Up North Action - July 2024

July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

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July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Editor’s Column We’re All Red, White, and Blue Americans are unabashedly in love with the Fourth of July.

Our attire runs red, white and blue. We gather with family and friends to chow down on barbeque at town festivals, to watch parades, ball games and concerts, and when darkness cloaks the sky, we light the sky back up with massive fireworks displays.

Independence Day commemorates the day in 1776 that the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress. We have a lot to be thankful for to be able to live in a great country such as the United States.

Independence Day this year falls on Thursday. Check with your local chamber of commerce or municipal office for the

time and place of a fireworks show nearest you. Just a note of caution: leave the fireworks to the professionals. You don’t want to return home with a burned hand, or worse.

The Fourth of July arrival means summer vacation season is in full swing across the Northwoods of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Check out this issue for some of the many festivals and other events going on. Pick a day, a weekend, a week for you and the family to spend in the land they call Up North.

Dean S. Acheson, Editor

Inside This Issue Lake Chippewa Flowage Resort Association....................................................................................................Inside Front Cover Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad................................................................................................................................... Body Front Editor’s Column..................................................................................................................................................................................Page 4 Play in the Northwoods - Attractions to Wow the Family...............................................................................................Page 6-9 Minocqua Dragon Boat Festival.......................................................................................................................................... Back Cover

Published By: 5 Star Marketing & Distribution 409 Southpark Drive • P.O. Box 10 • Tomahawk, WI 54487 715-453-4511 • E-mail: info@5starupnorth.com

Owner/CEO Al Hanley alh@5starupnorth.com Accounting Jackie Blodgett

Production Manager Jackie Blodgett

Editor Dean Acheson

Graphic Designer Danelle Pretasky

Sales Associates Al Hanley

Distribution Mike Joynt David Stevens Brian Wiedeman

*All events & businesses subject to change.

Please contact individual locations to confirm events and/or hours of operation.

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July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Map & Index

NORTHEAST REGION - page 6

NORTHWEST REGION - page 32

Covering the following counties: Florence • Forest • Marinette Oconto • Menominee • Shawano

Covering the following counties: Ashland • Bayfield • Douglas • Burnett Washburn • Sawyer • Rusk • Barron Polk • St. Croix • Dunn • Chippewa

NORTHCENTRAL REGION - page 9

Covering the following counties: Iron • Vilas • Price • Oneida • Lincoln Langlade • Taylor • Marathon

U.P. MICHIGAN REGION - page 40

Covering the following counties: Baraga • Gogebic • Ontonagon Houghton • Iron • Dickinson • Menominee

July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

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Northeast Region CALENDAR

Northeast Region

July 6 Townsend – Kid’s Fishing Tournament July 11 Gillett – Garden Walk July 13 Shawano – ShawanoFest July 13 Florence – Kids Hooked on Fishing July 13 Florence – Strawberry Social and Quilt Show July 19 Shawano – Smalley Beach Bash July 19-21 Lakewood – Mardi Gras July 20 Wabeno – Art and Music Festival, Car Show July 20 Oconto – Walleye Open July 20 Shawano – Bass Tournament July 20 Long Lake – Tractor, Bike, Car & Truck Show July 20 Doty – Fire Dept. Picnic July 27 Florence – Run Like a Zebra Races July 27 Crandon – Kentuck Day July 27 Lakewood – Wienerfest North July 27-28 Lena – Off-Road Nationals July 28 Shawano – Shawano County Art & Craft Fair Aug. 3 Bonduel – Lions Club Corn Roast Aug. 3 Lakewood – Lakes Country Arts & Crafts Show

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Discover the Great Fishing Found in Oconto County OCONTO COUNTY – Oconto County is an ideal destination for veteran anglers and newcomers to the sport of fishing. The county boasts more than 378 lakes and rivers with all the popular fish species present in good numbers, including walleye, salmon, trout and bass.

on your own, get VIP treatment with experienced outfitters offering boat or fishing-kayak rentals, as well as guided excursions on Lake Michigan. Guides can provide everything you need, including rods, reels, bait and other supplies to help you land the biggest catch of the day.

Two flowages should be on your radar: The 418-acre Chute Pond, south of Mountain, is a flowage on the Oconto River. A county park with a public boat landing serves campers. Following the river southeast, you’ll find Machickanee Flowage near Oconto Falls -- another fishing hotspot with the usual walleye, northern pike, bass and panfish, in addition to trout and salmon.

Oconto is also home to the South Branch Oconto barrier-free fishing trail, a quarter-mile boardwalk with easy access to 11 fishing sites (there are only a few of these across the U.S.). The South Branch is a Class I brook and brown trout stream. There are flat spots along the shoreline in which to cast, and cantilever decks that jut over the stream. There is a restroom, parking area, campfire pit and 2 sites to stay the night. The trail is located off County Highway T, between County Highway W and State Highway 64.

Those seeking big water action should consider the waters of Green Bay. The marinas there offer more than 150 slips to accommodate all matter of watercrafts. If you don’t want to go it

July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

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Explore Florence County’s ATV/UTV Trails FLORENCE – Florence County is home to more than 160 miles of ATV/UTV trails and routes with hundreds more in neighboring counties and the Upper Michigan. Hours and even days can be spent riding through the forests and past pristine lakes and rivers.

The northern part of the Nicolet State Trail runs through the western portion of the county. This particular trail also runs through Forest and Oconto counties. The Florence County ATV trail system winds through the Spread Eagle Barrens State Natural Area and county, industrial and national forests.

Trails will take riders to three waterfalls (Breakwater, LaSalle & Washburn), several scenic overlooks, county parks and three ATV/UTV friendly campgrounds: Lake Emily, West Bass Lake and Morgan Lake. The trail system offers trailside lodging and dining opportunities, as well as pit stops that supply food, drink and gas.

Florence County also offers a 17-acre ATV park located on the south side of Fisher Lake in the Town of Florence. This course was designed for riders who want to go off trail to “rip it up” in the dirt and mud.

Maintaining those trails is the focus of the Florence County Blue Ox Trail Riders Club, whose members include ATV/UTV and snowmobile enthusiasts. Club website: BlueOxTrailRiders.org.

To order a Blue Ox ATV/Snowmobile Trail Map call the Florence County Visitor Center at 715-528-5377 or send an e-mail with your mailing address to info@FlorenceCountyWI.gov.

Stop By at ShawanoFest

Northeast Region

SHAWANO – Be sure to visit downtown Shawano on Saturday, July 13 when ShawanoFest activities will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Main Street, The Naberhood and Franklin Park.

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ShawanoFest’s offerings will include a car show, craft vendors, kids’ activities, music, farmer’s market, food trucks, Shawano fire department and ambulance open houses and more family activities set in the 100 & 200 blocks of Main Street and Franklin Park.

Kids’ fun day goes from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Franklin Park. The car show opens at 10 a.m. and goes until 3 p.m. on North Main Street. The 5K fun run/walk is at 9 a.m. at Franklin Park with registration at thefreshprojet.org. The food truck rally will be ready to serve the crowd starting at 10 a.m. on Main Street.

