NORTHCENTRAL REGION

Calendar

NORTHCENTRAL REGION

July 3 St. Germain – Freedom 5K Fun Run July 3 Tomahawk – Arts & Crafts Fair July 3 Park Falls – Dairy Breakfast July 4 Land O’ Lakes – Lando Center 3Bear 5K Run July 6 Park Falls – Evergreen 5K Road Run July 7-10 Rhinelander – Hodag Country Music Festival July 8-10 Lac du Flambeau – Bear River Pow Wow July 9 Eagle River – Burger Bash July 15-17 Manitowish Waters – Manito Art League Art Show July 16 Eagle River – Artarama, Quilters Show July 16 Mercer – Mercer Backyard BBQ Cook-Off July 16 Phelps – Fireman’s Picnic & Pig Roast July 19 Boulder Junction – Sidewalk Sales Day July 19 Boulder Junction – Strawberry Social July 21 Boulder Junction – Northwoods Hamburger Social Fly-In July 22-23 Land O’ Lakes – WWII D-Day Airplane Tours July 22-24 Phelps – Slo-Pitch Softball Tournament July 22-24 Area wide – Northwoods Summer Art Tour July 22-24 Merrill – Fastpitch Softball Tournament July 23 Land O’ Lakes – Airport Day July 23-24 Gleason – Burgr95 & Fork Horners 47 Gravel Bike July 28-31 Manitowish Waters – Bluegrass Music Festival July 28-31 Rhinelander – Oneida Co. Fair July 28-31 Antigo – Langlade Co Fair July 30 St. Germain – Northwoods Blues Fest July 30 Conover – Ride with Leinie July 30 Merrill – Black Squirrel Scurry & Lobster Fest July 30 Wausau – Hmong Sports, Music and Arts Festival July 30-Aug. 13 Hurley – Iron Co. Heritage Days

Mercer Area is a Natural for Fishing Adventures

MERCER – Iron County boasts nearly 200 lakes, streams and rivers that will bring big smiles on the faces of anglers anxious to enjoy the great outdoors in one of the prettiest parts of the Northwoods.

Whether your trip Up North consists of a solo adventure, or with fishing buddies or family, summer is a perfect time to explore these exceptional bodies of water and make fond memories for a lifetime. Each water body is unique and offers excellent opportunities to bring the makings of a fish fry back to the cabin or a trophy fish to be mounted.

You can find plenty of fresh bait and a variety of tackle, along with helpful advice from the folks who fish for a living in the greater Mercer area. Hook up with a guide or explore on your own. Here’s a sampling of area lakes to wet your line: • San Domingo Lake – Located in the east central portion of the Mercer area, just off Hwy. 51 with a private landing. Just 39 acres, but 20 feet deep with northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish. • French Lake – Located in the Springstead area, just north of

Hwy. 182, 92 acres and 16 feet deep. Musky, walleye, bass and panfish. • Little Martha Lake – No public landing, so you will need to be a lodging guest on this private access lake located in the northcentral area of Mercer. Musky, northern, largemouth bass and panfish are abundant. • Pike Lake – Located in the central portion of Mercer with a private landing available. At 194 acres and some 80 feet deep, it hosts musky, walleye, northern, bass and panfish.

• Grand Portage Lake – Also known as Tank Lake, the 144acre lake is located in central Mercer with a public boat landing.

Roaming the lake are walleye, musky, northern, bass and panfish. • Weber Lake – Another small lake at 35 acres, it receives little fishing pressure so the action is great for walleye, bass, crappie and panfish. Located in the west central area of Mercer. • Spider Lake – Located in the north central portion of the

Mercer area, just east of Hwy. H, access is by a public boat landing. Score big with musky, northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass and panfish. • Fisher Lake – One of three lakes of the Turtle River Chain of

Lakes, 42 acres and 25 feet deep. Musky, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass and panfish. Located in the east central portion of Mercer area, east of Hwy. H. • Lake of the Falls – Located in the western portion of the

Mercer area, just north of Hwy. FF. At 338 acres and 23 feet deep, it has plenty of room for northern pike, walleye, musky, smallmouth bass and panfish to roam. • Boot Lake – Located in the Springstead area north of Hwy. 182, with a public boat landing, 180 acres and 16 feet deep.

