EventsSPRING/SUMMER 2011 Sampler Maiden Rock to Bay City. 8am- In Wisconsin, when the weather 5pm all three days. Held rain or April shine! Mississippi-river.org/ warms up, so do the events. It’s time to calendar/garagesale.html MAR 30-APR 3 get out and go. Here’s a sampling of some MADISON MAY 6-9 Wisconsin Film Festival: A four- HORICON of the many fun and exciting events you’ll day exploration of 200 new Horicon Marsh Bird Festival – American independent dramatic Horicon: Experience the peak of find in Wisconsin. For even more great and documentary films, anima- the spring bird migration on this tion, experimental restorations 32,000-acre refuge. Enjoy guided events, vacation ideas, travel planning and revivals, held in nine theaters bird hikes, bird banding demon- in the heart of the city. 608/262- strations, pontoon boat birding tools, packages and deals and much 9009, wifilmfest.org. adventures, night sounds bus tour, twilight birding by boat and more, visit travelwisconsin.com. APR 1-3 much more. 920/485-4663, MADISON horiconmarshbirdfestival.com. Wisconsin Deer & Turkey Expo: Midwest Horse Fair MIDWEST HORSE FAIR PHOTO 590 booths with exhibits, factory MAY 7-8 reps, guides and outfitters, new NEW LONDON APR 30-MAY 1 MANITOWOC products, rifle, black powder and Big Whopper Weekend Fishing GREEN BAY Horse-A-Rama: Horses that bow hunting gear, accessories Contest: Fish the Wolf River dur- TitleTown Train Show: dance, prance, perform tricks, and free seminars. Alliant Energy ing the legendary spring Walleye Northeastern Wisconsin's premier and even paint pictures. Parade Center. Fri 2-9pm, Sat 9am-7pm, run. Contest prizes in many fish train show with 40,000 sq. ft. of of Breeds, seminars, 250 vendors, Sun 9am-4pm. 608/267-3976, categories, buffalo burgers, con- model trains, operating layouts free pony and wagon rides, Kid’s deerinfo.com. cessions, music and a huge raf- and exhibits. Enjoy clinics, ven- Corral, and lots of good food. Manitowoc County Expo Center. APR 2 fle. Riverside Park. 920/779-6346, dors, door prizes, and a model newlondontourism.com. 920/682-9669, horse-a-rama.org. TOMAH judging contest. Brown County Arena. 920/494-7834, Tomah Antique Toy Farm Show: APR 29-MAY 1 WOODFORD ttsgbllc.com. Bloody Lake Rendezvous: Visit a Scale replicas of farm tractors & JEFFERSON pre-1840's reenactment camp. trucks, antique combines & Spring Jefferson Car Show: Swap Hear the story of The Battle of threshers, plus any farm-related meet, car corral and car show for Bloody Lake. See knife & toma- equipment, past or present. classics, collectibles, street rods hawk throwing, as well as primi- Tomah Rec Building. 9am-3pm; and trucks. More than 3,000 ven- May tive shooting competitions. Taste toy auction, 4pm. 608/372-6907. dor sites with 1,200 cars for sale. MAY 6-8 foods of the fur trade era. Black Car Show Sunday only – with APR 7-10 GAYS MILLS Hawk Park. 608/325-9890, more than 2,000 show cars. WEST ALLIS Gays Mills Spring Festival: Tour yfc-bloodylake.com. 608/244-8416, one of Wisconsin’s prime apple Wheel & Sprocket Bike Expo: madisonclassics.com. MAY 13-15 Bike show and sale featuring fac- growing areas including orchards tory reps and experts, clinics, MERRILL in bloom. Includes a flea market, ELKHART LAKE seminars, clothing, accessories, Central Wisconsin Concertina food stands, May Day celebration, SVRA Spring Vintage Weekend: 1000s of bike parts and 1500 Festival: More than 100 concerti- Little Britches Rodeo, and the The Sportscar Vintage Racing fully-assembled bikes ready for na artists from around the state annual Festival of Folk Music and Association offers tightly regulat- sale. Wisconsin Expo Center at and beyond play and enjoy their Dance. 608/735-4810, ed, wheel-to-wheel racing for State Fair Park. 414/529-6600, fellow musicians. Food and gaysmills.org. owners of vintage and historic cars. 400 participants in ten race wheelandsprocket.com. refreshments, free parking, con- NELSON TO BAY CITY certina display. Les & Jim’s groups. Road America. 800/365- APR 15-17 Mississippi Valley Partners 100- 7223, roadamerica.com. Lincoln Lanes. 715/536-9405. mile Garage Sale: Bargains on MADISON both sides of the Mississippi from STOCKHOLM Midwest Horse Fair: Top-notch WEST ALLIS Alma north along Hwy. 35 through Spring Fresh Art Tour: Enjoy a family show with nearly 50,000 International Gem and Jewelry Nelson, Pepin, Stockholm, and self-guided tour of 12 galleries & attendees, 1,500 horses, and 500 Show: Exhibitors from around the world offer a huge selection of studios as well as the splendor of top vendors from across the coun- spring in the scenic Lake Pepin try. Equine clinics, demonstra- quality jewelry including loose Changes may occur. Before colored gemstones, fine finished traveling a long distance area of Western Wisconsin. tions, education, rodeo, Kid’s to attend an event, call or Discover quaint river towns and Korral, and shopping for horse jewelry, fashion jewelry, beads and more. 414/727-8840, e-mail to verify dates or visit meet some fabulous artists. owners and enthusiasts. 608/267- travelwisconsin.com. 715/672-8188, freshart.org. 3975, midwesthorsefair.com. wiexpocenter.com. Bastille Days PHOTO BY JANET MCMILLAN travelwisconsin.com 2 travelwisconsin.com 3 2011 SPRING/SUMMER EVENT GUIDE

