Trading Company or any of the local stores downtown, and enjoy the lakefront! Of course you can check out Allen Edmonds Shoe Outlet on the north side of town or get some exercise on the Interurban Trail, which cuts right through town.
Port Fish Day Address:
Port Washington Harbor
100 N. Franklin Street (Highway 32)
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-0900 Website
Start:
July 14, 2023
End:
July 15, 2023
Venue:
Port Washington Harbor
Phone:
262-284-0900
Address:
100 N. Franklin Street, Port Washington, WI, 53074, United States
Long known as the Spooner Block Party and now known as Freedom Music Fest Wisconsin, this incredible music event is designed to celebrate and benefit those who keep us and our country safe and free. While offering a great lineup of rock and country acts, Freedom Music Fest is focused on giving back to regional military, law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS teams. It’s a celebration and a fund raiser that offers plenty to enjoy in the beautiful North Woods at the height of summer.
Freedom Music Fest takes place Saturday, July 1st, 2023 on the Washburn County Fairgrounds on the south side of the city of Spooner. Doors open at 4pm with a lineup that includes The Smokin’ Loons at 4:15, GB Leighton at 5:30, BlackHawk at 7:30, and headliner .38 Special at 9:30pm! Food and beverage vendors from the area will be there, including local craft brewery Round Man Brewing Company, Big Daddy’s Diner in Spooner, Lamoureux Concessions from Hayward, Lucky 8’s Grill, B & D’s BBQ, and more. Check out this podcast episode to find out more in detail.
Tickets range from $40 for general admission to $90 for reserved seating. VIP tickets are available in a variety of packages from $120 to $1,200 for a front row table for four. Compare and Buy Tickets Here.
Metro Jam is an annual two-day festival of FREE music in downtown Manitowoc, bringing national, regional, and local acts to the city’s Washington Park. Metro Jam, now in its 43rd year, brings a very diverse lineup of music to the MetroStage including original and classic rock, Americana, alt-country, roots, folk, blues, jazz, reggae, ska, bluegrass, indie, alternative, pop and much more. The featured headliner for this year’s Metro Jam is The Producers who will be taking the stage (and bring you back to the ’80s) at 8:30pm on Saturday evening, June 17th.
The lineup will be as follows:
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2023
“European Music Tribute Night”
5:15PM LLOYD GOSZ & THE MYSTIC MOODS (Polka)
6:35PM ATHAS (Traditional Irish)
8:00PM CREAM CITY HOTCLUB (Gypsy Jazz)
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023
12:00PM ALMOST.CERTAIN
1:15PM FRYIN’KIELBASA BROTHERS
2:30PM LADYBIRD
4:00PM THE KEYSTONES
5:30PM XPOSED 4HEADS
7:00PM TURN TURN TURN
8:30PM THE PRODUCERS
You’ll find MetroJam action right along what is once again Highway 42 (it was Business 42 until they re-did the routes in town) a few miles after the east end of U.S. 151 at I-43. The road brings you right to Washington Park! U.S. 10 also brings you within two blocks.
MetroJam Address:
Washington Park
1115 Washington Street
Manitowoc, WI 54220 Website
Polish Fest is the largest Polish cultural festival in America, and it’s right on Milwaukee’s lakefront! Authentic dancing, food, music, family activities, and plenty of other entertainment (accordions may be involved.)
Some of that extra entertainment includes vodka tastings, the annual Chopin Youth Piano Competition, folk arts and crafts, and plenty of children’s activities.
Polish Fest runs Friday, June 9th and Saturday, June 10th from noon until midnight; Sunday the 11th from noon to 8pm. A Sunday Mass will also take place, with free admission. Gates open at 9:30am Sunday for the Mass.
Tickets are $7 in advance, $12 at the Summerfest Gate. Military personnel, both active and retired, are admitted FREE with military ID.
Check out these event highlights:
Sukiennice Marketplace
Filled by over forty different vendors, our Sukiennice Marketplace gives you a chance to buy Polish items, from traditional Polish toys for children to a new piece of pottery. The Sukiennice Marketplace is also your source for massage & acupuncture, home improvement, and genealogy research. Find everything from relaxation to the knowledge of your Polish roots.
Cultural Village
2022 Cultural Village Exhibits will feature folk artists demonstrating traditional Polish crafts, including wycinanki (paper cutting), pisanki (decorated eggs), wianki (floral head wreaths) and more. Polanki’s sales tent featuring handmade Polish pottery (Boleslawiec), Christmas ornaments, recipe books and other folk art are both located in the Cultural Village. The Polish Genealogical Society and the Milwaukee County Genealogical Society will again be at Polish Fest in a new location, east of the demonstrator tent.
There’s also the Polish Forum, click here for a schedule of speakers.
Cooking demonstrations will abound, too: check out this schedule of events.
Polish Fest Schedule:
As you enter the festival grounds, you will be entertained by:
Friday Noon – 4:00 Jimmy Locke & Friends
4:30 – 8:30 Vern Tretow Band
Saturday Noon – 4:00 Jimmy Locke & Friends
4:30 – 8:30 Bryan O’Donnel Band
Sunday Noon – 3:30 Jimmy Locke & Friends
4:00 – 8:00 Roger Boll
Friday – June 9
Miller Stage
5:00 Shut the Front Door
6:00 Opening Ceremony
7:00 Shut the Front Door
9:00 The First Wave
Non-Stop Polka Stage
Noon Eddie Wojcik Tribute
3:20 I.P.A. Tribute Band
4:00 The Boys
4:40 I.P.A. Tribute Band
5:20 The Boys
6:00 I.P.A. Tribute Band
6:40 The Boys
7:20 Polka Country Musicians
8:00 Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
8:40 Polka Country Musicians
9:20 Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
10:00 Polka Country Musicians
10:40 Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
11:20 Polka Country Musicians
Sobieski Cultural Stage
12:30 Larry Lynne – Decades
1:00 The Britins
2:00 Larry Lynne – Decades
3:00 The Britins
4:30 Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble / Polonia Polish Folk Dance Ensemble Regina, Canada
6:00 Capuchins Walk For The Hungry
7:30 Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble / Polonia Polish Folk Dance Regina, Canada
8:30 Korona Band From Canada
Sports Area
Polonia soccer club
Children’s Stage
1:00 Animated Illusionist Arden James
2:00 Julie Sobanski – Magicienne & Escape Artist
3:00 Animated Illusionist Arden James
4:00 Wayne & Wingnut
5:00 Julie Sobanski – Magicienne & Escape Artist
6:00 Accompany of Kids
7:00 David Seebach’s Wonders of Magic
Saturday – June 10
“The Big Boomski Fireworks” at 10:15pm
Miller Stage Noon John Gora & Gorale
1:30 SqueezeBox with Mollie B & Ted Lange
2:30 John Gora & Gorale
3:30 SqueezeBox with Mollie B & Ted Lange
5:00 Brett Newski
9:00 Almighty Vinyl
Non-Stop Polka Stage Noon The Maroszek Brothers
12:40 Keith Stras & Polka Confetti
1:20 The Maroszek Brothers
2:00 Keith Stras & Polka Confetti
2:40 The Maroszek Brothers
3:20 Keith Stras & Polka Confetti
4:00 Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
4:40 Polka Family
5:20 Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
6:00 Polka Family
6:40 Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
7:20 Polka Family
8:00 Polka Country Musicians
8:40 The Boys
9:20 Polka Country Musicians
10:00 The Boys
10:40 Polka Country Musicians
11:20 The Boys
Sobieski Cultural Stage Noon Song & Dance Ensemble Lajkonik
12:30 Polonia Dance Ensemble Regina, Canada / Song & Dance Ensemble Lajkonik
1:00 Whisper Center for Artistic Expression
2:00 Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble
3:00 Dolina Polish Dancers / Polonia Dance Ensemble Regina, Canada
4:00 Wesloly Lud Polish Dance Company of P.R.C.U.A. Zakopane Polish Dance Ensemble / P.R.C.U.A and Southwest Center of Polish Dancing P.R.C.U.A.
5:00 Wawel Polish Dancers
5:30 Song & Dance Ensemble Lajkonik
6:00 PFDAA Polish Folk Dance Gala
8:30 The Silver Orkiestra
Sports Area
Polonia soccer club
Children’s Stage
1:00 Syenka Polish Folk Dance Ensemble
2:00 Julie Sobanski – Magicienne & Escape Artist
3:00 Juchasi Polish Highlaner Dance Group
5:00 Julie Sobanski – Magicienne & Escape Artist
6:00 Wayne & Wingnut
7:00 David Seebach’s Wonders of Magic
Sunday – June 11
Miller Stage
Noon The Music Connection
1:30 John Gora & Gorale
2:30 The Music Connection
3:30 John Gora & Gorale
5:00 Jessie Marie & The Rippers
Non-Stop Polka Stage
Noon Polka Family
12:40 Polka Generations
1:20 Polka Family
2:00 Polka Generations
2:40 Polka Family
3:20 Polka Generations
4:00 D Street Band
Sobieski Cultural Stage
10:00 Mass Prelude
10:15 Mass
1:00 Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble
2:00 Stas Venglevski
3:30 Al White
6:00 Depot Express
Sports Area
Polonia soccer club
Children’s Stage
Noon Little, Jr., Teen & Teen Polish Fest Pageant
3:00 Julie Sobanski – Magicienne & Escape Artist
4:00 Wayne & Wingnut
5:00 Accompany of Kids
Chippewa Falls’ annual Springfest hits the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds the weekend of May 19-20, 2023! It’s a family friendly event with over 40 exhibitors showing and selling their Spring and Summer products and services. Enjoy great food, from deep fried cheese curds to State Fair French fries, brick oven pizzas, prime rib sandwiches and so much more!
