The Group Travel Leader June 2019

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“I ha

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e l b i d incre pen ...” p a h g thin

uest g y r a r a Lib , l l i B —

“... A Billy Graham Library volunteer noticed I was troubled and prayed with me. I felt God wash over me, and it was just such an inspiring moment to a guy who has had no personal peace for 30 years. That gave me hope and guidance.”

“Come and see what God has done.”

—Psalm 66:5, ESV

Visit Charlotte, N.C., and walk in the shoes of a farm boy who became pastor to presidents and shared God’s love with millions. Discover what God can do through any life that is fully surrendered to Him as you explore state-of-the-art exhibits and spend time reflecting in the Memorial Prayer Garden. Admission is free, and the experience is unforgettable. Come—just as you are.

A ministry of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

©2019 BGEA

Monday to Saturday, 9:30–5:00 • BillyGrahamLibrary.org • 704-401-3200 Reservations required for groups of 10 or more; email LibraryTours@bgea.org or call 704-401-3270. • 4330 Westmont Drive • Charlotte, North Carolina

MAKE IT Spectacular.

MAKE IT YOURS.

Give your next group trip the wow factor it deserves. Start with the sugar-white sands and turquoise waters of Panama City Beach. Then add everything from deep-sea fishing and dolphin tours to the secluded beauty of two state parks and enough live music to dance the night away. Our group travel team will help you plan the perfect event, whether it’s a convention, college softball reunion or church retreat. Make your next gathering one they’ll remember. Make it yours at Panama City Beach, the Real. FUN. Beach. Plan your group travel today.

VISIT NOW VisitPanamaCityBeach.com/groups

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DEPARTMENTS COLUMNS 6 EDITOR’S MARKS

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table ofCONTENTS VOL 29 | ISSUE 6

WISCONSIN T R AV E L G U I D E

NEWS

O N T H E WAT E R I N W I S C O N S I N

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E T H N I C H E R I TA G E E X P E R I E N C E S

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Signature Celebrations

O N THE COVE R

A hot air balloon raises an American flag over the field at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Photo by J. Tyler.

GROUPS LOVE ATTENDING THESE HIGH-PROFILE FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS.

FEATURES

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TENNESSEE

West

Memphis and the surrounding region deliver distinctive experiences in the Volunteer State.

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NORTH CAROLINA SPOTLIGHT

DEARBORN CO., INDIANA

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DINNER THEATERS

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MAC T. LACY CHARLES A. PRESLEY BRIAN JEWELL HERBERT SPARROW DONIA SIMMONS

Founder and Publisher Partner Executive Editor Senior Writer Creative Director

K E L LY T Y N E R 4

CHRISTINE CLOUGH KELLY TYNER KYLE ANDERSON DANIEL JEAN-LEWIS ASHLEY RICKS

Copy Editor Director of Sales & Marketing Account Manager Account Manager Graphic Design & Circulation

888.253.0455

KELLY@GROUPTR AVELLEADER.COM

The GROUP TRAVEL LEADER is published ten times a year by THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER, Inc., 301 East High St., Lexington, Kentucky 40507, and is distributed free of charge to qualified group leaders who plan travel for groups of all ages and sizes. THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER serves as the official magazine of GROUP TRAVEL FAMILY, the organization for traveling groups. All other travel suppliers, including tour operators, destinations, attractions, transportation companies, hotels, restaurants and other travelrelated companies may subscribe to THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER by sending a check for $59 for one year to: THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER, Circulation Department, 301 East High St., Lexington, KY 40507. Phone (859) 253-0455 or (859) 253-0503. Copyright THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of editorial or graphic content in any manner without the written consent of the publisher is prohibited.

DISCOVER • EXPLORE • ENGAGE

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MANSION TOURS ANDREW JACKSON: BORN FOR A STORM EXHIBIT SHOPPING INTRODUCTORY FILM WAGON TOURS CAFÉ

A TOP TENNESSEE HISTORIC SITE | TheHermitage.com

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EDITOR’S T HE

D

o your trips spark joy?

In recent months, a decluttering trend has swept America, thanks in large part to the popularity of a Netflix show, “Tidying Up With

Marie Kondo.”

Kondo, a petite woman from Japan, burst onto the home organization scene several years ago with her book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” which has sold millions of copies in more than 30 countries around the world. The book outlines her distinctive, minimalistic approach to organizing: “the Konmari Method.” On the show, she uses that method to help families living in clutter simplify and organize their houses and, in the process, achieve happier and more peaceful home lives.

At the center of Kondo’s method is a practice that has become her signature: She tells people to pick up clothing, toys, books and other items one by one, hold each closely and ask themselves whether it “sparks joy.” If it does, they keep the item. If not, it goes into the trash or a donation pile.

When we bring something into our homes, we tend not to think about it again. We end up holding onto junk because we think we might use it again someday.

And the idea of sorting through old stuff to organize our homes seems so intimidating to some of us that we never take the initiative to try.

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BY B R I A N J E W E L L

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For many people, though, Kondo’s philosophy has proven a breath of fresh air. Her philosophy has spread beyond the realm of home organizing as well. People today look at many other parts of their lives and ask, “Does this spark joy?” And it got me to thinking: Should those of us who work in tourism be asking that question too?

In its best moments, travel is full of joy. People willingly pay a lot of money and endure long drives, interminable waiting lines and other hassles of transit because of the promise of joy on the other side. Joyful experiences should be the payoff for all the hard work involved in getting to another part of the country or world.

In tourism, we should hold joy as the gold standard. Few other industries have the potential to deliver joy the way we can. But like a busy home, our business is susceptible to clutter. It creeps into our operations and weighs down our trips. And if we’re not careful, it can squeeze the joy right out of travel.

If you’re looking to shake things up in your travel program for 2020 and beyond, consider applying the Konmari Method to your travel plans.

Look at each element of a trip, from the destinations you visit to the hotels you use to the activities you include, and ask yourself whether it sparks joy. If it doesn’t, maybe it’s time to get rid of it.

We can’t eliminate hassle from travel. But we can interrupt the monotony with moments of joy. Sometimes that means eliminating boring stops or forgettable meals from an itinerary. Other times it means intentionally planning experiences and surprises that will give travelers a burst of joy at unexpected times.

If you can spark joy on your trips, your customers will return to travel with you again and again. And you might just find yourself enjoying travel even more too.

JUNE 2019

TOGETHER

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ON T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R FAITH-BASED TRAVEL PLANNERS VOL. 21 - NO. 4

FALL 2018

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K E L LY @ G R O U P T R AV E L L E A D E R . C O M

FAMILY MATTERS DELEG ATES WILL COWBOY UP AT SELECT TR AVELER CONFERENCE SALEM, Ohio —Select Traveler Conference 2020 will be held in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where conference attendees will become honorary cowboys. However, the conference experience will begin at Denver International Airport, where free transportation will be included for all delegates.

“We’re making it easy and affordable to experience Cheyenne and Select Traveler Conference by meeting our delegates at Denver International Airport and beginning the party on the way to Cheyenne,” said Joe Cappuzzello, president of Select Traveler Conference. “The quick, 90-minute shuttle will include ‘Cowboy Training,’ so upon arrival in Cheyenne delegates will be ready to enjoy Western life.”

It is easy to fly into Denver, with direct and nonstop flights from almost every city in America. And flights to Denver are some of the most affordable around. That, combined with round-trip transportation to Cheyenne, makes for a winning combination. So if you have not yet registered, do so soon because Select Traveler Conference 2020 will have a registration limit and is expected to fill rapidly.

Groups and travel planners interested in attending Select Traveler Conference may call Kacie at 800-628-0993. Travel industry representatives should reach out to Valerie at 800-628-0993. Online registration is open at selecttravelerconf.com.

Photos by Dan Dickson

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TRAVEL PLANNERS AND TOURISM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS ENJOY BUSINESS MEETINGS AT NETWORKING EVENTS AT SELECT TRAVELER CONFERENCE.

JUNE 2019

DOUGHT Y CHOOSES ADVENTURE OVER SAFE HARBOR BRIAN DOUGHTY

SALEM, Ohio — “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor.”

Brian Doughty, the founder of Trips, a tour company well known by bank clubs, alumni associations and traveling chamber groups nationwide, designed his company’s service on that famous Mark Twain statement.

That is fortunate for the thousands of groups that have experienced life on a Trips excursion, as Brian and his wife, Camilla, founded Trips to help groups discover travel experiences that were not available through packaged travel.

“I don’t want your travelers to have a good time traveling with us,” Doughty said. “I want them to have a great time.”

How does a company keep that mission alive? By constantly designing tour programs that are one of a kind, like Hidden New York City, where Trips travelers experience one-off visits that bring the Big Apple to life.

Though Trips offers a wide variety of domestic and North American destinations, it is well known as the personalized group expert in Africa, personalized to the point that many bank clubs in America have developed a relationship with Batsi from Rwanda, who has held the hands of Trips travelers for years.

When it comes to new travel ideas in Africa, Trips has designed a new Kenya Under Canvas itinerary that offers an optional trek to see gorillas in Rwanda — and yes, travelers meet Basti.

“We want to provide groups an experience, not just a tour,” said Trips’ Mikki Gordon.

You can learn more about Trips by calling 888-55-TRIPS or online at www.gotripsinc.com.

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INDUSTRY NEWS MAJOR REDESIGN OF EISENHOWER PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM TO OPEN THIS SUMMER ABILENE, Kansas — The Eisenhower Presidential Museum in Abilene will unveil its updated galleries and exhibits this summer following a comprehensive redesign that began more than a year ago.

The opening had originally been scheduled during the 75th anniversary D-Day Commemoration June 1-6 at the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, but was delayed by the recent government shutdown.

Museum director Dawn Hammatt said she expects the new exhibits to open in late July, with an official grand opening planned on Dwight D. Eisenhower’s birthday, Oct. 12.

The entire 25,000 square feet of exhibit space at the museum is new, with several interactive components, many with quotes from Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie, that trace his career from his pre-World War II army assignments through his time as supreme allied commander during the war and as president of the United States.

Several new mini-theaters offer the opportunity to hear Eisenhower’s words first-hand on a variety of issues from D-Day to world peace.

The 22-acre campus remains open and temporary exhibits are on display in the library building until the museum project is complete.

W W W. EISE N HOW ER . A RCH I V ES .GOV

Courtesy Eisenhower Presidential Museum THIS FALL, ABILENE’S EISENHOWER PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM WILL DEBUT A NEW EXHIBIT CENTER WITH PLENTY OF IKE PHOTOS AND MEMORABILIA ON DISPLAY.