STOUGHTON JUNE 4-5 JUNE 9-12 Syttende Mai Folk Festival: MANITOWOC DARLINGTON America’s largest celebration of June Thunder on the Lakeshore Darlington Canoe Fest: Events Norwegian “Constitution Day.” JUNE 3-5 Airshow: One of the best air include stockcar races, duck Two parades, folk dancing, rose- shows in the Midwest featuring races, steak feed, talent show, maling, hardanger and quilt LITTLE CHUTE old-time barnstormers, military fireworks, art & craft fair, chicken exhibits, ethnic food, arts & crafts Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival: aircraft, hot air balloons, sea- BBQ, carnival, a parade, an ATV fair, canoe race, and the annual Family festival with live music, planes, helicopters, food and pull, and of course the canoe 20-mile run/walk. 608/873-7912, concessions, parades, carnival plane rides. 920/482-1650, race. Festival Grounds. 608/776- stoughtonwi.com. rides, and all things cheese. Fri manitowocairshow.com. 3067, darlingtoncanoefest.com. 5pm-mid, Sat 11am-mid, Sun SULLIVAN 11am-5pm. 920/788-7390, JUNE 9-11 JUNE 10-12 Wisconsin State Polka Festival: littlechutewi.org. LADYSMITH FOND DU LAC Nine big bands featuring Dutch, Polish, Czech, Slovenian, and LONE ROCK Northwoods Bluegrass Festival: Walleye Weekend: One of German-style polkas. Two huge Country in the Country Music Bluegrass bands from throughout Midwest’s largest and most pres- wooden dance floors with a dance Festival: Regional country music the Midwest play at the tigious fishing tournaments. exhibition Sat night. Fri – Fish from 26 bands. Chicken BBQ Sat Fairgrounds. Concessions. Thurs Includes a huge family festival & Fri 6-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm. with musical acts, sports tourna- Bake and Polka Jam; Sun – Polka Syttende Mai Folk Festival PHOTO BY MARY LANGENFELD at noon, raffle, on-site camping. Mass. Concord House. 920/474- Concessions and vendors. Bear 800/535-7875, ments, midway thrills, lots of food 4545. Valley Park. 608/647-6655, ladysmithchamber.com. and fun. Lakeside Park. 920/923- MAY 20-22 music, and tasty BBQ chicken. 6555, fdlfest.com. countryinthecountry.net. STEVENS POINT MAY 14-15 ASHLAND Memorial Park. 608/323-3645, arcadiawi.org. MARSHFIELD Wisconsin Special Olympics GREEN BAY MUSCODA Chequamegon Bay Birding & Summer Games: 1,600 special International Bayfest: Morel Mushroom Festival: Craft Nature Fest: A weekend of birding MAY 27-30 Dairyfest: A June Dairy Month salute including a dairy breakfast athletes compete in swimming, Northeastern Wisconsin’s largest fair, flea market, carnival, heav- and nature programs at the peak BURLINGTON track & field, soccer and power food and with con- enly fried morels, or you can pur- of the spring migration. More than (Fri 5-10am), picnic in the park Chocolate Festival: Midway thrill, (Fri 5:30-8:30pm), 125 art & craft lifting. UW-Stevens Point campus. tinuous entertainment on four chase some to take home. Sat 140 activities to choose from, musical entertainment, chocolate 800/552-1324, stages, a carnival, food, a world night fireman's annual steak feed each guided by knowledgeable vendors, gigantic parade, and live creations, chocolate Olympics, entertainment. Sat 9am-5pm, Sun specialolympicswisconsin.org. market, boat parade and fire- followed by fireworks; Sun parade local and regional experts. petting zoo, parade, chocolate works. 920/435-5220, at 2pm. 608/739-3182, Northern Great Lakes Visitor 10am-4pm. 715/384-3454, eating contest, arts & crafts marshfieldchamber.com. artseventsinc.com/bayfest. muscoda.com. Center. 800/284-9484, show, and more. 262/763-3300, MERRILL birdandnaturefest.com. chocolatefest.com. Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo: GERMANTOWN MAY 28-30 Bareback riding, steer wrestling, Mai Fest: An annual German BLACK RIVER FALLS tie down roping, saddle bronc rid- Spring Festival featuring German ing, team roping, women’s barrel cuisine, beer and music and Ho-Chunk Nation Pow-wow: The nation honors its warriors with racing and America’s favorite – dance. Sponsored by the bull riding. Dances following the Deutschstadt Heritage 450 colorful dancers and 25 singing groups. As a celebration Fri & Sat performances. Foundation. 262/251-2853, Fairgrounds. 877/907-2757, germantownchamber.org. of thanks, the Ho-Chunk nation welcomes all friends and neigh- wisconsinriverprorodeo.com. MAY 21-22 bors. Enjoy traditional foods, and MILWAUKEE WISCONSIN DELLS a variety of fine Native art and Bead and Button Show: Shop the Automotion: Spring brings crafts. 715/284-9343, largest consumer bead show in antique and collector vehicles to ho-chunknation.com. the world with 350+ vendors sell- the Dells with more than 900 MAY 29 ing pearls, gems, art glass, seed show cars on display, a car corral beads and more. Midwest Airlines with cars for sale, a swap meet, MILWAUKEE Center. 800/554-1448, live entertainment and great food. Cinco de Mayo Springfest: Two beadandbuttonshow.com. 800/223-3557, wisdells.com. stages of Mexican music and entertainment, Mexican food, car- MILWAUKEE MAY 27-29 nival rides, children’s piñatas and Pridefest: The most dynamic ARCADIA face painting, El Mercadito with pride festival featuring the Arcadia Broiler Days: Activities merchandise vendors and more. largest LGBT music showcase in include a 30-team softball tour- UMOS Headquarters. 414/389- North America. Top national enter- ney, bicycle tour, 2-mile and a 6007, umos.org. tainers, commitment ceremony, 10km run, talent show, Grand food and fun. 414/272-3378, pridefest.com. Ho-Chunk Nation Pow-wow RJ & LINDA MILLER parade on Sun, tractor pull, live Thunder on the Lakeshore Airshow PHOTO BY DON ABRAMS

travelwisconsin.com 4 travelwisconsin.com 5 2011 SPRING/SUMMER EVENT GUIDE

