Wisconsin Festivals - Page 2

**AJE** · 09-09-2007, 09:36 AM

Cesky Den Czech Heritage Festival
Hillsboro

Visitors are welcome to a taste of Czechoslovakian culture at the Cesky Den festival held in Hillsboro, the "Czech Capitol of Wisconsin." This annual event features Czechoslovakian food, music, arts and crafts, a softball tournament and the crowning of the Cesky Den King and Queen as well as Miss Cesky Den. 608/489-2521 http://www.ceskyden.com/

**AJE** · 09-09-2007, 09:38 AM

Polish Fest

Held at Maier Festival Park on Milwaukee's lakefront, this event is touted as America's largest Polish festival. Event-goers can enjoy Polish folk dancing and music, a cultural village with special exhibits, geneaology area and a children's stage. Live entertainment includes everything from storytellers to Polish rock bands and classical musicians. An annual Chopin Youth Piano Competition and Miss Polish Fest Pageant are also in the line-up. The Sukiennice Marketplace features Polish wares and of course, lots of delicious Polish food. http://www.polishfest.org/

Fall Polka Fest
Wisconsin Dells
Visitors to Fall Polka Fest, set in the scenic Wisconsin Dells, don't even need to know how to polka to enjoy this festival! Costumed dancers and instructors are on hand to teach the art and history of Polka; after an in-depth polka lesson, visitors are welcome to tour the festival grounds to enjoy several world-class polka bands. Of course, when dancing causes attendees to work up an appetite, local chefs are on hand to serve a variety of Polish specialties. 1-800-54-DELLS

**AJE** · 09-09-2007, 09:40 AM

Little Norway's Mid Summer's Eve
Blue Mounds

Visitors are invited to join this celebration of the summer solstice and Wisconsin's Norwegian history. This festival takes place on the longest day of the year, when friends, family and visitors gather around traditional bonfires, enjoying time-honored music and Norwegian food. http://www.littlenorway.com/

**AJE** · 09-09-2007, 09:41 AM

Heidi Festival
New Glarus

Every year, the Swiss settlement of New Glarus brings back the beloved characters of the book "Heidi." Townsfolk don lederhosen for a street dance complete with polka music, and costumed performers present a dramatized version of the book several times throughout the weekend. http://www.swisstown.com/

**AJE** · 09-09-2007, 09:43 AM

Pommerntag Outdoor German Festival
Mequon

Visitors to the Pommerntag Outdoor German Festival can join in celebrating German-Pomeranian heritage. Fair-goers are invited to enjoy German-Pomeranian food, music, and dance performances by the Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt and genealogy displays. 262/376-7641

**AJE** · 09-09-2007, 09:48 AM

Bastille Days
Milwaukee

Bastille Days commemorates the French Revolution, which began with the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789. This four-day celebration is held on land once owned by Milwaukee's first mayor, French fur-trader Solomon Juneau. Named the largest French festival of its kind within the United States. Festival-goers can enjoy Cajun, Creole, Canadian and French cuisine at sidewalk cafes, while folk-music and street performers entertain them. http://www.easttown.com/info/Bastille%20Days/bdindex

**AJE** · 09-09-2007, 10:40 AM

Pulaski Polka Days
Pulaski

It's time for food, fun and fancy footwork at this year's 25th annual Pulaski Polka Days! Visitors who wish to take a trip to Poland without leaving Wisconsin can enjoy authentic polka music and try out a few steps on the dance floor. Highlights include an arts-and-crafts show, parade, raffle and fireman's water-fight. Campsites are available http://www.pulaskipolkadays.com/

**AJE** · 09-09-2007, 10:43 AM

Sons of Norway Kaffe Stue
Mount Horeb

This event showcases the Norwegian culture of the city of Mount Horeb. Local vendors dish up authentic Norwegian fare, while artisans display Norwegian-inspired art. 1-88-TROLLWAY http://www.trollway.com/

**AJE** · 09-09-2007, 10:45 AM

Slovenian Picnic
Sheboygan

Experience the rich, vibrant Slovenian culture that Wisconsin has to offer at Sheboygan's Slovenian Picnic. Picnic-goers can enjoy ethnic lunch treats, play popular games and dance to traditional music. This festival presents a unique and delightful way to enjoy Slovenian culture, and visitors need not be Solvenian to attend! 920/457-7110

**AJE** · 09-09-2007, 10:58 AM

Saint Spyridon Greek Festival
Sheboygan

This is one big, fat Greek Festival! The Saint Spyridon Greek Festival brings the culture of Greece to the streets of Sheboygan. Visitors receive an unparalleled lesson in Greek culture: costumed dancers perform traditional dances, a Greek band emulates the sounds of Greek sidewalk performers and Greek chefs prepare authentic dishes, including souvlaki (shish kabob), lamb and puff pastries. 920/457-6376

**AJE** · 09-09-2007, 11:01 AM

Armenian Fest
Racine

Visitors to Armenian Fest can get a feel of Armenian culture without ever leaving Racine. Organizers re-create the sights, sounds and smells of the "old country." Visitors are welcome to partake in presentations and family entertainment, and enjoy ethnic food, music and folk dancing. 262/639-6076

**AJE** · 09-09-2007, 11:04 AM

Wilhelm Tell Festival
New Glarus

The Wilhelm Tell Festival celebrates Swiss literature and culture. More than 200 costumed, local volunteers take to the stage to honor Swiss independence with lavish performances of "Wilhelm Tell" in English and German. Visitors are invited to enjoy a family campout, complete with a traditional Swiss campfire, sing-along and delectable treats. After a night of fun, participants awake to the sounds of alphorns as well as bells clanging around the necks of goats wandering the countryside. The festival also includes ethnic folk costumes, an outdoor art fair, entertainment and plenty of shopping in the town's unique stores. http://www.swisstown.com/

**AJE** · 09-09-2007, 11:10 AM

Octoberfest
Appleton
A mile of fun awaits more than 100,000 visitors as they take to Appleton's renovated downtown area to celebrate the fall harvest at Octoberfest. The weekend kicks off with the "License to Cruise" classic car show on Friday, and the fun continues on Saturday with ethnic delights served by more than 100 food vendors, live music on five stages, a large arts-and-crafts area and a family area filled with games, rides and children's entertainment. http://www.octoberfestonline.org/

Oktoberfest
La Crosse
Wisconsin is home to several Oktoberfests, and La Crosse is home to the largest such celebration held outside of Munich, with 150,000 people annually in attendance. This Old-World folk celebration is steeped in German tradition. Held along the shores of the Mississippi River, the fall festival transports visitors' spirits to Bavaria with music, entertainment, arts and crafts, ethnic food, carnival rides, Maple Leaf and Torchlight parades, the Festmaster Ball and the Miss La Crosse/Oktoberfest pageant http://www.oktoberfestusa.com/

**AJE** · 09-09-2007, 11:17 AM

Kermis Dutch Festival
Little Chute

Clog your way to a better understanding of the history of Wisconsin's Dutch culture. Visitors to the Kermis Dutch Festival take in music and dancing, while chefs prepare an authentic Dutch fish boil. Costumed volunteers put on a parade demonstrating the unique qualities of the Dutch culture and its role in Wisconsin history. http://www.littlechutewi.org/kermis/kermis.html

**AJE** · 09-09-2007, 11:19 AM

Swiss Fest at Turner Hall
Monroe

Visitors are welcome to join this Swiss variety show featuring the Monroe Swiss Singers, New Glarus Yodel Club, Mannerchor and other local performers. From the sounds of alphorns to accordions, the rich musical history of Swiss culture takes center stage. http://www.monroeswisssingers.org/