Enjoy live music starting at 9 a.m. with five different musicians performing on Main Street and at the park throughout the day.

Complete the fun outing by attending the Shawano Ski Sharks waterski show starting at 4 p.m. at Smalley Park.

July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Northcentral Region CALENDAR

Unleash the Power of Play at Northwoods Children’s Museum

Geared for everyone ages 1-99, the non-profit museum offers fun interactive play with an educational value to boot. It’s a perfect option for those rainy days, but a visit any day will light up your child’s eyes. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to take part in the activities. Friendly staff will help explain the exhibits. In addition, the museum this summer will host programming from the Northwoods Wildlife Center on Mondays.

Over 25 years ago, the museum started with a baker’s dozen of hands-on exhibits to stir curiosity and encourage further exploration. Examples include the Shadow Room, Fire Tower/Ranger Station and Fishing Pond. Not resting on their laurels, and thanks to donations from the community, the museum staff and board of directors added even more exhibits to encourage the “Power of Play.” Now, there are 26 interactive exhibits including grocery stores, a light lab, and an outdoor garden. The Discovery Toy Store is also on site.

In addition to daily rates, they offer memberships. The Northwoods Children’s Museum is located at 346 W. Division St., Eagle River. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Need more information? Call 715-479-4623 or go to northwoodschildrensmuseum.com.

July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Northcentral Region

EAGLE RIVER – Discover what many locals already know – the Northwoods Children’s Museum in Eagle River will soon become your child’s favorite place to hang out this summer!

July 3 Manitowish Waters – Family Play Day July 4 Mercer – Run for a Vet July 5-6 Phillips – Price Co. Rodeo July 6 Tomahawk – Musky Tournament July 11-14 Rhinelander – Hodag County Music Festival July 12 Phelps – Summer Ride Picnic July 12-13 Minocqua – Gem & Mineral Show July 12-13 Wausau – Taste N Glow Balloon Festival July 12-14 Lac du Flambeau – Bear River Pow Wow Manitowish Waters – Art Show July 20 Mercer – BBQ Cook-Off July 20 Phelps – Fireman’s Picnic and Pig Roast July 20 Eagle River – Burger Bash July 20 Minocqua – Garden Fest July 20 White Lake – Oxbow Odyssey Mtn. Bike Race July 20 Phelps – Fireman’s Picnic & Pig Roast July 20 St. Germain – Lazy Daze of Summer July 20 Eagle River – Quilt Show July 20-21 Phillips – Antique Tractor Expo & Car Show July 25-28 Antigo -- Langlade County Fair July 25-28 Rhinelander – Oneida County Fair July 26-28 Various Locales -- Northwoods Art Tour July 27 Merrill – Black Squirrel Scurry Race July 27 Conover – Ride with Leinie July 27 Woodruff – Pig Roast July 27 Hurley – Heritage Days Parade July 27 Eagle River – Forest Fest July 27 Lac du Flambeau – Native American Arts & Craft Show July 27-Aug. 11 Hurley – Iron Co. Heritage Festival July 30-Aug. 2 Tomahawk – Antique Boat & Motor Show Aug. 1-4 Saxon – Iron Co. Fair Aug. 2-3 Merrill – Festival of Quilts

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the Clark Lake camping area before arriving at parking on Clark Lake’s north shore.

Pack a Picnic Lunch and Head to Stake out a place in the picnic area for lunch -- there are tables Clark Lake Beach and grills at the site -- and find sandy real estate for the kids. The

LAND O’ LAKES – An old-growth forest and pristine lakes make up the 18,000-acre Sylvania Wilderness Area, just across the border in Michigan from Land O’ Lakes. It’s where you can find Clark Lake beach -- one of the best beaches in the Sylvania.

It offers a perfect blend of wilderness and accessibility.

Pick up the fixings for a picnic lunch and beach toys from stores in downtown Land O’ Lakes, pack up the kids and head out for a day of exploration. From downtown Land O’ Lakes, head north on Highway 45 to Watersmeet. Take Highway 2 west to Highway 535, which will take you to the Sylvania’s main entrance.

Once inside the park, follow the signs to the beach. You’ll pass

entrance to the lake is shallow and the water is usually calm, so it’s a good place for children and a pleasant place for any swimmer. There are bathrooms near the beach area, so this is a place you can stay for a while.

Hiking trails skirt the lake so if you feel like stretching your legs, you can explore some of the old growth forest that makes this park so special. (Don’t forget the bug spray back in Land O’ Lakes.) If you have the time, the 8.2-mile Clark Lake Recreation Trail loops around the lake. At the end of the hike, cool off at the beach with a quick dip.

LAC DU FLAMBEAU – Three days of Native American songs, dances and food are happening Friday-Sunday, July 1214 when the annual Bear River Powwow takes place in Lac du Flambeau.

Mark the calendar for a later visit to Lac du Flambeau for the annual Native American Arts and Craft Show & Sale on Saturday, July 27 starting at 10 a.m. at the Lake of the Torches Convention Center. A variety of handcrafted items will be for sale. It’s sponsored by the Waaswaaganing Indian Bowl Living Arts and Culture Center.

Northcentral Region

Bear River Powwow Celebrates Heritage

Available are $7 daily and $10 weekend passes. Seniors 62 and older and children 5 and under admitted free. Grand Entry will be at 7 p.m. Friday, 1 & 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Host Drum is Battle Nation from Thunder Bay, Canada.

Open to the public for viewing, the powwow will take place on the Bear River Pow Wow grounds at the Old Indian Village.

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July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Arts and Craft Show & Sale Lake of the Torches Convention Center

A variety of handcrafted items for sale!

Open to the public.

Waaswaaganing Indian Bowl Living Arts and Culture Center

July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Northcentral Region

Saturday, July 27, 2024 10am - 3pm

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Join the Oxbow Odyssey Mtn. Bike Ride LANGLADE -- The Oxbow Odyssey is a 25-mile gravel, forest two-track dirt and road ride using the Wolf River State Trail and forest roads in the Nicolet National Forest. This year’s ride is set for Saturday, July 20. Registration is at 9 a.m. with riders taking off at 10 a.m.

This noncompetitive ride begins and ends in Langlade at the Wolf River Roots off from Hwy. 64 in the Town of Wolf River.

It then travels west on State Hwy. 64 to a gravel pedestrian trail that heads north along scenic upper Wolf River. The route then exits the Wolf River State Trail in Hollister and goes east into a network of National Forest paved, gravel, and dirt roads. The ride loops back around south to the Wolf River Roots.

Food, beverages, a campfire and music will be available after the ride. For more information, call 715-623-4134. Proceeds will benefit mountain bike trail maintenance and construction in eastern Langlade County.

Northcentral Region

Can’t make this event? Or want more? Langlade County boasts many picturesque bike routes! For the more extreme bikers there is the Nicolet Roche Mountain Bike Trail in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Make a trip to this trail, you won’t be disappointed. It has everything that a rider would want in a trail: technical terrain and obstacles, climbing, and fast and flowing single track. All this placed in the beautiful Nicolet National Forest.

