1 MercerCC.com Welcome to H MercerCC.com We invite you to visit the Loon Capital of the World, home of TABLE OF CONTENTS the famous Turtle-Flambeau Flowage, and one of the “Coolest Towns in the U.S.” according to the Matador Network. Mercer is Calendar of Events ........................................................4 your place to enjoy life, spend time with family and friends (both Winter Fun .................................................................6-7 old and new), and make memories that last a lifetime. ATV/UTVing .................................................................8 While you’re here be sure to stop and visit Claire d’ Loon! Area Lakes ................................................................... 10 Silent Sports................................................................. 12 Born on May 22, 1981, Claire Hike/Bike Trail ............................................................ 13 is located on the grounds of the Mercer Area Chamber of Turtle Flambeau Area ...........................................15-16 Commerce and is Wisconsin’s Waterfalls ..................................................................... 18 largest loon. Standing 16’ tall Hunting/Fishing ......................................................... 20 and weighing 2000 lbs., this giant loon celebrates Mercer’s Day Trips ..................................................................... 22 title of “Loon Capital of the Loon Capital ................................................................ 22 TM World” . Area Parks ................................................................... 23 Mercer was designated as History ......................................................................... 24 Loon Capital of the World Directory.................................................................27-33 due to the unusually dense Relocation .................................................................... 34 population, including the highest concentration of Lodging Chart ............................................................. 36 nesting loon pairs in the Dining Chart ............................................................... 37 continental United States. We are proud of our loons, and many Mercer area residents For more information, write or call: are actively involved in “Loon Watch,” a citizen-based project Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce that has been monitoring lake health and loon production for 5150N Hwy 51, Mercer, WI 54547 over 15 years. The project has also strategically placed numerous (715) 476-2389 – Office artificial nesting platforms, increasing loon nesting success in the (715) 476-SNOW – Winter trail conditions area. www.MercerCC.com / [email protected] Stop by the Chamber’s interactive podium (available spring @MercerChamber through fall) to hear the four primary loon calls and learn more about loons. Don’t forget to have your photo taken with Claire d’ @MercerWIChamber Loon, Wisconsin’s largest loon! @MercerWIChamber 2018 Visitor Guide 3 JANUARY APRIL 7/28: Mercer Education Foundation’ Mardi Gras 1/9: Lioness Blood Drive at Community 4/10: Lioness Blood Drive at Community 7/28-8/12: Iron County Heritage Festival Center Center 7/31: Night before Loon Day Street Dance 1/13: Sno-Goers Winter Blast 4/26: Senior Bingo at the Mercer Senior 1/14: Sno-Goers Meat Raffle at Lazy Ace Center AUGUST Saloon 1/20: Sno-Goers Italian Dinner at Eunica’s MAY 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22: Lioness Bingo at Com- Beaver Lodge munity Center 1/27: 12th Annual Justin Donner Memorial 5/5: Lioness Derby Day Luncheon at Com- 8/1: 38th Annual Loon Day Fisheree munity Center 8/3: Used book sale at Mercer Public 1/27: Sno-Goers Cookout at Dear Lodge 5/6: Italian Beef sandwich luncheon at Library 1/27: MECCA Candlelight Ski & Snowshoe Cranberry Inn for St. Isaac Jogues 8/4: Mercer Lions Club Duck Race 1/28: Senior Bingo at the Mercer Senior 5/20: Mercer Education Foundation Taste 8/11: TFFA Pig and Corn Roast Center of the Northwoods 5/20: Senior Bingo at the Mercer Senior SEPTEMBER FEBRUARY Center 5/24-5/28: Memorial Weekend ATV/UTV 9/29: Annual Friends of the Library Annual 2/3: Sno-Goers Chili feed and Brat Fry at Rally in Hurley Celebration the Great Northern Hotel/Wolf’s Den 2/17: Mercer Lions Club Ice Fishing Jambo- JUNE OCTOBER ree 2/17: Sno-Goers Breakfast at Gateway 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27: Lioness Bingo at the 10/5-10/7: Northwoods Art Tours Lodge Community Center 10/4-10/6: 16th Annual Pumpkin Run ATV/ 2/24: Sno-Goers Breakfast at Around the 6/9: 12th Annual Lupine Junefest and UTV Rally Corner Pub Birdfest 10/16: Lioness Blood Drive at Community 2/25: Claus Kraetke Memorial Ice Fishing 6/16: Town wide Rummage Sale Center Jamboree 6/16: Lioness Rummage Sale at Carow Park 10/19-10/20: Mercer Muskie Madness at 2/25: Senior Bingo at the Mercer Senior 6/22: Lioness Golf Scramble at Tahoe Lynx The Gateway Lodge Center 6/30-7/1: 4th Annual Can-Yak Fishing Tour- 10/20: Lioness Holiday Craft Bazaar and nament Bake Sale at the Mercer School Cafeteria MARCH JULY NOVEMBER 3/4: