May 2010
May 14-16: Syttende Mai-Norwegian festival celebrates the “17th of May.” (Norwegian Independence Day) Arts & crafts, flea market, Norwegian smorgasbord, music, quilt auction, baking, stage show, auto & truck show, and more Westby, WI 608-634-4627.
June 2010
June 4,5 & 6: June Dairy Days – A kick-off breakfast, carnival, live music and dancing, clowns, dairy tents, big wheel races, petting barn, stage coach rides and speedway racing. West Salem Village Park.
June 10-13: Butterfest -Carnival, live entertainment, arts and crafts exhibits, music, food booths, quilt show and classic car show. Parade on Sunday. Sparta Memorial Park, 608-269-4123
June 19 & 20: Midsummer Fest-Celebrate the summer solstice Scandinavian style with entertainment, refreshments, wagon rides, demonstrations, gift shop and more. 10a.m.-4p.m. Norskedalen, Coon Valley. 608-452-3424. www.norskedalen.org
July 2010
July 2-6: Great River Jazz Fest- river activities, top name entertainment and continuous events highlight this family festival on the Mississippi River. Fireworks, food, beverage tent, crafts, live music and dance. La Crosse Riverside Park, 608-784-7575.
July 17: Karner Blue Butterfly Festival- Downtown Black River Falls. 1-800-404-4008. www.downtownblackriverfalls.com
July 13-18: La Crosse Interstate Fair-La Crosse Interstate Fairgrounds, West Salem, WI. Carnival, livestock, 4-H judging exhibits, food, auto races, live entertainment. 608-786-1525 or 786-5506. www.lacrosseinterstatefair.com.
July 17: Rail Fair- Railroad show, flea market, swap meet, buy-sell-trade, model and toy trains. Railroadiana, exhibits and displays. Copeland Park, 608-780-2543 www.4000foundation.com
July 24-25 Kickapoo Country Fair held at Organic Valley headquarters near La Farge, WI. www.organicvalley.coop/kickapoo.
July 30-31st: Prairie Dog Blues Fest – Prairie du Chien. 888-567-1567.
July 24 & 25 : Art Fair on the Green – UW-La Crosse. 608-788-7439
August 2010
August 5-8: Great River Jazz Fest-Featuring great music, on grounds food and beverage, after hours jam sessions and jazz liturgies. La Crosse, 608-791-1190, www.lacrossejazz.com
August 20-22: Holmen Kornfest-Corn on the cob, music, carnival, fun run, bingo, tractor pull, parade on Saturday, fireworks display, Village Park, 608-526-4444.
August 21-22: Viroqua’s Annual Wild West Days-East of the Fairgrounds. 1800’s Boom Town, Civil War Reenactment, Fur Traders Rendezvous, Indian Village, Children’s Games, State Coach Rides and much more. www.wildwestdays.info
September 2010
September 15-19: Vernon County Fair- The last County Fair in Wisconsin each year boasts over 10,000 exhibit entries, a Super Large Midway, over 100 commercial exhibitors and a real Olde Fashioned County Fair atmosphere. Viroqua. www.vernoncountyfair.com
September 16-19: Applefest-Annual celebration of the apple industry. Orchard tours, live music, carnival rides, golf tournament, food, arts, crafts, flea market and Sunday parade. La Crescent, MN, 800-926-9480. www.applefestusa.com
September 25: Threshing Bee-Celebrate the harvest of old with many working farming and harvesting demonstrations, wagon rides, home-style meals (reservation required) and a buzz of activity surrounding rural life. 10 a.m.-4p.m., Norskadalen, Coon Valley, 608-452-3424. www.norskedalen.org
September 24-26: Cranberry Fest-Over 1,000 booths of arts and crafts, antique, flea and farmers’ markets. Warrens, WI 608-378-4200. www.cranfest.com
September 24-October 2: Oktoberfest- the best of family activities offered include the Grand Maple Leaf Parade and Torchlight Parade. Carnival rides, ethnic foods, authentic German entertainment, as well as local and regional country, pop, rock music and children’s acts. La Crosse north and south side fest grounds. 608-784-3378, www.oktoberfestusa.com
October 2010
October 9 &10: Civil War Heritage Weekend- Norskedalen, Coon Valley,608-452-3424.
October 23-24: Ghoulees in the Coulees- Haunted Halloween hike through the woods experiencing the man spook stations. Hot cider and treats at the end. Reservations required. Norskedalen, Coon Valley, 608-452-3424.
October : Jaycees Haunted House, Clearwater Farms, Onalaska. 608-792-9850
November 2010
November 6: Sparta Monroe County Historical Society Arts and Craft Show at Sparta Senior High School 506 N. Black River St. 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. 300 vendors. Joan Cook 608-269-3233
November: Annual Country Christmas Shopping Tour. Take a unique Christmas shopping trip at studios of artists & crafters from Liberty Pole to Genoa. Brochures/maps available at participating businesses. Contact Nora Soltau 60-675-3237 or 608-675-3565 .
November 25-December 31: Rotary Holiday Lights-More than a MILLION Holiday Lights illuminate La Crosse’s Riverside Park from 5-10p.m. daily. Among the splendor is a 140 foot Christmas tree and animated light displays that fill the park. Live nativity scene presentation for the first three weekends in December. Santa is here until Christmas Eve. 800-658-9424. View the beautiful light display reflected in the Mississippi River from Pettibone Park across the Cass Street Bridge to the island. www.rotarylights.org.
December 2010
December 1-31 Holiday lights continue
December: Holiday in the Park-Evans Bosshard Park, Hwy 16 & East Ave., Sparta. Rotary lights, entertainment, refreshments, over 125,000 lights on display. Visit with Santa.
December 31: Skyrockers New Year’s Eve Fireworks- From Grandad Bluff 6 p.m. & midnight
February 2011
February 9-10: Westby Snowflake Ski Jump.Starts at 11 a.m. Westby WI E7940 County Road P. 1-608-634-3211