DAR T MOU T H’S HOOD MUSEUM OF AR T UNVEIL S NE W, E XPANDED FACILI T Y HANOVER, New Hampshire — The Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College opened its $50 million redesigned and expanded facility in January that is a combination of new construction and restoration of the original postmodern Charles Moore building.

The expansion increased the Hood’s floor space by 50%, and the five new galleries allow it to display portions of its collection that had not been shown on a regular basis, including Aboriginal Australian art, Native American art, and signature modern works by artists such as Ed Ruscha, Mark Rothko and Lorna Simpson.

There are also three new object-study rooms for increased opportunities for study and research.

The new Hood also features a prominent entrance with a large sweeping lobby that opens 10

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directly onto the Dartmouth Green, which is the heart of the campus.

The expansion and rejuvenation of the Hood is part of a planned major investment in Dartmouth’s Arts District, which includes the Hopkins Center for the Arts; the Black Family Visual Arts Center, which opened in 2012; and the DEN Innovation Center and New Venture Incubator, dedicated in 2014.

W W W.HOODMUSEUM.DARTMOUTH.EDU

THE NEWLY RENOVATED HOOD MUSEUM OF ART AT DARTMOUTH COLLEGE COMBINES HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND NEW POSTMODERN CONSTRUCTION.

By Robert Gill, courtesy Dartmouth College JUNE 2019

NORTON MUSEUM OF ART INCREASES ITS VISIBILIT Y WITH MAJOR EXPANSION

HORSES. HISTORY. Photos by Nigel Young, courtesy Foster + Partners

WEST PALM BEACH’S NELSON MUSEUM OF ART DEBUTED A $100 MILLION RENOVATION IN FEBRUARY.

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — The 78-year-old Norton Museum of Art not only increased and improved its gallery space, it also became a more visible presence in South Florida with the February opening of an extensive $100 million expansion and facelift.

The project increased gallery space by 35 percent, including the first galleries devoted to

contemporary art and photography, and includes a new building that reorients the main entrance toward the busy South Dixie Highway, a 210-seat auditorium and a new restaurant.

The expansion also gives more room to sculpture with a glass-walled sculpture colonnade and sculpture garden.

The new entrance features a plaza shaded by an aluminum canopy that curls around an 80-year-old banyan tree. It also has a reflecting pool with Claes Oldenburg’s and Coosje van Bruggen’s 19-foot Typewriter Eraser, Scale X. The banyan tree, which has been an icon of the museum, is visible through a 30-foot-tall window in the Great Hall, which has comfortable seating, books and a coffee bar and can be accessed without paying admission.

Hallelujah Explore Jessamine County for a unique Kentucky experience!

Meet Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome, then get a glimpse into Kentucky history at Camp Nelson National Monument and Cemetery.

W W W. NORT ON.ORG

PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM TO OPEN NEW WING IN SEPTEMBER SALEM, Massachusetts — The old and new will beautifully coexist when the Peabody Essex Museum debuts its new expanded facilities alongside the historic 194-year-old East India Marine Hall on Sept. 28.

The new wing will add 15,000 square feet of galleries, a new museum garden and a new entry for group tours. A light-filled atrium will connect the new and old buildings and a new facade will complement and highlight the East India Marine Hall, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

GROUPTRAVELLEADER.COM

The $200 million expansion is part of a $650 million capital campaign that also involves a 120,000-square-foot offsite facility in Rowley, Massachusetts, that provides up-to-date storage, security and space to study the museum’s 1.8 million-piece collection. It opened in July 2018.

The Peabody Essex, founded in 1799, features a world-renowned collection of American art and architecture, Asian export art, photography, maritime art and history, Native American, Oceanic and African art.

W W W. PE M.ORG

859.305.6040 VISITJESSAMINE.COM

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ONSITE WITH THE GROUP TRAVEL LEADER

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EXPLORING EGYPT ON AN ONSITE FAM

he Group Travel Leader’s OnSite FAM program is going places!

Here’s a recap of places our readers have traveled with us this year, as well as some upcoming FAM opportunities.

EGYPT AVENTURA WORLD MARCH 1-10 Sixteen international travel planners from tour companies, banks and other affinity travel programs spent 10 days exploring Egypt with The Group Travel Leader and host Aventura World. The tour featured visits to the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings and a three-night cruise on the Nile River. Participants also saw the Temple of Luxor and cultural and historical attractions in Cairo.

GEORGIA GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM MARCH 11-14 Sixteen tour operators from across the United States spent four days touring cities and towns in northern Georgia as guests of The Group Travel Leader and the Georgia Department of Tourism. The tour began in the Atlanta suburb of Roswell, and also featured visits to Cartersville, Cave Spring, Rome and Villa Rica. Participants enjoyed a big band concert, a candy-making class and a visit to the Booth Western Art Museum, among other experiences.

By Mac Lacy

A GROUP TRAVEL LEADER FAM GROUP STOPS FOR A PHOTO ATOP AN INDIAN MOUND IN GEORGIA.

By Brian Jewell

UPCOMING

COLUMBUS AND CLEVELAND, OHIO EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS AND DESTINATION CLEVELAND JULY 10-14 The Group Travel Leader is inviting up to 20 of our qualified travel planner readers to join executive editor Brian Jewell and director of sales and marketing Kelly Tyner on a five-day FAM in Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio, in July. Highlights of the trip will include a visit to Columbus’ new National Veterans Museum and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Interested travel planners can apply to attend at grouptravelleader.com/columbus-cleveland-fam.

Would you like to be among the first to receive announcements about upcoming OnSite FAM opportunities with The Group Travel Leader? You can add your name to our FAM announcement list at grouptravelleader. com/onsite.

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FAM PARTICIPANTS WILL EXPLORE THE STUNNING FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY IN COLUMBUS THIS SUMMER.

By Brian Jewell JUNE 2019

EXPERT

insigh t

COLLEEN PALMERTREE ME MP HI S T OURI S M

BY B R I A N J E W E L L

“I

’ll never buy a snow shovel.”

Colleen Palmertree grew up with plenty of snow during the cold winters of upstate New York, just a short drive from the Canadian border. But since moving to Memphis, Tennessee, more than 20 years ago, she considers herself an honorary Southerner.

“I love Memphis,” she said. “The weather is fabulous, and the Southern hospitality is amazing. I love the blues, soul and rock ’n’ roll, and the smell of barbecue.”

That love of her adopted hometown serves Palmertree well. As the national sales manager for Tourism Memphis, she employs her enthusiasm to attract tour operators and travel planners to bring their groups to the city.

“I primarily focus on bringing in motorcoach groups: students, bankers, all group travel,” she said. “Memphis is really growing. We’re a unique city, an under-the-radar destination with over-the-top attractions.”

From an early age, Palmertree had her sights set on jobs in the tourism industry.

“I went to college for hospitality and tourism at a private college in upstate New York,” she said. “The college owned a hotel and also a travel agency.

It was really hands-on. I learned the front of the house and the back of the house. We booked trains, cruises and other travel.

“I thought for sure I was going to be a tour guide and travel the world. I have always been passionate about travel. But working in the hotel, you can move up very quickly. There are so many departments you can transfer to.

The job opportunities are endless.”

After finishing college, Palmertree began a series of jobs at hotels in places such as New York, Missouri and Boston. Eventually, a job with the Peabody Hotel Group brought her to Memphis. From there, she spent some time at major casino resorts in northern Mississippi before coming back to take a position at Memphis Tourism, where she has worked for nine years.

“This has been such a great experience,” she said of working for Memphis Tourism. “Every day I learn something. I’m creating memories and selling the whole city.”

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SALES TIP FROM COLLEEN “ Fol low-up is key. A nd a lot of people

just don’t ta k e t he t i me to fol low up.

W henever you meet w it h someone, you

ne ed to fol low up w it h t hem a nd send t hem t he i n for mat ion you prom ised .”

Palmertree uses a mix of traditional and contemporary methods to attract groups to Memphis. She regularly attends a number of trade shows to meet one-on-one with tour operators. Her organization has a digital marketing strategy to target travelers online. And increasingly, she relies on in-person events to highlight her city.

“This industry is changing so quickly that we’re really thinking outside of the box,” she said. “We do a lot of client events where we bring Memphis to a feeder market. Or we bring clients for things in Memphis, like a Justin Timberlake concert, because he’s from here.”

When she’s not at work or traveling to promote Memphis tourism, Palmertree is often out and about taking advantage of the same attractions and activities that visitors enjoy.

“My daughter is 11,” she said. “When we get a chance, we go to the zoo — it never gets old. And we go to the Peabody to see the duck march. Who doesn’t love being in the lobby of the South’s grand hotel? Beale Street is always fun. And we love getting barbecue nachos or going to a Red Birds baseball game.”

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AT L E A S T

BY B R I A N J E W E L L

TAKING PLACE EACH YEAR IN EARLY MAY, THE KENTUCKY DERBY IS THE MOST GLAMOROUS SPORTING EVENT IN THE COUNTRY.

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ome parties are so big that they become the calling cards of the cities that host them.

Thousands of cities and towns around the United States put on festivals throughout the year, but only a handful of these events have become destinations themselves. Many travelers dream of attending signature events such as the Kentucky Derby, the Rose Parade and the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.

If your group enjoys large celebrations, consider adding some of these iconic events to your 2020 travel plans.

MINT JULEPS, A DERBY STAPLE

A JOCKEY AND RACEHORSE AT THE KENTUCKY DERBY Photos courtesy Louisville Tourism

EUPHORIA IN THE GRANDSTAND

AT T E N D I N G T H E S E E V E N T S O F F E R S S O M E S E R I O U S B R A G G I N G R I G H T S KENTUCKY DERBY Louisville, Kentucky It’s been called “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” but the venerable Kentucky Derby actually encompasses a series of races and events over several days that gives travelers opportunities to enjoy the best of Louisville and Kentucky culture. The race takes place on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs racetrack and is typically attended by about 155,000 people.

Groups have a variety of options for attending the Derby. Many work with tour operators that have arranged packages with hotels, meals and grandstand seating on race day, where travelers can show off their Derby duds and hats. Groups may also choose to attend the Kentucky Oaks, another famous race that takes place the day before the Derby, or attend some of the events of the Kentucky Derby Festival in the two weeks preceding the race.

— W W W.K E N T UCK Y DER BY.COM —

THE ROSE PARADE IN PASADENA

A ROSE PARADE FLOAT

ROSE PARADE Pasadena, California Forget about the ball dropping in Times Square.

