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NORTHCENTRAL REGION
Northcentral Region Region
Pumpkin Run ATV/UTV Rally Showcases Area’s Scenic Trails
MERCER – It’ll be four days of ATV/UTV adventures and fun when the annual Pumpkin Run ATV/UTV Rally is held in Iron County the extended weekend of Oct. 6-9. The event is family-friendly and is a favorite of riders. Register for the event at either the Mercer or Hurley chambers of commerce. The poker run (two sets of stops) starts Thursday, Oct. 6 and ends Sunday, Oct. 9. Prizes will be awarded to the top five hands. Last year’s top winner took home a cool $600! Friday and Saturday are packed with fun events, as well as riding the great trails and routes throughout the county. The rally takes place during the peak of fall color, so bring your camera! Another great photo opportunity is the world’s largest loon – Claire d’ Loon – located next to the Mercer Chamber office.
Friday afternoon’s lineup includes the ATV, UTV and lawn tractor pulls from 2-6 p.m. The Tuscobia Trails ATV Association is bringing its custom-built pull sled to Mercer for this event. There will be separate divisions with multiple classes. The event takes place at Liberty Way Tap House on the corner of Saarnio Road and Highway 51, off trail 17. The Great Pumpkin Parade through downtown Mercer will be Saturday with line-up at 4 p.m. at the Mercer DNR Ranger Station parking lot at 5291 N State House Circle. Riders are encouraged to decorate their vehicles and wear costumes in keeping with a Halloween theme. Prizes will be awarded. There is no cost to participate in the 5 p.m. parade. Everyone is invited afterward to the “pumpkin party” at the Liberty Way Tap House. There will be live music and food/drink specials at various venues throughout the county during the Pumpkin Run.
Calendar
Oct. 6-9 Mercer – Pumpkin Run ATV/UTV Rally Oct. 7-9 Multi-County -- North Woods Art Tour Oct. 8 Boulder Jct. -- Harvest Fest Oct. 8 Three Lakes – Three Eagle Half Marathon & 5K Oct. 8 Three Lakes – Pumpkin Fest Oct. 14-15 Mercer – Mercer Muskie Madness Oct. 15 Antigo -- Craft Fair Oct. 15 Wausau – Red Granite Grinder Bike Race Oct. 15-16 Minocqua – “Almost” Winter Dryland Dogsled Race Oct. 29 Land O’ Lakes – Zombie Crawl Oct. 29 Park Falls – Festival of Fright Oct. 29 Tomahawk -- Fall Fest Oct. 29 Eagle River -- Hallofest Oct. 31 Presque Isle – Halloween Spooktacular Nov. 5 Elcho – Craft Fair & Vendor Fair Nov. 5 Merrill – Fall Moonlight Festival Nov. 5-6 Pearson – Sled Dog Races Nov. 12 Merrill – Fall Craft Shows Nov. 12 St. Germain – Christmas Bazaar Nov. 12 Eagle River – Old Fashioneds Up North Nov. 18 Rhinelander – Downtown Holiday Open House Nov. 18 Tomahawk – Venison Feed Nov. 19 Eagle River – Wi-Does Wine Walk Nov. 24 Minocqua – Turkey Trot 5K Nov. 24 Park Falls – Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk Nov. 25 Boulder Junction – Christmas Walk, Cookie Walk Nov. 25 Tomahawk – Christmas Tree Lighting Nov. 25-27Christmas in Downtown Sayner-Star Lake Nov. 26 St. Germain – Jingle Bell Fun Run Nov. 26 St. Germain – Holiday Celebration Nov. 26 Minocqua -- Christmas in Minocqua Area Nov. 26 Land O’ Lakes – Breakfast with Santa Dec. 2 Phillips – Christmas Parade Dec. 3 Merrill – Christmas Parade, O’Tannenbaum Tour, Luminaria Dec. 3 Mercer – Winter Wonderland Dec. 3 Eagle River – Christmas Kickoff Northcentral Region
MERCER – The lakes in and around Mercer are renowned for their healthy muskie populations – some of which are true trophies. One of those rod-benders could be on the end of your line if you take part in the annual Mercer Muskie Madness Challenge tournament, hosted by Gateway Lodge & Resort in Mercer.