Musky, northern pike, walleye, bass and panfish. • Turtle-Flambeau Flowage – Located in the southern portion of the Mercer area, north of Hwy. 182 and off Hwy. FF with access from three boat landings. At a massive 19,000 acres and a maximum depth of 50 feet, it offers anglers and wildlife watchers a near “Canadian” wilderness experience close to home.

Musky, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye and panfish.

Park Falls to Host Annual Flambeau Rama

PARK FALLS – Before you know it, July will be gone and it will be time for the 69th annual Flambeau Rama in Park Falls. The 2022 dates are Friday-Sunday, Aug. 5-7.

Mark your calendar to attend this multi-faceted festival, which features free live music. Taking the stage at the main tent in the evening will be Divided Highway on Friday, Twisted Whisker on Saturday, and Robby Vee on Sunday. Other musical entertainment takes place during the day.

Each day there is a large food court with all your favorite festival-style foods, in addition to the beer tent.

You can watch the softball tournament on Friday and Saturday. The always entertaining lumberjack shows will take place both Saturday and Sunday at Hines Park. The 5K Evergreen Road Run/Walk welcomes participants on Saturday morning. The classic car show will also be Saturday and locatd on the high school grounds.

Shop the bargains Saturday at the sidewalk sales. Fun contests will include a youth rod casting contest with St. Croix Rods, chalk drawing, minnow races, frog jumping contest, sawdust dig and kiddie car races. The parade will be Sunday at noon. For a complete schedule of events, go to parkfalls.com. Northcentral Region

Experience the Northwoods at Iron Co. Heritage Days Festival

HURLEY – Mark your calendar for a trip to Hurley later this summer when they and other local communities will celebrate the Iron County Heritage Days Festival. The 2022 dates are July 30 to Aug. 13. For all the updates on the events, visit HurleyWi.com.

The Hurley Chamber of Commerce and other groups are working together to make this a memorable event for all. You might want to schedule a weekend visit, or even longer, or make a return trip, to take in as much of the fun activities as possible.

The Heritage Festival will let you experience Iron County’s past through a self-guided tour at the Iron County Historical Museum and Little Finland. Or take a drive through the area’s attractions and see historic log structures, a B47 Memorial and more. Here’s a sampling of what awaits visitors (all in Hurley unless otherwise noted) for the 2022 celebration. Remember, there’s more to experience! • Friday, July 29 – Hurley Quarterback Club Golf Tournament • Saturday, July 30 – Heritage Days Parade, 2 p.m.; Hurley

K-12 open house, 8-10 a.m.; Hurley Education Foundation

Distinguished Alumni & Friends Induction Ceremony, 10 a.m.; Hurley Quarterback Club Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony noon.; all class reunion, 4-9 p.m. • Sunday, July 31 – St. Mary’s Church Bazaar, 11 a.m. • Tuesday, Aug. 2 – Loon Festival dance, 7-11 p.m., Mercer • Wednesday, Aug. 3 – Loon Day Arts and Crafts Fair, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mercer • Aug. 4-7 – Iron County Fair, Saxon Fairgrounds, Saxon. • Saturday, Aug. 13 – Paavo Nurmi Marathon & Bike the Paavo, 6:45 a.m.

B & B Adventures is Your First Stop to Explore the North

MERCER – Take in the beauty of the Northwoods by renting a UTV (side-by-side or SxS) from family-owned B & B Adventures in Mercer. Their Polaris off-road Generals are easy to drive and comfortable with either two-seat or four-seat options available.

There’s no better way to take in the sights and attractions that line the hundreds of miles of off-road trails available in northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula than in an SxS. Go at your own pace past lakes and rivers, with stops at waterfalls and other attractions to eat lunch, or skip meal prep and stop at a restaurant or roadhouse.

Owners Ben and Haley Blankenhagen say it’s all about connecting families with a lifetime of adventure. The trails will take you to those awesome waterfalls such as those found in the Black River Harbor (45 miles away), to the shore of Lake Superior, and to interesting manmade structures such as Copper Peak’s massive ski flying structure.