For many people, the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, marks the real beginning of each new year.

Since 1890, the Tournament of Roses and the accompanying parade have been a Southern California New Year’s Day tradition. The first tournament and parade drew about 3,000 spectators and featured horse-

MARCHING IN THE ROSE PARADE Photos courtesy Pasadena Tournament of Roses

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Courtesy Aramark

drawn carriages decorated with flowers. Today, the parade features dozens of elaborate floats all created and decorated by community members and covers a 5.5-mile route through Pasadena.

For 2020, the parade’s theme will be the Power of Hope. Groups can work with tour companies to get packages with special seating, where they can see the floral-decorated floats, equestrian units and marching bands parade by. The parade also coincides with the Rose Bowl college football game.

W W W.T OU R NA ME N T OFROSES .COM

BIG E Springfield, Massachusetts Each fall, more than 1 million people attend the Eastern States Exposition, better known as “The Big E,” in Springfield, Massachusetts. This 17-day event is a massive autumn celebration of all things New England. The event started as an agricultural exhibition in 1917, and today, it still includes a livestock show with more than 25 breeds of cattle, sheep, goats and hogs on display. But it also has a series of

FRESH CREAM PUFFS AT THE BIG E Courtesy The Big E

evening concerts with nationally known musicians and a wide variety of daytime activities.

Many groups visiting the exposition enjoy spending time at the Storrowton Village Museum, a historic interpretation area on the expo grounds with homes and other buildings from across New England that were built in the 18th and 19th centuries. And the Magic Midway area features a 115-foot-high Ferris wheel, as well as other midway rides, games and experiences. This year’s festival is September 13-19.

W W W.THEBIGE .COM

CHEYENNE FRONTIER DAYS Cheyenne, Wyoming Whether you’re a diehard rodeo fan or simply interested in experiencing a bit of rodeo culture, there’s no better place to do it than Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming. This nine-day festival takes place each year in late July and is the home of the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, drawing the best rodeo professionals from around the world to compete for more than $1 million in cash and prizes. Attendees can see bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping and other rodeo competitions.

They can also take behindthe-chutes tours and see trick-riding demonstrations.

In addition to the rodeo events, Cheyenne Frontier Days features a variety of other attractions. Groups can tour a Native American village and an old frontier town. There’s a saloon with dancing, as well as a chuck wagon cookoff, an art show, an airshow, parades and a carnival midway.

Welcome Home Celebration

W W W.CF DRODEO.COM

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JUNE 2019

RED EARTH FESTIVAL Oklahoma City Native American culture and heritage enjoy three days in the spotlight during the annual Red Earth Festival in Oklahoma City. This is one of the country’s largest Native American celebrations and is held in the city’s convention center. The festival features the Red Earth Pow Wow, a two-day event with hundreds of dancers in full tribal regalia competing and exhibiting their traditional dances.

In addition to the powwow, the festival features a parade at Myriad Botanical Gardens, adjacent to the convention center in downtown. Paradegoers see hundreds of participants, including tribal leaders, princesses, floats, veterans groups and drum circle groups. The festival also has a juried art market that showcases work from leading Native American artists and craftspeople. Visitors can buy traditional and contemporary beadwork, basketry, jewelry, pottery, sculpture, painting and other cultural items.

W W W. R EDE A RTH.ORG

A BIG E BUTTER SCULPTURE Courtesy The Big E SCENIC CRUISES’ CHEYENNE FRONTIER CULINAIRE DAYS RODEO PROGRAM

INDIAN VILLAGE AT CHEYENNE FRONTIER DAYS Courtesy Cheyenne Frontier Days GROUPTRAVELLEADER.COM

Courtesy Cheyenne Frontier Days

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SUMMERFEST IN MILWAUKEE

SUMMERFEST Milwaukee Music fans of all types will find reasons to love Summerfest, a musical celebration that takes place in Milwaukee. Summerfest debuted in 1968 and has grown into what many people recognize as the world’s largest music festival. Approximately 800,000 people attend the festival over the course of two extended weekends. More than 1,000 performances take place during that time, featuring over 800 acts on 12 stages on the city’s festival grounds. Headliner concerts showcase the top names in national entertainment, and smaller shows throughout the day present opportunities to see emerging talent and local favorites.

In addition to the concerts, Summerfest features a fireworks show, numerous parades, an interactive sports zone and carnival rides. Since the festival site is on the shore of Lake Michigan, groups can also enjoy paddleboat experiences, and kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding lessons. This year’s festival takes place June 26-30 and July 2-7.

W W W.SU M MER FEST.COM

Courtesy Summerfest

ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA

PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW

By Kevin Feele, courtesy PHS

By Angela Peace, courtesy Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

PLAY AND GET AWAY ON THE

NORTHSHORE

Visit St. Tammany Parish and bring your appetite for great Louisiana cooking, and for living.

Come paddle the bayou, pedal the Tammany Trace, tour Honey Island Swamp, do the Dew Drop, toast the town at Abita Brewery or Pontchartrain Vineyards, and indulge your sweet tooth at The Candy Bank.

Less than an hour from New Orleans, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and Baton Rouge.

8 0 0 - 6 3 4 - 9 4 4 3 • w w w. L o u i s i a n a N o r t h s h o r e . c o m /g r o u p s 18

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JUNE 2019

PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW Philadelphia For 90 years, gardeners and plant lovers from across the country have made the trip to Pennsylvania to attend the Philadelphia Horticultural Society’s Philadelphia Flower Show. Billed as the nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event, the show features hundreds of displays by the world’s premier floral and landscape designers. Attendees can expect to see a diverse collection of garden displays featuring numerous plants and design concepts. In addition, the event has competitions in horticulture and artistic floral arranging, as well as gardening demonstrations and other activities.

The 2020 Philadelphia Flower show will take place February 29 through March 8 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The theme for the year is Riviera Holiday, inspired by exotic Mediterranean gardens.

Visitors will see groves of citrus trees, waves of lavender, white salvia, succulents, geraniums, rosemary, sage and much more.

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ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FIESTA Albuquerque, New Mexico Each October, a combination of weather patterns and New Mexico geography create the Albuquerque Box, a set of conditions ideal for hot-air ballooning. This phenomenon has made Albuquerque the country’s premier ballooning destination, especially during the annual Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. This year, the nine-day festival takes place October 6-14 with more than 500 hot-air balloons. It’s the largest balloon festival in the world, and this year marks its 48th edition.

As many as 100,000 spectators attend the festival on any given day to take part in various ballooning activities. The after-dark balloon glow features hundreds of colorful balloons illuminated by the light of their onboard burners. The most popular events of the festival are the mass ascensions, in which all the participating balloons take to the sky at once.

Visitors also love the New Mexican food and balloon memorabilia for sale at the festival park.

W W W. B A L LOONFI ESTA.COM

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Artwork by Donia Simmons

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NORTH CAROLINA

STATE SPOTLIGHT

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LINVILLE

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BY J I L L G L E E S O N

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ith its spec-

tacular range of topographical and cultural

diversity, North

Carolina is especially well-suited for group travel. And at no time is that rich medley of

diversions showcased better than during one of North Carolina’s remarkable festivals, which

enable those with limited time to experience some of the state’s finest offerings in one or two memorable days.

Groups can spend a few gorgeous summer

afternoons listening to the melodic, mournful

sound of bagpipes drifting up one of the Blue Ridge Mountains’ loveliest peaks or sample

some of the world’s best seafood while watch-

ing fireworks burst over the shoreline. They can tour North Carolina’s grandest home at the

most wonderful time of the year, chow down on famous barbecue found nowhere else and even

learn to fly stunt kites in the hometown of the man who created them.

No matter which of the Tarheel State’s jus-

tifiably iconic festivals groups visit, they’re sure

to leave with memories of their adventures that will urge them back again and again.

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Courtesy Avery Co. COC

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN HIGHLAND GAMES

JULY 1 1-14 Groups don’t need to have ancestors who hailed from Scotland to enjoy the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, which is held near Linville, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, although a fondness for kilts and bagpipes might help.

There is plenty of both at this rollicking four-day event, now in its 64th year. The celebration of all things Scottish gets rolling with the dramatic nighttime Torchlight Ceremony, used in centuries past to summon clans to battle, and ends with a triumphant clan parade. In between, there are singing, dancing, music and athletic competitions. Many of the latter involve dramatic feats of strength, like Highland wrestling, the hammer throw and the caber (log) toss.

If group members have a hankering for bannock (skillet bread), bridies (meat pies) and the like they should purchase them upon arrival — the homemade Scottish delicacies sell out quickly.

Likewise, it’s best to sign up early for classes and workshops, which are offered throughout the day in everything from fiddling to speaking Gaelic.

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2 ROGALLO KITE FESTIVAL AND REVOLUTION COMPETITION

JUNE 14 -16 “Go fly a kite” takes on a whole new meaning at the Rogallo Kite Festival and Revolution Competition in Nags Head. Still going strong after nearly four decades, this three-day event can draw thousands of people thanks to its nothing-quite-like-it appeal. It was founded in honor of Outer Banks residents Francis and Gertrude Rogallo, who crafted the world’s first flexible wing kite out of their dining room curtains. Without their invention, there would be no modern-day kite flying, parasailing, hang gliding or kite sailing.

Part of the fun is the location atop stunning Jockey’s Ridge, the largest natural sand dune on the East Coast. Seeing the massive display kites, which include a 100-foot-tall octopus, fill the sun-soaked, brilliantly blue sky should return groups to a state of childlike wonder, as will watching the quad-line stunt kites soar and dip like runaway roller coasters. For group members who want to get hands-on, lessons will be available.

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Photos courtesy Outerbanks.org

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JUNE 2019

3 CHRISTMAS AT BILTMORE

NO V EMBE R 1, 2 0 19-J A NU A R Y 5, 2 0 2 0 Sometimes all that glitters really is gold, as groups will discover at the 45th annual Christmas at Biltmore in Asheville. Biltmore, built by business magnate George Vanderbilt more than a century ago, will be transformed into a Yuletide wonderland, with 60 sumptuously decorated trees, 45,000 lights and 150 candles gracing the 250-room French Renaissance chateau.

This year’s theme is The Gilded Age, and Biltmore floral manager Lizzie Borchers said the design will be “very elegant, very luxuriousfeeling, with lots of gold throughout the house. We’re actually already working on Christmas now. It’s going to be spectacular.”

At the country’s largest privately owned home, gold isn’t just for decor. Groups are treated like gold, with a number of exclusive offerings available; they include guided evening tours of Biltmore House with or without a private rooftop reception, guided historic garden walks, bonfires at Antler Hill Farm, beer-pairing dinners, estate-wine tastings and more.

