The Hodag Heritage Festival takes over Rhinelander this weekend -- pancake breakfast, Hodag Calling Contest, cryptid speakers, live music, and a historical bus tour, all free at Pioneer Park Historical Complex on Saturday. Monroe Crossing brings 25 years of touring to Three Lakes on Friday night, and the White Deer Triathlon sends athletes through a 3K paddle, 22K bike, and 6K run in Boulder Junction Saturday morning. Weather-wise, Friday is the rough one -- rain showers likely with an 81% chance of precip and a high of 80, so plan accordingly for outdoor events. Saturday flips completely: sunny, 79 degrees, and only a 5% chance of rain -- the best outdoor day of the three by a wide margin. Sunday stays mostly workable at 74 with a 28% rain chance, though storms are likely Sunday night.
Friday
Minocqua Summer Farmers Market -- Minocqua Area Visitors Bureau, Free, 8:00 AM CT
The Minocqua Farmers Market kicks off its summer run this Friday -- local vendors, fresh produce, and all the usual market favorites from 8 AM to 1 PM. Free to browse, so it's an easy first stop before the rain picks up later in the day. Get there on the earlier side if you want first pick.
Northwoods Ukers -- The Warehouse Community Arts Center, 1:30 PM CT
The Northwoods Ukers gather every Friday afternoon at The Warehouse in Eagle River for a low-key sing-along and jam session centered on the ukulele. Beginners are genuinely welcome -- this is the kind of group that means it when they say that. Good way to spend a rainy Friday afternoon indoors.
Hodag Heritage Festival -- Pioneer Park, From $28.02, 7:00 PM CT
The 6th Annual Hodag Heritage Festival gets started Friday evening in Rhinelander. This is the ticketed opening session -- think live music, Hodag lore, and the kind of crowd energy that only builds through the weekend. Tickets start at $28.02, and the full festival continues Saturday with the free-admission daytime events at Pioneer Park Historical Complex.
Lavender Lounge -- ArtStart, 7:00 PM CT
Lavender Lounge is a monthly social night at ArtStart in Rhinelander designed as a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ community members, allies, family, and friends. Expect games, art-making, and conversation -- plus a chance to help shape what future events look like. Open to the public.
Concert -- Monroe Crossing -- Three Lakes Center for the Arts, $30.00 for adults, 7:30 PM CT
Monroe Crossing has been on the road for 25 years playing acoustic Americana, and they're bringing that catalog to Three Lakes Friday night. The Center for the Arts is an intimate room -- this is the kind of show where you're close enough to actually hear the harmonies. Tickets are $30 for adults.
Buddy Bingo -- Northern Waters Casino Resort, 11:00 PM CT
Night owl option: Buddy Bingo runs late at Northern Waters Casino Resort starting at 11 PM. Good cap to a Friday night if you're still going.
Saturday
Hodag Heritage Festival -- Pioneer Park Historical Complex, Free -- Donations Appreciated, 12:00 AM CT
Saturday is the main event for the Hodag Heritage Festival -- and the weather could not cooperate more perfectly. Free admission at Pioneer Park Historical Complex means the barrier to showing up is basically zero. Start with the pancake breakfast, catch the Hodag Calling Contest, take the historical city bus tour, and stick around for live music and cryptid speakers. Donations are appreciated but not required. This is Rhinelander doing what Rhinelander does.
White Deer Triathlon Boulder Junction -- Camp Manito-wish YMCA, $40, 12:00 AM CT
Boulder Junction's premier multisport race is back Saturday -- a 3K paddle, 22K bike ride, and 6K run through some genuinely beautiful terrain. Entry is $40. If you're racing, the sunny forecast and light winds make this about as good a morning as you'll get for a triathlon in the Northwoods in May.
Tomahawk Farm & Flea Market -- Qualheim's True Value, Free, 8:00 AM CT
The Tomahawk Farm & Flea Market runs Saturday morning -- free admission, with any spending on vendors and food up to you. Worth the stop if you're in the Tomahawk area looking for something to do before the afternoon.
8th Grade DC/NYC Trip Pancake Breakfast -- Wurl-Fiend-Ingman VFW Post 2687, 8:00 AM CT
Tomahawk Middle School students are putting on a pancake breakfast at VFW Post 2687 Saturday morning to fund their DC/NYC class trip. Free-will donation format -- full meal, raffle baskets, and baked goods on offer. Good community breakfast, good cause.
HOSA 4th Annual Color Run -- 665 Coolidge Avenue, Rhinelander, WI, Starting at $90, 9:00 AM CT
The HOSA Color Run/Walk hits Rhinelander for its 4th year Saturday morning. Registration starts at $90. Between this, the triathlon in Boulder Junction, and the Heritage Festival, Saturday shapes up as the most active day of the weekend -- and the sunshine is going to make all of it better.
Light Riffle Match -- Lincoln County Sports Club, 9:30 AM CT
The Lincoln County Sports Club hosts a Light Rifle Match Saturday morning at 9:30 in Merrill. Check the event page for specific format details -- the poster has the full rundown.
Sunday
Birch Lake Cribbage Tourneys -- Birch Lake Bar & Resort, 12:30 PM CT
The third Sunday of the month means cribbage at Birch Lake Bar & Resort. Two-player teams, friendly table-reads format, $12 per player. It runs every month and draws a consistent crowd -- if you've been meaning to check it out, this Sunday is the one.
Drop-In Line Dancing -- Hodag Dome, Free to attend; tips for the instructor are welcomed, 1:00 PM CT
Wisconsin Country Style Dancers bring drop-in line dancing to the Hodag Dome Sunday afternoon. No experience needed -- beginners are welcome, no fee to get on the floor, and tips for the instructor are appreciated. Solid way to close out the weekend, especially if Sunday's 28% rain chance keeps you from doing much outside.
The Full Lineup
Find all 20+ events this weekend at northwoodslineup.com/events/.
Got a tip or event we should know about? Email [email protected]
