Hello, sunshine.
Memorial Day weekend is upon us, marking the unofficial start of summer. (It really begins on June 21, but whatever.) We haven't caught a lot of rays over the last eight or so months, so let's make the best of shorts-and-sandals season while it's here.
Part of the problem, of course, isjamming all there is to do into just a few quick months. From community festivals to sporting events to outdoor concerts, there are only so many available hours in a summer — especially when there's that 9-to-5 gig clogging up the itinerary.
In an effort to help you organize your priorities, we've assembled this handy list of 50 things to do within a few hours drive of northeast and central Wisconsin.
Lather up that sunscreen and let's go.
1. Auto racing
Ongoing: Race tracks all over Wisconsin will be roaring throughout the summer.Road America in Elkhart Lake is a major destination and one of the jewels of the state. It'll have a busy summer, including when the NASCAR Xfinity Series pulls in for the Johnsonville 180, ARCA Series and SCCA Pro Trans Amon Aug. 25. But there are plenty of local tracks as well all over the Wisconsin map. We're particularly fond ofthe Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna. Among the highlights of the WIR stock car racing schedule are the Red (June 8), White (July 13) and Blue (Aug. 10) State Championship Series races and the Eve of Destruction on Sept. 8. For more information, visit wirmotorsports.com and roadamerica.com.
2. Baseball
Ongoing: With the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Green Bay Bullfrogs and the Milwaukee Brewers all within driving distance, there'll be plenty of opportunities to catch a ballgame this summer. Each have several homestands through the next few months and, heck, if you move fast you might catch the Brew Crew while they're in the thick of the NL Central race. For schedules, head to timberrattlers.com, northwoodsleague.com or brewers.com.
3. Farm markets
Ongoing: Saturdays are the big day for farm markets, offering heaping piles of fresh veggies, fruit, baked goods, arts and crafts and who knows what else on city streets throughout the season. Green Bay's Saturday Farmers Market begins May 27. June 17 marks the start of the outdoor farm market in downtown Appleton. Other communities' markets will be open for business in June and beyond, too. Check local websites for more information.
4. NEWZoo & Adventure Park
Ongoing: Whether attending a special event or just making it a day trip, the NEW Zoo in Suamico and its nearly 90 species of animals makefor a go-to summer destination for families. The Adventure Park includes zip lines, an aerial adventure course and a climbing tower. Feast With the Beasts on Aug. 7 is one of the big annual events on the NEW Zoo calendar. It'll run 6-8 p.m.Further details are yet to be announced. For more information, visit newzoo.org.
5. Heid Music Summer Concert Series
June 1-Aug. 31: Houdini Plaza in downtown Appleton will be home to free Thursday night concerts in June, July and August. The concerts, featuring mostly bands from around northeast Wisconsin (including Cool Waters Band, Road Trip, Grand Union and Boxkar), run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Vendors with food, beer, wine, soda and water will be on hand. For more information, visit appletondowntown.org.
6. Green Bay Botanical Garden Fair
June 2-4: The annual three-day Garden Fair gets two green thumbs way up and runs June 2-4. It boasts nearly 100 vendors of plants, garden art and yard care products and there'll also be hands-on activities, demos, family activities, food, drinks and more. Admission is $3 members, $7 adults, $5 students and free for children 12 and under. For more information, visit gbbg.org.
7. Packers playing softball
June 3: An annual tradition at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute, Green Bay Packers wideout Jordy Nelson hosts his annual charity softball game beginning at 12:05 p.m. He'll bring along some teammates for a contest between the offense and defense. Tickets, if any remain, are on sale through the Timber Rattlers box office and timberrattlers.com. And how about a bonus? The former host of the annual game, retired wide receiver Donald Driver, will return to Fox Cities Stadium on Aug. 13 for his own softball game to benefit the Donald Driver Foundation. His "Dancing With the Stars" partner Peta Murgatroyd will be there, along with a roster of former NFL players, celebrities and media personalities. Tickets start at $10. For more information, visit timberrattlers.com.