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Photos courtesy the Biltmore Co.

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NORTH CAROLINA SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

OC T OBE R 4 -6 According to Stephanie McIntyre, executive director of the North Carolina Seafood Festival, groups will be welcomed with open arms at the Morehead City celebration.

“We look at it like when that bus comes we are flinging open the back door to the Crystal Coast and saying, ‘Come on in!’” she said. “We’ll have 200 vendors from all over the country selling arts and crafts and food. But obviously, taking the main stage is North Carolina seafood.”

In addition to noshing on oysters, shrimp and other goodies just scooped from the sea, groups can hop aboard amusement park rides and check out entertainment on three stages. Demonstrations from local chefs, a cooking competition and even a fireworks show over the water McIntyre swears is the East Coast’s best are also part of the event. McIntyre guarantees seeing lots of “heart smiles” at the event, which was canceled last year because of damage from Hurricane Florence. “If you’re happy when you’re eating,” she said, “you’re definitely going to be grinning at this festival.”

4

Courtesy NC Seafood Festival

W W W.N C S E A FO O D F E S TIVA L .O RG

SOME PEOPLE SEE A PILE OF TOOLS. WE SEE A WAY TO HELP IMPROVE A DESTINATION IN NEED.

Tourism Cares can help you see the world differently. By participating in our outreach, education and volunteering programs you’ll be able to more successfully connect needs to opportunities.

And, you’ll gain the direction, networking, tools and skills required to shape a more resilient and sustainable future for the destinations and communities we all sell and rely upon. Join us and unite with your industry colleagues to harness the transformative power of travel.

Visit TourismCares.org. See the possibilities.

Join these companies in seeing the possibilities.

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JUNE 2019

THE BARBECUE FESTIVAL

OC T OBE R 26 Just how good is Lexington-style barbecue? Good enough that the Barbecue Festival serves exactly one kind of barbecue, and that’s Lexington-style barbecue. Some 150,000 pork-hungry people flock annually to the historic little town for a full day of fun that has grown to include pig races, BMX stunt performances, a car show and concerts by up-and-comers. Taylor Swift famously played the year before she hit it big.

The varied entertainment options make the Barbecue Festival, founded in 1984, a great choice for tour groups. But the real star is Lexington-style barbecue, according to Cecil Conrad, proprietor of the Barbecue Center, one of the event’s purveyors. “You’re gonna get pork shoulder, not the whole hog,” he said of the succulent fare. “We need the extra fat that’s in the shoulder because it cooks over hickory and oak coals anywhere from 10 hours on.

It’s been done that way since the turn of the last century. That’s the traditional Lexington flavor.”

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By Donnie Roberts/The Dispatch, courtesy Barbecue Festival

Three National Parks One Incredible Destination

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

For group adventures, contact Lorrie Love; love@outerbanks.org, or call 877-629-4386

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AmericasFirstBeach.com

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

The Outer Banks OF NORTH CAROLINA

®

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D E L TA

Dynamo

Courtesy Blue Bank Resort

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JUNE 2019

CASEY JONES MEETS THE PEABODY DUCKS IN

W E S T T E NNE S S E E

W

hen Tennessee schoolchildren learn about their state, they are taught how it divides neatly into three sections. East Tennessee has the grandeur of the Great Smoky Mountains; Middle Tennessee contains the state capital; and West Tennessee has, well, lots of soybean and cotton fields.

In reality, West Tennessee has much more than soybean and cotton fields, and it is fertile ground for groups to explore. There are places that are perennially popular (think Graceland and Beale Street), a natural wonder created when the Mississippi River flowed backward, festivals aplenty and some quirky attractions.

BLUE BANK RESORT ON REELFOOT LAKE OFFERS A MOMENT FOR REFLECTION DURING A TOUR OF WEST TENNESSEE.

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REELFOOT LAKE FOR NATURE LOVERS In the state’s far northwest corner, where locals work to get travelers to stop on their way somewhere else, is Reelfoot Lake, known widely by fishermen and waterfowl hunters for decades and growing in popularity for people who enjoy birds, butterflies and outdoor activity.

Reelfoot Lake is surreal and seems out of place.

It’s a shallow lake ringed by knobby-kneed bald cypress trees borne of multiple earthquakes from 1811 through 1812. The biggest quake was felt in Quebec, rang church bells in Philadelphia and made the Mississippi River flow backward. The

B Y TO M A D K I N S O N

earth dropped from two to 50 feet in places, and the wayward river water sought the lowest point.

The result? Instant lake, no Tennessee Valley Authority engineers needed. It is Tennessee’s only natural lake.

One of Tennessee’s resort state parks is here, as is the Blue Bank Resort, which accommodates groups. Second-generation owner Mike Hayes offers a mix of traditional motel rooms and condos, dining at the Fish House Restaurant and guides for birding trips — there are 73 active bald eagle nests in the region — sightseeing tours and, of course, crappie and bream fishing.

A recent addition is a half-mile-long trail where Hayes has been planting milkweed to feed monarch butterflies and black and blue salvia to attract hummingbirds. During winter, the trail glows with 300,000 holiday lights.

Just 22 miles away in Union City is Discovery Park of America, an attraction you’d expect more in a big city. The centerpiece of this $80 million facility is Discovery Place, a gleaming white building with sweeping curves that houses 10 exhibit galleries, a 20,000-gallon aquarium, dinosaurs, fossils, Native American artifacts and even military equipment and vintage automobiles.

This isn’t a stuffy, don’t-touch museum. Kids and adults alike have a blast with the many handson exhibits and experiences. One touch of regional reality is an earthquake simulator that helps visitors understand how Reelfoot Lake was created.

Outdoor attractions include an 1800s-vintage gristmill, log cabins, farm buildings, a train station and locomotive, a century-old church and a replica of the Liberty Bell. There are even Japanese, European and American gardens.

Good news for group leaders is that two lodging properties — a Holiday Inn Express and a combination Sleep Inn/MainStay Suites — are scheduled to open this year within walking distance of Discovery Park.

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DISCOVERY PARK

Courtesy Discovery Park of America

THE INN at Pickwick Landing State Park Meeting and Conference Center

TO THE LAKE Over 6000 square feet of meeting and banquet space…..

Over 1400 acres of park grounds to enjoy….

Nature walks, golfing, picnicking, bird watching, boating, kayaking, swimming-

Make your meeting a relaxing retreat!

www.tourhardincounty.org 28

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MEMPHIS FOR MUSIC , DUCKS AND A DRINK Memphis, the mother lode of West Tennessee attractions and activities, celebrates two notable anniversaries this year. One is the city’s bicentennial, which is why the Memphis in May International Festival broke precedent and went domestic instead of international and honored Memphis itself.

The other anniversary is the 150th year of the Peabody Hotel. This legend, a pillar of American hospitality, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is the site of one of the oddest rituals anywhere: the daily parade of live ducks to a travertine marble fountain in the middle of the two-story lobby.

In addition to hosting presidents, dignitaries, celebrities and groups of all types, the Peabody added “duckmaster” to the nation’s lexicon. Someone has to get the ducks from their penthouse accommodations to the fountain and back, and that person forever gets to cite “duckmaster” on his resume.

As if to celebrate those two events, there’s a new free attraction in Memphis called Mighty Lights that colorfully illuminates the Hernando De Soto Bridge, which carries I-40 traffic. Downriver and quite visible is Big River Crossing, a pedestrian and bicycle bridge, which also boasts a light show. Nightly illuminations are from sundown until 10 p.m. One elevated perspective is the restaurant level of the Pyramid, the massive riverside structure that now houses a Bass Pro Shops store and hotel, itself an appealing group destination.

If a group leader had to choose only one stop in Memphis that would explain the city’s depth and variety of story lines, my nominee would be the Rock and Soul Museum, adjacent to the FedEx Forum, where the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies play.

Yes, the museum’s core story is about the music Memphis has exported to the world. But the museum also tells other stories: how Memphis grew when rural populations moved to the city; how entertainment many times was a bridge between black and white cultures; and how country, gospel, soul and rock music are intertwined. The museum began as a project of the Smithsonian Institution, and the Memphians who perpetuated it did a great service to their city and its visitors.

Of course, it’s rare that a group leader can make only one stop in Memphis, which explains why musicoriented attractions such as Graceland, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, Sun Studio, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the Blues Hall of Fame Museum remain so popular.

JUNE 2019

THE DUCKMASTER AT THE LEGENDARY PEABODY HOTEL

Shifting from entertainment to food and drink puts the focus on a new stop in Memphis: a distillery tour.

The westernmost point on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail is the Old Dominick Distillery, just a couple of blocks from Beale Street. Two great-great-grandsons of a mid-1800s Italian immigrant are building on family heritage, including resurrection of the Memphis Toddy, a bourbon-based cordial. Tours include a tasting and a toast.

Spirited discussions arise when picking a barbecue restaurant in Memphis, but a sure bet near the Old Dominick Distillery is Central Barbecue. The action is fast, the aroma is divine, and groups are welcome.

A more traditional meal also is nearby at the Arcade Restaurant, known as Memphis’ oldest cafe. It opened in 1919 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

You can sit in spots favored by Elvis Presley and Rufus Thomas, and yes, a peanut butter and banana sandwich is on the menu.

Everyone should visit the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel. Using timelines, photographs, video, murals, statuary and recordings, the museum is illuminating, breathtaking, somber, inspiring and even joyful.

It tells the history behind the civil rights movement in a fashion that is simultaneously intellectually stimulating and emotionally touching. Its impact, of course, is compounded by the fact that it incorporates the very spot where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

MEMPHIS’ ARCADE RESTAURANT

AN EXHIBIT AT THE NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM Photos by Tom Adkinson

JACKSON FOR TRAINS AND CARS Casey Jones Village in Jackson appropriately calls itself “the best whistlestop between Nashville and Memphis,” and this multifaceted attraction remains popular with groups. It is right beside Interstate 40, a good place for a highway break.

It is named for legendary railroad engineer Casey

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Artwork by Donia Simmons

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WORLD’S BIGGEST FISH FRY IN PARIS

Courtesy O’Connor Brewing Compan

& w e n L L a

Jones, whose story of high-speed runs and a heroic death is told in a compact museum that includes one oversized exhibit: a locomotive of the model Jones drove.

Beyond the history lesson, groups know Casey Jones Village for the Southern cooking at its buffet restaurant — think fried chicken, catfish, sweet potatoes, turnip greens and black-eyed peas — and for the creations made at its nostalgic ice cream parlor, where the soda fountain dates to the 1880s. If your timing is good, you’ll hit a Saturday-morning farmers market from early May through late September.