JUNE 11 JUNE 11-12 JUNE 11-19 JUNE 18 APPLETON CAMBRIDGE MARINETTE MENOMONIE Flag Day Parade: The country’s Cambridge Pottery Festival & US Porterfield Country Music Nature Valley Bicycle Festival: largest Flag Day Parade with more Pottery Games: An all-clay art Festival: Nine days of top country Top men and women riders com- than 120 bands and units honor- fair. Potters from all over the music from top country stars. VIP pete in one of the final stages of ing the flag and those who served country meet to exhibit, sell & area, concessions, camping. the Nature Valley Grand Prix. 95- to preserve our freedoms. participate in the US Pottery Green’s Green Acres. 715/7892- mile road race finishes with Downtown. 2-4pm. 920/954-9112, Games. Food, pottery auction, 130, countrymusicfestival.com. thrilling laps in the city. Bike appletondowntown.org. entertainment. 608/423-3780, expo, stunt riders and family fun. cambridgepotteryfestival.org. JUNE 16-19 715/235-9087, RHINELANDER ELKHART LAKE naturevalleybicyclefestival.com Art Fair on the Courthouse Lawn: HILLSBORO SCCA June Sprints: More than 400 Original artwork from more than Cesky Den Czech Festival: Ethnic amateur competitors race in 24 JUNE 18-19 Monroe Balloon Rally PHOTO BY RJ & LINDA MILLER 150 Midwestern artisans. Held in festival featuring two days of classes during this event, one of CRANDON conjunction with the Headwaters Czech food, polka music, dancing, the Sports Car Club of America's Brush Run Off-Road Races: The Corvette Club Car Show. Food ven- arts and crafts fair, bake sale largest races and the first in the RICHLAND CENTER MACKVILLE Midwest's largest off road vehicle dors and music. 9am-3pm, rain or (Sat), Czech story teller, flea mar- Triple Crown of Racing. Road Wisconsin High School Rodeo Mackville Nationals Truck & rally with racing in 19 classes shine. 800/236-4386, ket, and a car show. Fireman’s America. 800/365-7223, Finals: Competition in 13 events: Tractor Pull: Souped-up trucks including pick up trucks and bug- rhinelanderchamber.com. Park. 608/444-0106, roadamerica.com. bareback & saddle bronc riding, and tractors in pulls Fri & Sat. gies. , fireworks, and ceskyden.com. bull riding, barrel racing, pole Sun is Family Day (free admis- ST. GERMAIN 40,000 spectators. 715/478-2222, PRAIRIE DU CHIEN bending, cutting, calf roping, sion) with a farm pull at noon, crandonoffroad.com. Walk in the Woods Art Fair: Fine NEENAH Prairie Villa Rendezvous: Largest breakaway roping, and more. chicken dinner, pedal pull & live art fair featuring pottery, paint- Neenah StreetBall Challenge: buckskinner and fur trade re- Fairgrounds. Performances Fri & entertainment. 920/739-0398, MILWAUKEE ings, photography, handmade Hundreds of 3-man & 3-woman enactment in the Midwest. The Sat at 1:30 & 7pm, Sun 1pm. mackvillenationals.com. IZOD Indy Car Series: Open- jewelry and furniture. Wine tast- basketball teams compete in this annual Rendezvous includes a 608/604-3879, wheel racing returns to the ing with fine cheeses and live annual 3-on-3 tournament. Max black powder shoot, primitive bow cowboycalendar.com/wihsra. MERRILL Milwaukee Mile for the Father’s music. City Park. 10am-4pm. competition, good food, live music shoot, primitive cooking contest Central Wisconsin Polka Day weekend. Top drivers compete 800/727-7203, st-germain.com. and great spectator sport. and more. Held at Villa Louis. JUNE 17-18 Festival: Festival brings top in the 225-mile feature at the 920/725-8326, streetball3on3.org. 800/732-1673, prairieduchien.org. MONROE Wisconsin bands to play. Polka country’s oldest continually-oper- Monroe Balloon Rally: Mass church service Sun at 10:30am. ated motor speedway. 800/722- launches at the fairgrounds both Food and beverages, camping 3840, milwaukeemile2011.com. days. Enjoy Swiss Colony’s Taste (for a small fee), and parking. of Monroe, an arts & crafts show, 877/907-2757, RACINE car show and more; all downtown merrillchamber.com. Spike ‘n Splash Festival: Includes on the city’s historic courthouse the EVP Men’s & Women’s Pro MILWAUKEE Beach Volleyball Championships square. 608/325-7648, Lakefront Festival of the Arts: monroeballoonrally.com. on Sat, as well as the U.S. Grand One of the country’s finest juried Prix of Watercross (jet ski racing) JUNE 17-19 art shows featuring 181 national Sat and Sun. North Beach. COLUMBUS artists. Sculpture garden, wine 800/272-2463, racine.org. garden, entertainment, and con- Columbus Carriage Classic: cessions. Milwaukee Art Museum. JUNE 19 Graceful horses, authentic car- 414/224-3200, mam.org. riages, and drivers in period CHIPPEWA FALLS attire. Includes pleasure driving, Polish Fest: Largest Polish festi- FATFAR – Frenchtown Annual obstacle course, and a peoples’ val n the U.S. with folk dancing, Tube Float and Regatta: The choice award. Concessions. polka music, a cultural village, world’s largest tubing and float Fireman’s Park. 920/623-5325, the Chopin Youth Piano event. More than 5,000 people will columbuscarriageclassic.com. Competition, marketplace, and float down the scenic Chippewa plenty of wonderful Polish food. River. Activities, food, entertain- CUSTER 414/529-2140, polishfest.org. ment and tubes for rent. Loopy’s Renewable Energy & Sustainable Grill & Saloon, starts at noon. Fair: Learn about green living. PHILLIPS 715/723-5667, 723loop.com. The largest event of its kind in the Czech-Slovak Festival: Arts & world, the fair features more than crafts fair (Sat & Sun), live music, 200 workshops, 275 exhibits, Squeeze Box Jamboree, Polka tours and demonstrations, plus Mass (Sat), Kolache contest, pork Changes may occur. Before entertainment. 715/592-6595, & sauerkraut dinner (Sun 11am), traveling a long distance the-mrea.org. and antique farm equipment. to attend an event, call or Phillips High School. 888/408- e-mail to verify dates or visit travelwisconsin.com. SCCA June Sprints ROAD AMERICA PHOTO 4800, czech-slovak.tripod.com.

