By Kayla Zastrow
Jackpine Jamboree
THURS.-SUN. 9/1-4 | WILDLIFE CAMPGROUND, BIRNAMWOOD
“Rain or shine Jackpine!” That’s what people shout throughout this annual Labor Day weekend music festival. And it’s true. Crowds flock each year regardless of the weather. Of all the summer music fests, this one feels the most “happy Wisconsin” with its eclectic lineup of mostly local/regional Americana, folk, bluegrass and alt-rock bands —think Dig Deep, Sloppy Joe, and Horseshoes and Hand Grenades. Dance your heart out in front of the colorfully decorated stage, and bring chairs and blankets to relax on. Rough camping is included with tickets. The homegrown, handmade atmosphere is a blissful way to end summer. Gates open 10 am Thursday. Starts at 10 am. $100 for the weekend or $40 per day. Free for ages 12 and under. Details at jackpinejamboree.com.
Music Lineup:
Thursday
4:20-5:00 pm | The Free Radicalz
5:30-6:30 pm | Hemlock Chaser
7:00-8:30 pm | Kevin Troestler & Friends
9:00-10:30 pm | Insomniac Gypsy Trio
11:00 pm-midnight | Dig Deep
Friday
Noon-1:00 pm | Phyl Wickham
1:30-2:30 pm | Laura & Red
3:00-4:00 | Hemlock Chaster
4:30-5:30 pm | Billy Bronsted & The Loot
6:00-7:00 pm | Sloppy Joe
7:30-9:00 pm | Yankee Coalition
9:30-11:00 pm | Joseph Huber
11:30 pm-1:00 am | Grass Is Dead
Saturday
10:30 am-12:30 pm | Open Mic
1:00-2:00 pm | Ukelyptus
2:30-3:30 pm | Art Stevenson & The Foragers
4:00-5:00 pm | Tuck Pence
5:30-6:30 pm | Dig Deep
7:00-8:00 pm | Ralph Roddenbery
8:30-9:30 pm | Sloppy Joe
10:00-11:00 pm | Grass Is Dead
11:30 pm-1:00 am | Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
Sunday
11:00-noon | The New Hope Haybalers
12:30-1:30 pm | HandPicked Bluegrass
2:00-3:30 pm | Burnt Toast & Jam
4:00-5:00 pm | Jackpine Jam: John Hartford Tribute
5:30-6:30 pm | Ryan Thompson & Townline
7:00-8:30 pm | Tani Diakite & The Afrofunkstars
9:00-10:30 pm | Ralph Roddenbery
11:00 pm-12:30 am | Adam Greuel & The Space Burritos
Riverfront Jazz Fest
SAT.-SUN. 9/3-4 | PFIFFNER PIONEER PARK, STEVENS POINT
This annual free festival gets bigger and more exciting each year. What started as a one-day event has grown to two days with thousands of festival-goers attending each year. Listen to high quality music from local, regional and internationally renowned jazz musicians. You’ll hear several styles of jazz tunes from piano to big band. Enjoy diverse cuisine from local vendors available for purchase. Bring blankets and chairs for seating to relax during this wonderful outdoor experience along the Wisconsin River. Free, donations appreciated. Details at Riverfrontjazzfestival.org.
Schedule:
Saturday
3:00-4:30 pm | Kristin Korb Trio
5:00-6:30 pm | Bob Kase Quintet
7:00-8:30 pm | Samara Joy
Sunday
3:00-4:30 pm | Pegasis
5:00-6:30 pm | Laura Caviani Trio
7:00-8:30 pm | Fred Hersch Trio
LincCon Game Convention
FRI.-SUN. 9/2-4 | LES & JIM’S LINCOLN LANES, MERRILL
When true gamers come out of hiding, they gather at this annual gaming convention. This annual event started in 2011 and has been a mainstay in the Merrill area’s gaming inner circle. The convention has over 50 gaming consoles—from Atari to Xbox—with hundreds of games to enjoy. Play video games, board games, role playing games and more with tons of vendors and pizza. Friday noon-midnight; Saturday 10 am-midnight; Sunday 10 am-6 pm. Tickets $10 Friday or Sunday; $20 Saturday or $30 full weekend.
Wausau Labor Day Parade
MONDAY 9/5 | WAUSAU LABOR TEMPLE
Celebrate Labor Day by heading over to the Wausau Labor Temple for its annual Labor Day Parade and celebration. KT country plays at 1 pm until the parade starts at 4 pm and then The Kittens take over the stage from 5:30-8:30 pm. Watch the floats as they move along 3rd Ave starting at West Wausau Ave and ending right at the Labor Temple parking lot. After the parade, enjoy an awards ceremony, and eat brats, hot dogs, hamburgers, cheese curds, and walking tacos while having a great time with friends and family. Details on Facebook.
Wisconsin Ginseng Celebration
SATURDAY 9/3 | VETERANS PARK, MARATHON CITY
This event provides tons of education about the Wisconsin ginseng industry. The $40 million industry adds $31 million in revenue to the Wisconsin economy! There are tons of activities including ginseng garden tours from 10 am-2 pm, children’s activities, Hmong American dancer performances, a lion dance, vendor booths with free ginseng samples and more. Want to learn more about the ginseng industry? Mark your calendars for the return of the multi-day International Wisconsin Ginseng Festival returning in September 2024. 10 am-5 pm. Details at visitwausau.com/ginseng-festival.
