By: Sara Walters

Do you love outdoor activities? Or are you a newbie hoping to learn the ropes?

Come check out the 2nd Annual Driftless Outdoors Show held May 17- 18, 2019, at the Onalaska Omni Center in Onalaska, Wisconsin. Here are some things you should know before you go.

It’s not just for water enthusiasts
Sure, there is paddling, fishing, and the DockDogs Aquatic Competition but this is truly an event for all outdoor enthusiasts. Top experts and retailers will be present to help outfit you for other “silent sports” like camping, hiking, fishing, and biking, too.

You’ll be entertained
Make a day of this event by dining at the available food trucks and enjoy presentations by various outdoor enthusiasts and organizations including a live eagle demonstration with the National Eagle Center. The Driftless Outdoors Show isn’t just for shopping and learning, it’s for enjoying and celebrating the culture of the Driftless Region.

Try before you buy
Many vendors at the event will have equipment for you to demo before you make any investment. Get their expert opinions and a firsthand chance to try out their gear.

It’s FREE
With the help of generous sponsors, attendees will get free admission to 50,000 square feet of Driftless Outdoors fun. Food and gear is available for purchase, but hanging out with you friends and family is free of charge thanks to Mayo Clinic Health System.

You can learn more at driftlesssports.com 

Sara Walters is a writer, mom and marketing professional. She lives in La Crescent, MN with her husband and two daughters, Caroline and Maggie. Visit Sara’s website at creativecontentandconsulting.com.

Mid West Music Fest (MWMF) has announced the full line up for the 10th anniversary music festival held in Winona, MN on May 3 & 4 and in La Crosse, WI on May 17 & 18, 2019. Performing across both historic downtowns will be over 100 musical acts representing a wide variety of the best established and up-and-coming acts of the upper Midwest and beyond.

New headliners for 2019 in La Crosse  include honky tonk rockers Banditos, americana/indie rocker Ruby Boots, and funk band Luthi – all from Nashville, Denver-based Great American Taxi, which includes La Crosse’s Chad Staehly, La Crosse native Reed Grimm, and Midwest based, nationally touring act The Last Revel.

New headliners for 2019 in Winona include Twin Cities soulsters Nooky Jones, Doomtree hip hop artists Longshot and Lazerbeak, funk band Alex Rossi, and indie-synth act Graveyard Club. The festival also sees the return of some past favorites like Duluth’s Charlie Parr and Black Eyed Snakes, Eau Claire’s Them Coulee Boys, La Crosse’s TUGG and Milwaukee’s De La Buena, playing in Winona after their stellar La Crosse performance in 2018. Winona local Mike Munson will perform along with Mississippi’s Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, following up their recent collaboration on Munson’s new album Rose Hill.

The 2019 festival will highlight the contribution of women to the local music scene with a Women in Minnesota Music Showcase at the Burke Music House, sponsored by Treedome, The Current, and Carpet Booth Studios, featuring performances by Aby Wolf, Humbird and Annie Mack. Other special events include the First Annual Uke Fest at the Alexander Mansion in Winona on May 4 – sponsored by Rock the Cause and a brunch time show on May 19 at La Crosse Distillery with Them Coulee Boys to close out the 2019 fest – both of these events are open to the public.

The festival will again showcase some well-seasoned artists among the younger up and coming acts – including Milwaukee’s R&B/Funk/Latin maestro Paul Cebar, Minneapolis’ New Primitives with percussion legends Stanley Kipper and Chico Perez, and Walter Salas-Humura (The Silos) who was foundational alongside Midwest acts Uncle Tupelo, The Jayhawks, and Bottlerockets in establishing the alt country genre, which has later morphed into Americana.

For The Kids

Adding to MWMF’s mission to be the place where music and community meets, the festival has added more events for children and families. Dr. Bob’s puppets will return, as well as newcomers The Dangerous Fun Show sideshow performer, the Magick Solar Suitcase, an interactive electronic music collaboration and a vintage clothing and maker market. Stages in both Winona and La Crosse will provide a space for local youth to perform. Adult kids will also be treated to a performance by crooning comedy sensation Clownvis Presley, who LA Weekly says is “Better than the real Elvis”.

A change in festival dates, pushing the event back a full month, allows for a use of a greater variety of outdoor venues, such as the newly refurbished Levee Park in Winona and the Oktoberfest grounds in La Crosse.

