To Enjoy List: Motorcycle Rides, Festivals & So Much More!

The Northwoods of Wisconsin and the U.P. of Michigan is awash in dozens of challenging athletic activities and fun celebrations during the next two months. We can’t think of a time when running and bicycling contests were so numerous as in 2022. Take that COVID-19! Check our calendars inside this issue for events/dates. Learn more about the following events, and others, inside this issue of Up North Action.

The fun is back and in a big way. The Northwoods Fall Ride on Sept. 15-18 will welcome thousands of motorcycle riders to Tomahawk and area communities. Tomahawk-based events range from the chamber’s bonfire & brat fry, to the always-popular Thunder Parade and downtown street dances, indoor bike show, and live music. Also, taverns and entertainment venues for miles around will also offer live music and specials on the menu.

Mark your calendar to make a road trip to Crystal Falls in the U.P. for that community’s Humongous Fungus Fest on Aug. 12-14. It’s in tribute to the local Armillaria bulbosa, also known as the honey mushroom, that covers 37 subterranean acres. Scheduled is a kids carnival, along with a parade, car show, mushroom-themed food, mushroom foray, softball tournaments, and more.

Over in Ashwaubenon (near Green Bay), during Artstreet you can watch master sand sculptors transform over 20 tons of sand into incredible sculptures during this art, music and food festival. It’s a full weekend, Aug. 26-28, of fine art, great music and delicious food.

Speaking of sand, check out the beach at Torpy Park in Minocqua on Saturday, Aug. 20. There, the Minocqua Dragon Boat Festival will see teams of paddlers and a drummer getting ready for dragon boat races on Lake Minocqua. No fire breathing creatures, but each team is hoping to smoke the competition – or just have a whale of a good time. You spectators (admission is free!) will have fun cheering on the racers and enjoying the live music, food & beer garden and fun activities for young “dragonlings.”

Keep Minocqua in mind, because the downtown becomes a giant food court for the annual Beef-A-Rama on Saturday, Sept. 24. It’s one-of-a-kind event, with people dressed in cow-themed costumes, or at a minimum, sporting black and white cow hats. There’s a Rump Roast Run, craft show, kids activities, live music and, of course, mouth-watering beef sandwiches for sale. We can’t wait!

That’s our cue to mooo-ve up north to Ironwood, for one of the U.P.’s favorite events, the Gogebic County Fair, with fair dates being Aug. 11-14. The admission price is all-inclusive and gets you in for the carnival rides, grandstand shows and concerts at no extra charges. Food and games of chance/skill – well, pack a bit of extra money for those, especially if you have young kids.

We can’t help it… (steers and bulls are involved): it’s time to again mooo’ve on, this time to Rice Lake, where the Barron County Pro Rodeo Event comes to town on Sept. 8-10. The first night features lightning-fast barrel racing in WPRA-style action. The next two days will see thrilling PRCA action with bronco and bull riding, along with steer wrestling and calf roping. Round up the little cowpokes and enjoy some great family entertainment.

Traveling north of Rice Lake, you’ll also be welcomed at Hayward and Cable, both of which have fall festivals. The annual Cable Area Fall Fest on Sept. 23-24 includes live music, a car/motorcycle/truck show, arts and crafts vendors, and food vendors, as well as Friday’s fish fry and Saturday’s pumpkin pecan pancake breakfast. Yummy! Save some room and time for the Hayward Fall Festival, also on Saturday, Sept 24. It’s an annual tradition that celebrates the changing of the seasons with fine art & craft booths, sidewalk sales, wonderful food vendors, a brat, beer and wine tent, kids activities, and live music in downtown Hayward.