From August 3rd through the 7th, the Ozaukee County Fair will return to its yearly place at the Fairgrounds along Washington Avenue in Cedarburg for rides, food, music, animals, 4-H, a truck and tractor pull, a demolition derby, and more. All of this, at one of the last free fairs in the Midwest. Interestingly, the Fair has not always been free, and it hasn't always been in Cedarburg, either. While the Fair, which was created by the Ozaukee County Agricultural Society in 1859, was originally held on leased land in Cedarburg, it was moved soon after to Saukville, where it remained until 1890, when the current location was built. The cost of admission was a whopping fifty cents, until 1942, when Fair officials voted to do away with the admission price. Since that time, the Fair has been funded by ticket prices to the Grandstand Shows, such as the Demo Derby and Truck and Tractor Pull. The big Grandstand Show this year is the Charlie Daniels Band, along with the Whiskeybelles, who will open the show at 7:30. Tickets for this, and any of the other Grandstand Shows can be purchased on the Fair's website. Hours for the fair are noon to midnight on Wednesday, 8 a.m. to midnight on Thursday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. The Fairgrounds are located at W67 N866 Washington Avenue in Cedarburg. Find out all of the details at the Ozaukee County Fair website: http://www.ozaukeecountyfair.com/
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There's nothing quite as Americana as the 4th of July in the small town communities of Oz. Looking for a celebration near you? Look no further! Belgium The celebration begins in Belgium with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 24th at Heritage Park. Thiensville Thiensville's Family Fun Before the 4th is a nearly all-day event, and a great day for the whole family! On Saturday, July 25th, the parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m. Follow it to the Village Park, where free ice-cream, live music, and a variety of events await, followed by fireworks at dusk. Rotary Music Festival in Cedarburg The Drum Corps International Tour will return to Cedarburg on Sunday, July 3, for the 17th Annual Rotary Music Festival. Cedarburg High School Stadium is set to play host to a lineup of 9 World and Open Class corps during this event that will take place on the eve of Independence Day. Friestadt It doesn't get any more Americana than Trinity Friestadt's 4th of July Parade and Picnic! Spend your day enjoying one of Ozaukee County's best kept secrets, beginning with an outdoor worship service at 10 a.m. (weather permitting), an 11 a.m. picnic (complete with root beer floats), a noon tour of the Historical Grounds (with a new display of telephones through the ages), and a 1 p.m. parade, followed by children's games, a flag raising, and the very German music of the Alte Kameraden Band and dancing by the Pommersche Tanzdeel Dancers. Grafton Grafton's 4th of July coincides with Grillin' in Grafton. The parade begins at Grafton High School at 11 a.m., and makes its way to Centennial Park, where more fun can be found, including an 11:30 performance by the UW Marching Band, and fireworks at dusk. Port Washington Port's parade begins at 11 a.m. on the 4th; follow it to Veteran's Park on the lakefront for an old fashioned ice cream social, bicycle judging, a watermelon seed spitting contest, and music throughout the afternoon. The only fireworks over the lakefront in Oz begin at dusk, and are best seen from Rotary Park or Coal Dock Park. Saukville Saukville's parade begins at 1 p.m., going through downtown and ending at Grady Park for a picnic and activities. Fireworks are at dusk over Peninsula Park. Cedarburg Cedarburg's 4th of July Hometown Celebration boasts the largest parade in Ozaukee (roughly 2 hours long!), which begins at Fireman's Park at 10 a.m., and heads south along Washington Ave., making its way to Cedar Creek Park, where a picnic and activities can be found. The Civic Band performs in the band shell at 8 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:30. Happy Independence Day, Ozaukee! When summer comes to Oz, the music begins. Live music. Outdoors. Family friendly. I can't think of a better way to spend a summer evening. Here's the lineup for the summer concert series:
Summer Sounds On Friday nights, beginning at 7 p.m., Cedar Creek Park comes alive with music lovers of all ages. Bring a blanket or chairs. Food and drinks are available to purchase, or bring your own. The playground next to the newly finished band shell is the perfect place for when the kids get bored, or take a stroll along Cedar Creek while the music plays. Freeport Music Festival On Friday in June 24th, July 22nd, and August 19th, the band shell at Veteran's Park on the shores of Lake Michigan is the place to be. The music starts at 7 p.m. with an opening act, followed by the headliner at 8:30. There is a variety of food and soft drinks for sale, as well as beer and wine choices available for purchase from the Port Washington Yacht Club, or bring your own. There is also a playground for the kids to blow off some steam. Live at the Triangle This concert series in the heart of downtown Saukville happens on Wednesday nights from 7-9:30 p.m. throughout the summer. Food and beverages are available to purchase at the park, and every concert is "Cruise Night," so bring your hot rod if you've got it! GALA in the Park Concert Series Starting Thursday, July 7th and continuing through Thursday, August 25th, the Grafton Area Live Arts presents concerts from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. (or later for some). Concerts are held in Veteran's Memorial Park in Grafton along the Milwaukee River. Food is available to purchase from John's Pizzaria of Grafton, and the Grafton Lion's Club sells popcorn and beverages. The Patio at Newport Shores Newport Shores is the only restaurant on the lakefront in Ozaukee County, and there outdoor stage sees an amazing lineup of artists all summer long, including an Open Mic Night every Thursday evening. Of course, there are a variety of festivals happening throughout Oz over the summer, and live music is always on the agenda! Gathering on the Green This yearly concert at Rotary Park in Mequon focuses on fun for the whole family, and usually attracts pretty big name artists. This year, the headliner is none other than Huey Lewis and the News on Friday, July 15th, while the Kids From Wisconsin and the Starliner Big Band will take the stage on Saturday the 16th. Families can get in free with a food donation on Saturday this year, and the evening culminates with the Green's signature musical fireworks! Hot Rods N Blues On the last weekend in June each year, Rods-n-Relics Car Club hosts a car, truck & motorcycle show at Lime Kiln Park in Grafton, Wisconsin called Hot Rods ‘N Blues. This year, The Incorruptibles kick off the event with a set from 11:00am-1:00pm on Sunday, June 26th. Headlining the event is the “Braille Blues Daddy” Bryan Lee. His set is from 1:30pm-3:30pm. Strawberry Festival You'll find music every which way you turn at this annual event in downtown Cedarburg, happening the weekend of June 25th and 26th, but especially at the Gruber Law Office Main Stage next to the Festival Food Court which will feature rockin’ fun cover bands like Our House and Life in a Tree. Grillin' in Grafton This annual festival takes place at Lime Kiln Park, along the Milwaukee River, the first weekend in July, and is billed as Wisconsin's number one BBQ Festival. A BBQ competition, parade, fireworks, and plenty of live music is on the agenda. Fish Day Billed as the "World's Largest One Day Outdoor Fish Fry," Fish Day in Port Washington is celebrating its 52nd year this July 16th. The music headliners are of a Country Music type, featuring Josh Thompson, WAMI award winner Nora Collins, and Road Crew. Ozaukee County Fair One of the last free fairs in the Midwest, the Ozaukee County Fair is an excellent place to catch some live music. Happening August 3rd through the 7th, the Fair kicks off its 157th year with the likes of the Charlie Daniels Band, the Whiskeybelles, and Pat McCurdy, among others. With five stages of music, you're sure to find something you like. Luxembourg Fest An ethnic festival like no other, Luxembourg Festival in Belgium takes place August 12th through the 14th at the Belgium Community Park. You don't have to be a Luxembourger to attend (though it probably helps). A parade, fireworks, car show, kid's zone, craft fair, live music (featuring the headliner, Uprising, on Friday night), and more are sure to please even the non-Luxembourgers among us. Paramount Blues Festival The festival comes to Port Washington's Coal Dock Park this year, over Labor Day Weekend, and is sure to be a hit. The list of musical talent is long, and continues to grow. This should be the perfect end to a long and glorious summer of live music in Oz. Cedarburg Art Museum is so much more than a place with beautiful art. Located in the heart of downtown Cedarburg, CAM also has an amazing array of events and classes for all members of the community. Here is what's happening in June:
June 9: 6:30 pm, CAM Photography Group Gallery Night Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg Members of the CAM Photographic will bring work to share and discuss in a pop up gallery.This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org June 10, 5:30- 8:30 pm, Paula Swaydan Grebel: A Timeless Dialogue, Opening Reception Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg Paula Swaydan Grebel has often painted en plein air, but she also continues artistic explorations by studying and adapting master artists’ renderings of figures in the landscape, exploring abstractions in acrylic or refining tonality and hues in oil paint. Exhibition runs June 8- August 28, 2016. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org June 10, 5:30- 8:30 pm, The Plein Air Paintings of Richard Lorenz, Opening Reception Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg Richard Lorenz came to Milwaukee from Germany in 1886 for the panorama painting industry. As early as 1887-1890, Lorenz travelled on horseback in remote areas of the American West to paint the quickly changing landscape and culture en plein air. Exhibition runs June 8- August 28, 2016. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org June 10, 5:30- 8:30 pm, Metal in Motion: Curtis Archer Sculptures, Opening Reception Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg The museum’s outdoor garden space will feature the large scale work of Lake Geneva sculptor Curtis Archer. Archer creates impressive sculptures by forming and welding pieces of aluminum or copper into curvilinear forms and combining them into unified elements. Sponsored by MH Consulting Partners. Exhibition runs June 8- September 25, 2016. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org June 15, 1 pm, Mah Jongg Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg Consider giving Mah Jongg a try. If you have a Mah Jongg set, please bring it along. Free for members, $5 each time for non-members. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org June 16, 10:30-11:30 am, 1-2 pm, Main Street Art Camp Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg Open to preschool and elementary aged children, each week includes several arts and craft projects. Parents and guardians are invited to enjoy a cup of coffee while their children complete the activities. This week's theme is "Animals." Made possible by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and Pink Llama Gallery. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org June 23, 10:30-11:30 am, 1-2 pm, Main Street Art Camp Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg Open to preschool and elementary aged children, each week includes several arts and craft projects. Parents and guardians are invited to enjoy a cup of coffee while their children complete the activities. This week's theme is "Space." Made possible by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and Pink Llama Gallery. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org June 30, 10:30-11:30 am, 1-2 pm, Main Street Art Camp Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg Open to preschool and elementary aged children, each week includes several arts and craft projects. Parents and guardians are invited to enjoy a cup of coffee while their children complete the activities. This week's theme is "Magic." Made possible by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and Pink Llama Gallery. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org June 30, 5:30- 9:00 pm, Summer Beer Garden Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave, Cedarburg Come to the backyard of the Cedarburg Art Museum to enjoy a family-friend;y evening with music, drinks, and food. This week features food from Mel's Pig Roast and music by Lisa Edgar & Razzmatazz with David Boyles, music sponsored by Ascedia. Supported by Sprecher Brewery and Olsen's Piggly Wiggly. For more information, visit our website cedarburgartmuseum.org Food is a common denominator. Whatever our differences may be, we all need to eat, and food has a way of bringing people together.
In the past several years, the push to buy local food has even surpassed the trend to buy organic food; this is because the money that we spend on locally grown food stays in our local economy, and also because the food doesn't travel as far to get to us, which means it's kinder to the environment. Additionally, in our age of electronic disconnect, people have a need to reconnect -- even as far as to connect with the people who are producing the food we eat. One of the best ways to do this is at a Farmers Market. With the new addition of the Fredonia Farmers Market this year, Ozaukee County can now claim a total of six Farmers Markets to attend over the spring, summer, and fall. Even better, the markets are spread throughout the week, so you can buy local food throughout the season, throughout Oz! Here is the lineup:
What to do if you want to buy local, but can't get to a Farmers Market? Ozaukee is very lucky to have two grocery stores that really support local food: Outpost Natural Foods in Mequon, and Slow Pokes Local Food in Grafton, which also specializes in gluten-free food. Every time you purchase something that is produced locally, you are casting a vote for that item; telling suppliers that this is the kind of item you prefer to purchase. The more local food we purchase, the more local food will be grown, and the better for our local economy and our health! Memorial Day is when we remember those who died while serving in our country's armed forces, as well as a wonderful reason to gather as a community. There are a number of events throughout Oz to attend:
