Volume 2, Issue 2

Bayfield Area
Clergy Conduct Annual "Blessing of the Fleet" June 18

History comes to life with Bayfield's traditional Blessing Ceremony on Sunday, June 18 at 1 PM: commercial fishing boats, tugs, powerboats, sailboats, excursion and transportation craft, and rowboats parade through Bayfield's City Harbor. As they pass by the tip of the pier, clergy from the Apostle Islands community grant each vessel a blessing for safe passage and a prosperous season on Lake Superior.

Prior to the Blessing, at Noon the Sons of the Voyagers will provide a free concert in Bayfield's Lakeside Memorial Park.

Throughout the weekend residents and visitors are invited to enjoy a celebration of Bayfield's maritime culture, from past to present. The 10th Annual Concert to celebrate the Eve of the Blessing of the Fleet will be held Saturday, June 17th at 5 PM at Christ Episcopal Church in Bayfield. The music of Handel, Purcell & Bach will be played with a sherry reception following. There is no admission charge. Christ Church was established in 1856 and completed in 1870 as a classic American "Carpenter" Gothic dwelling and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bayfield's
Fourth of July Activities

A berry lover's delight...
Bayfield - Berry Capital of Wisconsin, opens its berry season with a full schedule of activities

Nowhere in Wisconsin can you find the variety and quality of Bayfield's many berries, beginning in late June with strawberries and running through August and September with blueberries and blackberries.

Bayfield's many orchards and fruit farms produce the finest and most plentiful berries in Wisconsin and this summer they are rolling out the red carpet for visitors. Come enjoy the fun of picking berries or purchase Bayfield's finest already picked at a variety of berry farms.

New this year is a full schedule of activities folded right into the berry season including strawberry shortcake sales, open houses, berry sampling, a square dance, garden tours, ongoing berry picking along with a wide variety of berry products for sales including smoothies, drinks, pies, chocolate covered berries, sundaes, jams and jellies.

Go to www.bayfield.org to get a list of berry farms and orchards and a full schedule of activities.

Bayfield's historic homes on tour June 24 & 25

If you have ever wanted a peek into the wonderful historic homes in Bayfield, your wish will be granted by attending Bayfield's Historic Home Tour on June 24 and 25.

The Bayfield Heritage Center Historical Museum brings back the Bayfield Historic Home Tour, 1 - 5 PM on June 24 & 25. Eight homes will be open on Saturday and ten homes on Sunday.

One of the homes to be featured both days is 100 years old this year. Owners of the historic Frank Stark home at 5 So. 6th St. are Ed & Shirley Flitz. Other homes include the Wachsmuth House and the homes of Joanne Hadland, Tom & Janet Carlson and Pat & Marylou Irvine. The Old Rittenhouse Inn, Grey Oak Guest House and Pinehurst Inn at Pike's Creek are also part of the tour. Guests will also be treated to refreshments at the Chateau Boutin.

Tickets are available $20 in advance at the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce, Old Rittenhouse Inn or Bayfield Heritage Center and may be reserved by calling the Bayfield Heritage Association at (715) 779-5958. They also may be purchased for $25 during the tour. Tickets are good for one or both days and are non-transferable. All proceeds benefit the Bayfield Heritage Center. Maps and listings are available at the Chamber Visitor Center and Bayfield Heritage Center.

Bayfield's (mostly)
Schubert Festival Free Concerts

This is the 10th anniversary of the Schubert Festival which takes place in July and August at Bayfield's Christ Episcopal Church with a sherry reception in the English garden following every performance.

For true music lovers:

Bayfield Hosts
Northern WI Largest Arts & Crafts Festival July 29 & 30

Over 90 artists and crafters from ten states will gather for northern Wisconsin's largest arts & crafts show Saturday and Sunday, July 29 & 30th.

There's something for everyone with jewelry, sculpture, photography, ceramic, fiber, wearable art, painting, glass, etc filling the Memorial Lakeside Park from 10 am - 5 pm both days.

Also featured will be Bayfield's Gallery Walk Tour of local artists' studios and galleries. Visitors will be able to enjoy art demonstrations and purchase from Bayfield's many special art galleries. But that's not all… live music and festival foods will include Bayfield's own fresh strawberries atop vanilla ice cream sundaes.

If you are coming early, be sure to take in then food, wine, and music at The Art of Reflections Live Auction on Friday, July 28th from 6 pm - 9 pm where over 40 original art items that reflect the theme will be auctioned off to the highest bidders. The event is sponsored by the Chequamegon Bay Arts Council and will be held in Bayfield's lakeside Pavilion. All of the weekend's events are free and open to the public.

Big Top Chautauqua presents 60 shows this summer!

Big Top Chautauqua's big tent is risen again on the summer slope of Mt. Ashwabay. Big top is presenting another summer of variety live music under the real canvas, "the Carnegie Hall of Tent Show".

There is no show place like the Big Top tent. You can also enjoy dinner or drinks before, during or after the show with a variety of dinner and snack options 6 PM each night. A fish boil is featured on Friday nights and Chicken and Ribs Barbeque on Saturday nights. Hamburgers, brats, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and desserts are also sold along with a wide variety of beverages.

For a full schedule of shows go to www.bigtop.org or call 888-244-8368.

This year's shows include Big Top's original musicals "Riverpants", "Best of the Big Top", "Showpants", "Old Minnesota: Song of the North" and "Riding the Wind", "Centennial Green", "30th Star" and "WI Wild Woods & Water". Big name entertainers who will also be under the tent include Lorie Line, Del McCoury, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Wailin'Jennys, Sam Bush, Iris DeMent, BoDeans, Golden Dragon Acrobats, Gales of November featuring Prudence Johnson, Claudia Schmidt & Ruth McKenzie, Greg Brown, Cherryholmes, C. Willi Myles, Nickel Creek, Gaelic Storm, David Bromberg, Claire Lynch Band, Jeff Daniels, R. Carlos Nakai, Corey Carlson, Leo Kottke, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Taj Mahal and the Chad Mitchell Trio with tom Paxton.

Bayfield
- Home of the Apostle Islands

Lake Superior, the Great Lake that drew Bayfield's founders, remains the area's chief attraction. Spanning the horizon is the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, an archipelago of 21 islands with miles of pristine shoreline and more historic lighthouses than any other park in the National Park system.

In the shelter of the Apostle Islands, Bayfield is known for some of the best sailing in the world. Between the islands, with their gentle sand spits for safe landings, the crystal clear water stretches over two miles and reaches depths of over 200 feet.

Come experience the water...