About three miles off Interstate 40 is a completely different attraction: Rusty’s TV and Movie Car Museum.

Housed in a nondescript building is one man’s collection of famous cars to which almost everyone can relate.

Among Rusty Robinson’s collection of vehicles — some straight from production of a TV show or movie and some that are replicas — are a Pontiac Trans Am from “Knight Rider,” a Dodge Monaco police car from “The Blues Brothers,” an AMC Pacer from “Wayne’s World,” a Ford Torino from “Starsky and Hutch,” a 1989 Batmobile that Robinson labels as “fully operational” and a custom-made car called a Coyote from “Hardcastle and McCormick.”

“I’ve loved cars forever,” Robinson said, explaining his odd collection. “Growing up in the ’80s, cars were vital to just about every TV show. I got one. Then I got another. Then …”

Group leaders might develop the same mentality about west Tennessee attractions. First, they will find one, then another, then …

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M O C .

D N A L E C A R G800-238-2000 | MEMPHIS, TN

CASEY JONES VILLAGE

By Tom Adkinson JUNE 2019

IVE T S E F G N I T GET EE S S E N N E T T IN WES

JU

NE

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• Six tons of fried catfish, thousands upon thousands of hushpuppies and activities that fill an entire week give the World’s Biggest Fish Fry in Paris some bragging rights, too. Perhaps the

he western portion of Tennessee is home to numerous

oddest activity is organized catfish races (you have to be there to

special events. From high-profile festivals to small-town

understand). After festival frivolities, take a group picture at Ten-

celebrations of local food and culture, here are five

nessee’s version of the Eiffel Tower.

events to consider when planning your group’s trip to the area.

• Tiny Humboldt has been inviting people to its West Ten-

• West Tennessee’s biggest festival is the longest one, too. It’s

nessee Strawberry Festival since 1934 and now packs 20

the Memphis in May International Festival, which fills the

events into a week of fun every May. Organizers also pack a lot

month with multiple events such as the Beale Street Music Festival,

of luscious red strawberries to take home and dish up loads of

the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest — breathe

strawberry shortcake and strawberry ice cream. Attendance that

deeply and enjoy; the Great American River Run — fun to watch

week can top 75,000 in a town of about 8,200 residents.

even if you don’t run in the 5K or half-marathon; and a huge salute

• The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville is

to another countr — precedent was broken this year so the festival

the focal point for two annual festivals courting two distinct audi-

could honor Memphis itself during its bicentennial.

ences. In April, birdwatchers and nature lovers wing in for the

• Before Memphis in May gets cranked up, Beale Street bustles

three-day Hatchie Bird Fest, which includes birding hikes and

with the Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival, which

canoe trips in the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge. In May, mu-

salutes a different African nation every year. It started in 1986

sic lovers show up for the two-day Exit 56 Blues Festival, which

and has honored nations from Morocco to South Africa through

celebrates three blues pioneers that called Brownsville home:

visits from dignitaries, food, crafts, dance and other programming.

Hammie Nixon, Yank Rachell and “Sleepy” John Estes.

Be driven

by joy.

Inspire miles of smiles for your tour group with hundreds of unique attractions conveniently located in one beautiful mountain town. Stunning views, shows, Dollywood, down-home cooking, arts, crafts and much more make us a destination to remember.

P I G E O N FO R G E TO U R S .C O M 1- 8 0 0 -2 8 5 -75 5 7

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Made in

DEARBORN County

G

NOBODY LE AVES HERE EMPT Y-HANDED

roups visiting Dearborn County, Indiana, should leave extra space in their luggage. The county’s attractions offer plenty of hands-on craft opportunities that result in several memorable souvenirs and gifts.

At Casey’s Outdoor Solutions, groups can shop for garden gifts and make their own suet feeder to attract songbirds. Similarly, a trip to the Southeastern Indiana Art Guild (SIAG) Gallery and Studios goes beyond incredible local art.

The group can choose from several crafts to create, bring home and then make again whenever they wish.

“We’ve found that people are looking for hands-on activities with a sense of place experience,” said Sally McWilliams, group sales for the Dearborn County Visitor Center. “I think we’ve been really successful with that. We showcase places off the beaten path you might not think of as an attraction, yet they have been very popular.”

McWilliams works with local attractions to offer groups a plethora of interactive opportunities. Because the area receives so many repeat customers, McWilliams is constantly packaging new experiential activities.

For an itinerary that can offer both baking beer bread and crafting a Victorian ornament, book a tour to southeastern Indiana.

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Courtesy Dearborn Co. VB GROUPS TOURING DEARBORN COUNTY ENJOY PAINTING SILK SCARVES AT SIAG GALLERY AND STUDIOS.

MAKE A SUET FEEDER CASEY’S OUTDOOR SOLUTIONS

When groups enter Casey’s Outdoor Solutions in Lawrenceburg, McWilliams notices a trend. The women tend to flock to the gift shop while the men run to look at the rocks.

“If I have a group of half men and women, I’ll send them to Casey’s,” said McWilliams. “There are things going on there all the time. Groups can listen to a presentation on what flowers attract pollinators. Or they can try a project that is nature-oriented. They offer choices based on your interests.”

One easy “do it yourself ” class helps participants create seed-filled suet feeders to attract wild birds. The activity includes materials needed, a glass of “cardinal punch” and a tour of the property’s 1850s log cabin and garden center.

Groups can also make an Indian corn wreath, enjoy a beekeeper presentation and honey tasting, or learn to grow herbs and cook with them.

Garden-themed activities continue at the nearby McCabe’s Greenhouse and Floral. McCabe’s hosts more than 15 hands-on classes, JUNE 2019

such as Plant a Hanging Door Basket, Create a Japanese Kokedama and Plant a Pollinator Pot. The family-owned garden center offers tours of its extensive greenhouse nursery production and samples of the center’s homemade gourmet fudge. If chocolate attracts travelers more than flowers, groups can decorate fudge treats with apples, marshmallows and other garnishes.

PA I N T A S I L K S C A R F SIAG GALLERY AND STUDIOS

A colorful scarf is a great way to make an eyepopping statement. And wearing such a scarf is even more enjoyable when you have made it yourself with the help of the experts at SIAG Gallery and Studios.

“People will book the paint-a-silk-scarf experience because it is so unusual,” said McWilliams.

“You learn what materials are required and how to do it. But it requires no talent. You don’t need to know how to draw. It still ends up beautiful.”

The SIAG Gallery and Studios in Aurora offers the wearable art project. Participants can experiment with color, since abstract designs work well with the artform.

The 20-year-old organization displays fine art, photography, wood-crafting art, sculptures and other works from local artists. The nonprofit group promotes visual arts for the tristate area of southeastern Indiana, northern Kentucky and southwestern Ohio.

Groups can dabble in artistic endeavors themselves with the guidance of one of the guild’s resident artists. At one class, participants learn that finger painting is not just for grade school.

Finger Paint a Garden requires a brushed background, sprays of water and finger-made flowers.

Other workshops include Create a Mixed Media Note Card, Paint a Gourd Birdhouse and Brush Paint a Canvas.

BEER BREAD -MAKING D E M O N S T R AT I O N GREAT CRESCENT BREWERY

When a group of Amish women asked to try the Beer Bread-Making Demonstration at the Great Crescent Brewery in Aurora, the chef, Lani Valas, expressed some hesitation.

“She said she could not believe she was going to teach Amish women how to bake,” said McWilliams. “They came and were thrilled.

They asked so many questions. They were an unexpected target audience.”

The brewery’s owners enjoy trying the unexGROUPTRAVELLEADER.COM

pected. They offer the Beer Bread-Making Demonstration for those who want something beyond a simple beer tasting and tour. The interactive experience allows guests to watch Valas bake the bread before being sent home with their own beer bread mix. During the demonstration, groups can sample several varieties, such as pepperoni and cheese, or blueberries and walnuts.

For more of a challenge, the brewery also offers a basket-weaving workshop. Though it is more difficult than bread-making, inexperienced visitors can still walk away with a handsome basket.

Great Crescent Brewery opened in 2008 and grew from a small location to reside in a spacious 1843 former distillery warehouse. The name Great Crescent pays tribute to Aurora’s Crescent Brewery Company founded in 1873.

Groups can discover the brewery’s history and most popular beers during a tour. The brewery offers several locally sourced sandwiches served on homemade buns or pretzel buns with chips.

Tour SOUTHEAST INDIANA

RiveR Town Spend a day along the Ohio River Scenic Byway and explore historic Aurora. Follow an urban arts trail with your artist guide, tour landmark mansions, enjoy a “Linens & Luxury” luncheon and visit a small brewery with a big history.

“Wonderful experience, Top-notch service!”

- CB&S Bank Shining Stars, Russellville, AL

C R E AT E A V I C T O R I A N ORNAMENT HILLFOREST VICTORIAN HOUSE MUSEUM

Built on a bluff overlooking the Ohio River, the Hillforest Victorian House Museum never fails to catch the eye of visitors to Aurora. Industrialist and financier Thomas Gaff built the house in 1855 to blend Italian Renaissance architecture with the style of the then-modern steamboat.

This unusual pairing resulted from Gaff ’s involvement with the shipping industry. Groups can now examine the home’s full-width front porch modeled after a steamboat’s deck, along with other singular designs.

The home’s architecture and setting are so striking that many group leaders started asking McWilliams for a hands-on activity in the space. To align with the well-attended Victorian Christmas experience, where the home is decked in 1800s decorations, the mansion started offering Create a Victorian Ornament.

“People tell me they love that it is not complicated and not offered other places,” said McWilliams. “We can even do Christmas in July for groups that don’t want to travel in the winter.

Groups hear a program about Victorian Christmas traditions and then create pretty ornaments with scrap materials. People who are scrapbooking like it because it uses ribbons and glue.”

Costumed docents offer tours of this National Historic Landmark from April through December.

WWW.VISITSOUTHEASTINDIANA.COM

“Windows of Aurora” Hillforest Victorian House Museum

OHIO Indianapolis

INDIANA

1

Cincinnati

KENTUCKY Lexington

Louisville

South of I-74 & west of I-275, 20 minutes west of Cincinnati

www.TOURSoutheastIndiana.com 800-322-8198

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PASS THE ROLES T H E S E DI N N E R T H E A T E R S A R E E N JO Y I NG L ONG RU N S

BY E L I ZA M Y E R S

T

he lights dim and an electric thrill runs through the crowd.