This year’s tournament will be Friday and Saturday, Oct. 14 & 15. The wrap-up banquet will be Saturday night at the Gateway. Fishing hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. A unique feature of this catch-and-release tournament is that each team member may have two lines in the water using one artificial bait and one live bait. But no trolling is allowed. Eligible tournament lakes are Turtle Flambeau Flowage, Fisher, Spider, Oxbow, Echo, Grand Portage, Pike Lake, Mercer, Lake of the Falls, Catherine, Cedar and Trude Lake, according to tournament director Wayne Riebe of Gateway Lodge. The event supports the Wounded Warriors in Action charity and Camp Ryan Adams. For more information contact the Gateway Lodge at 715-476-7878 or e-mail info@thegatewaylodge.com or visit mercermuskiemadness.com.
Check Out These Festive Events
Autumn brings a tantalizing array of fun events for families and couples to enjoy. Here’s a sampling of those events. Go to our calendar of events for more possibilities. BOULDER JUNCTION – This community’s 27th annual Harvest Fest will be Saturday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Everyone is invited to “Shop the Haystack” at Peeple’s Park and to take part in the scavenger hunt. Children can visit Granny Autumn for planned activities, as well as stopping by at the public library for the “fall book walk.” Deb Lund’s artwork will be on display also at the library. There will be live music, games, fall treats and more at Harvest Fest. THREE LAKES – The Three Lakes Pumpkin Fest on Saturday, Oct. 8 features a juried craft show with nearly 100 vendors inside the Three Lakes High School from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a farmer’s market outside. The kitchen will tempt you with brats, hot dogs, chili and five different homemade soups. A special treat will be the freshly baked (and huge!) cinnamon rolls. Suggested admission is by a non-perishable food item for the local food pantry. TOMAHAWK – Downtown Tomahawk will be decorated for the autumn season during its Fall Fest celebration on Saturday,
Oct. 29, from 1-3 p.m. There will be activities for kids of all ages. Retail businesses and restaurants will have specials. The downtown businesses also host trick-or-treat during the same hours. Look for window signs for participating businesses. The following month, downtown Tomahawk will become a sea of blaze orange as hunters gather for the annual venison feed. The 2022 version will be Friday, Nov. 18 (always the day before the gun-deer season opener). They will serve venison burgers (mixed with hamburger for texture and taste) from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., or ‘till gone! They also hand out a soda and a bag of chips with each burger. This year, those 21 and older can also purchase beer. It’s a festive way to kick off the season in downtown Tomahawk—put on the blaze orange and pick up your burger! PARK FALLS – Over at Park Falls on Saturday, Oct. 29, it will be busy with events and other happenings during the annual Fright Fest sponsored by the Park Falls Chamber of Commerce. Sign up for the 10 a.m. Haunted Trail 5K. The Park Theatre is hosting a free movie at 1 p.m. Drop by Triangle Park for the 3 p.m. pumpkin drop! Then at 4 p.m., the “trunk or treat” will be held in the downtown. There will be hayrides, games, photo opportunities, costume contest and booth decoration. Northcentral Region
Start a New Family Tradition at Wildwood
MINOCQUA – There’s just something magical about exploring a pumpkin patch in the fall. And what kid doesn’t enjoy coming to a pumpkin patch for that perfect pumpkin to take home! Start a new family tradition this fall by visiting the Pumpkin Patch at Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo & Safari in Minocqua, with hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 8 and 9. Tram rides will take visitors to and from the pumpkin patch. For those 12 and older, admission is $10 (11 and under is $5). Visitors can pick their own pumpkin ($5 each). In addition to finding that perfect pumpkin, there will be games for the youngsters. Bring a nonperishable food item for local food pantries and receive game tickets. Bring a camera to capture a photo of your kids with their pumpkins. Refreshments will also be available. Please note, cash only for this event. Wildwood is located just west of Minocqua on Highway 70 West.
MULTI-COUNTIES – The North Woods Fall Art Tour, Oct. 7-9, is an easy and enjoyable way to meet dozens of artists in galleries and studios tucked under majestic pine trees and in quaint communities throughout Vilas, Oneida, Iron, Langlade and Lincoln counties.
You’re sure to find unique gifts or something special for your home or office that will elevate your spirit and your space. The tour of open houses comprises 36 sites where you can craft your itinerary as time and interest allow. Tour maps are available at local chambers of commerce or go to northwoodsarttour.com to download one. The map includes descriptions and directions to each site. Please come prepared to honor all face mask requests. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., which gives you time to grab breakfast and to enjoy dinner afterwards. Drive the colorful back roads (it’s the peak of colorama!) and get a behind-the-scenes view of how the artists create original art. Chat with painters in oil, acrylic, watercolor and pastel; potters, photographers, carvers, jewelers, quilters, weavers, woodworkers, stained and hot glass artists, printmakers, sculptors and gourd designers in their studios. Some will be demonstrating their techniques.