There’s plenty of family fun including a petting zoo, inflatables, a bonfire, and plenty of other activities for kids and grown-ups alike.
Plenty of live music will be available too, in either of two heated tents, the Main Stage and the Kwik Trip Party Tent. Here’s the main lineup so far:
Friday, May 19th, 7:30pm, Boogie & the Yo-Yo’z
Saturday, May 20th, 7:30 pm, The John Stone Band from Nashville
Tickets can be purchased at The Leinie Lodge, Select Kwik Trip Stores in the Chippewa Falls area, The Chippewa YMCA or online at the Chippewa Falls Rotary Club’s Facebook page.
Springfest Tickets and Pricing:
Friday, May 19th:
FREE General Gate Admission
FREE Parking
Gates open at 4pm
Vendors Open at 4 – 8 pm Expo Hall A
5pm: Brady Luke Band in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
7:30pm: Boogie & The Yo-Yo’z on the Main Stage (Tickets)
11pm: Brady Luke Band (round two!)
Saturday, May 20th:
$5 General Gate Admission
FREE Parking
$20 Advance Boogie and the Yo-Yo’z Concert* (includes General Gate Admission)
$25 Day of Show Boogie and the Yo-Yo’z Concert (includes General Gate Admission)
$75 VIP Concert (Includes: Free Beverages & Snacks from 7-11pm, Exclusive Family Fare VIP Tent Access, Separate Entrance to Concert, Front of Stage Access During Show! Free parking & gate admission. Meet and Greet opportunity [Artist Approved])
Gates open at 11am
12 Noon: The Gators in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
2pm: Chi-Hi Wire Choir, the Chippewa Falls High School students take the stage in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
2:30pm: Howard “Guitar” Luedtke and Blue Max in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
5pm: Bumblefist in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
7:30pm headliner: The John Stone Band – the “King of Broadway” from Nashville (Tickets)
11pm: Bumblefist in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
You can find the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds just off Highway 124 on Edward Street, just north of the Leinenkugel Brewery and across from the beautiful Irvine Park & Zoo. It’s less than a mile north of downtown Chippewa Falls, where Business Highway 29 and Business U.S. 53 meet.
Chippewa Falls Springfest Address:
Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds (along Highway 124)
225 Edward Street
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
(715) 723-2861 Website
Ice Castles are back in Lake Geneva! Tickets are on sale now.
Lake Geneva is beautiful and fun enough already, but with the Ice Castles coming again after such a crazy 2022, this winter it gets even better! Seven days a week starting soon through early March – weather permitting – the massive ice castles compound can be explored and enjoyed by the whole family. The artistic project got underway in November, one of several projects in North America by Ice Castles LLC, a Utah-based company with similar projects in Colorado, New Hampshire, and Utah. One of the most unique and amazing facts about the Ice Castles is that they are literally built by hand. They grow more than 5,000 icicles each day that they harvest and sculpt together. These Ice Castles create life-size winter playgrounds, with illuminated inside the castles at night with color-changing LED lights that twinkle to music. You can explore ice-carved tunnels, fountains, slides, frozen thrones, and towering ice formations. This is truly something to dazzle the entire family. This mega-complex of ice will be at the Geneva National Resort and Club, just west of downtown Lake Geneva off Highway 50, a little east of Highway 67. How long will it last? Depends on the weather, of course, but they’ll keep it open into March if they can. You can keep up with the construction of Ice Castles and weather conditions, which will be continuously updated, on their website.
Tickets are on sale now. Admission prices are:
WEEKDAYS (Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday): General Admission, ages 12 and up: $25 Child Admission, ages 4-11: $17 Children 3 and younger: Free
WEEKENDS (Friday – Sunday): General Admission, ages 12 and up: $29 Child Admission, ages 4-11: $22 Children 3 and younger: Free
Be prepared to hit U.S. 12 or Highways 50, 67, or 120 to get to Lake Geneva and experience Ice Castles Wisconsin and the magic of the winter season!
Photo courtesy of Facebook.com/TheIceCastles
Ice Castles Lake Geneva Address:
Geneva National Resort & Club 1091 Hidden Cottage Circle Lake Geneva, WI 53147 (262) 248-4416 Website
Pulled from their website, here are some “Tips for a great experience” to Ice Castles Lake Geneva:
Wear Boots! The walking surface inside Ice Castles is made of crushed ice. Walking in boots is definitely best.
Buy Tickets Before You Arrive! When you buy a ticket, you buy an arrival time. They ask that you arrive within your 30-minute time window. Once you are inside Ice Castles you can stay as long as you’d like.
You can save some trees when you buy your tickets online; they’ll send you an email with a unique QR code, so there’s no need to print your tickets. They scan the code right from your phone.
Photos are encouraged (and they want to see them! #icecastles) but they ask that you please leave photography equipment such as tripods and lights at home.
Sleds are great, and they highly recommend bringing a small sled to pull children instead of a stroller. It is extremely difficult to push a stroller through Ice Castles – think of it like trying to push a stroller on a sandy beach)
The Plymouth Arts Center, touting Plymouth as the “Cheese Capital of the World,” is doing its 16th annual Big Cheese Drop and New Year’s Eve party on Saturday, December 31st and is ready for the biggest one yet!
This should make national news (again), since it’s been on the list for the top 10 things to do on New Year’s Eve for many years. All the details are on the Plymouth Arts Center website. While in downtown Plymouth, admire all the cool murals and decor along the historic downtown blocks, filled with great shops, restaurants, bars, and more.
Why is Plymouth the “Cheese Capital”? Well, it’s rooted in the fact that the price of cheese in the United States was designated at the Wisconsin Cheese Exchange in downtown Plymouth, beginning in 1918. The Cheese Exchange pricing and standards were the platform for cheese pricing until 1956. During these decades Plymouth became known as “Cheeseville” because of the cheese storage facilities, the processing of cheese and shipping of product throughout the country. Today, over 15% of the cheese consumed in the U.S. goes through the city.
Follow Highways 23, 57, or 67 to get to Plymouth and check out this unique way to ring in 2021. Check out a brief video clip of last year’s party below!
Address for the Big Cheese Drop in Plymouth for New Year’s Eve:
Plymouth Arts Center
520 E. Mill Street
Plymouth, WI 53073
(920) 892-8409 Website
Carp Fest: New York drops a lit ball at New Years’ Eve; Prairie du Chien drops a carp!
Yes, Prairie du Chien drops a real carp on New Year’s Eve. The carp, caught in the Mississippi, is named “Lucky”, and then frozen until New Years’ Eve. Lucky is then adorned with makeup and lights and lowered via crane. As soon as they ring in the New Year, people can kiss Lucky for good luck.
How’s that for a New Years’ Eve fish story?
Prairie du Chien, always down for a good, expanded party, has taken the original New Year’s Eve “Droppin’ of the Carp” and expanded it to a multi-day event with a variety of activities, many of which are quite family-friendly.
The BIG party for Carp Fest is the New Year’s Eve party that takes place on the west edge of downtown Prairie du Chien on St. Feriole Island Park by the Mississippi River. It starts at 9pm and culminates with the “Droppin’ of the Carp” a little before midnight to ring in 2020!
A earlier version of the carp drop for children and families – featuring “Lucky Carp Jr.” – takes place indoors at Hoffman Hall (1600 Wacouta Street.) The Family “Droppin of the Carp” takes place New Year’s Eve from 5pm – 6:30pm at Hoffman Hall featuring Arts & Crafts, Face Painting, Miniature Dairy Goats, and Carnival Games. You can also meet the Carp King & Queen, meet Master Gardeners & Bixby The Rabbit, and Exotic Animals from Ridgetop Rescue. Of course they’ll have noisemakers and hats, plus Carp Corn, Pizza, and Hot Carp Chocolate (yes, we’re curious too…) for $1 each. This event is sponsored by Valley Fish & Cheese, a State Trunk Tour favorite located just east of the Mississippi River bridge where eastbound Highway 27 begins. Check out the shop, owned by “Sturgeon General” Mike Valley, and its incredible selection of fresh fish, meats, cheeses, uniquely Wisconsin items, and more!
Hit U.S. 18 or Highways 27, 35, or 60 and check this out!
Carp Fest Address:
St. Feriole Island
900 W. Blackhawk Avenue
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
(608) 326-8602 Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
Start:
December 31, 2022 5:00 pm
End:
December 31, 2022 11:55 pm
Venue:
Downtown Prairie du Chien
Phone:
608-326-8602
Address:
400 W. Blackhawk, Prairie du Chien, WI, 53821, United States
The 2nd annual Jingle & Mingle at City Green in downtown Sheboygan is a family-friendly event that includes entertainment, a marketplace, a brat fry, trolley rides, and of course, Santa!
Make plans to visit Santa and his elves from 12:30pm – 2:00pm and 2:30pm -4:00pm.
The Marketplace is open from Noon to 4 :00pm with crafters, sweet treats, and a traditional brat fry.
Warm up around the bonfire while you roast a tasty s’more or two.
Climb aboard the trolley for rides around town and mingle through the local shops. The Holiday Open House will be happening in select downtown, riverfront and South Pier businesses to help with your holiday shopping.
Help us decorate our tree with handmade ornaments or write your letter to Santa and we’ll deliver it to the North Pole.
Participate in the ugly sweater contest to win prizes.
The Marketplace is open from Noon to 6pm with crafters, sweet treats, and a traditional Sheboygan Jaycees Brat Fry. Marketplace Vendors include:
Comfort & Joy Wooden Ornaments
Crafters Attic (soaps, lotions & more)
Fat Cat 3D creations
Hope Church Bake Sale
Infernal Candles
Mz.Nita’s Kitchen (desserts & baked goods)
Nap Time Treasures (wire jewelry)
She Sews Creations (purses, wallets, backpacks, kids pouches)
Sit back and relax for a bit with some holiday entertainment.