From the moment the curtains open, the excitement of live theater is palpable.

Combining the spectacle of live theater with a delicious meal creates an evening of pure entertainment. Dinner theaters across the country make this equation of fun work with music, dancing, storytelling and cuisine.

Although they all offer a meal and a show, dinner theaters vary in style. A rollicking good time at the Western-themed Jackson Hole Playhouse will leave a different impression than the elegant and upscale productions of the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater.

No matter what dinner theater you choose, these sites all know how to throw an unforgettable party.

THE BARN DINNER THEATRE IN GREENSBORO

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BARN DINNER THEATRE

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G R E E NS BO RO, NO RTH CARO LI NA KNOWN FO R : H ISTO R I C LEGACY

Howard Douglass Wolfe was convinced he had a golden idea. Known as the father of dinner theaters, Wolfe built the Barn Dinner Theatre in central North Carolina as part of a chain of 27 similar theaters stretching across the eastern United States.

Since 1964, the theater has produced Broadway-style shows, concerts and other performances. Now known as America’s longest-running dinner theater, it serves more than 50,000 patrons annually.

The theater appears much as it did when it opened in a converted barn with a theater-in-the-round stage. The 360-degree sight seating ensures that guests never sit more than 35 feet from the stage. The sets never use obstructive scenery, so all 250 audience members can always see the actors.

Over the years, the dinner theater has nurtured many talented actors, including Robert De Niro and Mickey Rooney. Groups can learn about the theater’s storied past — it once housed actors in living quarters above the performance space.

Southern classics fill the theater’s buffet, with dishes such as fried okra, banana pudding, Angus roast beef and honey-glazed ham. The buffet is set in the middle of the room. Once everyone is served, the buffet is moved, and the stage is lowered from the ceiling into its place.

Shows vary at the Barn Dinner Theatre, with recent musicals like “The Addams Family” as well as tribute concerts such as “The Gospel Side of Elvis.”

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A PRE-SHOW DINNER

A BARN DINNER THEATRE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

“THE ADDAMS FAMILY” CAST AT THE BARN

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Photos courtesy Barn Dinner Theatre

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FIRESIDE DINNER THEATRE

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FO RT ATKI NSO N , WIS CO NS I N KNOWN FO R : S H O PPI N G

When groups show up at the Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, the visit extends beyond a quick evening dinner and show. The historic dinner theater is one of Wisconsin’s leading group travel attractions because of its high-quality food, professional performances and shopping experience.

The site features three permanent gift shops and one seasonal shop. While guests browse the memorabilia, the home decor, the garden accessories and the boutique handbags, they can sample cookies, cakes and other goodies at the on-site bakery.

What began as a dream for a standout restaurant in the small Wisconsin town opened as a 60- by-60-foot pyramid-shaped building in the middle of a cornfield. Dick Klopcic’s vision seemed foolhardy to many, but over time, the restaurant’s consistently well-reviewed menu attracted visitors from near and far. Since it opened in 1964, the company has expanded four times.

Because the dinner theater started as a restaurant, the site prioritizes the dining experience. Meals take place away from the stage with story-themed menus; for example, a Hawaiian rib-eye steak might be served for a performance of “South Pacific.” Buffets are also available for two of the theater’s seven annual productions.

The Fireside Dinner Theatre’s in-the-round stage sits patrons close to the stage, which is only three feet from the first rows. The theater produces Broadway musicals and musical revues with its in-house band. Some recent productions include “Menopause the Musical,” “Annie” and “A Christmas Story.”

“BEAUTY AND THE BEAST”

A FIRESIDE DINNER PLATE

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THE FIRESIDE DINNER THEATRE’S ELEGANT DINING ROOM

“SOUTH PACIFIC”

Photos courtesy Fireside Dinner Theatre

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CANDLELIGHT PAVILION DINNER THE ATER

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CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA KNOWN FOR: BROADWAY PRODUCTIONS

“THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE” AT CANDLELIGHT PAVILION DINNER THEATER

“BRIGHT STAR”

The Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater has one clear advantage: its location.

The dinner theater in Claremont, California, lies in a suburb of Los Angeles, a city filled with high-caliber actors. With excellent actors to choose from, the dinner theater has crafted its reputation around quality Broadway productions.

When visitors enter the dinner theater, they immediately remark on the grandeur of the venue. The elegant interior is matched by the fine dining experience. The theater’s gourmet chef, full waiter service, wide selection of wines and homemade desserts dazzle guests before the show begins.

The Candlelight Pavilion produces an average of nine musicals per year, each running approximately seven weeks. The owners select Tony Award-winning musicals for every demographic each season, from edgy selections to classic musicals to family-friendly favorites. Upcoming and recent productions include “Bright Star,” “Peter Pan” and “The Bodyguard.”

Since its opening in 1985, the dinner theater’s company has written and produced a Christmas play each year. This December, the tradition continues with the all-new “The Bells of Christmas.”

Though the venue specializes in Broadway musicals, it also offers a summer concert series and a series of dramatic plays.

The operation started when a husband and wife wrote their plans for a dinner theater on a napkin. The Candlelight Pavilion is now co-owned by the couple’s two children, who still make a curtain speech each night to welcome the patrons as family.

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DINNER ENTERTAINMENT AT CANDLELIGHT PAVILION

Photos courtesy Candlelight Pavilion

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DUTCH VALLEY AND OHIO STAR THEATER

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S U GARCR E E K , O H IO KNOWN FO R : AM IS H CU IS I N E

When Amish families gather around the table for a meal, family members pass around the old-fashioned, homemade dishes as needed. Groups members can ask one another to pass the potatoes and other dishes at Dutch Valley.

Dutch Valley in Amish country, Ohio, goes beyond a typical dinner theater with not only an on-site theater and restaurant but also a bakery, shops and an inn, so guests can settle in and enjoy. The Dutch Valley Restaurant follows Amish recipes with an all-you-can-eat salad bar, roasted meats, sandwiches and other homestyle dishes.

The restaurant sits less than 100 yards from the Ohio Star Theater, so guests can easily combine a family-style meal or buffet with a show. Productions first took place in the site’s conference center. Demand outgrew the space, and the site opened the 500-seat theater in 2017.

The theater produces an average of 15 concerts and four musicals a year. Many of the musicals have Amish themes, such as the upcoming “Stolen, the Musical” and “A Simple Sanctuary.”

Groups can search for home decor, boutique clothing items and Amish-made goodies at Dutch Valley Gifts and the Dutch Valley Market. A playground and carriage rides also add to the experience.

Dutch Valley rises above mist-covered Amish farmland filled with crops and Jersey cows. At Carlisle Inn, sugar-sweet cinnamon rolls, handcrafted beds and fireplace nooks make a stay at Dutch Valley an Amish experience filled with all the traditions plus modern conveniences.

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DUTCH VALLEY RESTAURANT

OHIO STAR THEATER

Photos courtesy Dutchman Hospitality

Explore Myrtle Beach • Fresh Itineraries • Diverse Accommodations • Live Entertainment • History & Nature • Coastal Carolina Cuisine • Incredible Shopping • Southern Hospitality

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JACKSON HOLE PLAYHOUSE

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JACKSO N , W YO M I N G KNOWN FO R : WESTE R N-TH E M E D S H OWS

Six nights a week, the “Shootout Gang” takes over Town Square of Jackson for the famous Jackson Hole Shootout, although this shootout adds a whimsy to the classic Western scene with singing, dancing and laughs.

When visitors attend a meal and a show at the Jackson Hole Playhouse, they may notice the servers look familiar. The actors in the shootout double as servers and performers on the stage at the dinner theater.

The Saddle Rock Saloon keeps up the Western theme of the experience with decor outfitted to match saloons in old Western movies. Meals feature salads, bread and a main entree with sides.

The actors sing cowboy and country songs throughout dinner before moving on to the main event, which usually features a show with a Western theme such as “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”

The Jackson Hole Playhouse’s building opened in 1915 as a livery stable. The building is one of the city’s oldest buildings. Over the years, it served as the town’s Model T Ford dealership, a bowling alley and a theater named Diamond Lil before opening as a dinner theater in 1984.

Wyoming’s longest-running professional dinner theater, the Jackson Hole Playhouse received a Top Jackson Hole Attraction rating from TripAdvisor for 2015 and 2016.

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JACKSON HOLE PLAYHOUSE

Courtesy Jackson Hole Playhouse

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“BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” AT TOBY’S DINNER THEATRE

Courtesy Toby’s Dinner Theatre

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TOBY’S DINNER THEATRE

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CO LU M B IA , MARY L AN D KNOWN FO R : I NTI MATE TH E ATE R E XPE R I E N CES

After chatting with servers during the meal, groups can watch the wait staff transform into colorful characters for an immersive theater experience at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia, Maryland. The performance continues to feel personable, as the theater-in-the-round stage allows for viewers to sit no more than 30 feet from the stage.

Its proximity to the District of Columbia allows groups to easily incorporate the production and the meal into an itinerary. Toby’s Dinner Theatre features five or six Broadway musicals a year with a live orchestra. The professional productions vary, with upcoming productions that include “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Mama Mia” and “Kinky Boots.”

Since its 1979 opening, the theater has received over 100 Helen Hayes Award nominations. Its 300-seat theater attracts more than 80,000 patrons a year.

Diners can feast on a salad bar, a sundae bar and a seven-entree buffet that changes to fit each production. For example, meal options for “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” feature carrots Parisienne, ratatouille and Frollo’s potatoes.

Toby Orenstein opened the theater using all her savings and with little experience.

Toby’s Dinner Theatre soon became a smash hit. Orenstein was inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame in 2008.

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A WEEK’S WORTH OF SIGHTS. ALL IN A DAY TRIP.

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The Fox Cities offer convenience, versatility and venues for every typeof meeting. An array of exceptional dining options, 3,500+ room choices and group activities, along with our walkable downtown areas will complete your experience.

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Contact Amy Karas: akaras@foxcities.org | 920.734.3358

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Go BEYOND your traditional group outing and experience MORE at the Milwaukee Public Museum!

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Discover the unknown • Travel the world • Blast off into space Visit the past • See live butterflies and bugs • Take a tour with an expert

Start your adventure today at mpm.edu/groups or 414-278-2728 Milwaukee Public Museum | 800 West Wells Street | www.mpm.edu/groups

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BELOIT Wisconsin

NAMED WISCONSIN'S MOST UNDERRATED CITY

DISCOVER MIDWEST CHARM PEPPERED WITH URBAN FLAIR Beloit features a revitalized downtown, public art and galleries, fine dining and supper clubs, museums, historical attractions, and the state’s second-largest Farmers’ Market!