8. Alice Cooper at the Fox Cities PAC
June 7: The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer welcomes Appleton to his nightmare with an 8 p.m. show dubbed "Spend the Night With Alice Cooper" at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. Expect a night big on theatrics and hard rock classics like "I'm Eighteen," "School's Out" and "No More Mr. Nice Guy." Tickets start at $42.50 and are available at the Fox Cities PAC ticket office, foxcitiespac.com and 920-730-3760.
9. Steel Bridge Songfest
June 8-11: Sturgeon Bay becomes a go-to destination for music for a four-day stretch in June. The Steel Bridge Songfest is now in its 13th year and features more than 125 artists in venues around the downtown. Most of the talent comes from Wisconsin, but some make the trip fromCalifornia, Arizona, Florida and elsewhere. Weekend passes are $25. For more information, visit steelbridgeradio.com.
10. Walleye Weekend
June 9-11: Sure, a fishing tournament is part of the weekend festivities in Fond du Lac. But even if you're not looking to get a line in the water, there's plenty at Walleye Weekend to enjoy. The live music lineup includes local favorites like Grand Union, Boogie and the Yo-Yo'z and Ask Your Mother, plus the big-name offering of Winger on June 10. There's also family activities, food, tournaments, exhibitors and a whole lot more. For more information, visit fdlfest.com.
11. Neenah Streetball
June 10-11: Back from the brink of elimination, the downtown Neenah hoops tournament will be back for a 26th year June 10-11. The nonprofit Mission Basketball Academy Wisconsin Crusaders took over the operation of the three-on-three tournament, which is open to adults, teens and children. As extra incentive, new this year will be cash payouts for the top teams in specified divisions. The deadline for entry was May 21. For more information, visit streetball3on3.org.
12. Appleton Flag Day Parade
June 10: You better believe flags will be flying come June 10. Downtown Appleton will be home to its 67th annual Flag Day parade, with military units, floats, vehicles and marching groups taking off at 2 p.m. from the corner of Oneida Street and Wisconsin Avenue. It heads west, turns at State Street heading south, then heads east on College Avenue to Drew Street. For more information, visit appleton.org.
13. Oshkosh Irish Fest
June 10: Believe it or not, Irish heritage is something that can be celebrated outside the month of March. Oshkosh does it up big every year at the Leach Amphitheater, with a day of live music (The Elders, Wild Colonial Bhoys, Folk-N-Irish, Paddygrass and Curley, Conneely & Broderick, among others), Little Leprechaun Land, raffles, a fun run and more. Action begins at noon and the last band takes the stage at 9 p.m. For more information, visit oshkoshirishfest.com.
14. Electric City Experience
June 10: Yes, June 10 is going to be a busy weekend for a number of communities around central and northeast Wisconsin. Among them is Kaukauna, which will put on its third daylong music festival called the Electric City Experience. More than 60 acts will be performing well into the night at a handful of indoor and outdoor venues, plus a vendor market, plenty of food, a car show, fireworks at dusk, kids games and activities and more will be a part of the free jamboree. For more information, find Electric City Experience on Facebook.
RELATED:Kaukauna's Hydro Park concert series begins June 7
15. Juneteenth Celebration
June 11: African HeritageInc. hosts the annual free, all-ages celebration of freedom, unity and community from noon to 6 p.m. at City Park in Appleton. This year's edition features Black Star Drum Line, Amazing Grace Liturgical Dance Company and a Michael Jackson tribute performer. There's also storytelling, arts and crafts, dancing, giveaways and more. For more information, visit africanheritageinc.org.
16. Marc Chagall exhibit at Rahr-West Art Museum
June 11-Aug. 13: Manitowoc's Rahr-West Art Museum will be home to a first-of-a-kind exhibit of Marc Chagall prints throughout the summer. It features a rare series of 38 Le Cirque lithographs and will be the first time anyone in America has seen the complete print series together. Museum reps have said the occasion has generated "nationwide buzz." The exhibit, which later will hit the road and travel to other museums around the country, will be free and open to the public.