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What to do with guns when a person may be in crisis Secure storage of a firearm for a loved one is a critical way to get them safely through a crisis period and is proven to save lives.

info@livetodayputitaway.org

July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Northcentral Region

SECURE STORAGE OF FIREARMS -

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Impressive Historical Sites in Merrill

the central three-story lightwell. Terrazzo floors display an elaborate floral motif, and beamed ceilings, original light fixtures, and murals lend beauty to the courtroom,” according to the Society of Architectural Historians.

MERRILL – The Lincoln County Fair in Merrill is always a big draw in July, but carve out some time to view the city’s historic sites. Having lived there for a few years way back when, we have a couple of favorites. We’ll start with those.

Saved by the bell, or at least through the efforts of dedicated individuals who worked so hard to preserve the old City Hall from being torn down. It was renovated in the modern era into privately-owned lofts. Built in 1889, the structure is on the National Register. In addition to city office, it housed the T.B Scott Library from 1891 to 1911. Located on East Main Street.

Dominating the downtown landscape is the Lincoln County Courthouse. Fully restored and on the National Register of Historical Places, the Beaux-arts style structure was built in 1903.

Tours are available. The lobby is open during business hours. The copper spittoons that once sat at the feet of county commissioners are long gone, but you can still marvel at the “classical moldings (that) adorn the interior of the faceted dome, which towers over

The Merrill Post Office on East Second Street is a handsome edifice. Built in 1915, it’s the second oldest post office in Wisconsin, and it’s also on the National Register. The restored lobby is open during business hours. Put your stamp of approval on it with a visit.

The Center Avenue Historic District (300-600 blocks of E. 6th St.) features homes built between 1885 and 1930 by the city’s wealthiest people. Private homes, so these are all drive-by or walk-by viewing.

Also on the National Register is the interesting Three-Arch Stone Bridge on East First Street. It’s the last three-arch bridge in Wisconsin still open to public travel. Decorative stone cover each arch.

There are a few more historical sites in Merrill and nearby to check out, so visit the Merrill History & Cultural Center at 100 E. 3rd Street, or visit Merrillhistory.org for details and locations.

Rock Falls Go Karts • Riding Stable • Miniature Golf • Ice Cream

Northcentral Region

Dr. Kate Museum & State Historical Marker

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Learn the inspiring story of Dr. Kate, Angel on Snowshoes

923 Second Avenue, Woodruff, WI 715-356-6896 • Visit us on the web: drkatemuseum.org Monetary donations appreciated Mid-June through Labor Day: Open Monday – Friday 11am-3pm September Hours: Open Tuesday & Thursday 11am-2pm Group Tours by Appointment Affiliated with the State Historical Society of Wisconsin Across from the Lakeland Cinema on Highway 51 North Handicap Accessible

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Conveniently located just one mile off Hwy 51

10829 Hwy 70 East • Arbor Vitae, WI 54568 RockFallsRidingStable.com • 715-614-0157

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There’s so much to experience at Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo & Safari. Our lush 259 acres are home to over 2,000 animals from around the world. Take your zoo visit to the next level with animal feedings, tram ride, animal programs and other incredible experiences. There’s something for everyone!

Wildwood Wildlife Park is all about providing special experiences that last a lifetime with every visit no matter your age!

OFFERING EXTRAORDINARY ANIMAL EXPERIENCES

Northcentral Region

Hand Feeding: Goat, aoudad, and sheep - an experience for all ages. Stroll leisurely throughout the park, where the deer roam among you and have them eat right out of your hand. Experience magical moments with our goats and watch them frolic all over and even feed them their special treats!

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Giraffe Encounter: Get eye to eye with the tallest and most fascinating animals in the world during the giraffe feeding.

July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Parakeet Encounter: Surround yourself in the beauty of our Budgie Buddies aviary, and experience the excitement where you can handfeed budgies.

Tiger: Stop by and watch these magnificent cats as they folic around!

Penguin Cove- This immersive exhibit is home to a cozy colony of endangered African BlackFooted Penguins.

White-Handed Gibbon: Guests will watch these most agile animals on the planet, as they easily move hand over hand with their body suspended below, a movement called brachiation.

Flamingo: Our guests will often find our flamingos marching in their exhibit during the Flamingo Mingle! A memorable experience that will tickle you pink!

Siamang: A performance and sound that guests will never forget! You will have the opportunity to hear these silly monkeys as they fill up their air sack to call out- which can be heard over 2 miles away!

Koi and Trout Feeding: Buy trout pellets from the feed machines and toss into the pond and see the entire surface come alive with a frenzy of trout or koi. Guests can just sit and relax in this peaceful and tranquil area.

Primates & Reptile Center: Featuring North American, Desert and Rainforest habitats.

Learn about these creepy, crawly critters and come nose to nose to a lemur and hear them vocalize while the sloth’s siesta all day long.

UP CLOSE & PERSONAL!

MoDanaZu!

2nd L A R G E S T Z O O in W I S C O N S I N!

Amphitheater: Learn about your favorite animals during our Zoo Chats and meet our animal ambassadors.

William E. Gardner Educational Center: The educational center is full of amazing things to see and do. You will peer into the world of honeybees and witness honeybees performing their specialized duties to produce honey. Other activities include artifacts, microscopes, amphibians, snakes, lizards, arthropods, and insect displays.

COME SPEND THE DAY WITH US AND YOU WILL FIND A MILLION REASONS TO SMILE. WE CAN'T WAIT TO SHOW YOU AROUND.

An Unforgettable Family Adventure

You’ll find a MILLION REASONS to SMILE! • Mammals, Birds, Reptiles & Primates • Giraffe Feeding • Parakeet Feeding • Whitetail Deer Feeding • Goat-Sheep-Camel Feeding • Petting Area • Trout Feeding • Koi Feeding • Explore & Learn Programs • Penguin Cove • Small Mammal Building

PENGUINS & GIBBONS & SIAMANGS

• Safari TRAM Ride • Paddle Boat Ride • Safari Kiddie Train Ride • Dino Dig • Aviary-Flamingos • Educational Center • Living History Center • Hungry Bear Ice Cream & Sweet Shoppe • Jambo Food Stand • Wild Bananas Snack Stand

Open 7 days a week, May 1st - October 6, 2024

Safari Tram Ride

www.wildwoodwildlifepark.com

E-mail: nature@wildwoodwildlifepark.com 715-356-5588 / 10094 Hwy 70 W, Minocqua, WI

UpNorthAction.com | May2021 July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Northcentral NorthcentralRegion Region

Safari Tram Ride: Jump on the tram and enjoy a narrated journey winding through the sprawling woods. Spot Zebra grazing near a spring fed pond, watch Eland studding across an open field.

Search for the camouflaged Scimitar Horned Oryx concealed in the thickets or the Wildebeest sunning on the savannah.

Over 60 Years

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July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

LAKE TOMAHAWK – If you’re looking for something fun for out-of-town guests to attend, consider a trip to Lake Tomahawk to take in one of the “Snowshoe Baseball” games played Monday nights during the summer.