Jingle & Mingle Schedule of Events:
12:15 PM: Storytime with Santa.
12:30 PM: The Kohler High School Madrigal Singers
1 PM: Ugly Sweater Contest
1:30 PM: South High School Singers
2 PM: Lutheran High School Chamber Choir
2:30 PM: Noah & Grace
3 PM: Livie
You can get to City Green and downtown Sheboygan via Highways 23, 28, or 42 in from I-43. Just head towards the lake and make your way to 8th Street, City Green is right at the New York Avenue intersection. While in Sheboygan, you can check out so many fun attractions, restaurants, and more. They include the John Michael Kohler Arts Center – practically adjacent to City Green – the Above & Beyond Children’s Museum, also within blocks of City Green, the Harbor District along the Sheboygan River, North Beach, Maywood Environmental Park and 3 Sheeps Brewing on the north side (both just off Highway 42), and much more.
Jingle & Mingle Address:
City Green, downtown Sheboygan
710 New York Avenue
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 335-0060 Website
Windigo Fest is “a Festival of Folklore Freaks and ALL Things Halloween!” For 2022, this spine-chilling festival will take place at Manitowoc’s Expo Grounds, same place where the Manitowoc County Fair is held on the west end of town – there’s a lot of room on those grounds! All Hallows Eve enthusiasts with a hunger for the strange and unusual can experience a weekend filled with various seasonal activities including outstanding music, costume contests, dark art exhibits and contests, bizarre performances, and the historical cemetery bus tour. Windigo Fest kicks off Friday evening. After a day full of Halloween havoc, a parade will again display the Midwest’s best competitive costumes.
IT IS HALLOWEEN SO WEAR A COSTUME!!!!!
This is a huge event, with over 40 unique vendors with tons of Halloween and horror merch, plenty of creative art, unique oddities, and LOTS of live entertainment.
The Entertainment includes Kane Hopper, one of the actors who played Jason; ghost tribute band Absolution; Midgets With Attitude wrestling entertainment; EDM featuring Lockvibe; Blackened: Hellbilly Deluxe; Istra the Belly Dancer; and more.
Saturday features a Costume Contest & Halloween Parade for people of all ages! That starts around 6:07.
There’s also a Hearse & Rat Rod Auto Show, tons of food trucks, and plenty of vendors “Shop ‘Til You Drop Dead,” they say!)
Windigo Fest runs Friday, September 30th, Saturday, October 1st, and Sunday, October 2nd at the Manitowoc Expo Grounds. The grounds are easily accessible off I-43, at U.S. 151 and Highway 42 (Exit #149). U.S. 10 arrives in Manitowoc a few miles north of the Expo Grounds, which are accessible from U.S. 10 via I-43 or County R/Rapids Road (which was the original main highway – U.S. 141 – between Milwaukee and Green Bay before I-43 was built.)
The Gays Mills Apple Festival – the 63rd annual – runs September 23-25, 2022! Gays Mills is pretty much the apple capital of Wisconsin, and it celebrates the apple harvest with parades, carnivals, arts and crafts, flea markets, music, dancing, a 2K and 5K fun run/walk, food and festivities.
Get the rest of the details from their website or see the schedule below!
You’ll find Gays Mills in the heart of Wisconsin’s beautiful Driftless Area, where Highways 131 and 171 meet by the Kickapoo River. It’s worth going for the drive alone!
2022 Gays Mills Apple Festival Schedule of Events
FRIDAY EVENTS
Carnival: Wristband Night 5pm-9pm Fairgrounds
Lions Club Flea Market: 8am-5pm Fairgrounds
Main Street Vending: 10am-5pm Downtown
BMZ Church Food Stand:10am-5pm Fairgrounds
4-H Food Stand: Friday-Sunday Fairgrounds
American Legion Food Stand: 10am-5pm Fairgrounds
Societies Sons M/C: Music
Dante’s:Music Last Ride
Halver’s Town Tap: Music
SATURDAY EVENTS To See & Do:
Run and Walk:Registration 8am Main St Bridge, 2 & 5 Mi. Run; 2 Mi. Walk; ¼ Mi. Kids Fun Run: 9am
Lions Club Flea Market: 8am-5pm Fairgrounds
Main Street Vending: 9:30am-5pm Downtown
Cornhole Tournament
American Legion Volleyball Tournament: 9am 4-person Co-Ed Teams, 312 Main
Library Book Sale: 9am-5pm, 212 Main
Lions Club Arts and Crafts: 9am-5pm Fairgrounds
Carnival: 10am-5pm Fairgrounds
Open Horseshoe Tournament: Saturday Partner draw,Sunday 10 am registration and 11am start, Log CabinVillage Park
Societies Sons M/C: Music from American Standard
Fire Department: Raffle (Drawing in Nov.)
Dante’s: Music from Pilot of the Airwaves 3pm-7pm, Last Ride
Halver’s Town Tap: Music from Dylan Harris 2-6pm, DJ Robert 9pm – 1am
Inflatables:Downtown
SUNDAY EVENTS To See & Do:
Ride the FREE Trolley stops at Flea Market & Main! APPLE FESTIVAL PARADE 1:30 pm, Main Street to Riverside Park Lions Club Arts and Crafts & Flea Market: 8am-5pm Fairgrounds Main Street Vending: 9:30am-4pm Downtown Library Book Sale: 9am-3:30 pm 212 Main Carnival: 10am-5pm Fairgrounds Open Horseshoe Tournament: Saturday draw for partners, Sunday 10am registration, 11am start, Log Cabin Village Park Fire Department: Raffle (Drawing in Nov.) Inflatables: Downtown
The largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibit in North America is back, bigger, and better than ever! More than 100 photorealistic dinosaurs are ready to delight families when Jurassic Quest roars into Wisconsin State Fair Park Friday, September 16th through Sunday, September 18th, 2022.
Jurassic Quest offers some of the most beloved and unique experiences for the whole family including more than 100 life-like dinosaurs, dinosaur themed rides, live dinosaur shows, interactive science and art activities, a “Triceratots” soft play area for our littlest explorers, bounce houses and inflatable attractions (socks required), photo opportunities, and more.
Walk and drive through the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic periods to see the dinos that ruled on land, and “deep dive” into the “Ancient Oceans” exhibit to come face to face with the largest apex predator that ever existed – a moving, life-size, 50-foot-long megalodon. Meet the babies, hatched only at Jurassic Quest: Cammie the Camarasaurus, Tyson the T-Rex and Trixie the Triceratops – and, you may even catch one of our star dino trainers: Safari Sarah, Dino Dustin, Captain Caleb, Prehistoric Nick or Park Ranger Marty!
The Jurassic Quest herd of animatronic dinos – from the largest predators to playful baby dinos – are displayed in realistic scenes with some that move and roar, allowing guests to experience them as they were when they roamed the earth billions of years ago.
Jurassic Quest works in collaboration with leading paleontologists to ensure each dinosaur is painstakingly replicated in every detail, from coloration to teeth size, to textured skin, fur or feathers, drawing on the latest research about how we understand dinosaurs and ancient giants of the sea looked and moved.
Tickets are timed entry — reserve online to ensure desired date and time. Tickets are also available on-site and include a 100% ticket guarantee that in the event of a show cancellation or postponement for any reason, ticket purchases will be automatically refunded for the full purchase amount. Tickets are for a timed arrival window, and advance ticket purchase is strongly encouraged.
Guests can walk through the dinosaur experience at their own pace, and strollers are permitted.
General admission tickets include access to the dinosaur and marine exhibits, arts and crafts activities, and dinosaur shows. There are rides and activities that require activity tickets available on site for $5 each, or guests can upgrade to the Kids Unlimited Rides ticket (the best value for children ages 2-12). Green screen photography and animal art tattoos are available at a separate cost. Entry is free for children under age 2.
You can easily get to Wisconsin State Fair Park via I-94, Highway 59, or Highway 181 – they surround the park! U.S. 18 and I-41/U.S. 45/I-894 get you close for connections.
Jurassic Quest Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Park
640 S. 84th Street
West Allis, WI 53214 Website
The Pardeeville Watermelon Festival celebrates the fact that watermelon is delicious. But what do you do with the seeds? In Pardeeville, they reward you for spitting them out as far as you can! The longtime home of the U.S. Watermelon Speed-Eating and Seed-Spitting Championships, come and enjoy this fun festival in Pardeeville’s Chandler Park Saturday, September 10th! This festival has been taking place since 1968 and they make the most of it. Free watermelon is included (the seeds are free too) and there are contests for all ages. Watermelon carvings become pretty interesting, too. The Pardeeville Watermelon Festival officially opens at 10am in Chandler Park. There will be an Open Air Market, concessions, and rides at the Midway all day. The Open Air Market showcases art and craft vendors from all over the area, plus a flea market and commercial vendors such Avon, Scentsy, and Tupperware. The market runs from 10am until about 3pm. Typically there are about 30-40 vendors.
The Watermelon carving contest makes for some interesting creations in Pardeeville.
Wayne the Wizard will be there to provide children’s entertainment, there’s a free Hay Dive at noon, and the championship events for the U.S. Watermelon Speed-Eating and Seed-Spitting Championships begin at 1:30pm. Find out more about the actual speed-eating and seed-spitting events, including records like the 61 feet, inches one entrant spat a seed in 1988, here. It’s a fun and unique thing to watch!
Yes, they seriously spit seeds from watermelons as far as they can. There are contests for multiple age categories.
You’ll find Pardeeville along Highway 22, where it meets Highway 44 in Columbia County.