In Saukville, the parade begins at 9 a.m., with a ceremony to follow at Veteran's Park. Contact American Legion Post #470 at 262-284-2787 for details. Port Washington's parade begins at 10:30 a.m. on Grand Avenue at City Hall, and travels east to N. Franklin Street and north to E. Jackson St. There will be a program immediately following the parade at Veteran's Memorial Park on North Lake Street. The Port Exploreum is open on Memorial Day from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., and active military and veterans receive free admission. Fredonia will have a Memorial Day observance at 9 a.m. at Veteran's Park, sponsored by the American Legion Post #410. For more information, contact Kim Steffen at 262-692-2171. Cedarburg's Memorial Day Parade is organized by American Legion Peter Wollner Post 288. It begins at 9 a.m. on the corner of Bridge and Washington, goes south on Washington Avenue, and ends at Post 288 on Hilbert Avenue. The parade will be followed at 10 a.m. by a Remembrance Ceremony memorial service at Legion Memorial Park, comprising the US Navy Silent Drill Team, a wreath-laying ceremony, and keynote speaker, Major Marcea Weiss, WIANG. In Mequon, the Memorial Day Parade and Observance begins at 10 a.m., and is sponsored by Howard J. Schroeder American Legion Post 457. The parade starts at Grace Lutheran Church in Thiensville, and proceeds south along Main St. to City Hall for observances. A free will offering lunch at the new Post Clubhouse, 6050 W. Mequon Road, is available after the ceremony at Mequon City Hall and a special observance at the Post Clubhouse. Happy Memorial Day to all! Water makes civilization. People need water to survive, of course, but in the Midwest, Native Americans and, later, European settlers used the rivers and lakes as roads - roads that were far easier to travel through than thick forests. The communities of Ozaukee exist, mainly, because of two bodies of water: Lake Michigan, and the Milwaukee River. The Milwaukee River begins in Fond du Lac County (there are three branches, but they all begin there). It becomes a significant river just north of Kewaskum, flows through West Bend, and eventually makes its way into Ozaukee county via Newburg, where it crosses County Y right near Riveredge Nature Center. It makes its way north, though the quaint little village of Waubeka, runs along the west side of Fredonia, and proceeds south through downtown Saukville. Most Ozaukeeans meet the Milwaukee River as they pass over it on Highway 60 in downtown Grafton. Just a little ways south of Lakefield Road, Cedar Creek, which runs through downtown Cedarburg, becomes one with the Milwaukee River, and it continues south through Thiensville and Mequon. It winds its way, 104 miles in total, eventually reaching the city that its name inspired, merging with the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers, and entering Lake Michigan just south of the Summerfest grounds. Nearly every community in Ozaukee County, besides the communities of Port Washington and Belgium, are a part of the Milwaukee River Basin, which means we are partially responsible for the health of the Milwaukee River. Luckily, there is a great organization working hard to make it easy to do our part: Milwaukee Riverkeeper. There organization has a number of events coming up that you may want to take part in. From Friday, May 20th to Sunday, May 22nd, Milwaukee Riverkeeper is one of Lowland Grand Cafes’ featured charities for their Cafe Hollander Mequon Grand Opening Benefit! When you dine at Cafe Hollander Mequon for brunch, lunch or dinner Friday, May 20 - Sunday, May 22, 2016, all food and Van Steenberge bier sales will go directly to Milwaukee Riverkeeper and two other charities. Help train Cafe Hollander Mequon's staff and sample their menu, while helping the Milwaukee River - who knew it could be so easy? In keeping with the beer theme, on Sunday, June 5, from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, join Milwaukee Riverkeeper and Lakefront Brewery for Barrels and Beer, an afternoon of decorating your own rain barrels, while sampling some of Lakefront's finest, all while enjoying a relaxing riverfront view. For just $30, you get a 60 gallon, blue barrel and all of the supplies you need. Register early, as supplies are limited. If you love getting outdoors - and especially on the water - Milwaukee Riverkeeper and Clear Water Outdoor has a series of summer Paddle Tours led by a Milwaukee Riverkeeper staff member: Monday, June 27, 2016 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (Fish & Fish Habitat) Monday, July 25, 2016 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (River Health Advocacy) Monday, August 29, 2016 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (Water Quality) You might also be interested in the 11th Annual Milky Moonlight Paddle on Monday, July 18th, from 6:15-9:30. This is an urban river adventure that is not to be missed! Bring your canoe/kayak, paddles, pdf's, and a light - drinks and sandwiches will be provided - and float down the Milwaukee River to where it meets Lake Michigan! Find out more about these great events, and others, at www.MilwaukeeRiverkeeper.org, and learn more about how you can help the Milwaukee River! Easter Sunday Brunch is quite a tradition and, luckily, Oz has so many great restaurants to choose from!