Celebrate a special occasion with a rental for family and friends. Possibilities include bachelor and bachelorette parties, birthday parties, first (and second) dates, team building, winning a season championship, and much more! All ages will enjoy the fun of being on the trails. For more information or to make a reservation, call 715-476-2137 or visit bbadventuresofmercer.com.

Their 2022 Polaris Generals XP 1000s come equipped with music and Ride Commend GPS units. They do have paper maps if requested. As part of the rental fee, each vehicle has Wisconsin and Michigan trail passes. Helmets and goggles are provided complimentary.

For safety, children must be able to sit with backs against the seat and feet flat on the floor. If the child is at least 46 inches tall, they should be able to ride. If your place of stay is on or near a public trail, they will deliver the SxS for a fee and 24-hours prior notification. Otherwise, B & B Adventures is located on a public trail.

For first-timers, the staff goes over the operation of each machine, providing safety tips and recommendations on routes.

You can rent the SxS for a half day, full day, or multiple days. As appreciation for their service, there is a 10% discount on the rental to currently active or inactive servicemen and women, medical professionals (nurses, doctors, etc.) and first responders. Just show your card/badge.

Books are open for 2022 rentals!

B & B Adventures, located in Mercer, WI, offers two and four-seater side by sides to rent.

bbadventuresofmercer.com

715-476-2137

We offer daily rates as well as multi-day rates for the best rental experience. Explore Northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula’s roads, trails, and parks. You will be able to ride past lakes and rivers, stop at waterfalls, eat lunch, or soak in the spectacular fall colors while riding.

We are here to provide you with an opportunity to explore the Northwoods and create a lasting memory. We love connecting riders with adventure and an experience that will keep you wanting to come back and bring your friends.

MERRILL – Get your squirrel on and go a bit nuts by joining in the fun at the fifth annual Black Squirrel Scurry Triathlon on Saturday, July 30 in Merrill. New this year is the e-bike division for solo and relay.

The Black Squirrel Scurry features a 2-mile paddle down the Prairie River, a 17.5-mile bike ride on the River Bend Trail out to the countryside of Lincoln County, and a 5K trail run through the Merrill Area Rec Complex and Council Grounds State Park. Races include relays, divisions for 19 and under, tandems, and solo aged divisions.

Visit blacksquirrelscurry.com for complete details. Registration is at Runsignup.com. Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Northwoods Veterans Post and Friends of the River Bend Trail.

Awards will follow at 1 p.m. at Cenotaph Park, located across the street from Ballyhoos Bar & Restaurant. You can grab eats with your lunch coupon while you wait for awards. For those over age 21, Ballyhoos offers the largest selection of craft beers in Merrill.

Ballyhoos is also the location for the annual Lobsterfest, which is the same day, from noon to 7 p.m. But this event is more than chowing down on a fresh Maine lobster (served from 4-7 p.m.). Festivities start at noon with bounce houses, cotton candy, drinks and music. Tickets are available at bbbsncw.org. Funds raised from Lobsterfest will support local Big Brothers/Big Sisters of North Central Wisconsin.

New Conover-Phelps Trail Open for Riding

CONOVER & PHELPS – The Conover-Phelps Trail system continues to grow in length -- good news for bicyclists looking to expand their horizons in this scenic and quiet part of Vilas County.

This past May saw the official dedication of the extension completed last year along Hwy. K into downtown Phelps. The paved trail length is now 10.2 miles. Over $300,000 in donations and much volunteer work went into this section of trail. The Great Headwaters Trails Foundation (GHT) hopes to develop a 40-mile system of bicycling and pedestrian trails connecting all town centers in eastern Vilas County. The next leg, the River Trail, will connect St. Germain to Eagle River.

The new trail addition connects its two namesake communities along the former Chicago & North Western Railroad corridor, providing views of woodlands and wetlands along the way. (The trail is also open for snowmobiling in the winter.)