Three Eagle Half Marathon
THREE LAKES – Spread your wings, eh.., feet at the ninth annual Three Eagle Half Marathon & 5K on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Three Lakes. Start time is 9 a.m. The races will take place on the pristine Three Eagle Trail, a 13.1-mile crushed limestone trail connecting the towns of Eagle River and Three Lakes. The trail will be adorned by the peak fall colors. This is a chiptimed, point-to-point race. There will be mile markers, portable toilets and aid stations along the route. Funds raised will benefit the Three Eagle Trail and the Three Lakes track & field, cross country, and track club programs. For registration and more information, visit 3eaglehalf.com. Northcentral Region
It’s Dog-Powered Adventure at Pearson
PEARSON -- Come experience the excitement of sled dog racing on dry land at the Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Boy Scout Reservation on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 5 & 6. Of note, there’s no snow and cold expected but a sweater or jacket is suggested as the weekend may be chilly at times. The Dirty Dog Dryland Derby features teams with bikes, scooters, carts, and dogs partnered with running mushers. There will also be a cani-fun run/ walk on Saturday afternoon. Dryland racing (or training) is a sport that combines athletic prowess from both a human and their canine companion. You can run with a dog (canicross) or be pulled by your dog(s) on a bike, scooter or cart. Some classes require only one dog but in others you may have 2, 4, 8 or even more. Spectator admission is free and visitors are encouraged to visit with drivers and smooze with their dogs at their trucks too! Races start at 9 a.m. on both days. Home-cooked food service will be available at the race site. There’s free admission and plenty of parking is available. Don’t forget your camera. The race site is north of Antigo. Turn east off Highway 45 on County T toward Pearson. Stay on County T through Pearson. Look for signs and turn left off County T to race site (W6500 Spring Lake Road, Pearson).
PRICE AND TAYLOR COUNTIES –- You won’t hear the lonesome train whistle while mountain bike riding or hiking on the Pine Line Rail Trail, but you can whistle a tune as you travel along it. This rail-to-trail features stands of white pines in the north and picturesque dairy farms in the south. Located on the former Wisconsin Central, Ltd. section, it runs a full marathon length (26.2 miles) from just south of Prentice in Price County to Medford in Taylor County. The northern trailhead and the southern trailhead offer lodging, dining, parking and other services. You’ll find limited services in smaller communities along the way. Camping is available at Pioneer Park & Campground in Ogema located one block off the trail. During the warmer months, the trail is open to non-motorized use such as bicycling, hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. There are no fees for trail use. The trail surface for much of the route is crushed gravel with about five miles surfaced with limestone screenings beginning in Medford. The trail in Price and Taylor counties is open to snowmobiles and ATVs/UTVs from December through March when the temperature is below 28 degrees. ATVs/UTVs are allowed on the trails during those conditions only in Price County. About the trail The trail is named for the huge quantities of eastern white pine that were shipped on the route between 1876 and 1988 by the Wisconsin Central Railway. After the railroad abandoned the line, the rails were torn up and the rail bed converted to a multi-use recreation trail. The Price-Taylor Rail Trail Commission maintains the trail. The northern portion of the trail runs through the terminal moraine left by the last Wisconsin glacier some 12,000 years ago. Hardwood and white pine forests cover the hummocks and hills. A restored railroad depot in Ogema is a perfect place for a photograph. The northern forests give way to flatter landscapes of neat and picturesque dairy farms and wetlands in the south. Many active beaver dams can be seen adjacent to the trail and the trail crosses several brooks. Parking for the trail is available at the Allman Street trailhead in Medford, on municipal streets in Ogema, Westboro, Chelsea, the Whittlesey parking lot and the Buccaneer Park trailhead on Morner Road in Prentice.
Community Christmas Parade
ANTIGO -- Mark the calendar to return to Langlade County for the annual Antigo holiday parade on Wednesday, Dec. 7. It will feature more than 40 floats with lights, sights and sounds of Christmas. Entries will include the Antigo High School marching band, color guard and the arrival of Santa. This year’s holiday parade theme is “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. and goes through downtown Antigo. There’s an added bonus for locals and visitors the same day as the Christmas parade. Downtown Antigo will get a little “chili” as the Antigo/Langlade County Chamber will present its 25th annual Chili Cookoff. Teams will compete to find out who has the best chili in Langlade County. Chili samples will be handed out to the public at 5:30 p.m.