17. U.S. Open at Erin Hills
June 12-18: The U.S. Open Championship will tee off in Wisconsin for the first time this summer. The world's best golfers — including Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth — will square off with the goal of following in the footsteps of past winners, including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. The tournament itself begins on June 15 and concludes on Father's Day, June 18. For more information, visit erinhills.com.
18. Waterfest
June 15-Aug. 10: The heart of rock 'n' roll will beat all summer long at the mouth of the Fox River, where the 32nd Waterfest season will welcome the likes of Huey Lewis and the News, the Wallflowers, Here Come the Mummies, Hairball, BoDeans and Brian Setzer to the Leach Amphitheater. The lineup isn't quiet set, but the season starts June 15 and has concerts on select dates through Aug. 10. Ticket prices vary by show, so keep an eye on waterfest.org for more information.
19. Metro Jam
June 16-17: Washington Park in downtown Manitowoc will be home to the 39th annual Metro Jam, welcoming music fans to check out free concerts over the third weekend of June. This year's lineup is topped by Garland Jeffreys and the Chris Hanson Band. The full performance lineup and schedule is still to come. For more information, visit metrojam.org.
20. Mackville Nationals
June 16-18: Three miles north of Appleton, St. Edward Parish in Mackville will welcome big rigs from around the Midwest for a weekend of tractor pulls. There's other entertainment, too, including a flea market, Nashville Pipeline performance, chicken dinner and polka Mass scattered throughout the weekend. Daily admission for June 16 and 17 is $18 for track events, $10 children and free for ages 10 and younger. June 18 is a free family day. For the full schedule of events and other information, visit mackvillenationals.com.
21. Billy Joel at Lambeau Field
June 17: The home of the Packers jumps back into the concert-hosting game after two successful country shows in recent years. Billy Joel's the main attraction this time around and about 45,000 people are expected to pack Lambeau for a night of hits like "Piano Man," "Uptown Girl" and "Only the Good Die Young." Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness opens. Showtime is 8 p.m. To see what's left of the tickets, head to ticketmaster.com.
22. Country USA
June 20-24: Always a highlight of the northeast Wisconsin summer, Country USA is back for another year at Ford Festival Park in Oshkosh. This year's bill-toppers are Blake Shelton, Chris Young, Gary Allan, Florida Georgia Line and Rascal Flatts. Things get under way June 20 with a night capped by Shelton, and Rascal Flatts will close the 22nd annual festival on June 24. Tickets are $139 for a five-day general admission through June 9. They'll be $200 at the gate. For more information, visit countryusaoshkosh.com.
23. Summerfest
June 28-July 2 and July 4-9: The Big Gig in Milwaukee celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Among the acts that'll take to the American Family Insurance Amphitheater (formerly known as the Marcus Amphitheater) are Red Hot Chili Peppers, Luke Bryan, Paul Simon, Zac Brown Band, Pink, the Chainsmokers, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Dierks Bentley, Future, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan. Beyond the superstar headliners are more than 140 other acts that'll fill the grounds stages throughout the festival's 11 days. (They don't call it the "world's largest music festival" for nothin'.) For more information, visit summerfest.com.
24. Mid-Western Rodeo
June 29-July 1: There are only certain occasions when people in Packer country speak highly of cowboys. This is one of them. The annual fundraiser for the Manawa Lions Club takes over the rodeo grounds for three days of riding, roping and wrestling. Each year, more than 10,000 people head to the small town north of Weyauwega for this lively weekend of fun. Rodeos begin at 7:30 p.m. June 29 and 30, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. July 1. For more information, visit manawarodeo.org.