Players bat, pitch, run and field while wearing bearpaw style snowshoes. The game is played with a large 16-inch softball, no gloves and on a field heavily layered with wood chips. But make no mistake about it, players hit the softball just as hard as in the traditional game, throw just as fast and accurate, and run (and fall) just…well, let’s just say you’ll have to see it to believe it.

Play takes place at Snowshoe Park, located one block west of Highway 47. “Play ball” is heard at 7:30 p.m. with the July 4 game to again feature the visiting Chicago All-Star team. Arrive early as this game draws large crowds. The stands provide one of the finest viewing sites for the town’s fireworks, which follow the holiday contest. The season’s last game is Aug. 26.

Admission is free, but they do pass a butterfly net through the stands during the game. The proceeds help Snowshoe Baseball cover expenses, as well as donations to various community charitable projects.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m. the concession stand serves brats, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, soft drinks and coffee. You won’t be able to resist the vast array of homemade pies to top off your pre-game meal. Some nights there is upwards of 60 varieties!

A popcorn stand is available, which fits right in with the co-announcers singing their seventh inning rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

The snowshoe baseball zaniness started back in 1961 when the

July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Northcentral Region

Snowshoe Baseball is a Lake Tomahawk Hit

late Ray Sloan challenged other town baseball teams to leave their cleats in the dugout and put on snowshoes as an added tourism attraction during the summer. The league now includes the hometown Snow Hawks and several out-of-town teams.

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July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

North Woods Art Tour Returns with Many Stops MULTI-COUNTY – Maybe you didn’t get the memo. Or your search for the perfect art piece for home or office ran out of time last year. No worries: The 2024 North Woods Art Tour on July 26-28 will include the more than 40 artists and their galleries and studios as in previous years.

Northcentral Region

What’s doubly fun about this self-guided art tour is that it includes multiple sites throughout Oneida, Vilas, Iron and Lincoln counties.

Grab a few of your friends and drive through the scenic Northwoods to the region’s most accomplished artists, who will have opened their galleries and studios, including some private studios rarely open to the public. The tour is free and you can design your own tour experience, nor are reservations needed.

A robust array of art will be demonstrated, including paintings and drawings and works in clay, fiber, wood, gourds, glass, photography and designer jewelry in precious metals, and unique combinations of many media. Art pieces and works will be available for purchase at various stops.

For more information, go to northwoodsarttour.com where a tour brochure with map of sites can be downloaded. Brochures are also available at local chambers of commerce, area galleries and businesses. Mark the calendar for the fall art tour set for Oct. 11-13.

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2 miles North of Minocqua at Hwy 51 and 47 go East 1 block 1112 Highway 47 East, Woodruff, WI 54568 (715) 634-6923

or purchase your tickets at the gate the day of the show.

July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Lumberjacks Welcome Visitors to Woodruff

No matter how good a log roller is, he or she will end up in the water eventually. It’s a cold swim before those first few shows of the season.

WOODRUFF - Weeks before the official start of summer, Scheer’s Lumberjack Shows begins preparing for the upcoming season. 2024 will mark the 40th year that Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Shows have been entertaining area visitors on Woodland Lake in downtown Woodruff.

“When you are climbing that pole at record speed, the last thing you want on your mind is its stability,” says Cassidy Scheer, world champion pole climber.

The log dogs on which the lumberjacks stand and swing razor sharp axes in the event called the underhand chop are checked for structural safety. The specially turned cedar logs used for the logrolling and boom-run events are pulled out of storage and replaced if necessary.

The gear and equipment used by the lumberjacks are also checked for safety. Steel-toed boots, leather leg chaps, climbing belts and gaffs (the spikes on the side of a climber’s shoes) must be in tip-

In addition to the lumberjack gear, the show site is prepared for the throng of summer guests who arrive with the warm weather.

Bleachers, walkways and the handicap ramp are checked and the landscaping is refreshed.

How about all the logs the lumberjacks saw and chop? Over 20 tons of aspen logs are hauled to the site throughout the summer. Logs need to be uniform in diameter and stripped of bark – the same guidelines adhered to in the Lumberjack World Championships.

The season starts Memorial Day weekend and runs through Labor Day weekend. The Lumberjacks are eager to entertain and display the athleticism they’ve worked hard to keep tuned during the winter months.

With everything checked out, cleaned up, and the staff eager to get another season underway, there is one element of the shows that cannot be controlled. That is the temperature of the water in Woodland Lake or Lake Hayward. Plan your trip to Sheer’s Lumberjack Show! For more information about Sheer’s Lumberjack shows go to sheerslumberjackshow.com.

July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Northcentral Region

A spin-off of the famous Scheer’s Lumberjack Shows that began in Hayward, the Woodruff show features the same world-class athletes in a performance that is identical in entertaining value to the Hayward venue. Preparing the site for the summer performances involves maintenance to guarantee the safety of performers, as well as guests. The climbing poles that rise 60 to 90 feet into the air are inspected and the pads are secured in place.

top shape to protect the performers. They inspect and repair the special leather guards that are placed over a portion of saw blades to protect children as they cross-cut saw with the lumberjacks during the kids matinees.

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Come Join the FUN!

JULY LAKESIDE LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE July 4th: Scott Kirby July 5th: Carolyn Jo & Friends July 6th: Gareth Murphy July 7th: Bret & Frisk July 11th: Scott Kirby July 12th: Jim DiDomenico July 13th: Phyl Wickham July 14th: Santy & Son July 18th: Scott Kirby July 19th: Carolyn Jo & Friends

July 20th: Todd Donnelly & Sons Steel Drums ***Caribbean Night*** July 21st: The Brothers Burn Mountain July 25th: Scott Kirby July 26th: Kevin Vick July 27th: TBA July 28th: TBA

Please check our events page at www.eagleriverpirates.com or Facebook for performance times.

Northcentral Region

Eagle River, WI

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July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Northcentral Region

Open Memorial Day Weekend Through Labor Day July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

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River Adventures Begin at Hawk’s Nest Outfitters EAGLE RIVER – Make cherished memories this summer when you take the family to Hawk’s Nest Outfitters near Eagle River for a fun outing on the water.

Since 1973, this Northwoods watercraft outfitter offers a variety of outdoor equipment rentals, organized waterway routes and other resources for you to experience the serenity of paddling or drifting down the upper Wisconsin River and on nearby waters.

The upper Wisconsin carries you downstream at a safe and comfortable pace. Tubers and paddlers are often rewarded with sightings of eagles, loons, ospreys, and perhaps a doe and its fawn drinking at the river’s edge. Excellent fishing, especially for smallmouth bass, is found on the Wisconsin.

They provide comfortable Tube Pro river tubes. The single rider tube has a backrest, floor, cup holder, and two rider support handles. Their 17-foot canoes are Alumacraft QT-17C Quenico -- durable and great at handling.