Beginning on its west end, the trail provides access to Conover Community Park and includes three scenic water crossings in its first few miles. On its east end, parking is available near the intersection of Hwy. K and Song Hill Lane in Phelps. On its west end, a parking lot and restrooms are available at the Community Park (4679 Park Circle) in Conover. Ride with Leinie Come Saturday, July 30, it’s time for the 11th annual “Ride with Leinie.” Dick Leinenkugel, of the Leinenkugel beer company, will be among the riders. Proceeds for this event will go towards the development and enhancement of eastern Vilas County bike trails.

The three ride options are: a 40-mile road ride, a 20.4-mile trail ride from Conover to Phelps and back, and a shorter 10.4-mile trail ride led by Leinenkugel. Following the ride, participants will return to the park for the festivities, including a picnic lunch featuring brats and Leinenkugel beer tasting, door prize drawings, and a raffle drawing. Root beer will be available for younger participants and others.

The ride departs at 8 a.m. from Conover Town Park. For more information, and to register, visit ghtrails.org or e-mail ridewithleinie@gmail.com.

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.

Logging Lore Comes Alive at Scheer’s Lumberjack Shows

WOODRUFF -- Weeks before the official start of summer, Scheer’s Lumberjack Shows begins preparing for the upcoming season. 2022 will mark the 41st year that Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Shows has been entertaining area visitors on Woodland Lake in downtown Woodruff.

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 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.

“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 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.

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-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.

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.

“Logrolling and the boom-run are pretty darn cold events for us those first few shows of the season,” explains Zac Tom, show manager. “That lake doesn’t really warm up until the beginning of July. No matter how good you are at these events, you’re going to end up in the water at some point.”

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.

Northcentral Region

Check Out the Fascinating Displays, Memorabilia at Minocqua Museum

MINOCQUA – Minocqua has a charming museum where you can learn more about the early days and the people who made a difference in the history of this flourishing resort community. There is something for everyone to discover, including a restored 1908 Cameron automobile and a very large model train layout with two running trains.

Minocqua became a township on March 13, 1889. The town’s name was derived from the Ojibwe word “Nin-oco-qua,” meaning “noon-day rest.” Native Americans once used the Island of Minocqua as a place of rest during their journeys.

The history of Minocqua is rich in logging lore. In 1891 the town consisted of 29 saloons, two hotels, two general stores, a small market and approximately 15 homes. Photos, memorabilia, displays and artifacts from the decades that followed are fascinating to view.

Among the exhibits is one of the devastating fire of 1912 that wiped out a good portion of Minocqua’s business district. The scale model train display shows how the community looked before the fire. After the lumbering era was over, the town became attractive to people seeking fishing adventures and a quiet way of life.

Kids will get a kick out of the one-room schoolhouse display – no electronic devices here! There’s also a military exhibit.

Admission to the museum is free; donations welcomed. It’s open weekdays from early June to Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and other times by appointment (715-356-7666). The museum is located at 503 Flambeau Street, on the Island of Minocqua.

Spanning over 259 acres within Minocqua, WI is Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo & Safari and all of its residents! The Giraffes and Penguins are the most popular, while visitors �lock to partake in the giraffe encounter. Another must visit includes the Safari Tram ride populated by Eland, Ostrich, Kudu, Nyala, Beisa Oryx, Nilgai, Scimitar Horned Oryx, Wildebeest, Bongo, Emu, Big Horn Sheep and much more!

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

OFFERING EXTRAORDINARY ANIMAL EXPERIENCES

Hand Feeding: Goat, aoudad, and camel Whitetail deer are strolling leisurely throughout the park and visitors can feed them out of thier hand.

Giraffe Encounter: Get nose to nose with the tallest animals in the world during the giraffe feeding. You will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with these astonishing and fascinating giraffes. We can’t wait for you to meet our giraffe family!

Parakeet Encounter:

Enjoy the parakeet encounter, a wonderful experience for the entire family. Hear the children’s laughter and excitement as they hand-feed hundreds of brightly colored parakeets.

Snow Leopard: Stop by and watch these unique magni�icent cats as they run and jump and may even follow you in their outdoor habitat.

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

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

Gibbons: Our whitehanded gibbon couple Maddie & Teddie welcomed a healthy baby to their family. Come check it out!