Sno-Goers 2018 Arctic Cat Snowmobile raffle drawing at the Great Northern Hotel/ 7/4, 7/11, 7/18, 7/25: Lioness Bingo at the 11/9: Chili Cook-off at Associated Bank Wolf’s Den Community Center 11/17: St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church 3/18: Corned Beef Luncheon at Cranberry 7/4: 4th of July Celebration Hunter’s Chilifest and Pie Sale Inn for St. Isaac Jogues 7/4: Run for a Vet Race 3/18: Senior Bingo at the Mercer Senior 7/6: Golf Tournament for St. Isaac Jogues DECEMBER Center 7/7: Culpepper and Merriweather Circus at Carow Park 12/2: Senior Christmas Party at the Mercer 7/10: Lioness Blood Drive at Community Senior Center Center 12/8: Candy Cane Parade 7/27-7/29: Northwoods Art Tours 4 MercerCC.com 2018 Visitor Guide 5 Winter Fun It’s Time to Reboot! SNOWMOBILING NORDIC AND ALPINE SKIING trails for a taste of the scenery without the distance. Mercer – the “Snow Capital of Wisconsin” -- is synonymous with There are three excellent cross-country ski trail systems in Iron The Cedar Trail in Gurney follows ravines and plateaus to Lake Superior. Look for trail snowmobiles, smooth trails and great trailside amenities. County – one very near Mercer and the others within a short signs on Hwy. 51 and Beachway Road on Mercer’s south side or Highway 51 and County An incredible 450 miles of scenic snowmobile trails await vis- drive. Among the picks should be the MECCA multi-use trails just Road FF north of Mercer. itors to Iron County. Three dedicated snowmobile clubs groom south of Mercer. In addition to the excellent groomed trails, they Alpine skiing for the family is available just a short distance away. All the more reason the trails after each snowfall. Each winter season sees over 200 offer delicious cookies on weekends! to make Mercer your winter headquarters for fun! inches of snow, guaranteeing snowmobilers great riding in Wis- The trails cross rolling terrain and offer beautiful open vistas consin’s Northwoods! of the Little Turtle River and Flowage. There is a rustic warming SNOWSHOEING The Mercer Sno-Goers Snowmobile Club is one of those cabin on the Little Turtle. Snowshoeing is a fast growing sport and offers fun for the entire family. The great thing clubs that keeps trails clear and well marked, as well as nicely The 18 kilometers of scenic and signed trails accommodate about this sport is that it doesn’t require groomed trails and can be done virtually groomed. Each January, the Sno-Goers host their very popular both classic and freestyle aficionados, and the various loops are anywhere there is snow, however, we do have a few places that have outlined routes Winter Blast party complete with food, refreshments, music and ideally suited for beginners and advanced skiers. Snowshoers as a guide through the forests. Snowshoeing really doesn’t take much skill and is an dancing to the wee hours. have their own trail and can traverse the skating portion of the amazing opportunity to burn 45% more calories than walking. A bunch of your riding will be on former railroad corridors, trail. smooth freeways to your next destination; other trails will be like The Mercer Cross-County Ski Association (MECCA) grooms af- ICE FISHING Rustic Roads – following eskers and under trees laden with snow. ter each snowfall and before each weekend. The trail’s daily, an- With more than 200 lakes, Iron County welcomes hard water anglers. There are loads The trails connect to those in adjoining counties and even up into nual and family membership fees are all reasonably priced. Stay of walleye, pike and bass, along with perch, ’gills and crappies in our lakes. A good lake Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. You’ll never have to ride the same in the loop with free Nordic trail maps available at the Mercer map and an electronic depth finder will help locate fish. Being on the ice doesn’t mean trail twice – unless you want to! Area Chamber of Commerce office. frozen toes. An ice fishing tent or shack, heater, four-wheel drive vehicles, snowmobiles Among riders’ favorites is Corridor 8. It takes riders west of The Montreal Trails pass by the remnants of the Montreal and ATVs provide easy enjoyment of the frozen lakes. Stop at Mercer’s sport shops for Mercer, past the Lake of the Falls scenic area and the Turtle-Flam- Mining operation and provide a variety of options to ski the right the latest gear, minnows, grubs and fishing tips. beau Flowage toward Ashland County. Trail 19 winds through the distance and difficulty for your ability. The Mercer area hosts fishing tournaments each winter. Even if you don’t land the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest south to Man- For the ultimate in scenic beauty and challenging skiing, the big one to claim a top prize, there’s always a raffle drawing that will bring a smile if you itowish. Uller Trail surpasses all others. It winds through the Penokee hold the winning ticket. Range for 19 miles to Hurley. If that’s too much trail, try the spur 6 MercerCC.com 2018 Visitor Guide 7 ATV/UTV ooking for some four-wheeled adventures? Iron County trail 17 downtown Mercer between the red caboose and Highway J.