About Mid West Music Fest 

In order to fulfill its mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and keep to keep ticket prices low, Mid West Music Fest relies on the generous support of  donors and would like to specifically thank the Weber Group, The Current, Mid West Family Broadcasting, the Minnesota State Arts Board, and The Remainders.

If you are interested in donating to Mid West Music Fest, please contact Festival Director Parker Forsell at parker.f@midwestmusicfest.org.

Media Contact 
Parker Forsell
Festival Director
parker.f@midwestmusicfest.org.

SNOWSHOE WALK TO EXPLORE WINTER HABITATS

AND WILDLIFE TRACKS

Guided Snowshoe Walk Offers Outdoor Fun for the Whole Family

For those who’ve wondered how wildlife lives through the winter months, Mississippi Valley Conservancy is offering an opportunity to learn while exploring New Amsterdam Grasslands nature preserve on snowshoes! On the trail, participants will learn about winter wildlife habitats and about how to identify tracks in the snow. Even those who’ve never been on snowshoes, will have a chance to give it a try. It’s easy and fun, and there will even be a limited number of snowshoes available on loan at this winter kick-off to Mississippi Valley Conservancy’s “Linked to the Land” series of outdoor activities. The family-friendly snowshoe walk begins at the trailhead parking area of the New Amsterdam Grasslands nature preserve at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2019.

Staff and volunteers will be available to help with snowshoe basics. Trail guide, Pat Caffrey, will share information about winter wildlife habitats and how to identify wildlife tracks in the snow. Recently named Wisconsin Conservationist of the Year for 2018, Pat Caffrey was a founding member of Mississippi Valley Conservancy, where he continues to serve on its board, today. Participants will be encouraged to look for wildlife tracks and Pat will help identify the tracks and also share information about rare species that inhabit this prairie.

The 310-acre New Amsterdam Grasslands nature preserve provides critical nesting habitat for rare grassland birds, like the state threatened Henslow’s Sparrow and Bell’s Vireo. In addition to protection of wildlife habitat, this property provides a great outdoor recreational resource for residents and visitors to the area. While much of the preserve is off limits to visitors from April through July to protect ground-nesting birds, winter is an ideal time to explore more of the land. The terrain is mostly flat, making it easy for snowshoe walking.

RSVP’s are required to reserve snowshoes for this free event (available on a first-come-first-served reservation basis). Snowshoe size is based on body weight. RSVP’s from all who plan to attend are appreciated. RSVP by email to carol@mississippivalleyconservancy.org or call 608-784-3606 ext. 6

WHAT TO WEAR: Wear boots and dress in layers appropriate for winter weather.

DIRECTIONS:  From La Crosse take Hwy 53 North to Holmen and take exit MH. Take a left at stop sign and follow to XX. Take a right on XX and follow to New Amsterdam. Take a right on Old NA and follow for a mile to the trailhead which is on the left. We’ll put on snowshoes in the parking area at the trailhead.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI VALLEY CONSERVANCY

Founded in 1997, Mississippi Valley Conservancy is a nationally accredited regional land trust that has permanently protected more than 20,000 acres of scenic lands in southwestern Wisconsin by providing conservation services to private landowners, businesses and local communities who wish to protect their land from development. The focus of the Conservancy is to conserve the bluffs, forests, prairies, wetlands, streams and farms that enrich our communities, for the health and well-being of current and future generations. For more information, visit www.mississippivalleyconservancy.org.

La Crosse Community Theatre announces that tickets are on sale now for Wait Until Dark. Performances begin January 24, 2019, and continue through Sunday, February 10, 2019. Shows are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. in the Veterans Studio Theatre at the Weber Center for the Performing Arts.

A sinister con man and two ex-convicts are about to meet their match. They have traced a valuable doll to the apartment of Susy, a woman who is blind. The men hatch a plot against Susy to retrieve the doll, but Susy uncovers their charade. A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues. When darkness falls, Susy sets a trap so her assailant must maneuver in the darkness with her until the game’s shocking end.