travelwisconsin.com 6 travelwisconsin.com 7 2011 SPRING/SUMMER EVENT GUIDE

JUNE 21-25 JUNE 30-JULY 3 JULY 1-4 OSHKOSH MADISON STEVENS POINT Country USA: Country music festi- National Women’s Music July Riverfront Rendezvous: Four val with some of the hottest stars Festival: A four-day musical and JULY 1-3 stages of musical entertainment, in Nashville. Special VIP and cultural event with workshops, comedy/magic shows, downtown reserved seating, camping, mar- , comedy, theatre presen- MANAWA parade, lighted boat parade, food ketplace & concessions. Ford tations, and marketplace. A cele- Mid-Western Rodeo: PRCA-sanc- & beverage tents, fireworks. Festival Park. 800/326-7469, bration of the art of womanhood. tioned rodeo with a rodeo parade Pfiffner Park. 715/346-1531, countryusaoshkosh.com. 608/267-3976, wiaonline.org. on Sat (10:30am), dance each stevenspoint.com. evening, and a chicken BBQ each JUNE 23-25 JUNE 30-JULY 4 day. Performances Fri at 7:30pm, JULY 2 DARBOY HUDSON Sat at 2 & 7:30pm, and Sun at MADISON Chickenfest: Features carnival Hudson Booster Days: Midway 2pm. 800/747-6336, Rhythm & Booms: The Midwest’s rides, live music and stage thrills, live entertainment, parade manawarodeo.org. largest fireworks display set to shows, a craft show, pedal tractor & fireworks (Sat), car show (Sun), ONEIDA music. Festivities include midway pull for the kids, chicken dance fabulous concessions and fun for Oneida Pow-wow: Experience tra- thrills, entertainment, live bands competition, parade, fireworks, the youngsters. 800/657-6775, ditional Native American foods, and a food court. Warner Park. Badger State Summer Games WISCONSIN SPORTS DEVELOPMENT PHOTO and tasty fried chicken. Darboy hudsonboosters.net. arts and crafts, music, dance and 608/833-6717, Community Park. 920/996-1153, culture. Spectacular Grand Entry rhythmandbooms.com. darboyfest.org. TOMAH JUNE 25-26 LA CROSSE Riverfest: Top name entertain- as more than 400 dancers enter JULY 7-9 Super National Truck & Tractor CEDARBURG ELKHART LAKE ment and family fun. Fireworks, the Norbert Hill Center Pow-wow SPOONER Pull: The top pullers from across Cedarburg Strawberry Festival: A Grounds. 920/496-5020, oneida- Bucyrus 200 NASCAR Nationwide food fair, arts & crafts, river Heart of the North Rodeo: One of the US and Canada compete in 6 strawberry and arts weekend fea- nation.org. Series: Exciting NASCAR racing shows on 2 tracks. Craft & flea cruises, live music, and dance. the most popular professional on Sat, with the GRAND-AM Rolex turing "Arts On The Avenue," a Riverside Park. 608/782-6000, market all four days, plus food painting competition, fresh straw- RED CLIFF rodeos in the Midwest with three Sports Car Series and Continental and fun. 608/372-2081, riverfestlacrosse.com. Annual Red Cliff Traditional Pow- performances, live music, clowns, Tire Sports Car Challenge. Road berries, strawberry desserts & tomahtractorpull.com. pancakes, food courts, live music, OSHKOSH wow: Experience Chippewa hospi- vendors, a huge parade (Sat at America. 800/365-7223, tality and culture at this colorful 1:30pm), and a Sunday barbecue. roadamerica.com. JUNE 24-26 and hayrides. 888/894-4001, Sawdust Days: Stroll through the cedarburgfestivals.org. early Wisconsin Living History event overlooking Lake Superior. 800/367-3306, spoonerrodeo.com RICHLAND CENTER APPLETON Village (1750-1860) with more Fri – open drumming; Sat – grand Star Spangled Celebration : Badger State Summer Games: SPRING GREEN than 400 reenactors. Enjoy mid- entries at 1 & 7pm, Sun at 1pm. Changes may occur. Before Country music festival featuring Annual Olympic-style games for Spring Green Arts & Crafts Fair: way thrills, musical entertain- 715/779-3700, traveling a long distance top Nashville artists. Camping, Wisconsin amateur athletes of all Annual juried show featuring ment, flea market, parade and redcliff-nsn.gov/default.htm. to attend an event, call or concessions, VIP passes, general ages and abilities. Competition in more than 200 national artists. fireworks. Menominee Park. e-mail to verify dates or visit admission and souvenirs. 27 summer sports at sites around Concessions. Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 920/235-5584, sawdustdays.com. travelwisconsin.com. Krouskop Park. 800/375-0876, the city. 608/226-4780, 9am-4pm. 608/588-7082, starspangled.com. badgerstategames.org. springgreenartfair.com. JUNE 23-26 ELLSWORTH JUNE 29-JULY 10 Ellsworth Cheese Curd Festival: MILWAUKEE CADOTT Enjoy music, a horse show, Country Fest: The top country : The world’s largest parades, Star Search, fireworks, music festival. This 11-day music music stars, plus a natural truck & ATV pulls, an arts & crafts amphitheater, superb sound sys- marathon offers top-notch enter- show (Sat & Sun 10am-5pm) and tainment on 11 stages. Enjoy 800 tem, jumbo screens, great food, lots of delicious cheese curds. 8,000 spacious campsites, show- bands, good food, comedians, 715/273-6442, demonstrations, and the sky tram. ers, security, medical, and con- ellsworthchamber.com. venient stores. 800/326-3378, Closed on Monday, July 4th. countryfest.com. NEW GLARUS 414/273-2680, summerfest.com. Heidi Festival: Arts and crafts, JUNE 26 HAYWARD flea market, entertainment and ELKHORN Musky Festival: The city’s largest food in the city park on Sat & Sun celebration with more than 100 9:30am-5pm. "Heidi" drama per- Elkhorn Antique Flea Market: art & craft booths, sidewalk sales, formed at the high school Fri One of the largest antique and live music, street dances (Fri & 7:30pm, Sat 10am & 1:30pm, Sun collectible shows in the Midwest Sat nights), huge parade (Sun 1:30pm. 608/527-2095, with more than 500 dealers. 1:30pm), food, carnival, and fish- swisstown.com. Concessions, free parking, booths ing expo. 715/634-8662, inside and out. 414/525-0820, muskyfestival.com. nlpromotionsllc.com.