PLAN YOUR GROUP TOUR TODAY! VisitBeloit.com | 608.365.4838

your next Getaway destination is closer than you think.

REALRACINE.COM 262 884 6407 FOR GROUP TOURS

THE WILDERNESS IS CALLING. WE’LL TAKE A MESSAGE. SET ON THE COAST OF LAKE MICHIGAN WITH A RIVER RUNNING THROUGH THE HEART, MILWAUKEE PROVES THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO LEAVE CELL RECEPTION BEHIND TO FIND ADVENTURE. IT’S ALL RIGHT HERE.

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Still to come in 2019!

OSHKOSH Welcome to

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EVENT CITY + SO MUCH MORE. Contact our group tour specialist Cathy Cluff for a customized itinerary. cathy@visitoshkosh.com | (920)303-9200

Superb Musicals | Memorable Dining Family Hospitality | Spectacular Shops VisitOshkosh.com

1131 Janesville Ave, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 800-477-9505 | www.firesidetheatre.com

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GROUPS CAN ENJOY A SUNSET EXCURSION WITH ON THE LOOS CRUISES ON THE FOX RIVER AND LAKE WINNEBAGO IN OSHKOSH.

BELOIT Courtesy Oshkosh CVB

B Y PAU L A AV E N G L A D YC H

Wisconsin is known for its agricultural roots, its natural environments and its rivers and lakes, including Lake Winnebago, the second-largest inland freshwater lake in the United States. From large cities like Milwaukee and Green Bay to smaller waterfront towns, the area offers plenty of water-filled experiences.

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Situated on the banks of the Rock River, Beloit offers visitors a little bit of everything, from watersports and riverfront parks to a historic and beautifully restored downtown area full of independently owned restaurants, coffee shops and stores.

It sits at the midway point of the Rock River Trail, a 320-mile trail that wends its way through Wisconsin and Illinois. The trail offers attractions from water and driving trails to biking, horseback riding, and beer and wine experiences. Beloit’s downtown was named America’s most romantic main street

by Main Street America, and on Saturdays, the town hosts Wisconsin’s largest farmers market, which brings in visitors from across the state.

Along with Beloit College, the oldest operating college in Wisconsin, and two world-class museums, the riverfront town is home to several effigy mounds in the shape of animals built JUNE 2019

by the Ho-Chunk nation. The turtle-shaped mound was the inspiration for Beloit College’s mascot, the Snappers.

Tour groups that wish to sample some of what life was like along the river can tour Beckman Mill County Park, a property that houses the Beckman Mill, a restored and functioning gristmill built in 1868 on the east bank of Coon Creek. There are walking trails on the grounds, a pond and a fish ladder for salmon to run up. It also has a sawmill display, an 1840s cooperage, a visitor’s center, a blacksmith shop, a vintage garden and a nature trail.

“That’s one of our historic treasures,” said Stacey Bodnar, director of marketing and public relations for Visit Beloit.

Nature at the Confluence is another great place to take groups. The environmental center, which opened in 2017 on the confluence of the Rock River, Turtle and Kelly creeks, gives visitors a taste of the area’s local scenery, with a five-acre prairie restoration and pollinator gardens. Visitors can also rent kayaks at the center and take tours of the area. Riverside Park has a three-mile walking and biking trail and a lagoon where visitors can rent paddleboats, kayaks and fishing poles.

“It’s a really beautiful place to enjoy the water,” Bodnar said.

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FOND DU L AC

Fond du Lac means “foot of the lake” in French, as the town is perched on the shores of Lake Winnebago, one of the country’s largest inland lakes. It is also surrounded by state forest and the largest cattail marsh in the United States.

“We’re a perfect hub-and-spoke because we are just south of Green Bay and north of Milwaukee,” said Liz Engh, director of group tour sales for the Fond du Lac Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The area is known for its lakeside supper clubs and its 400-acre Lakeside Park, which has a beautiful lighthouse where visitors love to pose for selfies. The supper clubs are come-as-you-are family-style restaurants that serve everything from seafood to steak, and they are where residents of the area go every Friday night to meet friends and celebrate events.

Agritourism is big in the area, and groups love to visit Rosendale Dairy, a large corporate dairy farm with two 80-cow carousels and a milking parlor. The Meuer Farm is a sustainable farm that grows many different types of grains. Visitors take a wagon ride around the farm and learn about sustainable farming practices and then shop the Busy Bee Country Store. Groups can also take a tour through the “Everglades of the North,” the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States.

Other group tours take visitors to area wineries, breweries and distilleries or to the apple orchards. And even though the area has an agricultural bent, it also is home to 70 attractions, including museums, theaters, galleries and family-owned businesses.

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HUDSON

Hudson sits on the St. Croix River where it merges with the Mississippi River. Early settlers to the area, mostly loggers, named the area Hudson because it reminded them of the Hudson River on the East Coast. To get a deeper sense of the area, groups love to get out on the water with St. Croix River Cruises, which operates out of Hudson. The cruise company has two large boats that offer scenic cruises, leaf peeping, fireworks, comedian dinner cruises and more.

Visitors that want to experience the waterfront without stepping foot on a boat should visit Lakefront Park, which has picnic shelters and a walking path that goes five or six city blocks along the water’s edge. There is also an old toll bridge road that leads to where a bridge used to connect Minnesota and Wisconsin. Visitors still like to walk to the end of the road and take advantage of the swim beach there. Fishing is big as well. Birkmose Park and Indian Burial Grounds overlooks the St. Croix River Valley and river and is home to several Native American burial mounds.

The Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau offers self-guided historic walking tours of restored Victorian-era homes in the historic residential district of Hudson. The Hudson Food Walk offers a three-hour guided tour of historic downtown Hudson with tastings at five popular restaurants. And the Hudson Trolley Company offers wine, brew and distillery tours; scenic and historic tours; specialty and holiday tours; and family fun tours. The town has a great arts community that includes art galleries, theater and music.

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OSHKOSH

Oshkosh is surrounded by water. There are lakes to the east and west and a river that runs between them, so it is safe to say that much of what happens in Oshkosh happens on or near the water. The town has capitalized on its perfect water placement by building a river walk and adding numerous waterfront bars and restaurants, “which makes it a really fun place to hang out when the weather is nice,” said Cathy Cluff, director of sales for the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Group visitors that want to get out on the water can book a paddlewheel riverboat tour through On the Loos Cruises.

The 39-passenger paddle wheeler travels up and down the Fox River and on to Lake Butte des Morts and Lake Winnebago.

Another cruise tour company, the Fin ’n’ Feather, offers scenic dinner, lunch and brunch cruises on the Showboat II riverboat that traverses the scenic Wolf River and upper lakes. The Showboat II Cruises can hold 120 passengers for cocktail and hors d’oeuvre cruises and up to 60 for buffet cruises.

Groups can combine a cruise with visits to Oshkosh’s museum and art galleries. Cluff likens Oshkosh to Cape Cod, saying it is just as pretty but much less crowded.

“We’re really lucky in Oshkosh,” Cluff said. “We’re a small to medium-size city with four museums, all of which are different and interesting.”

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SAILING ON LAKE MICHIGAN NEAR SHEBOYGAN

Courtesy Visit Sheboygan A BELOIT FARMERS MARKET

A STREET FESTIVAL IN BELOIT

Courtesy Visit Beloit

HUDSON’S ST. CROIX RIVER

Courtesy Visit Beloit

The most visited museum is the Experimental Aircraft Association, which is an aircraft and spacecraft museum.

Oshkosh hosts the world’s largest air show each year, drawing half a million people to the area for a week in July. The Paine Art Center and Gardens is also a big draw. The historic mansion and gardens hosts world-class art exhibits, including works by Chihuly and Tiffany.

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SHEBOYGAN

Dubbed the Malibu of the Midwest, Sheboygan is known for its freshwater surfing on Lake Michigan. Surfers come from all over to take advantage of the best freshwater surfing in the world. Surfing isn’t for everybody, so for group travelers who want to get a taste of the lake, the Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan (SEAS) offers stand-up paddleboarding, sailing and powerboat lessons. The two-hour sailing course gives first-time sailors instruction on how to handle every aspect of a sailboat. The tour is great for people 50 or older, said Shelly Harms, tours and events manager for Visit Sheboygan.

Visitors to the lakefront can also tour the wreck of the Lottie Cooper, a three-masted schooner that capsized and sank in 1894 just off Sheboygan Harbor. The wreck was discovered

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Courtesy Hudson Area COC

before the construction of the marina. The remains of the ship were recovered and reassembled in Deland Park. Self-guided tours and guided tours of the ship are available.

Group travelers that aren’t interested in getting out on Lake Michigan can try a bratwurst in the so-called bratwurst capital of the world or take part in group activities sponsored by the downtown business district, three blocks from the lakefront.

One shop offers a class on how to make all-natural cosmetics and hand and body lotion. A kitchen store offers group cooking classes, and its Gadget Hour allows visitors to try all kinds of kitchen gadgets they’ve probably never encountered.

“A lot of times when we have a motorcoach, 40 or 50 people can’t go to each business,” said Harms. The group will be split up so that everyone can get a taste of what Sheboygan has to offer.

There’s also a nice walking trail that runs parallel to Lake Michigan, and visitors can visit the stores, restaurants, bars and coffee shops along the way. Kohler-Andrae State Park, about two miles south of Sheboygan, offers a mix of pine and hardwood forests, beautiful beaches and sand dunes overlooking Lake Michigan and river marshland. Bookworm Gardens is another must-see in Sheboygan. The botanic gardens were inspired by famous children’s storybooks.

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INTERPRETERS DEMONSTRATE TRADITIONAL SPINNING TECHNIQUES AT THE SWISS HISTORICAL VILLAGE AND MUSEUM IN NEW GLARUS.

Courtesy Swiss Historical Village and Museum

B Y PAU L A AV E N G L A D YC H

Wisconsin is a melting pot in the middle of the country with distinct populations of Dutch, Danish, Swiss, Native American, German, Polish and Scottish peoples. No matter where you go in the state, you are sure to find ethnic enclaves, mouth-watering food and plenty of fairs and festivals celebrating everything from the Scottish Highlands and klompen dancing to polka music and German beer.

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Here are a few can’t-miss ethnic heritage adventures you should schedule on your next group tour of Wisconsin.

VILL AGE AND MUSEUM NEW GL ARUS

New Glarus was settled in 1845 as a colony of Switzerland.