Northcentral Region

They also carry top-of-the line models of kayaks, depending on your desire. There are Wilderness Systems Pungo 12’ sit-in kayaks, Perception Tribe 11.5’ sit-on-top kayaks, and Perception Outlaw fishing kayaks for all your fishing needs. Their Wilderness Systems Pungo and Perception Tribe tandem kayaks are perfect for those with young children or for two people who want to stick together.

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July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Hawk’s Nest accommodates single- and multiple-day rentals for singles, couples, families, as well as special events, whether it’s for a fundraiser, team building event, birthday party, corporate events or youth group. Among their available services are delivery and pickup.

Hawk’s Nest is open 7 days a week. For more information, call 715-479-7944, e-mail info@hawksnestoutfitters.com, or visit hawksnestoutfitters.com. Reservations are greatly appreciated, and you can make a reservation right from the website. Hawk’s Nest Outfitters is located at 6141 State Highway 70 West, Eagle River.

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of competition. A tractor parade follows the pull. The car show

runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. All your favorites, includPopular Tractor Pull, Expo ing muscle cars, rat rods and street rods will be displayed. and Car Show Coming to Phillips The fairgrounds both days will host displays of antique tractors,

PHILLIPS – The Price County Antique Association will host its 16th annual Antique & Tractor Expo & Car Show the weekend of July 20 & 21, with the two major events scheduled for separate days. Gates open at 9 a.m. each day with the event located at the Price County Fairgrounds one mile east of Phillips on Cty. Rd. H. Admission is a donation for a button.

Northcentral Region

The antique tractor pull with eliminator will power off at 1 p.m.

Saturday. The event pits 1965 and older tractors in various classes

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July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

trucks, automobiles, motorcycles, snowmobiles, machinery, engines and more. Visitors can also view two buildings full of antique machinery, tools and household items. There will be displays and demonstrations of a shingle mill, rope making, sawmill, firewood processor, and more.

On the grounds also will be vendors, food and beverages, including a bake sale (Saturday) and ice cream, along with children’s activities, karaoke, DJ music and raffles.

Bear Paw Pottery

Functional & decorative wheel-thrown & hand-built pottery with a Northwoods theme.

Stoneware, porcelain and raku pottery.

9020 County O St. Germain, WI 54558 (715) 892-2143

Northcentral Region July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

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Party with ‘Ride with Leinie’ CONVER – The Great Headwaters Trails organization invites everyone to the 13th annual “Ride with Leinie” fundraiser in Vilas County. The bicycle-focused event will take place Saturday, July 27 with all activities starting and ending at Conover Town Park, 4697 Park Circle, Conover.

The ride now attracts more than 300 riders each year.

Participants may choose from a 20.4-mile trail ride led

by Dick Leinenkugel on the C-P Trail from Conover to Phelps and back; a shorter 10.4-mile trail ride led by Dick’s daughter, Katie on the C-P Trail, and the 20-mile, 40-mile, and 62-mile road-ride routes.

The 62-mile ride, or Metric Century Ride, is new for 2024. Both the 40-mile and Metric Century Ride will take riders from Conover to Land O’ Lakes and Phelps, and back to Conover.

The after-ride party at Conover Town Park will feature a picnic style lunch, Leinenkugel Beer tasting, music, raffles, and an auction for unique items. Non-riders are invited to the luncheon (11:30 a.m. start) with ticket purchase.

Northcentral Region

Go to ghtrails.org to register and for more information.

Funds from the event will go toward the enhancement and development of eastern Vilas County bike trails.

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Northwest Region

Northwest Region

CALENDAR

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July 5-7 Gordon – Good Neighbor Days July 5-7 Bayfield – Red Cliff Pow Wow July 6 Shell Lake – Arts Festival Regatta July 6 Hayward – Cardboard Boat Races July 11-13 Spooner – Heart of the North Rodeo July 12-13 Turtle Lake – Inter-County Fair July 13 Sanborn – Sanborn Pioneer Days July 13 Barnes – Vatten Paddlar Canoe, Kayak & SUP Races July 13 Chetek – Brew & Rib Fest July 13-14 Centuria – Memory Days July 13-14 Cameron – Pioneer Heritage Days July 14 St. Croix Falls – Woolly Bike Race July 17-21 Rice Lake – Barron Co. Fair July 19-20 Ashland – Bay Days on Main Street July 19-20 Birchwood – Bluegill Festival July 19-21 Hayward – LCO Honor the Earth Pow Wow July 19-21 Luck – Lucky Days Festival July 19-21 St. Croix Falls – Wannigan Days-River Spirit Celebration July 20 Balsam Lake – Bassmaster’s Classic Fishing Tournament July 20 Ashland -- MudRutters Off-Road Bike Race July 24-28 Washburn – Brownstone Community Block Party July 25-28 Iron River, WI – Blueberry Festival July 25-28 St. Croix Falls – Polk Co. Fair July 27 Mellen -- Penokee Mountain Bike Road Race and Tour July 27 Washburn – North Coast Car Show July 27 Hayward – Quilt Guild Show July 27-28 Iron River – Vendor Fair July 27-28 Frederic – Indianhead Gem & Mineral Show July 28 Hayward –Youth Fishing Contest July 28-30 Cameron – Red Cedar Rendezvous July 30-Aug. 2 Superior – Head of the Lakes Fair July 31 – Aug. 3 Hayward – Lumberjack World Championships Aug. 1-4 Port Wing – Plein Air Painting Festival

Mtn. Bikers, Hikers Drawn to Flambeau Hills Trail

WINTER – The Flambeau Hills Trail in the Flambeau River State Forest offer visitors an opportunity to get out and stretch their legs and to enjoy the scenic beauty of the area.

signed for high-speed travel. They can become soft when wet and may erode. Use caution in areas of loose dirt, wet leaves and other loose material.

It’s the longest trail system in the Price County area and welcomes hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders in the warmer months and XC skiers in winter. Individuals 16 years of age or older who ride on state forest bike trails must obtain an annual or daily trail pass.

Backpacking is permitted. Overnight camping is free, but a permit is required. Permits can be obtained at the Flambeau River State Forest Headquarters. For more information call the office at 715332-5271. All motorized vehicles are prohibited. Dogs are allowed on the trail, but be sure to clean up after your dog.

Winding through a mixture of conifers and hardwoods, the 14mile trail crosses three bridges, provides occasional glimpses of the Flambeau River, and has a three-sided picnic shelter with a fire ring.

South Trailhead: The south trailhead parking lot is on County W, 0.6 miles east of the County W bridge over the Flambeau River.

The multi-use trail has varying degrees of difficulty, including being very hilly in sections. The trails are un-surfaced and not de-

July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

North Trailhead: The north trailhead parking lot is just off Highway 70 on Snuss Blvd, 1.3 miles east of the Highway 70 bridge over the Flambeau River.

Discover the Past at Frederic Museum Complex FREDERIC – Polk County has a number of museums with artifacts and displays that stir the imagination of what life was like 100 or more years ago in this northwest Wisconsin county. Among them is the Frederic Museum Complex in Frederic where the original 1901 Frederic Soo Line Depot is now a museum.

7 Lakes, are available at the Depot, which also serves as a rest stop for trail users. A self-registration box is located on the museum sign, so passes are available 24/7.