Summerfest PHOTO BY ROBB FISCHER

travelwisconsin.com 8 travelwisconsin.com 9 2011 SPRING/SUMMER EVENT GUIDE Wisconsin County Fairs JULY 7-10 PRAIRIE DU CHIEN cars in ten race groups. Onsite Villa Louis War of 1812 in camping, auto concourse Fri & Ashland County Fair, Marengo...... Sept 1-5 BELOIT Barron County Fair, Rice Lake...... July 13-17 Riverfest: Three stages of non- Wisconsin: Wisconsin’s only battle Sat nights. Road America. 800/365-7223, roadamerica.com. Bayfield County Fair, Iron River...... Aug 25-28 stop music featuring rock, metal, from the War of 1812 is recreated. Brown County Fair, DePere...... Aug 17-21 country, reggae, R&B, hip hop, Living history camp, narrated bat- MILWAUKEE Buffalo County Fair, Mondovi ...... Aug 4-7 jazz, , and gospel. tle each day, fur trade encamp- Bastille Days: The streets of Burnett County Fair, Grantsburg...... Aug 18-21 Entertainment, carnival for the ment, fireworks on Sat night. Milwaukee are transformed into a Calumet County Fair, Chilton ...... Sept 2-5 kids, concessions and merchan- 608/326-2721, villalouis.org. mini French city complete with an Central Wisconsin State Fair, Marshfield...... Aug 31-Sept 5 dise. Riverside Park. 800/423- JULY 10-17 Eiffel Tower. Enjoy street enter- Columbia County Fair, Portage ...... July 20-24 5648, beloitriverfest.com. Dane County Fair, Madison ...... July 20-24 MILWAUKEE tainers, a marketplace, more than 25 sidewalk cafes and the annual Dodge County Fair, Beaver Dam...... Aug 17-21 IOLA Native American Indigenous Door County Fair, Sturgeon Bay...... Aug 3-7 Iola Old Car Show & Swap Meet: Games: Eight days of sporting Storm the Bastille 5K fun Dunn County Fair, Menomonie...... July 27-31 The largest automotive festival in competition among 6,000 young run/walk. 414/271-1416, Eau Claire County Fair, Eau Claire...... July 27-31 the Midwest with 2,500 collector athletes (13 and up) from across easttown.com. Florence County Fair, Florence...... Aug 26-28 show cars, 4,500 sites for parts Canada and the US. Competition JULY 15-16 Fond du Lac County Fair, Fond du Lac ...... July 19-24 Grant County Fair, Lancaster ...... Aug 14-21 vendors, 1,000 collectible cars for in 15 sports including baseball, RACINE sale, 1,600 campsites and Green County Fair, Monroe...... July 20-24 basketball, soccer, field lacrosse, Great Midwest Dragon Boat 120,000 spectators. Concessions and archery. 920/217-0309, Head of the Lakes Fair, Superior ...... July 19-24 Festival: 70 teams of 25 people World Championship Snowmobile from breakfast to 4-course chick- Iowa County Fair, Mineral Point ...... Sept 1-5 milwaukee2011.com. paddle beautifully decorated Watercross PHOTO BY RJ & LINDA MILLER en dinners. 715/445-4000, Jackson County Fair, Black River Falls ...... Aug 3-7 dragon boats for great prizes. iolaoldcarshow.com. JULY 14-17 JULY 16 Jefferson County Fair, Jefferson ...... July 6-10 Juneau County Fair, Mauston...... Aug 17-21 CADOTT Enjoy food, drink and the lake- BLACK RIVER FALLS front. Samuel Myers Park. Kewaunee County Fair, Luxemburg ...... July 21-24 RHINELANDER Rock Fest: This four-day blowout Karner Blue Butterfly Festival: 262/632-0530, La Crosse Interstate Fair, West Salem ...... July 13-17 Hodag Country Music Festival: brings the best of to Visit the "Butterfly Learning Top country music stars perform midwestdragonboatfestival.com. Lafayette County Fair, Darlington...... July 13-17 the Chippewa Valley. Enjoy great Center" downtown and the butter- Langlade County Fair, Antigo...... July 27-31 in a natural outdoor amphithe- food and music while camping in JULY 15-17 fly's nearby habitat sites. Also ater. Camping on the grounds, Lincoln County Fair, Merrill...... July 20-24 one of the 8,000 campsites, all GRANTSBURG includes a 5K-10K-Half-Marathon Manitowoc County Fair, Manitowoc ...... Aug 23-28 food, beverages and concessions. within walking distance of the run, a grand parade, artists and Marinette County Fair, Wausaukee ...... Aug 25-28 715/369-1300, hodag.com. World Championship Snowmobile concert area. 800/326-3378, Watercross: Oval and drag racing crafters, historical museum tours Marquette County Fair, Westfield...... July 7-11 JULY 8-10 rock-fest.com. snowmobiles on the open water of and more. 715/284-5850, Monroe County Fair, Tomah...... July 27-31 Memory Lake. Vintage snowmobile downtownblackriverfalls.com. Northern Wisconsin State Fair, Chippewa Falls ...... July 13-17 TREMPEALEAU ELKHART LAKE Oconto County Fair, Gillett ...... Aug 25-28 Catfish Days: Great musical Kohler International Challenge show, fireworks, two bands and EAGLE RIVER Oneida County Fair, Rhinelander ...... Aug 4-7 entertainment, a bike race, walk- with Brian Redman: One of the more. 715/463-4269, Artarama: Juried art show with Outagamie County Fair, Seymour ...... July 26-31 run, fishing tournament, midway largest gatherings of vintage rac- grantsburgwatercross.com. 125 artisans. Live music, conces- Ozaukee County Fair, Cedarburg...... Aug 3-7 thrills, craft show, Sunday parade ers in the US with 30 classes of sions, “Young at Art” tent. Pierce County Fair, Ellsworth ...... Aug 11-14 (2pm) and fireworks (10pm), and Riverside Park. 9am-3pm rain or Polk County Fair, St. Croix Falls ...... July 28-31 Catfish sandwiches. 608/534- shine. 