Pardeeville Watermelon Festival Address:
Chandler Park 208 Chandler Park Drive Pardeeville, WI 53954 (608) 535-9139 Website
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events
May 31, 2024 – June 1, 2024
Shawano Sundrop Dayz
Shawano SunDrop Dayz 2024 hits Friday, May 31st and Saturday, June 1st to celebrate the tasty citrus soda this town began making in the 1950s! SunDrop helps usher in summer with a wide variety of family-friendly activities, live performances, music, food, beverages. You can even enjoy tours and tastings at the SunDrop Museum.
Sun Drop soda is being made and bottled in returnable glass bottles. Tour the Sun Drop museum at 920 S. Franklin Street and experience fun interactive displays. Most importantly, visit the tasting room and sample their different soda flavors. They include Farmer’s Brew butterscotch root beer, rhu-berry, caramel apple, blue raspberry, black cherry, cream, or the original “Golden Soda” Sun Drop. Horse wagon rides will be available between the museum and the park so you can enjoy a ride to the tours and tastings!
Friday late afternoon into the evening, kids can enjoy the Kidz Zone with inflatables and more. Afterwards, all can enjoy live music from Spark Spark Bang! and Driftwood during the evening. Saturday, June 1st opens early with a Flea Market at 6am on Main Street. At 9am, the 5k Run/Walk kicks off. Both the Craft Fair and Kidz Zone fire up at 10am. The muscle comes out in the early afternoon with the Strongman Competition at 1pm and the Lumberjack Competition continuing from there through 5pm. For music, the Oneida Smoke Dancers will perform starting at Noon. Also, Wet Possum takes the stage at 3pm and the GLAM BAND plays from 6:45pm until 10 (at least.)
SunDrop Dayz is also a fundraiser, and the festival has raised over $100,000 for local charities since its inception in 2016. Sponsors keep admission FREE and there are plenty of vendors offering their crafts, food, beer, soda, and more for sale.
Shawano SunDrop Dayz Address:
Shawano is easily accessible via the Highway 29 expressway as well as Highways 22, 47, and 55 (which also sometimes joins 29 on the bypass). Memorial Park itself, where the festivities are centered, is along Main Street/Highway 22. Within blocks you’ll find Stubborn Brothers Brewing and the Mountain-Bay Trail.
909 S. Lincoln Street one block north of Lieg Street east of Main (Highway 22)
Shawano, WI
Website
Back to StateTrunkTour.com
May 17, 2024 – May 19, 2024
Syttende Mai Festival, Stoughton
Stoughton’s Syttende Mai festival is a weekend-long celebration of Norwegian heritage featuring fun activities and cultural experiences for the whole family. Check out three days of parades, amazing food and drink, arts and music, athletic competitions, and kids’ activities steeped in centuries of Norwegian culture. From the late 1800s to the early 1900s, Stoughton enjoyed an influx of Norwegians, and at one time, as many as 75 percent of its residents spoke Norwegian. These immigrants celebrated Syttende Mai unofficially, but it became an annual, city-wide tradition in the 1950s.
The city-wide festival takes place every year on the weekend closest to Norway’s May 17th Constitution Day, also known as Syttende Mai. In 2024, the festivities run through the weekend of May 17th through the 19th. The Arts & Crafts Fair attracts arts and crafts enthusiasts and artists who appreciate Norwegian culture and its role in the arts. The Stoughton festival features an annual juried craft fair where artisans and artists show and sell their hand-crafted works. The Norwegian art of rosemaling, or decorative painting, traditional Norwegian embroidery and quilts are all on display. Many artists hold public demonstrations of how they create their works, too. It’s a great opportunity for Stoughton festival-goers to meet the artists and appreciate the art’s deep roots in traditional Norwegian culture. It includes the Arts & Craft Fair, Hardanger Embroidery Exhibit, the Quilt Show, the Rosemaling Exhibit and Sale, and Norwegian Cultural Demonstrations. It runs Saturday from 10am — 6pm and Sunday from 9am — 2pm at River Bluff Middle School Gymnasium, Cafetorium, and Grounds at 235 N. Forrest Street in Stoughton.
Festival activities include:
Syttende Mai Festival Address:
via Stoughton Chamber of Commerce
532 E. Main Street
Stoughton, WI 53589
(608) 873-7912
Website
More details below!
Stoughton Norwegian Dancers
This dance troupe delights audiences with their intricate footwork, athleticism, and enthusiasm for traditional Norwegian culture. Around since 1952 and clad in traditional Norwegian costumes, or bunad, their dancing to music from the fjords, and their colorful and captivating performances are in demand nationwide. You’ll be able to see the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers and their traditional folk performances every day during the three-day Syttende Mai festival.
Other Live Performances
While enjoying all the Syttende Mai sights and delicious foods, don’t forget to experience the music, dance, and theater performances. Be sure to catch a Norwegian Dancer performance to experience Scandinavian folk dancing. Attend a Stoughton Village Players theatrical performance written and performed by local actors who are expert at presenting the humorous side of life in Stoughton. Be sure to seek out a Hardanger fiddle performance to see and hear these beautiful instruments up close.
Enjoy:
Crowning the Syttende Mai Royalty
Check out the crowning of Syttende Mai’s event ambassadors in a tradition that spans five decades. Stoughton’s Syttende Mai royalty kick off the three-day event and declare the weekend a statewide celebration.
Those who wear the Syttende Mai crown receive the honor for their commitment to community service and keeping the local Norwegian culture alive. Each year, a couple learns of their nomination in September and must keep it a secret from everyone, even friends and family, for five months. During the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers’ February Norse Afternoon of Fun, the new king and queen receive their crowns and join previous years’ honorees.
Although their reign is symbolic, the annual Syttende Mai King and Queen dress in traditional Norwegian clothing, or bunad, for the entire festival. In addition to opening the festival, the couple attend more than 40 events over the weekend. They are the festival’s icons and serve as cultural ambassadors to visitors. Have questions about the Norwegian cultural demonstrations, colors, music, foods and costumes you see? Ask this year’s king and queen (or one of our many volunteers).
Young people participate in the Syttende Mai royalty tradition, too. Two local third-grade students are selected as the festival’s annual Prince and Princess and are chosen to carry on Norwegian traditions among their peers. They serve as grand marshals of the Saturday Youth Parade, ride in the Sunday Norwegian Parade, and start The Lil’ Run. The pair also attend the opening dinner and make other appearances throughout the Syttende Mai festival.
Again, you’ll find Stoughton along U.S. 51 and Highway 138, southeast of Madison. I-39/90 and U.S. 14 also bring you close!
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May 3, 2024 – May 5, 2024
Spring Fiber Extravaganza!
The 2024 Spring Fiber Extravaganza is a great opportunity to enjoy a road trip and learn about fiber farms around Manitowoc and Sheboygan Counties. The Extravaganza consist of a self-guided scenic road trip with roughly 30 minutes of driving time to three different fiber farms in or near Manitowoc County to visit alpacas, goats, llamas, sheep, ducks, turkeys and more. It runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday May 3rd-5th and takes place at these three farms:
All three invite you to visit the farms, meet the animals, learn more about agriculture, and shop their stores or vendors. This is FREE, open-house style event at all of the farms.
For everyone’s enjoyment and safety, children must be supervised at all times, no smoking or running is allowed, and safety rules at each farm must be strictly followed.
Spring Fiber Extravaganza Location Map:
A trip along Highway 147, which runs between Two Rivers and Maribel, is a fun one for this event. You can easily head down I-43 to Velvet Sheep Farms, which is just off Highway 42 northwest of the interchange. While you’re road tripping in the area, check out great food and beverages at locations throughout Manitowoc County along the Wisconsin Coastal Food Trail. You can also explore downtown Two Rivers with its vibrant shops, Nashotah Beach, Historic Rogers Street Fishing Village, the Washington House (birthplace of the ice cream sundae), and more. Closer to Maribel, stop off Highway 147 and up County R just a mile or so and explore Cherney Maribel Caves County Park, which offers great hiking trails and showcases the Niagara Escarpment beautifully. Down at Velvet Sheep Farms, you’re right by Sheboygan with its bustling downtown complete with museums, theater, a busy and fun harborfront district, wide variety of restaurant cuisine, and more right down Highway 42. If you crave breweries on this road trip, Cool City Brewing is one block off Highway 42 in Two Rivers, Manitowoc features PetSkull Brewing, Sabbatical Brewing, and Craft Creek Brewing. In Sheboygan, a visit to 3 Sheeps Brewing is a must!
Happy road tripping on the Spring Fiber Extravaganza… who knows what else it can lead to??
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May 2, 2024 – May 5, 2024
100 Mile Garage Sale along the Great River Road
Every year, Lake Pepin historic river towns in both Wisconsin and Minnesota clean out their attics, garages and basements to create the most spectacular garage sale around. Bargain hunters can start anywhere along the river road – Minnesota or Wisconsin – rain or shine. The 100 Mile Garage Sale extends from Winona north to Red Wing on the Minnesota side of the River and Fountain City north to Prescott on the Wisconsin side of the River. Thousands of individuals and businesses participate with their own garage sales, often whole neighborhoods. While there are no maps indicating the exact location of the individual sales they are very easy to find and are identified by signage and pink balloons or ribbons. Many of the people who visit the Region for the garage sale weekend start on Thursday and stay until Sunday morning. They often comment that they attended half of the sales that they saw. You won’t have any problem what-so-ever finding as many garage sales as you feel like attending! Follow the trail marked with colored balloons or ribbons of participating sales and you’ll find deals, steals and fun.
Sales on the Minnesota side run from Hastings along U.S. 61 south to Winona; on the Wisconsin side the sales go from Fountain City on the south to Prescott on the north, all centered around Pepin – and you have to check out the gorgeous views of Lake Pepin! Don’t miss it!