25. Polkafest
June 30-July 2: Like beer in a plastic cup and something salty drowned in cheese, polka's just bound to be a part of a Wisconsin summer. There are plenty of places to make that happen, with Polkafest at Romy's Nitingale in Black Creek among them. Five bands over three days, plus a Sunday morning polka Mass. Elsewhere, the 39th annual Pulaski Polka Days are set for July 20-23 and likely will pull in thousands of people. For more information, visit appletonaltrusa.com and pulaskipolkadays.com.
26. County fairs
July and August: They're scattered around the state and all likely are serving up hot dogs, Ferris Wheels, cotton candy and that game where you smash a button with a big hammer to prove your worth as a human. We aren't going to give you the sprawling list, but many also have notable concerts planned.Outagamie County Fair in Seymour runs July 25-30 and offers up Home Free and Halestorm.The Wisconsin Valley Fair in Wausau is Aug. 1-6 and has Loverboy, Granger Smith featuring Earl Dibbles Jr., Alter Bridge, Ted Nugent and Terri Clark on its schedule. For more information, check individual county fair websites.
27. Fourth of July celebrations
July 3-4: It's one of the days we all circle on the summer calendar: America's birthday. Communities all over the Wisconsin map will toast the U-S-A with fireworks, parades, music and other activities. Green Bay's Fire Over the Fox event isJuly 4. Appleton's party is July 3 in Memorial Park. The fun in Oshkosh is July 4 in Menominee Park. Sheboygan's bash is July 4 over Lake Michigan near the North Side Municipal Beach. For more information, check your local community websites or festivalfoodsfireworks.com.
28. Iola Old Car Show and Swap Meet
July 6-8: A certain population gets their engine revving once car show season gets going. Among the biggies is the Iola Old Car Show and Swap Meet, a three-day event that'll attract 120,000 people, feature 2,200 show cars and 4,200 swap spaces. It's the 45th annual event and will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Camaro and Firebird. Vic Ferrari, Raised Reckless, Highland Drive and Boxkar will perform. Gates open at 6 a.m. daily. For more information, visit iolaoldcarshow.com.
29. Lifest
July 6-9: The party with a purpose is back at the Sunnyview Expo Center in Oshkosh for four days of music, speakers, laughs, inspiration and more. Among the artists taking part in the annual Christian festival are Newsboys, Skillet and Matthew West. Full event tickets are $66 adults through May 31, $72 through July 5 and $78 at the gate. Youth (ages 8-15) are $33 through May 31, $36 through July 5 and $39 at the gate. For more information, visit lifest.com.
30. Greenville Catfish Extravaganza
July 7-8: The 29th annual bash centered around those thick-whiskered fish takes over Greenville Lions Park July 7-8. The first night is for catfish races and a community night. The second is highlighted by the annual Catfish Concert, which this year will feature George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Grand Funk Railroad and Foghat. Tickets for the concert are on sale through ticketstaronline.com and are $30 in advance and $40 at the gate (if available). For more information, visit greenvillelions.org.
31. Diana Ross at the Fox Cities PAC
July 12: How's this for supreme? Motown legend Diana Ross will make a stop at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in downtown Appleton for an 8 p.m. show. Tickets to see the 73-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer start at $79.50 and are available through the PAC ticket office and foxcitiespac.com.
32. Billy Currington at Fox Cities Stadium
July 13: The home of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers has been upping their concert game in recent years and a July 13 date with country star Billy Currington is a prime example. He'll be joined byRussell Dickerson and Michael Tyler for the 6:30 p.m. concert, the first of two big summer shows at Fox Cities Stadium. (You'll learn about the other shortly.) Tickets start at $29 and are available through the Timber Rattlers box office and timberrattlers.com.
33. Rock USA
July 13-15: The second of the two epic blowouts at Ford Festival Park, the annual Rock USAboasts a lineup of Ozzy Osbourne, Avenged Sevenfold, Slayer, Korn, Stone Sour, Megadeth and many others. Generals (and the general public) will gather in their masses for three days of headbanger-friendly hard rock, starting at 1 p.m. July 13. The music ends with a 10:45 p.m. performance from metal gods Slayer on July 15. Three-day general admission passes are on sale for $129 through June 23. They’ll be $159 at the gate. For more information, visit rockusaoshkosh.com.