800/359-6315, Portage County Fair, Rosholt ...... Sept 2-5 6335, trempealeau.net. artarama-er.com. Racine County Fair, Union Grove ...... July 27-31 Richland County Fair, Richland Center ...... Sept 7-11 JULY 9-10 PORT Rock County Fair, Janesville ...... July 26-31 MADISON Fish Day: “The World’s Largest Rusk County Fair, Ladysmith ...... Aug 10-14 Art Fair on the Square: A spec- Outdoor One-Day Fish Fry.” Sauk County Fair, Baraboo...... July 12-17 tacular cultural event with Includes a huge parade, live Sawyer County Fair, Hayward...... Aug 18-21 200,000 art lovers buying ceram- music on five stages, arts and Shawano County Fair, Shawano...... Aug 31-Sept 5 ics, fiber, glasswork, jewelry, crafts show, car show and fire- Sheboygan County Fair, Plymouth...... Sept 1-5 leather, wood, painting, photogra- works. 800/719-4881, St. Croix County Fair, Glenwood City...... July 21-24 phy, and sculpture from 450 portfishday.com. Taylor County Fair, Medford ...... July 28-31 Trempealeau County Fair, Galesville...... July 21-24 national juried artisans showing JULY 16-17 Vernon County Fair, Viroqua...... Sept 14-18 on the Capitol Square. Enjoy live MOUNT HOREB Vilas County Fair, Eagle River ...... Aug 11-14 music and great food. 608/257- Walworth County Fair, Elkhorn ...... Aug 31-Sept 5 0158, mmoca.org. Art Fair: Annual fair features more than 125 artists showing Washburn County Fair, Spooner...... July 28-31 Washington County Fair, West Bend ...... July 26-31 and selling along the “Trollway” Waukesha County Fair, Waukesha...... July 20-24 Changes may occur. Before (Main Street). Food and conces- Waupaca County Fair, Weyauwega ...... Aug 24-28 traveling a long distance sions. Downtown. Sat 9am-5pm, Waushara County Fair, Wautoma ...... Aug 18-21 to attend an event, call or Sun 10am-4pm. 888/765-5929, Winnebago County Fair, Oshkosh ...... Aug 9-14 e-mail to verify dates or visit trollway.com. travelwisconsin.com. Wisconsin Valley Fair, Wausau ...... Aug 2-7 Villa Louis War of 1812 in Wisconsin RJ & LINDA MILLER

travelwisconsin.com 10 travelwisconsin.com 11 2011 SPRING/SUMMER EVENT GUIDE

JULY 17 MILWAUKEE demonstrations, nutrition semi- APPLETON German Fest: North America’s nars, special exhibits and fun Appleton Old Car Show & Swap largest annual German festival. children’s activities. Free admis- August Enjoy tasty German cuisine, watch sion. 800/654-7309, Meet: Open to collector cars 1980 AUG 4-6 and older. Dash plaques to first craftsmen demonstrate old-world tasteofwi.com. artistry, enjoy a colorful brass SHEBOYGAN 1000 cars, trophies in over 32 SYMCO band, or stroll the Marketplace for Brat Days: The city’s top summer classes, over 1200 cars expected, National Antique Tractor Pull & unique gifts. 414/464-9444, festival offers the opportunity to free admission, no registration Thresheree: Tractor pull, antique fee, large swap meet, car corral, germanfest.com. sample brat tacos, brat pizza, tractor display, country music brat gyros, NY-style brats, and the food and fun. 920/954-9112, JULY 29-30 concert, food and fun. A big event appletonoldcarshow.com. festival’s kingpin – the double PRAIRIE DU CHIEN in a tiny town. Thresheree brat. Free entertainment on three JULY 21-23 Prairie Dog Blues Festival: Two Grounds. 920/596-2446. stages, the Brat Trot run, and a EAU CLAIRE big days of legendary blues JULY 30-31 huge parade on Saturday morn- bands. Camping, waterski shows, Country Jam USA: Three solid BARABOO ing. 920/912-6172, bratdays.org. concessions and fun. Motel shut- days of country music’s top enter- Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show: tle and camping on site. 888/567- ST. GERMAIN tainers, tons of vendors, great Germanfest in Milwaukee PHOTO BY MARY LANGENFELD This wild & wooly re-enactment 1567, prairiedogblues.com. Pig in the Pines Rib Fest: food and a fantastic venue with features cowboys doing trick rid- Professional rib vendors cook ribs on-site camping. 800/780-0526, JULY 21-24 show, Polka Mass, parade, camp- JULY 29-31 ing, roping and shooting, sharp- every day; try a sampler or a countryjam.com. MILWAUKEE ing, fireworks, firemen’s water HAYWARD shooter Annie Oakley, a stage- meal. Live bands and lumberjack coach hold-up and a territorial JULY 21-24 Festa Italiana: America’s largest fights, food, fun, and dancing to Lumberjack World shows daily, midway thrills and bank robbers. Circus World TWIN LAKES Italian cultural event with nine some of the best polka bands in Championships: 21 events includ- plenty of fun. 800/727-7203, Museum. 866/693-1500, piginthepines.com. Country Thunder: One of the stages of entertainment. Enjoy the the world. 920/822-3869, ing men’s and women’s logrolling, pulaskipolkadays.com. circusworldmuseum.com. finest outdoor country music fes- Sicilian brass marching band, the sawing, chopping, pole climbing, AUG 4-7 tivals in the nation. The 2011 cultural exhibits, nightly fire- WISCONSIN RAPIDS and boom running. More than 100 BAYFIELD competitors vie for $50,000 in LA CROSSE headliner will be Rascal Flatts. works, fantastic food, music, Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Bayfield Festival of the Arts: Great River Festival of Jazz: 45+ bands, VIP packages, camp- dance, and the colorful procession Tournament: The largest water ski prize money. 715/634 2484, lum- More than 90 artists from nine berjackworldchampionships.com. Continuous jazz all weekend fea- ing on-site, concessions. following Sunday Mass. 414/223- show tournament in the world states gather for one of turing nationally known jazz 866/802-6418, 2808, festaitaliana.com. held on lovely Lake Wazeecha. The KENOSHA Wisconsin’s largest juried art artists, a Marti Gras parade, jazz countrythunder.com. PULASKI winning team qualifies for the Taste of Wisconsin: Fifty specialty shows. In addition to exhibitors in liturgies, after hours jam sessions the park, Bayfield artists will open Pulaski Polka Days: One of the national tournament. 