100 Mile Garage Sale Address:
Various locations, centered around Pepin along Highway 35 in Wisconsin and U.S. 14/61 in Minnesota
Information: (651) 307-8364
Website
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April 27, 2024
Between the Bluffs Beer Wine and Cheese Festival
It all begins Friday evening, April 26th, with Friday Night: Taster’s Eve. You can buy a wristband and ride the shuttles to various participating establishments for specials and tap take-overs by guest breweries attending the fest.
The main festival takes place at La Crosse’s Southside Oktoberfest Grounds on Saturday afternoon, April 23rd, with general admission ($50) from 2-6pm. VIP tickets ($90) allow for a noon entry. Details on what you get with each are below!
But that’s not all…
Sunday, April 28th is the Bacon Bloody Brunch! Jump back on the horse or come out for a “Sunday Funday” at the Oktoberfest Grounds! Enjoy specialty breakfast drinks, yard games, live music, and of course BACON. Specialty drinks include beer bloodies, mimosas and breakfast beer served up by Del’s Bar, Pearl Street Brewery, and Surly Brewing Company. For eats, enjoy giant pancakes served up by Mindoro Lions Club, bacon provided by Bubba’s Meats and Premier Catering, cheesy potatoes, and eggs. Coffee will also be available.
For Sunday’s Bacon Bloody Brunch, tickets are available for $15, which are available online or at the gates. You must be 21 years or older and show ID at the gate.
I-90, U.S. 14/61, U.S. 53, and Highways 16, 33, and 35 all bring you to La Crosse, and they’re all beautiful drives as you head “Between the Bluffs”!
Between the Bluffs Beer Wine and Cheese Festival Address:
Southside Oktoberfest Grounds
2nd & La Crosse Streets
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 782-2250 or (800) 658-9424
Website
Between the Bluffs Ticket ($55) Details:
General Admission Tickets include:
VIP Tickets ($95) Include:
VIP and Brewers Reception Friday, April 26th
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April 19, 2024 – April 20, 2024
Gallery Night & Day, Milwaukee
Happening quarterly, Gallery Night & Day is one of the premier art events in Milwaukee. It’s the “Ultimate Art Weekend,” with over 50 venues throughout the Historic Third Ward and Downtown that serve as showcases for viewing art from paintings to sculptures to other creative outlets. Bars and restaurants stay open later than usual Friday night, while Saturday is a prime time to continue the gallery gallivanting while also enjoying the area’s unique and eclectic selection of shops.
Along with art galleries, Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward is filled with boutique shops like Lela, Bangles & Bags, Shoo, Untuck’d, Stephanie Horne Boutique, MILWORKS, Lizzibeth, Drybar, Too Much Metal, MODA3, and more. You’ll also find Anthropologie, Designs Within Reach, Restoration Hardware, Francesca’s, Mod Gen, Retique, Warby Parker, Lululemon Athletica, and more. You can also stop in Wizard Works Brewing or Broken Bat Brewery for craft beer, or Vino 100 or Thief Wine in the Milwaukee Public Market for a fantastic selection of wines. Numerous restaurants in the Third Ward offer everything from bar food to Asian fusion, American and Korean barbecue, and Italian – plus Shake Shack. The Milwaukee Public Market draws visitors from all over and offers takeaway and ready-to-eat food, drinks, and sundries in one dynamic setting.
This quarter, Gallery Night runs Friday and Saturday, April 19th and 20th. Activities begin late afternoon Friday and run through Saturday afternoon. I-43/94, I-794, U.S. 18, and Highway 32 are all amidst where it takes place; Highways 38, 59, and 145 get you close! The city has signs directing you to the Third Ward from the Marquette Interchange. You can also ride The Hop, the local streetcar
Full details and venue listings are available on their website. You’ll find the latest listings of shops, galleries, bars, restaurants, and more – things develop and change quickly in the Third Ward!
Gallery Night & Day Address:
Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward
300 N. Broadway (and all over the area)
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Website
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August 20, 2023
Zoo A La Carte at the Milwaukee County Zoo
“Feast with the Beasts” at the Milwaukee County Zoo! Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a la Carte, presented by Meijer, runs Thursday, August 17th through Sunday August 20th. Check out 27 area restaurants with palate-pleasing offers and national and local bands performing throughout Zoo grounds, including Vertical Horizon Thursday night,
Plenty of family-friendly activities are also available throughout the grounds, and of course the Milwaukee County Zoo’s remarkable collection of 2,100+ animals you can see and learn about. It’s one of the best family activities of the year.
Crafty kids can show their artistic side with Kohl’s Color Wheels, a mobile art experience. You can also enjoy a glass of wine, while listening to local bands at the Giraffe Village Wine Tent, sponsored by Champion Windows & Sunrooms. On top of that, you can visit the Brick Dinos exhibit, sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets, which includes interactive LEGO® play-scapes and more. Admission is $3 per person.
Zoo A La Carte Music Schedule:
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Jake Williams (90s, R&B, modern, & classics)
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jon Rouse (Classic rock)
7 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Vertical Horizon (Alternative rock)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Driving Buddies (Pop, rock, & country)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jordan and Ernie (Bluegrass)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Andrea and The Mods (70s, 80s, & more)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Geoff Landon Duo (Country hits)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Xeno and Joe (Classic hits)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Brady Lee (Pop country)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Phil Norby (Acoustic classics)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Sam and Cookie (Folk, classic rock, & bluegrass)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Grimm Brothers Trio (Classic hits)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Steve Cohen and Jim Ohlschmidt (Twisted acoustic blues)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. JC Munguía (Latin music)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Diamond (Neil Diamond & more)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Carmen and Kostia (Pop vocals with piano)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Anthony Deutsch (Pianist, vocalist, & composer)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Friday, August 18, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Kris and Dani Crow (Harmonies & great banter)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Trapper Schoepp Band (Singer-songwriter)
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Eli Young Band (Country)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Ebert and Grass (Classics)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Jessie Haines (Singer-songwriter)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Barbieri and the Rockin’ Krakens (Classic rock hits)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Scott E. Berendt Trio (Acoustic rock & pop)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bad Medicine (80s party rock)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. The Playlist (Top 40 hits)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Hearthfire (Irish roots & rock)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Joey Gleesing (Top 40 hits)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Scott Hlavenka Duo (Acoustic gypsy jazz)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Rudy and Vee (Acoustic duo)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Michael Sean (Wisconsin musical mainstay)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Frogwater (Celtic bluegrass fusion)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Keshena Armon (Singer-songwriter)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Katy Ambrose (Dynamic piano stylings)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bath (Classic to modern pop and rock)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. The Morrison Sessions (Roots rock & roll)
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Record Company (Rock)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Tangled Lines (Roots, rock, & Americana)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Kitty Soft Paw (Indie rock & soul)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. V-Funk (Funk)
Zoofari Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Busted Mullet (Rock)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Bruce Humphries and the Rockabilly Rebels (Rockabilly)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Our House (50s, 60s, 70s, & more)
Lakeview Stage
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Chris Haise Duo (Indie folk rock)
2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Belle Weather (Orchestral indie folk rock)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Ronnie Nyles (Singer-songwriter)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Patrick Van Bibber (Guitarist, singer-songwriter)
2:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Jake Warne Duo (Singer-songwriters)
6:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Eric Barbieri (Classic hits)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Christopher’s Project Duo (Jazz, R&B, pop, & swing)
2:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Marcya Daneille (Jazz & soul)
6 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Sunday, August 20, 2023
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Joe 2.0 (The world’s original rockestra)
5 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Hypnotized (Milwaukee’s Fleetwood Mac Tribute)
Flamingo Stage
11:15 a.m. – 3 p.m. Another One (Grateful Dead tribute)
4 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Crossfire (Country rock)
Zoofari Stage
12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Shuga Blu (R&B, soul, & pop)
4:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Lovin Kind (Classic rock)
Lakeview Stage
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Beautiful Collide (Blues, jazz, & light rock)
4:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. The Lounge Dogs (Acoustic hits, classics, sing-alongs)
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Ronnie Nyles (Singer-songwriter)
4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Brooklynn Marti (Singer-songwriter)
BioLife Plasma Services Giraffe Wine Tent
11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Barbara Stephan and Peter Mac Duo (Singer-songwriters)
4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Downtown Harrison (Modern song and dance man)
Admission rates (includes all bands and activities):
Adults: $17
Juniors (ages 3 to 12): $14
Children (ages 2 and under): FREE
Parking: $14
We talked with Jenny Diliberti from the Zoo a while back about this event and the Zoo’s history, animals, new designs, and more in this State Trunk Tour Podcast:
Milwaukee area restaurants at Zoo A La Carte include:
A la Crepes
Bear Garden
Brew City Snowballs
Bubble Waffle Shoppes
Café el Sol (gluten-free, vegetarian)
Caribou Beverage Bar
Catalano Corn (vegetarian)
Cedar Crest Ice Cream Parlor
Chillwaukee Pops (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
C-Viche
Funnel Cake Factory
Giraffe Beverage Bar
Giraffe Wine Bar
Golden Grill
Hot Potato
La Masa (vegetarian)
Leinie Lodge
Mama Bev’s Bakery
MIL-WOK-EE (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Nothing Bundt Cakes (gluten-free)
Nourish 414 (vegetarian, gluten-free)
OOZ
Penguin Beverage Bar
Pig Tailz (vegetarian)
Roll MKE (vegetarian)
Salentini’s Pizza
Saz’s (gluten-free)
Scrima’s Woodfired Pizza (gluten-free)
Shawarma House (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
The Coop
The Snack Barn
Thunder Bay Grille (vegetarian, gluten-free)
Tots on the Street (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Ultimate Confections Desserts featuring Suzy’s Cream Cheesecakes
Watering Hole Root Beer Floats
West End Snacks
Wild Burger
Woody’s Custard
Wong’s Wok
Zoo A La Carte at the Milwaukee County Zoo Address:
10001 W. Bluemound Road (U.S. 18)
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 256-5466
Website
The Zoo is surrounded by U.S. 18/Bluemound Road on the north, I-41/US. 45 on the east, I-94 on the south, and Highway 100 on the west. Despite the Zoo Interchange construction, it’s still easy to get to!
