Saturday is the loaded day: Up North Beerfest pours 25-plus Midwest breweries at Hi-Pines in Eagle River, while downtown Rhinelander throws its biggest day of the summer so far -- the Art Fair on the Courthouse Lawn and the Rhinelander Car Show running side by side. Friday night is a legitimately big get for a small room: Chicago blues-harmonica legend Corky Siegel with jazz violinist Randy Sabien in Three Lakes. The weather plays along, mostly -- mid-70s Friday and Saturday with a slight gamble of a passing shower Saturday, then Sunday comes up sunny and 67. Nights still drop into the 40s, so the sweatshirt stays in the truck.
Friday
Corky Siegel & Randy Sabien -- Three Lakes Center for the Arts, 7:30 PM CT
The music pick of the weekend, no contest: Corky Siegel -- the Chicago blues-harmonica legend of the Siegel-Schwall Band -- joins jazz violinist Randy Sabien on the Three Lakes stage. Blues meets jazz in a room small enough that you'll hear the harp breathe.
Fish Fry Pop-Up -- American Legion Post 431, Three Lakes, Friday afternoon into evening
The Friday fish fry is the Northwoods institution, and this one's a Legion pop-up -- which is about as Northwoods as it gets. Eat early, then walk over to the Siegel show.
Potato Science Discovery Day -- Rhinelander Agricultural Research Station, Friday afternoon
The UW research station opens its doors and shows you what serious potato science looks like. Weird, wonderful, and genuinely fun with kids -- the Northwoods grows more of your french fries than you think.
Saturday
Up North Beerfest -- Hi-Pines Eagle River Campground, main event 2-6 PM CT
THE Saturday anchor: 25-plus Midwest breweries pouring in the pines, with a VIP hour starting at noon for the people who plan ahead. Line up a designated driver and make an afternoon of it.
Downtown Rhinelander, all day
One downtown, three shows: the Art Fair on the Courthouse Lawn fills the Oneida County Courthouse grounds, the Rhinelander Car Show lines Brown and Davenport Streets from 9 to 3, and the Red Knights Bike Show holds down Anderson Street. Park once, wander all of it -- wheels on one block, watercolors on the next. (The Ride for Peanuts charity ride rolls out of Northwoods Harley the same morning, if you ride.)
Together for Tomorrow -- Arbor Vitae Fireman's Park, from noon CT
A free family festival benefiting the YMCA and Lakeland Fitness -- the Spicy Tie Band hits at 12:30, with food and kid stuff all afternoon. The community pick.
Wildlife, Woods & Water Exploration Day -- Kemp Natural Resources Station, Woodruff, Saturday morning
The UW field station on Lake Tomahawk opens up for a morning of hands-on woods-and-water science. Pairs naturally with Friday's potato day for a full nerdy-Northwoods double.
Saturday markets
The Hodag Farmers' Market runs Saturday morning at Pioneer Park in Rhinelander, and the Tomahawk Farm & Flea Market sets up at Qualheim's True Value. Coffee, produce, and the occasional genuine find.
Scott Kirby at Bootleggers -- Bootleggers, Tomahawk, 7-10 PM CT
Touring trop-rock and Americana songwriter Scott Kirby plays three hours on the Bootleggers deck. Saturday night on the water, drink in hand -- this is what the Northwoods summer is for.
Stand-Up Comedy at Hooked on Nokomis -- Tomahawk, Saturday
Stand-up comes to the lake bar -- a Saturday option for a laugh before or after the Kirby show down the road.
Sunday
Honestly? Sunday's quiet -- and that's not a flaw. After a Saturday like that, the Northwoods Sunday is a lake day: point a boat, a board, or a fishing line at the water, find a supper club by evening. One real listing if you want live music with it: Jukebox Dave plays 9 Mile All Sport Resort Sunday afternoon -- and the sunny-and-67 forecast is exactly the day for it.
The Full Lineup
Find everything happening this weekend at northwoodslineup.com/events/.
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