The depot/museum, 210 Oak Street West, is open to the public from Memorial Day weekend through leaf season in the fall.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekends and holidays. Admission is free, but donations help to fund the operation of the museum. Tour guides are on duty.

Also on the museum grounds is the Soo Line wide-vision caboose #137, an 1885 log cabin and Frederic’s original library. When the Soo Line abandoned rail service through Frederic in 1989, the village acquired the depot and entrusted its operation to the Frederic Area Historical Society. Since the museum opened in 1997, several additions to the depot have been made.

No man was better at crafting a log cabin with an axe than Syver Torkelson, an immigrant from Norway. Torkelson cut and shaped all of the logs for a new cabin for his son Edward. Decades later it was acquired by an individual who restored it and then donated it to the historical society.

Wisconsin state trail passes, required for bicycle riders 16 years of age and older on Polk County’s State Bike Trails, the Gandy Dancer and the Stower

Northwest Region July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

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Discover Midsummer Fun at Ashland Bay Days ASHLAND – Ashland will be brimming with fun contests, music and food during its 46th annual Ashland Bay Days festival Friday and Saturday, July 19-20. That Saturday will also see a mountain bike race sponsored by the MudRutters.

Join the crowds on Ashland’s Historical Main Street for both days of activities. Friday’s lineup includes sidewalk sales, food, crafters and the “Battle of the Bands.”

Northwest Region

The following day, Saturday, will include strongest man on the Bay, strongest Bam Bam on the Bay, toddler run, Big Wheel track, baby crawl, various foot races, cardboard-boat races, pie-eating contest, cornhole contest, SEA Hamsters, camel ride and petting zoo, car show, music, crafters and farmer’s market. For updates and details, visit ashlandbaydays.com.

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July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Mountain bike race A companion to Saturday’s event will be the MudRutters annual offroad mountain bike race. A favorite of past racers for its uniqueness and atmosphere, it uses the Farm Road Trails with a mix of single track, double track, gravel, and mixed terrain. Racers will set off at 10 a.m.

Three categories of races are available: The 7-mile Tender Mudder is for beginning riders and racers; the Tough Mudder at 13 miles is for experienced mountain bikers; and the Insane Mudder is a notoriously grueling 15-mile course.

The Farm Road Trails include new purpose-built terrain along with old school MTB trails for a blast from the past. For more information, go to bikereg.com/mudrutters-off-road-mtb-race. Swag, lunch, after party and awards ceremony will be held in the parking lot at roughly 12:30 p.m.

Northwest Region July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

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Logging Lore Comes Alive at Scheer’s Lumberjack Shows HAYWARD - Logging has been a vital part of Wisconsin’s history dating back into the late 1800s, and the life of the lumberjack remains a vivid element of Wisconsin folklore.

Before the days of rail roads and highways, loggers would often float their harvested logs down the rivers to the nearest sawmills. Lumberjacks would often have to go out on the floating mass of logs to clear jams that often occurred when floating wood down streams. Little did they know that their dangerous occupation would later become a demanding athletic pursuit.

Many of the Scheer kids’ family spent numerous summers balancing and rolling on the logs on Lake Hayward in the bay of Lumberjack Bowl…the home of the Lumberjack World Championships Competition. Their summer fun trained them to become fierce competitors in the logrolling event (birling) of the Lumberjack World Championships (LWC) held in Hayward every July. Eventually they expanded their activities and became skillful at the boom run and pole climbing, as well as other events that were part of the LWC. In 1981, Fred and Robert Scheer established the original Scheer’s Lumberjack Show and used their lumberjack skills to entertain area tourists.

More than a demonstration, the show features a competition between two lumberjack teams as they do 10 different events, including log rolling, pole climbing and crosscut saw. Cheering the teams on gets the crowd involved in the show and down-home humor has everybody chuckling.

Northwest Region

The original venue for the show in 1981 was a small dock on the shore of Lake Hayward, behind what was then Windmill Square. The show’s lumberjacks delighted small crowds and it soon became apparent the production needed more space. In 1985 the Scheer brothers opened a second Show in Woodruff, WI and in 1988 they moved their Hayward Show to Lumberjack Village. The Hayward Show is now in its 44th year of operation

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Fred is now the sole owner of Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Shows and the Lumberjack Village. Training young athletes to be lumberjacks is still a fulfilling role for Fred. Through the years many lumberjacks have come, performed and moved on to other careers. Numerous world champion logrollers, pole climbers and boom-runners had their start as apprentices in Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Show and the cast has always included world champion lumberjacks. A world champion log roller himself, Fred occasionally delights audiences by personally participating in a show.

“If you’re doing what you love, then nothing else matters....until you fall into either of the lakes during the pre-season. Then being good at water sports matters,” jokes Deven Blair, show manager.

For all the years Scheer’s Lumberjack Shows has been in Hayward and Woodruff, it continues to draw crowds. One might say that a visit to northern Wisconsin isn’t complete without seeing a Scheer’s Lumberjack Show.

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July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Northwest Region

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Davidson Windmill, Log House Open for Tours TOWN OF LAKESIDE – An authentic windmill in Wisconsin?

There’s one along Highway 13 in Douglas County and it’s open for tours. The unique and historic Davidson Windmill was built with local materials at the turn of the 20th Century by a Finnish immigrant.

The rumbling of the gears no longer echoes through the building, but the strength and vision of its builder can still be enjoyed by visitors who can capture its spirit in photographs.

The windmill is on the National Register of Historic Places. From 1904 to 1926 it milled locally grown grains for Old-Brule and Lakeside in the South Shore region for both livestock and human con-

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sumption. Its handmade gears are an engineering marvel. Jacob Davidson hand-hewed all the gears, shifts, building frame and shingles for a working windmill that he and his four sons built.

The grounds hold a number of historic buildings -- the Eskolin log house, Erkkila sauna, Blueberry depot and the last wooden queen-post truss bridge left in Wisconsin.

Members of the Old-Brule Heritage Society are caretakers of the landmark. Restoration work on it was mostly done by June 2024.

Grounds are open year-round to the public. Guided tours inside the windmill and the Eskolin dove-tailed log house are held annually on Midsummer in mid-June, the first Friday and weekend in October, (simultaneous with the Bayfield Apple Festival), and each third Saturday in the months of May through September, or by appointment.

The complex is located at 3196 S. River Road West in South Range, about 6 miles east of Hwy. 13 & Hwy. 2/53 junction. Visit oldbrule.org for more details or call 715-363-2453.

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Target Pike on the Big Chip HAYWARD – The Chippewa Flowage in Sawyer County offers anglers of all ages and skill levels days of fantastic fishing with a near pristine shoreline. For those anglers drawn to the Big Chip, the Chippewa Flowage Resort Association invites them to enter their northern pike tournament.

The on-going Pike Improvement Project (PIP) aims to reduce the northern pike population to make room for other species, especially muskies. The on-going project offers thousands of dollars in prizes and gift certificates, given away by random drawings, and also for the most pike legally harvested. The grand prize is $1,000 donated by Muskies Inc Hayward Chapter.