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July 14, 2023 – July 15, 2023
Port Fish Days
Okay, along with the fish fry, we’re talking lots of fun: music on four stages, rides, fireworks, and plenty of other cool stuff like soccer water fights all along Port Washington’s beautiful harbor on Lake Michigan, where even on a hot day it tends to be nice and comfortable.
Port Fish Day in 2023 begins on Thursday, July 13th and runs through Saturday, July 15th with a variety of events each day and night. It begins with the Corn Hole Tournament Thursday evening with music Friday afternoon into the evening by Nate Horlache.
Saturday is the busy day – it begins with a nice calorie burn in the form of the Coal Dock Park Portal Run/Walk/Roll at 8am. Starting at 10am, the Beer Garden, Arts & Crafts Show, and Family Zone activities fire up at Upper Lake Park. Coal Dock and Upper Lake Park essentially flank downtown Port Washington, with all of their shops, restaurants, and marina activities in between.
Live music starts up in Lower Lake Park with performances from Zach Steinbach, Letter 8, and headliners The Love Monkeys – get more details here. It all caps off at 7pm in Rotary Park along the water with the Fireworks Watch Party.
Port Fish Day is focused around the beautiful harbor area in downtown Port Washington. Highways 32 and 33 bring you right into downtown Port, just east of I-43 and Highway 57, a few miles north of Highway 60.
Further details are on their website. While in Port Washington, be sure to check out Coal Dock Park, raise a glass at Inventors Brewpub, trace the history of the Blues, shop Duluth Trading Company or any of the local stores downtown, and enjoy the lakefront! Of course you can check out Allen Edmonds Shoe Outlet on the north side of town or get some exercise on the Interurban Trail, which cuts right through town.
Port Fish Day Address:
Port Washington Harbor
100 N. Franklin Street (Highway 32)
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-0900
Website
July 1, 2023
Freedom Music Fest Wisconsin
Long known as the Spooner Block Party and now known as Freedom Music Fest Wisconsin, this incredible music event is designed to celebrate and benefit those who keep us and our country safe and free. While offering a great lineup of rock and country acts, Freedom Music Fest is focused on giving back to regional military, law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS teams. It’s a celebration and a fund raiser that offers plenty to enjoy in the beautiful North Woods at the height of summer.
Freedom Music Fest takes place Saturday, July 1st, 2023 on the Washburn County Fairgrounds on the south side of the city of Spooner. Doors open at 4pm with a lineup that includes The Smokin’ Loons at 4:15, GB Leighton at 5:30, BlackHawk at 7:30, and headliner .38 Special at 9:30pm! Food and beverage vendors from the area will be there, including local craft brewery Round Man Brewing Company, Big Daddy’s Diner in Spooner, Lamoureux Concessions from Hayward, Lucky 8’s Grill, B & D’s BBQ, and more. Check out this podcast episode to find out more in detail.
Tickets range from $40 for general admission to $90 for reserved seating. VIP tickets are available in a variety of packages from $120 to $1,200 for a front row table for four. Compare and Buy Tickets Here.
Also in Spooner you can check out the Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum, Round Man Brewing Company, Spooner Railroad Park, and more in this city and seat of Washburn County that they call “Crossroads of the North” since U.S. 53, U.S. 63, and Highways 70 and 253 converge there.
Freedom Music Fest Wisconsin Address:
Washburn County Fairgrounds
8000 W. Beaver Brooke Avenue (just off U.S. 63)
Spooner, WI 54801
Email for more info
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June 16, 2023 – June 17, 2023
Metro Jam Music Festival, Manitowoc
Metro Jam is an annual two-day festival of FREE music in downtown Manitowoc, bringing national, regional, and local acts to the city’s Washington Park. Metro Jam, now in its 43rd year, brings a very diverse lineup of music to the MetroStage including original and classic rock, Americana, alt-country, roots, folk, blues, jazz, reggae, ska, bluegrass, indie, alternative, pop and much more. The featured headliner for this year’s Metro Jam is The Producers who will be taking the stage (and bring you back to the ’80s) at 8:30pm on Saturday evening, June 17th.
The lineup will be as follows:
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2023
“European Music Tribute Night”
5:15PM LLOYD GOSZ & THE MYSTIC MOODS (Polka)
6:35PM ATHAS (Traditional Irish)
8:00PM CREAM CITY HOTCLUB (Gypsy Jazz)
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023
12:00PM ALMOST.CERTAIN
1:15PM FRYIN’KIELBASA BROTHERS
2:30PM LADYBIRD
4:00PM THE KEYSTONES
5:30PM XPOSED 4HEADS
7:00PM TURN TURN TURN
8:30PM THE PRODUCERS
You’ll find MetroJam action right along what is once again Highway 42 (it was Business 42 until they re-did the routes in town) a few miles after the east end of U.S. 151 at I-43. The road brings you right to Washington Park! U.S. 10 also brings you within two blocks.
MetroJam Address:
Washington Park
1115 Washington Street
Manitowoc, WI 54220
Website
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June 9, 2023 – June 11, 2023
Polish Fest
Polish Fest is the largest Polish cultural festival in America, and it’s right on Milwaukee’s lakefront! Authentic dancing, food, music, family activities, and plenty of other entertainment (accordions may be involved.)
Some of that extra entertainment includes vodka tastings, the annual Chopin Youth Piano Competition, folk arts and crafts, and plenty of children’s activities.
Polish Fest runs Friday, June 9th and Saturday, June 10th from noon until midnight; Sunday the 11th from noon to 8pm. A Sunday Mass will also take place, with free admission. Gates open at 9:30am Sunday for the Mass.
Tickets are $7 in advance, $12 at the Summerfest Gate. Military personnel, both active and retired, are admitted FREE with military ID.
Check out these event highlights:
Sukiennice Marketplace
Filled by over forty different vendors, our Sukiennice Marketplace gives you a chance to buy Polish items, from traditional Polish toys for children to a new piece of pottery. The Sukiennice Marketplace is also your source for massage & acupuncture, home improvement, and genealogy research. Find everything from relaxation to the knowledge of your Polish roots.
Cultural Village
2022 Cultural Village Exhibits will feature folk artists demonstrating traditional Polish crafts, including wycinanki (paper cutting), pisanki (decorated eggs), wianki (floral head wreaths) and more. Polanki’s sales tent featuring handmade Polish pottery (Boleslawiec), Christmas ornaments, recipe books and other folk art are both located in the Cultural Village. The Polish Genealogical Society and the Milwaukee County Genealogical Society will again be at Polish Fest in a new location, east of the demonstrator tent.
There’s also the Polish Forum, click here for a schedule of speakers.
Cooking demonstrations will abound, too: check out this schedule of events.
Polish Fest Schedule:
As you enter the festival grounds, you will be entertained by:
Friday
Noon – 4:00 Jimmy Locke & Friends
4:30 – 8:30 Vern Tretow Band
Saturday
Noon – 4:00 Jimmy Locke & Friends
4:30 – 8:30 Bryan O’Donnel Band
Sunday
Noon – 3:30 Jimmy Locke & Friends
4:00 – 8:00 Roger Boll
Friday – June 9
Miller Stage
5:00 Shut the Front Door
6:00 Opening Ceremony
7:00 Shut the Front Door
9:00 The First Wave
Non-Stop Polka Stage
Noon Eddie Wojcik Tribute
3:20 I.P.A. Tribute Band
4:00 The Boys
4:40 I.P.A. Tribute Band
5:20 The Boys
6:00 I.P.A. Tribute Band
6:40 The Boys
7:20 Polka Country Musicians
8:00 Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
8:40 Polka Country Musicians
9:20 Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
10:00 Polka Country Musicians
10:40 Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
11:20 Polka Country Musicians
Sobieski Cultural Stage
12:30 Larry Lynne – Decades
1:00 The Britins
2:00 Larry Lynne – Decades
3:00 The Britins
4:30 Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble / Polonia Polish Folk Dance Ensemble Regina, Canada
6:00 Capuchins Walk For The Hungry
7:30 Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble / Polonia Polish Folk Dance Regina, Canada
8:30 Korona Band From Canada
Sports Area
Polonia soccer club
Children’s Stage
1:00 Animated Illusionist Arden James
2:00 Julie Sobanski – Magicienne & Escape Artist
3:00 Animated Illusionist Arden James
4:00 Wayne & Wingnut
5:00 Julie Sobanski – Magicienne & Escape Artist
6:00 Accompany of Kids
7:00 David Seebach’s Wonders of Magic
Saturday – June 10
“The Big Boomski Fireworks” at 10:15pm
Miller Stage
Noon John Gora & Gorale
1:30 SqueezeBox with Mollie B & Ted Lange
2:30 John Gora & Gorale
3:30 SqueezeBox with Mollie B & Ted Lange
5:00 Brett Newski
9:00 Almighty Vinyl
Non-Stop Polka Stage
Noon The Maroszek Brothers
12:40 Keith Stras & Polka Confetti
1:20 The Maroszek Brothers
2:00 Keith Stras & Polka Confetti
2:40 The Maroszek Brothers
3:20 Keith Stras & Polka Confetti
4:00 Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
4:40 Polka Family
5:20 Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
6:00 Polka Family
6:40 Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push
7:20 Polka Family
8:00 Polka Country Musicians
8:40 The Boys
9:20 Polka Country Musicians
10:00 The Boys
10:40 Polka Country Musicians
11:20 The Boys
Sobieski Cultural Stage
Noon Song & Dance Ensemble Lajkonik
12:30 Polonia Dance Ensemble Regina, Canada / Song & Dance Ensemble Lajkonik
1:00 Whisper Center for Artistic Expression
2:00 Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble
3:00 Dolina Polish Dancers / Polonia Dance Ensemble Regina, Canada
4:00 Wesloly Lud Polish Dance Company of P.R.C.U.A. Zakopane Polish Dance Ensemble / P.R.C.U.A and Southwest Center of Polish Dancing P.R.C.U.A.
