NORTHEAST REGION

Calendar

Aug. 5 Bonduel – Corn Roast Aug. 5-6 Bowler – Bowler Bash Aug. 6 Lakewood – Arts & Crafts Show Aug. 7 Aurora – Mud Runs Aug. 6-8 Keshena – Menominee Nation Contest Pow Wow Aug. 12-14 Shawano – Folk Music Festival Aug. 13 Oconto – Family Fun Day Aug. 13-21 Gillett– Oconto Co. Fair Aug. 19 Shawano – Smally Beach Bash Aug. 20 Mountain – Hidden Bear Trail ATV/UTV Fun Day Aug. 20 Shawano – Shawano Airport Fly-In & Car Show Aug. 26-28 Ashwaubenon – Artstreet Aug. 26-28 Florence – Florence Co. Fair Sept. 2 Doty – Pig Roast Sept. 2-3 Crandon – World Championship Off-Road Races Sept. 2-5 Suring – Labor Day Celebration Sept. 3 Townsend – Corn Roast & ATV/UTV Parade Sept. 3 Riverview – Corn Roast Sept. 4 Lakewood – Firefighter’s Annual Picnic Sept. 10 White Lake – Wolfman Triathlon Sept. 17 Lakewood – Festi-Fall Sept. 17 Oconto – Fly-In & Car Show Sept. 17 Bonduel – Founder’s Day Sept. 24 Crandon – Art in the Square Sept. 24 Lakewood – Toys for Joy Ride Sept. 24 Oconto – Harvest Fest Sept. 24 Oconto Falls – Run for the Trails Sept. 24-25 Crandon – Big Woods 200 Dual Sport Sept. 29 Oconto – World Walleye Championships Relish ‘Artstreet’

Art, Music and Food Festival Sets Down at New Location

ASHWAUBENON – Artstreet is moving to Ashwaubomay Park in Ashwaubenon this year from its former home in downtown Green Bay. Mosaic Arts, the nonprofit organization behind the annual art, music and food festival, says the possibilities for growth at its new location is exciting.

In one extended weekend, Aug. 26-28, you can stroll the festival grounds to view, purchase and hear original works of art. Watch master sand sculptors transform over 20 tons of sand into incredible sculptures, savor an array of specialty foods, and enjoy local wines and micro brews. Families and children can revel in hands on art projects, face painting and more.

Continuous entertainment, featured on the music stage and community stage, will showcase a blend of jazz, blues, classical, rock, and country tunes, along with theater, comedy, and dance presentations. Visitors will also encounter street performers throughout the event.

Spend the day or the entire weekend as each day offers something new. Exhibited for sale will be original works and limited copies, representing various media forms, by established fine artists. Artist listings, with sample artwork, can be found on the website along with all the event details, including a limited number of discounted room rates. Visit mosaicartsinc.org.

Ashwaubomay Park is conveniently located between the National Railroad Museum and the Brown County Fairgrounds at 2881 S Broadway, Green Bay. On-site parking will be available and there will be free shuttles running from the fairgrounds (parking there is also free) to Artstreet.

LAKEWOOD & OCONTO – The beginning of colorama (mid-September) in the Northwoods brings thousands of visitors to Oconto County for two special celebrations and to enjoy the beauty of trees glimmering with red, yellow and orange leaves.

Festi Fall

Lakewood will usher in autumn during its Festi Fall, an outdoor celebration of food, live music and artisans on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Lakewood Area Enchanting Shops is hosting the event.

Festi Fall features more than 30 vendors displaying a wide array of handcrafted merchandise including, jewelry, rugs, jams, paintings, photos, ceramics, and wood carvings. Some will be demonstrating their work. The enchanting boutiques and shops in Lakewood also will also participate in Festi Fall, opening their doors to festival shoppers.

During your stroll, sample local and global wines and enjoy the open-air musical performances. Food stands will be serving a variety of food and refreshments. Public parking will be available.

Harvest Fest

Oconto’s downtown will spring to life for Harvest Fest, the city’s annual autumn celebration taking place on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. On the long-anticipated day of Harvest Fest, Oconto closes Main Street to vehicles from Huron Avenue to Millidge Avenue, as it opens the street to vendors and foot traffic.

Harvest Fest, sponsored by the Oconto Area Chamber of Commerce, features a variety of arts and crafts, seasonal produce and other merchandise. The Main Street shops host sidewalk sales and Harvest Fest specials. Plus, there are kids’ activities, food, refreshments and live music.

Put on your flannel, pack up the kids, and head to Harvest Fest where you’re sure to find pumpkins for carving, hearty vegetables for simmering, and fun for all ages.

Enjoy Gibson Island’s Easy Walking Trails

CLINTONVILLE – Easy trail walking for the legs and a pretty sight for the eyes await those venturing on Gibson Island near Clintonville. Formerly private, the 25-acre island is now public and accessible by all via a 270-foot-long boardwalk.

The undeveloped island sits between Grass and Pine lakes off Hwy. Y, about halfway between Clintonville and Shawano. The town of Belle Plaine-owned island offers great views of Cloverleaf Lake.

There is an information kiosk and a walking trail through the woods, over the boardwalk and an isthmus, and then onto the island. The island has several trails totaling more than a mile through pristine woods. The only challenge for hikers is a slight incline.

Access is free and the island is open year-round during daylight hours. But there’s no camping, fires, picnics, alcohol, smoking, pets, horses or motorized vehicles allowed. The other cautionary note is access may be limited during the time eagles are raising their young on the island.

Directions: From Shawano, south on Hwy. 22 about five miles, left on Hwy. Y for a mile, then turn left (east) on Cloverleaf Lake Road. There is a small parking lot about a mile east on Cloverleaf.

FLORENCE – Florence County’s outdoor recreation offerings include the popular inner-tubing on the Pine River oxbow, as well as on the Brule River.

The popularity of the “The Oxbow” is due to its near circular nature in which the river literally brings you almost back to your point of origin, thus enabling the group to forgo a vehicle at the exit point. The take-out is only a quarter mile from your put-in point so no shuttle is needed. The float takes 2-3 hours, depending on the water level. The scenic Pine River is designated a “wild river” with very little development along its banks. There are no real rapids on this float.

When tubing the Brule River, you can put in at the Brule Dam Road and take out at Woods Road. For a shorter trip, put in or take out on Camels Clearing Road.

Nature’s Water Park offers tube rentals at the Oxbow, shuttle service and guided paddle trips. Call 941-536-8090 for reservations. Maps are available at the Wild Rivers Interpretive Center.