RELATED:Here's who is playing Rock USA in Oshkosh
34. Water ski shows
July 20-23: We might not have 10,000, but we have our fair share of lakes. And on some of those lakes are people zipping around on all sorts of watercraft for the entertainment of others. Lake Wazeecha in Wisconsin Rapids hosts the Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships July 20-23. On a smaller scale, the Waterboard Warriors will be in action in Wrightstown Tuesday and Thursday evenings from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Fremont's Webfooters will begin their season June 4 and will perform Sundays and Wednesdays through Aug. 27.For more information, visit waterboardwarriors.org, Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships on Facebookand Webfooters on Facebook.
35. EVP Coolest Coast volleyball
July 21-23: Neshota Beach in Two Rivers will welcome more than 80 professional and amateur volleyball players for three days of action. The tournaments run noon to 5 p.m. July 21, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 22 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 23. Teams who take top honors will advance to the EVP World Finals in Viriginia later in the summer. For more information, visit evptour.com.
36. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
July 24-30: This one may be the granddaddy of summer celebrations in northeast Wisconsin. The yearly gathering in Oshkosh for all things aviation draws hundreds of thousands of people to the EAA grounds for a week of activities. This year's offerings include an opening night concert from Barenaked Ladies, appearances from Apollo missions astronauts, daily airshows, exhibits, workshops, movies and loads more. Tickets are $31 daily for EAA members and$46 daily for nonmembers. For more information, visit eaa.org.
37. Goo Goo Dolls at Fox Cities Stadium
July 28:Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute will welcome back the Goo Goo Dolls for their second show in as many years. The rockers who hit it big in the 1990s will be joined by Phillip Phillips for a stop on their Long Way Home tour, which coincides with the 30-year anniversary of their debut. Tickets start at $40 and are available through the Timber Rattlers box office and timberrattlers.com. Showtime is 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit timberrattlers.com.
RELATED:30 years in, Goo Goo Dolls feeling 'So Alive'
38. Art at the Park
July 30: This marks the 57th year for Art at the Park but, before we get into it, a heads up: May 31 is the final artist application deadline. Come the big day, thousands of visitors will descend on City Park in Appleton for a day of entertainment, food vendors, children's activities and, of course, tons of art. Work from nearly 200 artists will be featured and the event runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit troutmuseum.org.
39. Packers training camp
July 27: The Green Bay Packers will take the first steps in rebounding from the postseason thrashing they took from the Atlanta Falcons in February with the start of training camp. The players will report on July 26 and the first practice is the following day.The schedule isn't yet set, but the there'll be practices to check out at Ray Nitschke Field. And, of course, there's theannual Family Night practice, which last year sold out (again) and brought nearly 76,000 fans into Lambeau Field. We’ll have updates on the practice schedule and Family Night announcement when it's comes. For more information, visit packers.com.
40. Mile of Music
Aug. 3-6: For a fifth time, downtown Appleton will host a four-day celebration of original music. This year's installment will feature upwards of 1,000 live music sets from about 225 artists— some regional, some national— in around 70 venues. While the vast majority of shows are free, some performances curated by Cory Chisel and his Refuge initiative, will be housed in the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and will require tickets. (More details on that to come in the weeks ahead.) For more information, visit mileofmusic.com.
41. Wisconsin State Fair
Aug. 3-13: West Allis is home to the Wisconsin State Fair, taking the rides and other entertainment offered on the county level and cranking up the volume. State Fair Park will be home to all the usual fair entertainment— carnival rides, food, Cream Puffs, you name it— plus main stage concerts from the likes of John Mellencamp, Alan Jackson and the Beach Boys. For more information, visit wistatefair.com.