715/323- food and beverage vendors, three and more. Oktoberfest Grounds. their studios and galleries for largest annual Polish and polka 3875, aquaskiers.org. stages of live music, culinary 608/791-1190, lacrossejazz.com. tours. 715/779-3335, bayfield.org. fests in the Midwest. Art & craft JULY 25-31 PARK FALLS OSHKOSH Flambeau Rama: Live music, a EAA AirVenture: The world's food court, midway thrills, an arts largest gathering for recreational & crafts fair (Sat & Sun), car pilots and aviation enthusiasts show, run/walk, parade, frog features more than 10,000 air- jumping contest, flea market and planes and 750,000 spectators, sidewalk sales. 877/762-2703, with 500 forums, seminars and parkfalls.com. workshops, 700 product exhibitors, and concessions. Air SPOONER shows daily at 3pm. EAA Jack Pine Savage Days: Arts & Headquarters. 920/426-4818, crafts fair, food booths, car show, airventure.org. fun run, live music Thur-Sat nights, outdoor sports show, JULY 28-31 pancake breakfast on Sun. WISCONSIN RAPIDS Downtown. 800/367-3306, Betty Boop Festival: Animator jackpinesavagedays.com. Grim Natwick was a Rapids native son. Enjoy an animation exhibit, an animated film festival, visual art gallery, animation art collec- Changes may occur. Before tors show, a dance, and Betty traveling a long distance look-alikes. 800/554-4484, to attend an event, call or bettyboopfestivalwi.com. e-mail to verify dates or visit travelwisconsin.com. EAA Airventure PHOTO BY ROBB FISCHER Lumberjack World Championships PHOTO BY ROBB FISCHER

12 travelwisconsin.com travelwisconsin.com 13 2011 SPRING/SUMMER EVENT GUIDE

AUG 4-14 Taste competition, horse drawn LA CROSSE HOLMEN MILWAUKEE/WEST ALLIS wagon rides, and Cookie Drops. Irishfest: Irish music and dance, Holmen Kornfest: Fresh corn-on- Wisconsin State Fair: The state's Barlow Park. 920/748-6764, Irish Market, cultural tent, wee the-cob, chicken BBQ, live music, largest annual event blends ripon-wi.com. folks area, tea garden, horse- carnival thrills, water fights, trac- drawn cart rides, plus food ven- tor pulls, Fri night fireworks, Sat Wisconsin agricultural traditions AUG 7 dors with Irish stew, Irish pota- parade (11am), car show on Sun. with the excitement of a contem- CHIPPEWA FALLS porary, urban event. International toes, corned beef and more. Halfway Creek Park. 608/792- Indianhead Car Show and Swap Bazaar, midway thrills, blue rib- Southside Fest Grounds. 800/658- 6728, discoveronalaska.com. Meet: Features more than 700 bon livestock, 30 stages of top- 9424, irishfestlax.org. collectible show cars, parts ven- PORT WASHINGTON name entertainment, and world- dors, food and fun. Fairgrounds; MOSINEE Maritime Heritage Tall Ship famous cream puffs. 800/884- gates open at 7am. 715/832- Little Bull Falls LogJam Festival: Festival: Annual celebration of 3247, wistatefair.com. 0552, indianheadcarshow.com. Historical exhibits, a fur-trade the city’s rich Great Lakes’ mar- AUG 5-7 rendezvous, food, entertainment, itime culture. Showcases 4-6 tall AUG 12-13 logging competitions and demon- ships with step-aboard tours, day BOSCOBEL West Bend $1,000 Cache Ba$h: strations. River Park. 715/693- sails, food, entertainment stages, Muskets & Memories Civil War A free, family-oriented get-togeth- 4336, logjamfestival.org. artisans and family activities. Weekend: One of the largest er for geocachers. More than 500 Holmen Kornfest PHOTO BY RJ & LINDA MILLER 262/305-4220, reenactments in the upper caches within a 7-mile radius – AUG 13-14 portmaritimefestival.com. Midwest with 1,000 participants. and a $1,000 top prize. Regner GREEN LAKE IOLA Enjoy guided tours of the camps, Park. 262/338-2666, wbacham- AUG 18-21 AUG 22-28 Fine Arts Show: Beside the village Iola Vintage Military Show: military drills, and battle reenact- ber.org. MILWAUKEE mill pond and dam, more than Military vehicles & equipment, ERIN ments. 608/872-2274, musket- 100 Midwestern artists exhibit Irish Fest: The nation's largest US Men’s Amateur Golf AUG 12-14 WWII and Vietnam battle reenact- sandmemories.net their original works. Live music, Irish festival celebrates Irish Championships: 300 of the sport’s ALGOMA ments with pyrotechnics, living music, dance, culture, sports and AUG 6 food and refreshments. history encampments, swap meet, top amateur players vie for the Shanty Days Celebration of the Playground Park. 10am-5pm. cuisine. More than 300 entertain- title in the 111th annual champi- RIPON camping, USO-type shows and Lake: Includes ethnic foods, a 920/294-6950, ers on 17 stages, Celtic canines , onship tournament. Erin Hills Golf Cookie Daze: CookieTown USA parade, fireworks, 5k walk/run, parades. 715/445-4005, and Irish wares delight the Irish greenlakeartshow.com. iolavms.com. Course. 262/670-8600, comes alive with entertainment, entertainment, arts & craft fair, in everyone. Summerfest Grounds. erinhills.com food, prizes, the Cookie Blaster street market, and more. LAKE GENEVA 414/476-3378, irishfest.com. Rocket Shop, the cookie Bake & 800/298-4888, Algoma.org. AUG 21 Art in the Park: Outdoor, juried, SUN PRAIRIE GREENBUSH fine art fair on beautiful Geneva Sweet Corn Festival: Great stage Wade House Arts & Crafts Fair: Lake. 100 artists exhibit pottery, shows, music, carnival thrills, Browse 100 booths displaying fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, pho- games, a parade, craft show, pet- handmade wares and traditional tography, painting, sculpture and ting zoo, food and all the sweet craft creations ranging from dolls wood. Library Park. Sat 10am- corn 100,000 hungry mouths can and baskets to woodcrafts and 6pm, Sun 10am-4pm. 800/345- eat. Angell Park. 608/837-4547, jewelry. Tour the Wade House for 1020, lakegenevawi.com. sunprairiechamber.com. only $3.50 (today only). 