“There are a lot of communities within the U.S. that have a lot of Swiss residents, but we are the only ones who were an official colony of Switzerland,” said Denise Anton Wright, a board member for the New Glarus Historical Society, which operates the Swiss Historical Village and Museum in New Glarus. “It is something we really cherished and promoted and valued, even though a lot of people are no longer Swiss here in the community. We still do a lot of Swiss traditions.”

The Swiss Historical Village and Museum got its start in 1938. The New Glarus Historical Society wanted to create a

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MILWAUKEE HIGHLAND GAMES Courtesy Milwaukee Highland Games KRINGLE IN RACINE

APPLETON OKTOBERFEST

DUTCH DOUGHNUTS AT THE HOLLAND FESTIVAL IN CEDAR GROVE

Courtesy Real Racine

CEDAR GROVE’S HOLLAND FESTIVAL Courtesy Holland Guild

living-history museum celebrating the area’s Swiss heritage. The museum built its first building in 1942, a re-creation of the original community building that would have existed in the village in 1845.

Over the years, 13 more buildings were added. The Hall of History tells the immigration story of the people of Glarus, Switzerland, who came here to settle the U.S. colony in the 1840s. Other buildings re-create and pay homage to the lives of those early settlers, including a schoolhouse, a print shop — because the area had a long-running German language newspaper until the 1920s — and other buildings that house antiques and artifacts from those early days.

The outdoor museum is open May through October and includes an original settler’s cabin that was discovered inside a larger home that was being demolished back in the 1970s.

Its biggest event, the Harvest Fest, is held the Sunday before Columbus Day. During the festival, costumed re-enactors talk to visitors about the history of New Glarus and demonstrate some of the integral skills that settlers relied on, like ropemaking, blacksmithing and cheese making.

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KRINGLEVILLE/ WEST R ACINE R ACINE

West Racine is known for its Danish enclave, lovingly

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Courtesy Appleton Oktoberfest

Courtesy Holland Guild

called Kringleville because of the famous bakeries that churn out Wisconsin’s official state pastry, the kringle. Kringles are made of layers of flaky, buttery dough that are stuffed with fruit and nuts and covered in a thin layer of frosting. Pecan and almond kringles are the crowd favorites, but the pastry comes in dozens of flavors, including pumpkin, cranberry, cherry cheese, apple, apricot and chocolate chip.

The Danes first began to arrive in Wisconsin in the late 1830s because land was cheap and open for settlement, said Eileen Arnold, group tour manager for Real Racine, and they brought their love of pastry with them. By 1900, 50% of the city’s population was Danish and it was called Little Denmark.

Racine has four authentic kringle bakeries; three offer group tours. Larsen’s Bakery and Lehmann’s Bakery both do backroom bakery tours where visitors can see how the kringles are made and get free samples as well. O&H Danish Bakery doesn’t offer a full-fledged tour, but a representative will step on the tour bus and explain the history of the Danish kringle and how they are made. The rep then brings the group inside for a sample.

“So many people love the Racine kringle,” said Arnold. The best ones are made by hand in the traditional way. Each pastry has at least 32 layers of buttery pastry, shaped in a large oval and filled with delicious fillings. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton both stopped in Racine to try the

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kringle. “It is a big thing. When they come in this part of Wisconsin, they always have to stop and get kringle.”

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A PPLETON OKTOBERFEST APPLETON

Appleton is hosting its 38th annual Oktoberfest celebration September 27-28. Sponsored by the Fox Cities Chamber, the event is not like a traditional Oktoberfest celebration in that it “engages the entire community as a big fundraiser so they get a lot of different organizations and service groups participating in the events, so there is a lot of ethnic culture that way,” said Tara Brzozowski, director of public relations for the event.

The event started in 1981 as a brainstorm between the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce and the downtown retail association. The two organizations were looking for a way to bring people downtown to explore the local businesses. Oktoberfest is now a two-day event and is one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in Wisconsin. More than 200,000 people attend.

One of the biggest draws to the event, besides the Spaten Oktoberfest beer, is the music. The event has seven stages with different bands playing all day long. The bands come from all across the Midwest, including Chicago, and they play everything from traditional German polka music and oldies to hip hop and indie. There is also a family fun stage that features kid-friendly entertainers and musicians. A Friday night classic car show called License to Cruise launches the Oktoberfest activities.

The festival has 100 food booths that are all run by nonprofit organizations. The groups partner with food vendors to raise money for their varied causes. Along with German beers, the event likes to feature a variety of Wisconsin microbrews so that there is a little something for every palate. General proceeds from the event go into a grant program that gives back $50,000 annually to the community.

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M I LWAU K E E H IGH L A N D GA M E S M I LWAU K E E

Wisconsin’s Scottish clans gather every year for the Highland Games, where bagpipes are welcome, colorful tartans are a must and haggis tacos are not out of the question.

The Milwaukee Highland Games are held the first Saturday of June each year and attract Scottish people and those who just identify with Scotland from all across the Midwest.

Milwaukee’s Highland Games have been going strong since 1871, when the games were held on the lakefront and people would come up by steamer from Chicago to attend.

“Highland games come from Scotland at a time where clans would compete against each other for prestige and honors,” said Dave Berger, spokesman for the event. “So its roots go way back in terms of celebrating culture and history and things of that sort.”

The original idea behind the Highland Games was to have athletes from the different clans come together for heavy game

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competition, like the infamous caber toss, where competitors try to flip a very long and heavy telephone pole end over end, and other feats of strength.

“Those were really warrior tests,” said Berger. They determined who were the best leaders and who could flip a tree over a creek to help troops cross faster.

The Milwaukee event also features a clan village, where visitors can determine the history and heritage of their own clans, and an area with vendors where people can shop for tartans or other Scottish heritage items. More than 20 bagpipe bands come to compete, and there is a Highland Dance competition.

Visitors can also try their hand at archery and axe-throwing or learn to play cricket. The 2019 event will also feature the Welsh Club of Wisconsin, which will present Welsh culture and some rugby. The sheepdog demonstration is also a big hit.

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HOL L A N D F E S T I VA L CEDAR GROVE

Cedar Grove was settled in the 1840s by immigrants from Denmark. Settlers in the area were from Gelderland on the west side of Holland.

“A lot of us came to America for religious freedom,” said Beth Heuver, cultural liaison for the Holland Guild. “The Dutch Reformed Church in Holland was being persecuted a little bit, so they had people coming over here.”

The first Holland Festival celebrated Cedar Grove’s centennial in 1947 and included people in Dutch costumes, Dutch food, klompen dancing (with wooden shoes), street sweeping, music and a parade down Main Street.

During the Holland Festival, the town of 2,000 people swells to more than 10,000. Visitors come from around the area to celebrate their Dutch heritage. The festival itself is dry. The organizers wanted a strictly family-friendly event. It includes a fun run, lots of traditional food and an art fair. There’s a parade on Saturday where participants scrub the streets, which is a throwback to old Dutch market days where vendors wanted to make sure the street in front of their stalls was clean.

One of the big draws is Oliebollen, or Dutch doughnut holes.

The treat is about the size of a walnut, deep fried and sugared.

“It’s wonderful,” said Heuver. “They have them with raisins or without raisins. Our Oliebollen stand starts frying three days before the festival because they [Oliebollen] are so popular, they have to do that just to keep up. I can’t tell you how many thousands of those little things go out.”

The festival also has hamburgers and brats. Much of the food offered in the park is sponsored by community groups trying to raise money. The event also features the handiwork of Luke Traver, Wisconsin’s very own maker of wooden shoes; and vendors are on hand to sell Holland’s trademark Delft pottery, which is white and blue, and other Dutch souvenirs.

W W W. HOL L A N DFEST.COM

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sound-off

STAFF

WHAT’S A PLACE YOU’VE SEEN IN THE MOVIES OR ON TV THAT YOU’D LOVE TO VISIT?

After seeing the movie ‘Only You,’ starring Robert Downey Jr. and Marisa Tomei, Positano, Italy, has been at the top of my bucket list.

— Kelly Tyner, DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING

I would love to visit Kellerman’s Mountain House [aka the Mountain Lake Lodge] in Pembroke, Virginia. It was the setting for ‘Dirty Dancing’ in 1987. The remoteness and abundance of activities have always appealed to me. I love the fresh air and the views of the Appalachian mountains in the summer for a relaxing getaway without any hubbub.

— Melissa Riley, OPERATIONS MANAGER

That’s a tough one, but I’d have to say, it would be The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island where ‘Somwhere in Time’ was filmed.

— Donia Simmons, CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Tuscany, Italy. When I saw the movie ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ with Diane Lane — don’t judge me — I fell in love with the countryside and always loved the looks of villas. That movie sealed the deal.

— Daniel Jean-Louis, ACCOUNT MANAGER

I loved the television series ‘Burn Notice’ from about 10 years ago. The series featured a former U.S. intelligence officer who working with old friends in Miami to help innocent people fend off criminals. The show was filmed almost entirely on location and made Miami look incredibly fun. I’d only ever been to the Miami airport, so I look forward to the day when I get to spend some time in the city.

— Brian Jewell, EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Definitely Munich — and I want to be there during Oktoberfest.

I would love to go to New Zealand. So many amazing movies have been filmed there, like the ones in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ series, ‘The Last Samurai,’ ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ and ‘Jurassic Park.’ Plus, it’s hard to beat the gorgeous landscapes and interesting history around the country.

— Ashley Ricks, CIRCULATION MANAGER

I loved Ben Stiller’s film adaptation of ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.’ He uses a travel theme and a mesmerizing soundtrack to introduce James Thurber’s classic character to a new generation of fans. Played by Stiller, Walter morphs from a hopeless introvert into a world adventurer through the course of the film. His travels in Iceland and his exploits across the north Atlantic capture the outdoor allure of that trending destination and definitely reinforce my desire to spend time there.

— Mac Lacy, PUBLISHER

— Kyle Anderson, ACCOUNT MANAGER

EDITOR’S NOTE Welcome to Staff Sound-Off, the monthly column where our staff members answer questions about their travel practices and preferences.

We hope you enjoy these tips. If you have a question you’d like to see us answer, send it to me and it may appear in a future issue.

BRIANJ@GROUPTRAVELLEADER.COM 50

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Rock City Gardens Lookout Mountain Along Georgia’s northern edge, just two hours from downtown Atlanta, is a realm of whimsy and wonders at scenic Rock City. Find something for every member of your group among the fairytale gardens, art installations, and the waterfall at Lover’s Leap—where the view is said to span seven states.

Photo credit: @alannakouri