42. Johnsonville Brat Days
Aug. 3-5: OK, Joey Chestnuts of Wisconsin. Here's your opportunity. The 64th annual Brat Days features fun for the whole family for three days at Kiwanis Park in Sheboygan and included in that is a brat-eating contest. For you sweet tooths, there's a cake-eating contest, too. There'll also be a run, carnival activities, live music and more. For more information, visit brat-days.com.
43. I Love the '90s at the Resch
Aug. 4: The I Love the '90s Tour that took over the Resch Centerlast year must have been a hit because another nostalgia trip, this one dubbed I Love the '90s — The Party Continues, brings TLC, Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, All-4-One, C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams, Biz Markie and Snap! to the Ashwaubenon arena. Tickets start at $47.50 and are available through ticketstaronline.com and 800-895-0071. For more information, visit ticketstaronline.com.
44. Hamburger Fest
Aug. 11-12: All burgers, all the time. Seymour's annual ketchup and mustard-slathered celebration is a two-day run of burger-related events in honor of the summer staple's origin in 1885. There's a parade, kids events, a burger-eating contest and the yearly preparation of the gargantuan 190-pound burger patty. For more information, visit homeofthehamburger.org.
45. Big Bull Falls Blues Fest
Aug. 18-19: Wisconsin's longest running blues festival returns to Fern Island Park along the Wisconsin River in Wausau. This year's bill is topped by Toronzo Cannonon Aug. 18 and Tab Benoit and Samantha Fish on Aug. 19. Two-day general admission is $45 advance and $50 at the gate. VIP tickets are sold out. For more information, visit wausauevents.org.
46. Artstreet
Aug. 25-27: Downtown Green Bay comes alive for three days in August as a sendoff of sorts to another summer. Each year features work from about 200 artists,thousands of people,food, live music, dance and other performances and lots of other eyecandy. It runs 3-7 p.m. Aug. 25, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 26 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 27. For more information, visit mosaicartsinc.org.
47. Fox Jazz Fest
Sept. 2-3: We're still a few months out, so the details are sparse when it comes to the annual two-day takeover of Jefferson Park in Menasha over Labor Day weekend (and we're assuming that's when it again will be). But if the event's history holds up, a mix of highly acclaimed musicians and local talents — including from middle or high schools around the Fox Valley —should fill out the performance lineup. The festival also traditionally is free. For more information, visit foxjazzfest.com and wait for updates.
48. Kites Over Lake Michigan
Sept. 2-3: Neshotah Beach in Two Rivers is home to one of the Midwest's largest kite festivals. There'll be big kites, precision kites, colorful kites, all kinds of kites. Sept. 2 will have a night fly and a bonfire on the beach, followed by fireworks and a lantern release. Sept. 3 includes kite-making for kids and more kites in the skies. For more information, keep an eye on uniqueflyingobjects.com.
49. Fondue Fest
Sept. 9: No shortage of food-themed festivals in these parts. Fond du Lac's 11th annual celebration will feature three stages of music, a play area for children, arts and craft vendors, farm market vendors and more. (And by more, we mean melted cheese and chocolate.) For more information, visit downtownfdl.com.
50. Octoberfest
Sept. 29-30: If Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer, Octoberfest signals the end — at least for those in the Fox Valley. Keeping with tradition, the Octoberfest weekend begins with the classic car show License to Cruise at 6 p.m. Sept. 29 in Appleton's downtown. The big bash is on Sept. 30, where several stages of live music and dozens of vendors with food, drinks and goods set up shop on College Avenue. What happens then? A great flood of humanity. The party runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit octoberfestonline.org.
MORE SUMMER FUN
- More:Mile of Music's Concerts in the Courtyard returning to Appleton May 31
- More:Schedule announced for Tuesday night Leach concerts
- More:Appleton summer music lineups announced
- More:Here's the Mile 5 lineup (so far)
Shane Nyman: 920-996-7239 or snyman@postcrescent.com; on Twitter @shanenyman