9am-5pm. AUG 14 AUG 19-20 920/526-3271, wadehouse.org. ELKHORN WAUSAU Elkhorn Antique Flea Market: AUG 25-28 Big Bull Falls Blues Festival: Held CUMBERLAND One of the largest antique and annually on Fern Island Park, an Rutabaga Festival: Since 1932, collectible shows in the Midwest intimate and unique atmosphere Cumberland has celebrated the with more than 500 dealers. for blues fans to enjoy national humble rutabaga with the Concessions, free parking, booths and local blues artists. Mingle in Rutabaga Olympics, carnival inside and out. 414/525-0820, the beer garden and enjoy festi- thrills, live music nightly, a nlpromotionsllc.com. val-style foods. 715/843-0748, run/walk, grand parade, craft wausauareaevents.org. AUG 17-21 show and family fun. 715/822- LAKE GENEVA AUG 19-21 3378, cumberland-wisconsin.com. Venetian Festival: Arts & craft BARABOO fair (Sat 10am-6pm & Sun 10am- Badger Steam and Gas Engine 5pm), carnival rides, lighted boat Changes may occur. Before Show: Wisconsin's largest display traveling a long distance parade, great food, live entertain- of early American steam-powered to attend an event, call or ment, and fireworks at dusk on and gas-powered equipment. e-mail to verify dates or visit Sun. 262/248-4416, Food, flea market, arts & crafts, travelwisconsin.com. lakegenevajaycees.org. and entertainment. 608/522- 4905, badgersteamandgas.com. Wisconsin State Fair PHOTO BY ROBB FISCHER

travelwisconsin.com 14 travelwisconsin.com 15 2011 SPRING/SUMMER EVENT GUIDE

AUG 26-27 Cap off a summer of fun with these SUPERIOR great Labor Day weekend events... Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival: The largest dragon boat festival in the country with more SEP 2-3 PORTAGE than 100 international teams PRAIRIE DU SAC WWSDA Sheep Dog Trial: See competing. Food and beverage Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw: more than 100 talented border vendors, arts and crafts fair, fire- This fun event features flying cow collies gather sheep at a 500-yard works, and entertainment both pies, music, art & craft fair (Sat), distance, drive a ¼-mile triangu- days. 866/336-1107, parade and food. Two stages of lar course and pen them with only lakesuperiordragons.com. entertainment on Sat. Marion the aid of voice and whistle com- mands. Food on the grounds. AUG 26-28 Park. 608/643-5463, wiscowchip.com. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. GREEN BAY McLeish Farm. 608/845-6996, Artstreet: This fine arts festival SEP 2-4 wwsda.org. features more than 200 juried ALLENTON SEP 3-4 regional and national artists, per- Big Concertina Jamboree forming arts on four stages, an Festival: Continuous concertina MADISON edible arts area, kid's art area, jamming on three stages with all Taste of Madison: More than 65 demonstrations, literary arts area, players welcome. Concertinas to local restaurants, 20 beverage and ethnic foods. 920/435-5220, play, trade, or sell. Dancing, stands and four entertainment artseventsinc.com/artstreet. Friday fish fry, food and camping. stages draw an estimated 150,000 attendees. Food items MILWAUKEE Veterans’ Park. 888/974-8687, visitwashingtoncounty.com. range from $1 to $4. Capitol Mexican Fiesta: Spice up your life Square. 608/226-4780, with authentic Mexican food, CRANDON madisonfestivals.com. rousing mariachi bands, the foot- Borg Warner World stomping rhythms and colorful Championship Off-Road Races: NEW GLARUS swirl of traditional dancers, and Off-road racing at its most Wilhelm Tell Festival: Community the handmade treasures of the thrilling with 40,000 fans and top performers present the “Tell marketplace. 414/383-7066, competitors. Televised on the Pageant” in English (Sat 2pm & mexicanfiesta.org. ESPN Speed channel. 888/611- Sun 1pm) and in German (Sat 6092, crandonoffroad.com. 10am). Also enjoy Swiss music, a AUG 27-28 yodeling contest, art fair and kid’s EAGLE RIVER SHEBOYGAN lantern parade (Fri 8pm). Festival of Flavors: Fifty booths Dairyland Surf Classic: The 800/527-6838, wilhelmtell.org. of Wisconsin products, including largest freshwater surfing compe- local culinary offerings, Wisconsin tition in the world includes surf- SEP 3-5 wineries and cheese producers, ing and paddling competitions. BLACK RIVER FALLS foodie seminars & demos, cheese Surfboard show. Saturday night Ho-Chunk Nation Pow-wow: The carving, a bike tour and more. surf party and much more. Free to fall pow-wow is a celebration of 715/477-0645, the public. Participation Fee. thanks to the Nation’s friends and eaglerivermainstreet.org. 920/254-1050, neighbors. Enjoy drumming, color- visitsheboygan.com. ful competition dancing, and a WAUSAU variety of Native crafts. Grand IWA Snowmobile Watercross SEP 2-5 entries Sat & Sun at 3pm, Mon at Racing: Snowmobiles racing on EDGERTON 1pm. 715/284-9343, water; drag and oval racing with Rock River Thresheree: Train ho-chunknation.com. plenty of excitement and laughs. rides, steam calliope, gas trac- Held rain or shine - bring your tors, a large flea market, black- lawn chairs. 715/536-9490, smith shop, vintage cars & Changes may occur. Before iwausa.org. trucks, big tractor parade each traveling a long distance day at 3pm. Thresherman’s park. to attend an event, call or 608/868-2814, thresheree.org. e-mail to verify dates or visit travelwisconsin.com.

FOR MORE GREAT WISCONSIN EVENTS VISIT... TRAVELWISCONSIN.COM OR CALL 1-800-432-8747 FOR HELPFUL TRAVEL INFORMATION. 16 visit travelwisconsin.com