5:00 Wawel Polish Dancers
5:30 Song & Dance Ensemble Lajkonik
6:00 PFDAA Polish Folk Dance Gala
8:30 The Silver Orkiestra
Sports Area
Polonia soccer club
Children’s Stage
1:00 Syenka Polish Folk Dance Ensemble
2:00 Julie Sobanski – Magicienne & Escape Artist
3:00 Juchasi Polish Highlaner Dance Group
5:00 Julie Sobanski – Magicienne & Escape Artist
6:00 Wayne & Wingnut
7:00 David Seebach’s Wonders of Magic
Sunday – June 11
Miller Stage
Noon The Music Connection
1:30 John Gora & Gorale
2:30 The Music Connection
3:30 John Gora & Gorale
5:00 Jessie Marie & The Rippers
Non-Stop Polka Stage
Noon Polka Family
12:40 Polka Generations
1:20 Polka Family
2:00 Polka Generations
2:40 Polka Family
3:20 Polka Generations
4:00 D Street Band
Sobieski Cultural Stage
10:00 Mass Prelude
10:15 Mass
1:00 Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble
2:00 Stas Venglevski
3:30 Al White
6:00 Depot Express
Sports Area
Polonia soccer club
Children’s Stage
Noon Little, Jr., Teen & Teen Polish Fest Pageant
3:00 Julie Sobanski – Magicienne & Escape Artist
4:00 Wayne & Wingnut
5:00 Accompany of Kids
Get more info and complete schedules at PolishFest.org!
Polish Fest Milwaukee Address:
Henry Maier Festival Park
200 N. Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Website
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May 20, 2023
Springfest, Chippewa Falls
Chippewa Falls’ annual Springfest hits the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds the weekend of May 19-20, 2023! It’s a family friendly event with over 40 exhibitors showing and selling their Spring and Summer products and services. Enjoy great food, from deep fried cheese curds to State Fair French fries, brick oven pizzas, prime rib sandwiches and so much more!
There’s plenty of family fun including a petting zoo, inflatables, a bonfire, and plenty of other activities for kids and grown-ups alike.
Plenty of live music will be available too, in either of two heated tents, the Main Stage and the Kwik Trip Party Tent. Here’s the main lineup so far:
Friday, May 19th, 7:30pm, Boogie & the Yo-Yo’z
Saturday, May 20th, 7:30 pm, The John Stone Band from Nashville
You’ll also be able to enjoy Leininkugel’s Springfest Kubb Championship! What’s Kubb?? Find out here!
NEW in 2023 is the Dinosaur Exhibit!
Tickets can be purchased at The Leinie Lodge, Select Kwik Trip Stores in the Chippewa Falls area, The Chippewa YMCA or online at the Chippewa Falls Rotary Club’s Facebook page.
Springfest Tickets and Pricing:
Friday, May 19th:
FREE General Gate Admission
FREE Parking
Gates open at 4pm
Vendors Open at 4 – 8 pm Expo Hall A
5pm: Brady Luke Band in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
7:30pm: Boogie & The Yo-Yo’z on the Main Stage (Tickets)
11pm: Brady Luke Band (round two!)
Saturday, May 20th:
$5 General Gate Admission
FREE Parking
$20 Advance Boogie and the Yo-Yo’z Concert* (includes General Gate Admission)
$25 Day of Show Boogie and the Yo-Yo’z Concert (includes General Gate Admission)
$75 VIP Concert (Includes: Free Beverages & Snacks from 7-11pm, Exclusive Family Fare VIP Tent Access, Separate Entrance to Concert, Front of Stage Access During Show! Free parking & gate admission. Meet and Greet opportunity [Artist Approved])
Gates open at 11am
12 Noon: The Gators in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
2pm: Chi-Hi Wire Choir, the Chippewa Falls High School students take the stage in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
2:30pm: Howard “Guitar” Luedtke and Blue Max in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
5pm: Bumblefist in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
7:30pm headliner: The John Stone Band – the “King of Broadway” from Nashville (Tickets)
11pm: Bumblefist in the Kwik Trip Party Tent
You can find the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds just off Highway 124 on Edward Street, just north of the Leinenkugel Brewery and across from the beautiful Irvine Park & Zoo. It’s less than a mile north of downtown Chippewa Falls, where Business Highway 29 and Business U.S. 53 meet.
Chippewa Falls Springfest Address:
Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds (along Highway 124)
225 Edward Street
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
(715) 723-2861
Website
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January 13, 2023 – March 10, 2023
Ice Castles Lake Geneva
Ice Castles are back in Lake Geneva! Tickets are on sale now.
Lake Geneva is beautiful and fun enough already, but with the Ice Castles coming again after such a crazy 2022, this winter it gets even better! Seven days a week starting soon through early March – weather permitting – the massive ice castles compound can be explored and enjoyed by the whole family. The artistic project got underway in November, one of several projects in North America by Ice Castles LLC, a Utah-based company with similar projects in Colorado, New Hampshire, and Utah. One of the most unique and amazing facts about the Ice Castles is that they are literally built by hand. They grow more than 5,000 icicles each day that they harvest and sculpt together. These Ice Castles create life-size winter playgrounds, with illuminated inside the castles at night with color-changing LED lights that twinkle to music. You can explore ice-carved tunnels, fountains, slides, frozen thrones, and towering ice formations. This is truly something to dazzle the entire family. This mega-complex of ice will be at the Geneva National Resort and Club, just west of downtown Lake Geneva off Highway 50, a little east of Highway 67. How long will it last? Depends on the weather, of course, but they’ll keep it open into March if they can. You can keep up with the construction of Ice Castles and weather conditions, which will be continuously updated, on their website.
Tickets are on sale now. Admission prices are:
WEEKDAYS (Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday): General Admission, ages 12 and up: $25 Child Admission, ages 4-11: $17 Children 3 and younger: Free
WEEKENDS (Friday – Sunday): General Admission, ages 12 and up: $29 Child Admission, ages 4-11: $22 Children 3 and younger: Free
Be prepared to hit U.S. 12 or Highways 50, 67, or 120 to get to Lake Geneva and experience Ice Castles Wisconsin and the magic of the winter season!
Ice Castles Lake Geneva Address:
Geneva National Resort & Club
1091 Hidden Cottage Circle
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262) 248-4416
Website
Pulled from their website, here are some “Tips for a great experience” to Ice Castles Lake Geneva:
Find out more about Lake Geneva HERE.
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December 31, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Plymouth’s New Years’ Eve “Cheese Drop”
The Plymouth Arts Center, touting Plymouth as the “Cheese Capital of the World,” is doing its 16th annual Big Cheese Drop and New Year’s Eve party on Saturday, December 31st and is ready for the biggest one yet!
This should make national news (again), since it’s been on the list for the top 10 things to do on New Year’s Eve for many years. All the details are on the Plymouth Arts Center website. While in downtown Plymouth, admire all the cool murals and decor along the historic downtown blocks, filled with great shops, restaurants, bars, and more.
Why is Plymouth the “Cheese Capital”? Well, it’s rooted in the fact that the price of cheese in the United States was designated at the Wisconsin Cheese Exchange in downtown Plymouth, beginning in 1918. The Cheese Exchange pricing and standards were the platform for cheese pricing until 1956. During these decades Plymouth became known as “Cheeseville” because of the cheese storage facilities, the processing of cheese and shipping of product throughout the country. Today, over 15% of the cheese consumed in the U.S. goes through the city.
Follow Highways 23, 57, or 67 to get to Plymouth and check out this unique way to ring in 2021. Check out a brief video clip of last year’s party below!
Address for the Big Cheese Drop in Plymouth for New Year’s Eve:
Plymouth Arts Center
520 E. Mill Street
Plymouth, WI 53073
(920) 892-8409
Website
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Prairie du Chien Carp Fest
Carp Fest: New York drops a lit ball at New Years’ Eve; Prairie du Chien drops a carp!
Yes, Prairie du Chien drops a real carp on New Year’s Eve. The carp, caught in the Mississippi, is named “Lucky”, and then frozen until New Years’ Eve. Lucky is then adorned with makeup and lights and lowered via crane. As soon as they ring in the New Year, people can kiss Lucky for good luck.
How’s that for a New Years’ Eve fish story?
Prairie du Chien, always down for a good, expanded party, has taken the original New Year’s Eve “Droppin’ of the Carp” and expanded it to a multi-day event with a variety of activities, many of which are quite family-friendly.
The BIG party for Carp Fest is the New Year’s Eve party that takes place on the west edge of downtown Prairie du Chien on St. Feriole Island Park by the Mississippi River. It starts at 9pm and culminates with the “Droppin’ of the Carp” a little before midnight to ring in 2020!
A earlier version of the carp drop for children and families – featuring “Lucky Carp Jr.” – takes place indoors at Hoffman Hall (1600 Wacouta Street.) The Family “Droppin of the Carp” takes place New Year’s Eve from 5pm – 6:30pm at Hoffman Hall featuring Arts & Crafts, Face Painting, Miniature Dairy Goats, and Carnival Games. You can also meet the Carp King & Queen, meet Master Gardeners & Bixby The Rabbit, and Exotic Animals from Ridgetop Rescue. Of course they’ll have noisemakers and hats, plus Carp Corn, Pizza, and Hot Carp Chocolate (yes, we’re curious too…) for $1 each. This event is sponsored by Valley Fish & Cheese, a State Trunk Tour favorite located just east of the Mississippi River bridge where eastbound Highway 27 begins. Check out the shop, owned by “Sturgeon General” Mike Valley, and its incredible selection of fresh fish, meats, cheeses, uniquely Wisconsin items, and more!