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

DeBrazza Baby: Our DeBrazza’s have welcomed a healthy little munchkin to thier family! Doses of cutness await you!

Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo & Safari is home to over 2000 animals and acres of fun you will �ind a million reasons to smile. Come spend the day with us. We can’t wait to show you around.

FUN FOR ALL!

Paddles Up!

Dragon Boat Races Return to Minocqua

MINOCQUA – The most fun you can have in a dragon boat is coming back to Minocqua this August!

Sponsored by the Howard Young Foundation, the annual Minocqua Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, Aug. 20 will showcase upwards of 48 teams of hard-core, fun-loving paddlers and their drummers in boat-to-boat competition on Lake Minocqua. In qualifying heats, three teams (each maximum of 20 paddlers and 1 drummer) race over the 300 meter-course in colorful “dragon boats.”

This year, all proceeds will go towards hospital projects including a new service line for oncology chemotherapy infusions at Howard Young Medical Center, Woodruff. The project will be matched by hospital owner, Aspirus. Since the inaugural festival in 2016, the festival has raised more than $750,000 to benefit Howard Young Medical Center, Aspirus Eagle River Hospital, the Aspirus Tick-Borne Illness Center, and Autism Services.

If you want to get in the action, gather up family, friends, and co-workers and sign up at minocquadragonboat.com. No prior paddling experience is necessary. The cost is $900 per team (that’s less than $43 per person for a team of 21) and $600 for a competitive dragon boat club and for the junior division (ages 12-18) teams. Discounts are also offered. Help is offered for those wanting to join a team. Most teams also gather up pledges for the Howard Young Foundation.

Team registration includes: • 1 practice session the night before the event; • Racing a minimum of 2 times on race day on a 300m race course, and • All equipment, including boat, life vests, paddles and a steersperson/coach.

Volunteers are needed to do everything from holding boats to putting up signs. From greeting guests or getting teams ready to race, there is a job for everyone. Register to be a volunteer at minocquadragonboat.com or contact the Howard Young Foundation at 715-439-4005.

Spectators can catch all the action from the beach at Torpy Park. Admission is free. There’s a beer & food court, live music, merchandise and souvenirs. Northcentral Region

North Woods Art Tour Announces Summer Dates

MULTI-COUNTY – Freshen your outlook on life (and your home or office interior) by taking part in the 2022 North Woods Art Tour July 22-24 in multiple locations in Oneida, Vilas, Iron and Lincoln counties. Artwork will be available for purchase during the open house, which will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

During this self-guided tour, nearly 40 of the region’s finest artists will open their galleries and studios – including some private studios rarely open to the public. The tour is free and you can design your own tour experiencer, nor are reservations needed.

Artists will be demonstrating aspects of their working process, what materials they use and how they approach the creative process. 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.

Mark the calendar for the fall art tour set for Oct. 7-9. For more information, go to northwoodsarttour.com where a tour guide brochure can be downloaded. Brochures with the same colorful examples of artwork are also available at local chambers of commerce, area galleries and businesses. For more information contact Arlene Bozicnik at 715-385-3334. Northcentral Region

Bluegrass Music Festival Returns

MANITOWISH WATERS -- Summer is a good time of year for awakening to the sweet sounds of bluegrass music. The 33rd annual Midsummer Bluegrass Festival, held on the Cozy Cove Tavern grounds in Manitowish Waters, kicks off on Thursday, July 28 and goes through Sunday, July 31.

Bluegrass by definition is “Folk Music in Overdrive,” so waking up the bluegrass audience will be the task of four talented Upper Midwest progressive bluegrass bands: The Driftless Revelers, Feed The Dog, Miles Over Mountains, and Dig Deep.

Placing a real-deal bluegrass stamp on bluegrass shows for well over three decades in Manitowish Waters, however, has often required meeting the challenge of hiring an alumnus of the legendary band, Bill Monroe (Father of Bluegrass) & The Bluegrass Boys. This year, Mark Hembree will bring his bluegrass band to entertain. Traditional bands Truman’s Ridge, Unclaimed Freight and Genesee Ridge will also give homage to this “original American art form.”

