Great Lakes Events

FALL 2009

Lake Michigan and Lake Superior are the focus of many festivals, concerts, museum exhibits and other happenings throughout the state. Discover Wisconsin´s Great Lakes at one of these great family events!

For more information, search "Lake Michigan" or "Lake Superior" at Travel Wisconsin [exit DNR].

THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2010

Freshwater Fury Exhibit – 1913 Great Lakes Storm
Door County Maritime Museum, Sturgeon Bay, WI

The Freshwater Fury exhibit will shed light on the most destructive storm the Great Lakes ever experienced. The exhibit describes how the storm developed and unleashed its fury on all five lakes. It also explores the meteorology of storms, how mariners deal with storms today and the inland impact of the 1913 storm. For visitors of all ages. Door County Maritime Museum – Sturgeon Bay, 120 N Madison Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI.

For more information, call 920-743-5958 or visit www.dcmm.org [exit DNR].

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009

Great Lakes Restoration Conference
Duluth, MN

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition will come together on the shores of Lake Superior to reunite with friends, celebrate our successes, and develop strategies to achieve our Great Lakes restoration goals for 2010 and beyond. The conference agenda will address critical issues such as linking Great Lakes restoration to economic recovery, working with the Obama administration to fulfill the $5 billion Great Lakes commitment, and securing Congressional funding for on the ground restoration work. For more details, please go to the Healing Our Waters website at www.healthylakes.org/09conference [exit DNR].

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2009

A Barn Dance Celebrating Wisconsin's Rural Communities
Saxon Historical Heritage Center, Cleveland, WI

Join us to celebrate the value of Wisconsin´s working lands, the quality of our natural resources, and the partnerships that are working to improve rural life.

This event is a partnership between Gathering Waters Conservancy, the Council of Rural Initiatives (CRI: the successor to Future of Farming and Rural Life study), the Lakeshore Natural Resources Partnership (LNRP), UW Extension, and the Saxon Homestead. The festivities, taking place in a wonderfully restored hay barn, will include music by the lively King Comets [exit DNR], a locally sourced appetizer buffet and refreshment bar, door prizes from Water´s Edge Artists [exit DNR] and local food producers, and a short program featuring several state dignitaries.

Saxon Historical Heritage Center [exit DNR], 15621 South Union Road, Cleveland, WI 53015, 5:00 – 10:00 pm. $50/person; $85/couple; proceeds from this event will benefit GWC, the Council of Rural Initiatives, and the Lakeshore Natural Resources Partnership. Please RSVP by September 15 to jim@lnrp.org or 920-304-1919.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2009

6^th Biennial State of Lake Michigan and 9^th Annual Great Lakes Beach Association Conference
Hyatt Regency, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This joint conference brings together elected officials, scientists, resource managers, planners, students and citizens working to improve Great Lakes beaches and Lake Michigan. A variety of sessions, activities and field trips are planned. Registration Required. For more information, visit www.aqua.wisc.edu/solm [exit DNR] or contact Victoria Harris, UW-Sea Grant Institute, 920-465-2795, or e-mail harrisv@uwgr.edu.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2009

Riveredge Nature Center´s 4th Annual Return the Sturgeon Event
Thiensville, WI

Join us as we highlight the return of the lake sturgeon to the Milwaukee River. You´ll have an opportunity to sponsor and release your own sturgeon! We´ll celebrate the efforts of our volunteers and the Streamside Rearing Facility with special children´s activities, Randy Hetzel´s Animal Display, tee-shirt decorating and more! Refreshments available. Thiensville Village Park, 250 Elm St., Theinsville, WI.

Registration 1-1:30 pm; activities and refreshments 1:30-2:00 pm; welcoming remarks and sponsor recognition 2:00-2:30 pm; sturgeon release 2:30-4:00 pm. For more information, call 262-375-2715 or e-mail info@riveredge.us.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2009

Best of the Big Top Chautauqua
Fish Creek, WI

A showcase of Warren Nelson´s songs from Chautauqua´s Original Musicals created by the Nelson/Ferris Concert Company and the Sioux River Song Farm. These shows feature original songs and large-screen images of the Great Lakes, the Native peoples, the pioneers, the lighthouses and their keepers, shipping and shipwrecks, logging and farming, and the natural beauty of the land. These musicals keep the stories alive, remind us of who we are, how far we've come, and what we've left behind. The second half of the show features individual members of the Blue Canvas Orchestra performing original favorites.

Door County Auditorium, 3926 Hwy 42, Fish Creek, WI. For more information, call 920-868-2728 or visit www.dcauditorium.org/default.asp [exit DNR].

FRIDAYS, OCTOBER 9, 16, 23 AND 30, 2009

Maritime History Ghost Walk
Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, WI

Come hear true Lake Michigan stories with an eerie twist. During a short walk along the river, story tellers will tell the tales of Lake Michigan´s first shipwreck, the strange disappearances of an airplane, entire ship crews, and a lone captain from his locked cabin, and ships that seemed cursed throughout their entire careers.

Each outdoor walk is approximately 45 minutes and will take place at 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. on Fridays, October 9, 16, 23, and 30^th. The cost is $7 per person and $20 for families (up to 5 people). This event is not recommended for children under 5.

Wisconsin Maritime Museum, 75 Maritime Dr., Manitowoc, WI. Space is limited so reservations are strongly recommended, but not required. To make a reservation, call the Wisconsin Maritime Museum at toll free 866-724-2356. This event is sponsored by The Mad Hatter. Cider and snacks will be available inside the museum after each tour.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2009

Ghostly Galleries Halloween Event
Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, WI

Discover the stories of mysterious ships, haunted lighthouses, and lost souls as you hunt for clues in the museum´s galleries. Take a walk (if you dare) through haunted rooms and play Halloween-themed games with a nautical twist. 2:00 – 5:00 pm. Ages 5-10. Special admission, $2.00. Wisconsin Maritime Museum, 75 Maritime Dr., Manitowoc, WI. For more information call at toll free 866-724-2356 or visit www.wisconsinmaritime.org/events.html [exit DNR].

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009

Rouse Simmons Day/Christmas in the Village
Two Rivers, WI

A presentation of the ROUSE SIMMONS (the Christmas Tree Ship) Open house at the Rogers Street Museum 2:30-4 pm with the lighting of the Christmas Tree at 2:30 pm and carolers at the Fishing Village. J.E. Hamilton Community House & Rogers St. Fishing Village, 2102 Jackson St., Two Rivers, WI. For more information, call 920-793-5905 or visit www.rogersstreet.com [exit DNR].