In Port Washington, Twisted Willow is serving up a special brunch menu from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., featuring a build your own Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar, brunch or entree menu, a special children's menu, and a dessert menu that puts any Easter basket candy to shame. Eating gluten-free? There are good options on all of the menus! Port Hotel serves brunch from 10-2 ($26.50 for adults and $9.50 for kids - reservations are recommended at (262) 284-9473), and so does Starters ($13.95 for adults and $7.95 for kids; children under 4 are free - reservations recommended at (262) 261-5255). From 9:30-3:30, NewPort Shores will have their Easter Brunch. Adults are $14.95; 12 and under are $7.95; 6 and under are $4.95; and, 2 and under are free. Saukville's Firehouse Restaurant has an Easter Buffet from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $15.95/person (Children 10 and under are half price, and children 2 and under are free). Call for reservations at (262) 284-8886. Flannery's at Fire Ridge in Grafton has an Easter Brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $16.95/person ($8.50 for kids 7 and under, and free for kids 3 and under). There is an egg hunt for children, and a chocolate fountain for everyone! Reservations are required; call (262) 375-2977. In Mequon, the Nines American Bistro has the Easter Bunny in attendance, as well as a child-sized buffet for the kids and complimentary mimosas! Adults are $39.50; 12 and under are $17.50; 5 and under are free. Reservations required at (262) 518-0129 Joey Gerard’s has both a brunch buffet from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. ($34.95 adults, $14.95 children 3-12 years old) and a dinner buffet from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. ($44.95 adults, $20.95 children 3-12 years old). No No's in Newburg has a more traditional Easter dinner menu, with options such as Spring Leg of Lamb or Baked Black Oak Ham. They are open from 3-8 p.m. Are you a bit behind on your Easter Candy shopping? Get it local! Chocolate Chisel or CoCa LeNa in Port Washington; Sweet Trio in Grafton; Amy's Candy Kitchen or Ashley's Confectionery in Cedarburg; and, Leo and Lou and Get Happy in Mequon. Happy Easter, everyone! What better way to celebrate Spring in Ozaukee than to run around in the barely thawed grass, collecting as many plastic eggs as you can? Who knows what mysteries one might find inside? Well, if it sounds like a good time to you, there are several of them to choose from around Oz.
This Saturday, March 19th, in Grafton, kids in preschool through third grade can bring their baskets and join the hunt at Centennial Park. Pictures with the Easter Bunny will available between 12:30 and 1, and the hunt will begin at 1 p.m. Port Washington has two Egg Hunt Events on the 19th. Kids ages 2-9 should go to the Possibility Playground at 10 a.m. for the Hippity Hoppity Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Bonnet Contest (even pets can get dressed up!)! Photos can be taken with the Easter Bunny at the park, and families can enjoy live music by Shana Harvey. Then, "hop" to downtown Port, where many of the local businesses will be handing out additional treats between 11 and 1 p.m. From 1-2 p.m. at the 1860 Light Station, kids can bring their baskets and enjoy another Egg Hunt, thanks to the Port Washington Historical Society. Kids in Belgium who are 10 or younger can meet at Heritage Park at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 26th for their hunt. Riveredge Nature Center in Newburg has three different hunts the same day, at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. This is a candy-free hunt and prizes will be awarded to all participants. After the hunt, discover the wonders of Wisconsin’s egg-laying animals and color eggs using natural dyes. This event will appeal to the whole family. For everyone’s enjoyment, group sizes for the hunts will be kept small, children will be divided according to age, and bag limits will be set. Pre-registration required ($7/non-member child & $5/member child). Happy Easter, everyone! Cedarburg Salutes America is the theme at the 42nd Annual Winter Festival, this Saturday and Sunday, February 20th and 21st, in downtown Cedarburg.
The traditional Ice Sculpture Contest will begin bright and early at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. Visitors can watch as blocks of ice take shape while strolling Washington Avenue and checking out the Petting Zoo in the Community Center parking lot between 10 and 3. Stop into the Community Center for make 'n take crafts, sponsored by the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts; coffee, cocoa and sweet bar; Upstairs Marketplace from 10-4; Individual Chili Contest from 11-1 and Restaurant Chili Contest from 11-4; and, also, the Festival Food Booth, featuring food from Out & Out Custard, and more. The parade begins at 1:30, featuring the entries for the annual Bed Races. Follow the parade to the Mill Pond on Cedar Creek, behind the Settlement, and you'll get a good look at all of the sculptures before they're judged at 2 p.m. The bed races take place from 1:30-2 on the Mill Pond, ice conditions permitting, with the Barrel Races immediately after. The Cedarburg Cultural Center will have a Cool Notes Musical Talent Competition between 1:30 and 5, featuring local talent. Then, in the evening, come back to the CCC for Cool Brews and Tunes, featuring Dueling Pianos, appetizers from Cedarburg's finest restaurants, a beer tasting, and wine from Cedar Creek Winery. Tickets are $25, and attendees must be 21 or over. On Sunday, fill up at a Pancake Breakfast from 8-11:30 at the Community Center, and then head out to more festivities, including the Dog Weight Pull Contest from 10-4 in the Community Center parking lot, and an Egg Hunt on the City Hall grounds at 10:30. There is so much to do at the Festival, it's impossible to mention it all here! Go to: http://www.cedarburgfestival.org/#!wf-schedule/ for a full listing of events. |
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