Bluegrass is sometimes described as the “Musical Genre of the High Lonesome Sound,” and it is hard to find a vocalist who encompasses that parameter more than this year’s headliner, David Peterson. His rendition of “In the Mountaintops to Roam” reveals his vocals are well worth the price of admission to hear live. His recent album, “A Cup of Lonesome,” exhibits his capacity as a standard bearer of bluegrass music’s future. The schedule for the Bluegrass Institute of the Northwoods’ sessions includes a question-and-answer session with Mark Hembree reflecting on his experiences as a Bluegrass Boy and co-founder of the Nashville Bluegrass Band, a chat with David Peterson & 1946, special jam sessions led by Genesee Ridge, and a sit-down with the bands Dig Deep and Miles Over Mountains.

Acts portraying bluegrass’ expansiveness include a band from a cousin genre, Texas Swing, performed by The Best Westerns, a rare treat in the Northwoods. The oneness of all genres of music will be made manifest by the imminently danceable Reggae group, Unity the Band, whose band leader, Pita, hails from the Fiji Islands.

Daily and weekend passes (includes walk-in tent camping onsite) are among the ticket options. RV or trailer camping is also available; all campsites are rustic, but call ahead to reserve because of a limited number of onsite spaces. Cozy Cove is located on 5786 U.S. Highway 51. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for the musical performances.

For more information, call 715-543-2166 or e-mail at info@ MidSummerBluegrass.com. Visit MidSummerBluegrass.com to see the full schedule and detailed ticket information.

LAC DU FLAMBEAU – Summer is in full swing, and your Northwoods visit affords you an opportunity to experience an amazing cultural event by attending a pow wow on the Lac du Flambeau Indian Reservation.

During the pow wows at the new Waaswaaganing Indian Bowl Living Arts & Culture Center -- a downtown venue for traditional dance, pow wows and drum-group singing -- visitors can learn about the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and get caught up in the singing, drums and dancing.

The 2022 Indian Bowl pow wow dates include July 4, 7, 12, 19 & 26, and Aug. 2, 9, & 16. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., followed by the preshow at 6:30 p.m. and the pow wow at 7 p.m. There is an admission charge.

The Waaswaaganing Indian Bowl is also sponsoring a Native American arts and crafts show/sale on Saturday, July 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Lake of the Torches Convention Center. A variety of handcrafted items will be for sale.

Bear River Pow Wow

A traditional pow wow is planned for the weekend of July 8-10 in the Old Indian Village next to the Bear River. Each pow wow begins with a grand entry where elders bring in eagle feathers and flags, followed by veterans and the dancers. The grand entries are Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.

The grand entry showcases the regalia that dancers wear. There is great pageantry with exquisitely constructed regalia that is handmade and includes feathers, shells, bones, beadwork and sometimes family heirlooms. Everything on the regalia usually has significance to the dancer.

Seeing the regalia -- including the bustles and headdresses -- up close, you can see the intricacies and craftsmanship that go into each piece, a pattern that makes the colors flash and swirl when the dancer begins to move. Photography is permitted, but ask the dancers first. (Also, everyone stands during the grand entries.)

The public is welcome to attend. Once there you’ll find vendors selling fry bread and Indian tacos, as well as jewelry and other items. This event also has an admission charge.

Northwoods Blues Fest Features Three Bands

ST. GERMAIN – You can’t keep a good man down. Nor his guitar. Joe Bucher will return in 2022 for the 22nd anniversary of the Northwoods Blues Fest (formerly Joe Bucher’s Blues Fest).

As is tradition, Joe Bucher & The Top Raiders will be the headline band the evening of Saturday, July 30, playing at 6 p.m. in the large, covered pavilion at the St. Germain Community Park. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. with Jonny T-Bird & The MPs taking the stage at noon. Another band, The Mighty Ms. Erica & The Sound Production, will play at 3 p.m.

Enjoy great eats, featuring authentic Memphis style BBQ ribs, pork butts, beef brisket, and roasted corn. There will also be raffles and a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit Northland Pines School District’s youth football and cheer programs. Tickets are available in advance at Trig’s and WRJO in Eagle River. Tickets will also be available at the door.