“When we chose the play Wait Until Dark, we realized immediately that it was important to cast an actress who is blind in the title role. We are incredibly excited to provide quality theatre presentations by ensuring an equitable and respectful representation of the character. In my research, I have only found one other production to utilize an actress who is blind, and that production was performed in the UK. So, as far as I understand, Mei-Ling Felten is the first American who is blind to play Susy,” said LCT Producing Artistic Director, Grant Golson.

Wait Until Dark is directed by Grant Golson. This production also features set and lighting design by Kit Mayer, costume design by Theresa Smerud, props design by Bonnie Jo Bratina, sound design by Luke Erickson, technical direction by Erek Weis, stage management by Katya Carter, assistant direction by Tim Harris, and assistant stage management by Grace Stablier..

The performers are Jim Nelson as Mike Talman, William Garcia as Sgt. Carlino, Colin Thelen as Harry Roat, Jr., Mei-Ling Felten as Susy Hendrix, Morgan Gates as Sam Hendrix, Avie Nelson as Gloria, and David Cochran and Daryl Wood as Police Officers.

“It is an exciting honor to be chosen for this role. I hope it shows people that having a disability doesn’t stop you from doing what you want to do. I also hope that having a blind actress portray Susy will show people what it is like to be truly blind and offer some insight into being disabled,” said Mei-Ling Felten.

Tickets are $24-$28 for adults, $16 for students, and may be purchased over the phone or at www.lacrossecommunitytheatre.org. For questions or tickets, please call the box office at 608-784-9292 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

La Crosse Community Theatre creates productions and projects that enhance the theatrical literacy of our audience members, volunteers, students, and staff. We provide opportunities for creativity and personal growth in a fun, collaborative environment. We have been a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation since 1963.

FAST FACTS

WHO: La Crosse Community Theatre

WHAT: Wait Until Dark

WHERE: Veterans Studio Theatre, Weber Center for the Performing Arts, 428 Front Street South, Downtown La Crosse

WHEN: January 24-26, January 31-February 2, and February 7-9 at 7:30 p.m., and January 27, February 3, and February 10 at 2:00 p.m.

PRICES
Adults: $24-$28
Students: $16

BOX OFFICE HOURS
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday

Media Contact:
Grant Golson
Producing Artistic Director
Phone: 608-784-9292 ext 3
Email: ggolson@lacrossecommunitytheatre.org

La Crosse to host 2020 High School Fishing World Finals & National Championships

La Crosse will serve as the host community to the 2020 High School Fishing World Finals & National Championships developed by the Student Angler Federation (SAF) in the summer of 2020.  Approximately 400 teams from across the country The SAF program, backed by The Bass Federation (TBF) and Fishing League Worldwide (FLW), has grown into the industry leader and the world’s largest and longest running High School Fishing Program.

The championship events have offered well over one million dollars in college scholarships and youth prizes since the first World Finals event and has advanced to the point that schools and families need more time to plan attending like most other premier sporting events. Building off a record 2018 High School Fishing World Finals and National Championship where nearly 400 teams from across the globe competed and to better support that need, SAF has set up a three-year rotation in a very large sort of “triangle” across the US. Now anglers anywhere in the world can plan travel, raise funds and chart a path to reach the pinnacle in High School Fishing.

TBF President / CEO, Robert Cartlidge states, “Our anglers have been asking for a chance at a northern location and La Crosse was our first choice for the pinnacle event in all of high school fishing.  A world class fishery, plenty of lodging and lots of things for the anglers and their families to see and do will ensure it is a great event and a true family vacation for all the anglers. We are very excited about coming to La Crosse. The local community and residents who live there should be very proud of the La Crosse County Convention & Visitors Bureau who is working hard for them and to make this a world-class event for young people everywhere.”

Group Media Contact:
Robert Cartlidge
TBF President / CEO
(580) 765-9031
robert@federationangler.com

Local Media Contact:
Jeremiah Burish
Director of Sports
Explore La Crosse
608-782-2250
burish@explorelacrosse.com

Xong was born in a Hmong refugee camp in Thailand but moved to Wisconsin as a child after her family couldn’t safely return to Laos following the Vietnam War. There she grew up as part of a large influx of twice dislocated Hmong refugees who were not always welcomed with open arms in the small city of La Crosse. Despite her experiences with racism, poor integration, and detachment from her own culture, Xong is determined to help the younger generation born in America stay connected www.statesfilms.com/state/wisconsin.