Hit U.S. 18 or Highways 27, 35, or 60 and check this out!
Carp Fest Address:
St. Feriole Island
900 W. Blackhawk Avenue
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
(608) 326-8602
Website
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December 3, 2022
Jingle & Mingle, Sheboygan
The 2nd annual Jingle & Mingle at City Green in downtown Sheboygan is a family-friendly event that includes entertainment, a marketplace, a brat fry, trolley rides, and of course, Santa!
Jingle & Mingle Schedule of Events:
12:15 PM: Storytime with Santa.
12:30 PM: The Kohler High School Madrigal Singers
1 PM: Ugly Sweater Contest
1:30 PM: South High School Singers
2 PM: Lutheran High School Chamber Choir
2:30 PM: Noah & Grace
3 PM: Livie
You can get to City Green and downtown Sheboygan via Highways 23, 28, or 42 in from I-43. Just head towards the lake and make your way to 8th Street, City Green is right at the New York Avenue intersection. While in Sheboygan, you can check out so many fun attractions, restaurants, and more. They include the John Michael Kohler Arts Center – practically adjacent to City Green – the Above & Beyond Children’s Museum, also within blocks of City Green, the Harbor District along the Sheboygan River, North Beach, Maywood Environmental Park and 3 Sheeps Brewing on the north side (both just off Highway 42), and much more.
Jingle & Mingle Address:
City Green, downtown Sheboygan
710 New York Avenue
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 335-0060
Website
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September 30, 2022 – October 2, 2022
Windigo Fest
Windigo Fest is “a Festival of Folklore Freaks and ALL Things Halloween!” For 2022, this spine-chilling festival will take place at Manitowoc’s Expo Grounds, same place where the Manitowoc County Fair is held on the west end of town – there’s a lot of room on those grounds! All Hallows Eve enthusiasts with a hunger for the strange and unusual can experience a weekend filled with various seasonal activities including outstanding music, costume contests, dark art exhibits and contests, bizarre performances, and the historical cemetery bus tour. Windigo Fest kicks off Friday evening. After a day full of Halloween havoc, a parade will again display the Midwest’s best competitive costumes.
IT IS HALLOWEEN SO WEAR A COSTUME!!!!!
This is a huge event, with over 40 unique vendors with tons of Halloween and horror merch, plenty of creative art, unique oddities, and LOTS of live entertainment.
The Entertainment includes Kane Hopper, one of the actors who played Jason; ghost tribute band Absolution; Midgets With Attitude wrestling entertainment; EDM featuring Lockvibe; Blackened: Hellbilly Deluxe; Istra the Belly Dancer; and more.
Saturday features a Costume Contest & Halloween Parade for people of all ages! That starts around 6:07.
There’s also a Hearse & Rat Rod Auto Show, tons of food trucks, and plenty of vendors “Shop ‘Til You Drop Dead,” they say!)
Windigo Fest runs Friday, September 30th, Saturday, October 1st, and Sunday, October 2nd at the Manitowoc Expo Grounds. The grounds are easily accessible off I-43, at U.S. 151 and Highway 42 (Exit #149). U.S. 10 arrives in Manitowoc a few miles north of the Expo Grounds, which are accessible from U.S. 10 via I-43 or County R/Rapids Road (which was the original main highway – U.S. 141 – between Milwaukee and Green Bay before I-43 was built.)
Windigo Fest Address:
Manitowoc Expo Grounds
4921 Expo Drive
Manitowoc, WI 54220
(920) 683-4378
Website
A shot during the Cemetery Tours at Windigo Fest, Manitowoc.
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September 23, 2022 – September 25, 2022
Gays Mills Apple Festival
The Gays Mills Apple Festival – the 63rd annual – runs September 23-25, 2022! Gays Mills is pretty much the apple capital of Wisconsin, and it celebrates the apple harvest with parades, carnivals, arts and crafts, flea markets, music, dancing, a 2K and 5K fun run/walk, food and festivities.
Get the rest of the details from their website or see the schedule below!
You’ll find Gays Mills in the heart of Wisconsin’s beautiful Driftless Area, where Highways 131 and 171 meet by the Kickapoo River. It’s worth going for the drive alone!
2022 Gays Mills Apple Festival Schedule of Events
FRIDAY EVENTS
Carnival: Wristband Night 5pm-9pm Fairgrounds
Lions Club Flea Market: 8am-5pm Fairgrounds
Main Street Vending: 10am-5pm Downtown
BMZ Church Food Stand:10am-5pm Fairgrounds
4-H Food Stand: Friday-Sunday Fairgrounds
American Legion Food Stand: 10am-5pm Fairgrounds
Societies Sons M/C: Music
Dante’s:Music Last Ride
Halver’s Town Tap: Music
SATURDAY EVENTS To See & Do:
Run and Walk:Registration 8am Main St Bridge, 2 & 5 Mi. Run; 2 Mi. Walk; ¼ Mi. Kids Fun Run: 9am
Lions Club Flea Market: 8am-5pm Fairgrounds
Main Street Vending: 9:30am-5pm Downtown
Cornhole Tournament
American Legion Volleyball Tournament: 9am 4-person Co-Ed Teams, 312 Main
Library Book Sale: 9am-5pm, 212 Main
Lions Club Arts and Crafts: 9am-5pm Fairgrounds
Carnival: 10am-5pm Fairgrounds
Open Horseshoe Tournament: Saturday Partner draw,Sunday 10 am registration and 11am start, Log CabinVillage Park
Societies Sons M/C: Music from American Standard
Fire Department: Raffle (Drawing in Nov.)
Dante’s: Music from Pilot of the Airwaves 3pm-7pm, Last Ride
Halver’s Town Tap: Music from Dylan Harris 2-6pm, DJ Robert 9pm – 1am
Inflatables:Downtown
SUNDAY EVENTS To See & Do:
Ride the FREE Trolley stops at Flea Market & Main!
APPLE FESTIVAL PARADE 1:30 pm, Main Street to Riverside Park
Lions Club Arts and Crafts & Flea Market: 8am-5pm Fairgrounds
Main Street Vending: 9:30am-4pm Downtown
Library Book Sale: 9am-3:30 pm 212 Main
Carnival: 10am-5pm Fairgrounds
Open Horseshoe Tournament: Saturday draw for partners, Sunday 10am registration, 11am start, Log Cabin Village Park
Fire Department: Raffle (Drawing in Nov.)
Inflatables: Downtown
Gays Mills Apple Festival Address:
Highways 131 & 171
Gays Mills, WI 54631
(608) 735-4341
Website
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September 17, 2022 – September 18, 2022
Jurassic Quest
The largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibit in North America is back, bigger, and better than ever! More than 100 photorealistic dinosaurs are ready to delight families when Jurassic Quest roars into Wisconsin State Fair Park Friday, September 16th through Sunday, September 18th, 2022.
Jurassic Quest offers some of the most beloved and unique experiences for the whole family including more than 100 life-like dinosaurs, dinosaur themed rides, live dinosaur shows, interactive science and art activities, a “Triceratots” soft play area for our littlest explorers, bounce houses and inflatable attractions (socks required), photo opportunities, and more.
Walk and drive through the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic periods to see the dinos that ruled on land, and “deep dive” into the “Ancient Oceans” exhibit to come face to face with the largest apex predator that ever existed – a moving, life-size, 50-foot-long megalodon. Meet the babies, hatched only at Jurassic Quest: Cammie the Camarasaurus, Tyson the T-Rex and Trixie the Triceratops – and, you may even catch one of our star dino trainers: Safari Sarah, Dino Dustin, Captain Caleb, Prehistoric Nick or Park Ranger Marty!
The Jurassic Quest herd of animatronic dinos – from the largest predators to playful baby dinos – are displayed in realistic scenes with some that move and roar, allowing guests to experience them as they were when they roamed the earth billions of years ago.
Jurassic Quest works in collaboration with leading paleontologists to ensure each dinosaur is painstakingly replicated in every detail, from coloration to teeth size, to textured skin, fur or feathers, drawing on the latest research about how we understand dinosaurs and ancient giants of the sea looked and moved.
Tickets are timed entry — reserve online to ensure desired date and time. Tickets are also available on-site and include a 100% ticket guarantee that in the event of a show cancellation or postponement for any reason, ticket purchases will be automatically refunded for the full purchase amount. Tickets are for a timed arrival window, and advance ticket purchase is strongly encouraged.
Guests can walk through the dinosaur experience at their own pace, and strollers are permitted.
General admission tickets include access to the dinosaur and marine exhibits, arts and crafts activities, and dinosaur shows. There are rides and activities that require activity tickets available on site for $5 each, or guests can upgrade to the Kids Unlimited Rides ticket (the best value for children ages 2-12). Green screen photography and animal art tattoos are available at a separate cost. Entry is free for children under age 2.
You can easily get to Wisconsin State Fair Park via I-94, Highway 59, or Highway 181 – they surround the park! U.S. 18 and I-41/U.S. 45/I-894 get you close for connections.
Jurassic Quest Address:
Wisconsin State Fair Park
640 S. 84th Street
West Allis, WI 53214
Website
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September 10, 2022
Pardeeville Watermelon Festival & U.S. Watermelon Speed-Eating & Seed-Spitting Championships
You’ll find Pardeeville along Highway 22, where it meets Highway 44 in Columbia County.
Pardeeville Watermelon Festival Address:
Chandler Park 208 Chandler Park Drive Pardeeville, WI 53954 (608) 535-9139 Website
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