All pike are eligible but harvest of smaller ones (under 24”) is most beneficial, the association website says. Harvested pike can be registered at participating businesses. For rules, entry locations, pike cleaning videos and recipes go to chippewaflowage.com. Association members also have information on the PIP.

Northwest Region July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

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U.P. Michigan Region

CALENDAR

July 1-Aug. 24 Ironwood – Emberlight Festival of the Arts July 3 Wakefield – Sunday Lake Fireworks and Picnic July 6 Marenisco – Music Festival Crystal Falls – Bass Festival Chassell – Copper Country Strawberry Festival July 12-13 Iron River – U.P. Championship Rodeo July 17-20 Ironwood – Festival Ironwood July 19-20 Aura – Aura Jamboree July 26-27 Ontonagon – CopperFest Heritage Festival July 26-28 Ontonagon – Ontonagon County Fair July 26-28 Iron River – UP Firefighters Tournament July 26-28 Wakefield – Gus Macker Basketball Tournament Aug. 2-4 Pelkie – Baraga County Fair

U.P. Michigan Region

There’s Lots of Flat Out Fun Paddling in Baraga County

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While in Baraga County you’re never far from water, from peaceful flat water to exciting whitewater. Recreationists wanting to float their canoe, kayak or SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) are invited to dip their paddle on any of the inland lakes, rivers or the big water of Lake Superior. For the ultimate in adrenaline rush, try rafting or kayaking on the whitewater expanses of rivers.

Explore miles of pristine shoreline in the protected waters of Huron Bay with free access at the Silver River boat launch on Skanee Road just north of Town Line Road, or at the Arvon Township Park, or at the boat launch area southeast of Skanee on Park Road. There’s plenty of free parking.

Other options: Put in for free at the L’Anse Waterfront Park, the beach at the head of Keweenaw Bay along U.S. Hwy. 41 between L’Anse & Baraga, First Sand Beach south of Pequaming on Pequaming Road, and Second Sand Beach between Pequaming and Aura on Aura Road. Plenty of free parking there also.

Keweenaw Water Trail follows the shoreline and circles the northern most tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula as it juts into the waters of Lake Superior. Visit their website for more information and maps.

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For kayaking and rafting whitewater experiences try these: Falls River (Mead Rd. to Lake Superior) 2.0 miles – Class III – IV Perch River (Hwy. 28 to Sturgeon River) 6.8 miles – Class II (III) Ravine River (Silver Rd. to Skanee Rd.) 6.6 miles – Class II & III Rock River (Worm Lake outlet to Sturgeon River) 5 miles – Class II & III+ Silver River (Silver Rd. to Arvon Rd.) 2.3 miles – Class III – IV Silver River (Arvon Rd. to Silver River Park) 4.2 miles – Class III – IV (V) Slate River (Quarry to Quartzite Falls) 2.5 miles – Class III – IV Sturgeon River (U.S. Hwy. 41 to Upper Falls) 1.3 miles – Class IV – V View the USGS river level gauge on the Silver River at the following website: waterdata.usgs.gov/mi/nwis/uv/?site_ no=04043150&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060.

U.P. Michigan Region July 2024 May 2024||UpNorthAction.com UpNorthAction.com

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Lake Gogebic Fishing Contests Underway LAKE GOGEBIC -- The Lake Gogebic Area Chamber of Commerce invites anglers to cast for a tagged fish on the U.P.’s largest inland lake, Lake Gogebic. In its final year, the contest runs currently through Sept. 7. There are 2 - $1,000 tagged walleyes, 13 - $500 tagged walleyes and 29 - $250 tagged walleye, perch, smallmouth bass and northern pike just waiting to take a bite of some lucky fisherman’s bait!

Also currently open, the monthly fishing contest accepts entries through Sept. 7. Each month anglers can win a $30 chamber gift certificate for the largest walleye, perch, smallmouth or northern pike registered (alive) at one of the participating businesses on the lake. Be sure to register it, even if it isn’t a whopper as you never know. Participants must purchase a $10 fishing button at a chamber business located around the lake area.

The Lake Gogebic’s sponsored Fall Walleye Tournament will be Sept. 6 & 7. First place prize is $1,000. Second place prize is $500 and third place prize is $250. Additional prizes will be awarded 4th through 10th place. Registration and rules can be found on the chamber website: lakegogebicarea.com.

U.P. Michigan Region

Lake Gogebic’s 13,380 acres of prime fishing water teem with walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, jumbo perch and whitefish, providing both catches for the novice and challenges for the veteran angler.

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July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

A chamber spokesperson said the fishing contests are a way of thanking visitors for coming to Lake Gogebic to enjoy fishing and relaxing on the beautiful lake. It also gives its fishing committee an idea how the lake fishery is doing. It also brings the anglers into local businesses to get their fish registered and do a little “bragging” about the big one that got away!

Don’t Miss Festival Ironwood IRONWOOD -- Festival Ironwood is a community-wide summer celebration for the family, where each day has its own special blend of live music, food and family activities. The 2024 event will run from Wednesday, July 17 through Saturday, July 20. Admission is free.

Located in downtown Ironwood’s Historic Depot Park, Festival Ironwood also links up with the Emberlight Festival of the Arts, through the outdoor display of country “Flags of Emberlight” and the Emberlight photography exhibits inside the Depot. (See related story.)

Traditional to home-town summer extravaganzas, Festival Ironwood offers a wealth of skill games for folks to join in, including volleyball tournaments (youth and adult), cornhole tournament (competitive and social divisions), outdoor pool tournaments, and foot races and walks for all ages.

U.P. Michigan Region

Food is high on the list of attractions also, with beer and bratwursts on Wednesday, a Yooper-style wood-fire grilled chicken feed on Thursday, and a traditional fish fry on Friday

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night. Three organizations also operate day-long food stands under the Big Top as well, together with the ever-popular beer truck. There will be plenty of seating for good conversations and to listen to the music from the Big Top stage.

Youngsters will enjoy Friday’s “Kids Day.” The HOPE Animal Shelter will have a display, the youth volleyball tournament will get underway, and lots of other kid stuff, including live trout pond fishing, “World’s Largest Duck Pick,” Fun E Business face painting, and a watermelon eating contest. There will also be live music under the Big Top. Saturday, July 20 will bring the Festival Ironwood fun to a climax with two major events: The Old Depot Classic Car & Vehicle Show (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and the Depot Park craft and vendor show (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) -- the latter with over 80 booths with hand-made craft items. On the Big Top stage Saturday will be the Gogebic Range Concert Band, the BAH Dance Studio, Marty’s Goldenaires Drum & Bugle Corps, and at night, great music from The White House Players.

Check out the full hourly schedule of events at the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce’s website: ironwoodchamber.org/festival-ironwood.

Get Ready to Hoop it Up in Wakefield

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just love shooting hoops with friends, this event is for you. The Gus Macker Wakefield edition offers halftime competitions, interactive zones, and local treats as you soak in the festive atmosphere. Spectators are welcomed too.

