By Christopher Clough
News-Chronicle
1 MILWAUKEE
Visitors to downtown Milwaukee will be doing more than just rollin' on the river this weekend. They'll be eatin', listenin', dancin', canoein', oohin' and aahin' and much more at RiverSplash! 2002.
The annual event is a three-day celebration on the banks on the Milwaukee River, taking advantage of the scenic riverwalks on both sides and the many specialty restaurants close by.
Activities literally on the river get going with the We Energies Great Paddle-Off at 12:15 p.m. Milwaukee-area politicians, civic leaders, media types and more race paddleboats across the river, departing from the Midwest Express Landing in Pere Marquette Park, on Third Street between Kilbourn Avenue and State Street.
Those wishing to take to the water themselves can rent paddleboats or take a guided tour aboard the Brew City Queen from 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Children accompanied by adults can ride the river in a canoe from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. All depart from the Midwest Express Landing; call 414-283-9999 for prices and information.
Above the river, fireworks spectaculars set to music are scheduled for 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The park is the launching pad and perhaps the best viewing point; the riverwalks, scenic pedestrian walkways from Michigan Street to Juneau Avenue on the river's west bank, and Clybourn Street to State Street on the east bank, are also good for spectating.
Back on dry land, visitors strolling the riverwalks can enjoy fountains which were specially installed in the river for the event. The fountains will be lighted in a myriad of colors at night. Six sculptors from around the country will have works on display along the walks from Friday through October 31, part of the city's RiverSculpture project.
10 stages scattered throughout RiverSplash! offer a variety of music all day Friday and Saturday. Among the musical highlights are internationally-known Western swing band BR-549 (9 p.m. Friday, Midwest Express Pavilion); regional blues/R&B favorites Jim Liban (5:30 p.m. Saturday, Harp Irish Pub) and the Booze Brothers (8 p.m. Saturday, Marcus Center Pack Pavilion); pub-style singing funnyman Pat McCurdy (9 p.m. Friday, Midwest Express Pavilion); and regional rockers The Lovemonkeys (9:15 p.m. Saturday, Miller Lite Water Street Stage).
The restaurants near the river take part, with many offering food specials outside. Festival goers used to finding arts and crafts for sale will do so in Pere Marquette Park.
Usinger's Famous Sausage, State and Old Third World streets, hosts two old-fashioned picnics in its parking lot with music, ethnic dancing, clowns and of course, Usinger's world-renowned meats. Street performers called "buskers" wander around to entertain guests with acts of contortion, fire juggling, balance, puppetry and more. The picnics run from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
For those looking for quieter moments, the Milwaukee County Historical Society (on the park grounds) is offering free admission 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Free guided tours of the society are available 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, and free tours of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel building are offered at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Friday.
Children get their party Sunday with Midwest Express Kids' Day, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pere Marquette Park. The theatrical youth group Accompany of Kids performs musical tributes to "Seussical: The Musical" and "Schoolhouse Rock." Scientific demonstrations and hands-on workshops in a variety of subjects will be held, and of course there will be face painting, a puppet show and inflatable games.
RiverSplash! takes place 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. It is generally in an area between Kilbourn and Knapp streets to the south and north, and Old Third World and Water streets to the west and east. There is no charge for admission to nay event, only for food and merchandise. For more information, call 414-297-9855 or visit www.milwaukeeriversplash.com. Detailed maps of the area can be seen at www.officialmilwaukee.com.
2. FITCHBURG
Eat, eat!
Festa Italia offers three days of music, carnival games and rides, live music and entertainment, children's activities - and oh, a fair amount of Italian cooking the way Mama used to do it.
Pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, cheeses, wines and more will be available at the many food booths, along with spices, sauces and cookbooks. Don't eat too much during the day - the pasta eating contest is at 6 p.m. Saturday.
The event is a celebration not just of Italian cooking, but of Italian culture. The coronation of Miss Festa is at 1 p.m. Saturday, and bocce ball lessons and a tournament are scheduled for Sunday. Music and Italian dancing take place throughout the weekend, led by dance band Universal Sounds at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. An outdoor Mass is given at 9:30 a.m. Sunday.
Festa Italia runs 6 to 11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. It is at McKee Farm Park, Fitchburg; to get there, take U.S. 151 to I-90/94 on Madison's Northeast side, south to the U.S. 12/18 Beltline, west to Fish Hatchery Road, south to McKee Road, west to Chapel Valley Road, south to the park. Admission is free.
For more information, call 608-244-3359 or visit www.iwcmadison.org.
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