WAKEFIELD -- Calling all ballers and basketball enthusiasts.

Wakefield is gearing up for the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament on July 27-28 at beautiful Sunday Lake. This is the 50th anniversary of the tournament that originated in Lowell, MI with 18 friends and a winning purse of $18.

Gather your squad, lace up those sneakers, and prepare to showcase your skills. With divisions for all ages and skill levels, there’s a spot for everyone to compete and shine. Visit the website, wakefieldmacker.com to register your team. Registration deadline is July 8.

Embrace the World-Class Talent at Emberlight Festival of the Arts

the musical and dramatic threads that link all music performances, regardless of genre. These three unique opportunities will get you behind the performance curtain to experience the full range of artistic preparation and performance excitement. Tickets are available at emberlight.org.

IRONWOOD & HURLEY -- This July and August Ironwood’s Emberlight Festival of the Arts returns with another celebration of art, music and creativity. Entitled “Torch Songs & Rhapsodies,” the 2024 season features more than 100 local, regional and international artists presenting a dazzling array of music, film, theater and visual art, all set amidst the beautiful natural surroundings and historic performance spaces of Ironwood and Hurley.

Opening on June 29, at the Miners Memorial Heritage Park in Ironwood, will be an Emberlight special performance infusion by the Bizhiki Company of Anishinaabe performers presenting traditional Ojibwe singing, dancing, and storytelling to those gathered at the park, inaugurating the Grand Opening of the 2024 “Art in the Park” exhibits.

New this year at Emberlight are three musical “behind the scenes” performances featuring Miles Mykkanen, Metropolitan Opera star (and Bessemer native!) July 9, 10 and 11. Opera & Showbiz, Making the Music, & All About Artistry will present

July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Other popular Emberlight Festival elements will return this year, including the Emberlight Photographers exhibits at the Historic Ironwood Depot, performance infusions at the Miners Memorial Heritage Park, and the Emberlight International Film Festival (Aug. 16, 18, 21, 23).

Complementing these returning events are two special chamber music concerts, “Broadway & Dvorak” and “On Wenlock Edge,” the latter featuring the song cycle for tenor, piano, and string quartet by the celebrated English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, which sets six poems from A.E. Housman’s collection, “A Shropshire Lad.” Another new Emberlight Festival highlight this year will be “The Ember Club,” which will run from Aug. 15-23 at Ironwood’s Theatre North. Much of the traditional theater seating will be removed and replaced with cabaret tables, giving a whole new definition to the best seats in the house! Get your tickets now and enjoy the Best of Broadway live on stage in the U.P.

June 26 -July 4 - Bessemer: 4th of July Blast July 1 – Ironwood: Emberlight Arts Festival Begins July 2 – Ramsay: 4th of July Fireworks & Dance July 3 – Wakefield: Sunday Lake Fireworks July 6 – Marenisco: Music Festival July 6-7 – Crystal Falls: 59th Annual Bass Festival July 12-13 – Iron River: U.P. Rodeo July 17-20 – Ironwood: Festival Ironwood July 27 – Wakefield: Gus Macker Basketball Tournament

150 N Lowell St. Ironwood, Michigan 49938 1-906-932-1122 chamber@ironwoodchamber.org ironwoodchamber.org facebook.com/IronwoodChamber/

Lake Gogebic Chamber of Commerce

Wakefield Chamber of Commerce

PO Box 114 Bergland, Michigan 49910 1-888-464-3242 info@lakegogebicarea.com lakegogebicarea.com facebook.com/lakegogebicarea

M-28 at US-2 Wakefield, Michigan 49968 PO Box 93 1-906-224-2222 chamber@wakefieldmi.org wakefieldmi.org

Travel Ironwood

U.P. Michigan Region

Photo: Justin Soffa

Ironwood Chamber of Commerce

213 Marquette St. Ironwood, Michigan 49938 1-906-932-5050 info@travelironwood.com travelironwood.com

July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

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Pentoga Park – One of Iron County’s Finest CRYSTAL FALLS – Iron County’s popular Pentoga Park is located between Gaastra and Alpha on County Road 424. The park has a large grassy area, updated playground equipment, beach, beach house and campground. There is a daily/season admission fee.

The 1,100-acre Chicaugon Lake is unusually deep (115 feet at its deepest). It becomes an active playground for boaters, water skiers and swimmers in the warmer months. Fishermen will find bass, muskellunge, lake trout and walleyes throughout the year.

There is a paved boat launch.

U.P. Michigan Region

In the 1880s, the park was the site of a large Ojibwa village on the southeastern shore of Gaa-namegosikaag, today known as

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Chicagon Lake. An old Indian trail leads to the Brule River three miles away. Small wooden structures -- known as “spirit houses” -- protect the historical Indian burial sites in the park. Iron County purchased land for the park in 1924 and has preserved and protected the Native American burial grounds since then.

The 135 scenic campsites offer water and 30-amp electrical hookups, two bathroom/shower facilities, a sanitary dump station and lots of shade. Cook stoves are available, but bring your own charcoal. Supplies for shuffle board, horseshoes and volleyball, in addition to firewood, are available at the entrance booth. The park store is open daily and the concession stand at the beach area is open during good weather.

Directions: Take Country Road 424 off either U.S. 2 (go west) or M189 (go east), or by taking Pentoga Trail south off U.S. 2 west of Crystal Falls. For more information and campsite reservations call 906-265-3979 or visit ironmi.com.

Find a Treasure Trove of History at Iron County Historical Museum CASPIAN – The Iron County Historical Museum and its extensive grounds contain a wealth of information and artifacts from the past sure to enthrall all members of the family. Exhibits of the “pioneer village” reflect the multi-ethnic groups who settled in Iron County to work in the major industries of iron mining and logging.

On the National Register of Historical Places, the historical museum complex has 26 buildings, more than 100 exhibits and two special art galleries -- the Lee LeBlanc Wildlife Art Gallery and the Giovanelli Italianate Art Gallery. The museum complex also has a Cultural Center and Research Center.

Exhibits include the world’s largest miniature logging display (hand-carved to scale and 85 feet long!), unusual glass dioramas of underground mining, and Native American artifacts.

July 2024 | UpNorthAction.com

Other buildings include the Toti Tavern, the Carrie Jacobs Bond House, St. Mary’s Church, the Brandon Giovanelli House, the Stager Railroad Depot, and others. The Log Cabin Homestead area consists of six log buildings (circa 1890-1900), which reflect pioneer life.

The museum hosts various programs throughout the year, including a midsummer celebration, Log Cabin Day and the Christmas Tree Galleria. They also host frequent quilt, craft and art shows, as well as concerts, plays and festivals.

From the U.S. 2 stoplight in Iron River, go south on M-189, east on County Road 424, left on Museum Road. To learn more, visit ironcountyhistoricalmuseum.org. Opened mid-May through October, and on special occasions.

Up North Good For Your Soul

We can’t wait to see you Up North, where the lakes, woods, trails, recreation and fun will be waiting for you!

U.P. Michigan Region

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