There are so many holiday events these days, that it's nearly impossible (and expensive!) to…
OK, so there’s a lot going on this weekend! It’s Big Top Circus Parade weekend in Baraboo, Mirror Lake has a free Shakespeare In The Park event, and at Devil’s Lake? Well, lots of stuff as always! So, let’s dive in!
Weather
If you haven’t heard, it’s supposed to be hotter than the surface of the sun this weekend! Well, really, Friday looks like the killer day with temps in the 90s. The rest of the weekend’s highs will be in the mid-80s. It’s summer! Have extra water on the trails, bring sunscreen. You know the drill! Here’s a local forecast.
Trail Conditions
Summer trail conditions are as good as they get. However, we’ve had a tropical weather cycle recently meaning rain at night, then heat and humidity during the day. So there will be muddy areas and stone staircases may be slippery.
Wildlife
Keep an eye out for northern watersnakes in rocky shorelines along the north and south shores of Devil’s Lake. If you see one, just let it go. It won’t go after you, but if you try to catch it, it’s bite is painful! We also saw a good-sized spiny softshell turtle trying to dig a nest along the south shore. Sadly, it was unable to complete its nest. Here’s that story.
Meanwhile, if you’re into dragonflies and butterflies, check out the local prairies such as Roznos Meadow in the park or at the Merrimac Preserve or the Sauk Prairie Recreation area. I’ve seen just tons of monarch butterflies, dragonflies and even a few bumblebees (which is good news) out on the prairies. Keep in mind, it gets hot out there!!
Devil’s Lake Events & Activities
Friday, July 19th
12:00pm – 8:30pm – Fur Trade Encampment – Become A Voyageur
Drop-in anytime! Paddle a 28 foot canoe! Join us for a truly a hands-on experience in history and camaraderie into the fur trade era and the lives of its most colorful participants – the Voyageurs. You’ll get to paddle a Voyageur canoe and learn about the Voyageur way of life. You will step into the past with Jean Paul Pauquette and Jacques Largillier as your guides. This is a FREE program sponsored by the Friends of Devil’s Lake. This program is great for all ages. Activities will happen at the North Shore Boat Launch. Presented by Fox of the River Voyageur Canoe LLC
5:00 pm – Friday Fish Fry
The Barn Restaurant will be hosting the Friday Fish Frys at Devil’s Lake outside the Chateau throughout the summer.
8:30 pm – Friday Fireside – Night Sky
Join us by the fireside to see the glorious stars and planets out during the height of summer. We’ll have a couple of telescopes set up for you to look through and star apps to help you navigate through the night sky. This program is best for kids 7 and older and adults, but open to “kids” of all ages. Meet at the North Shore Boat Launch.
Saturday, July 20th
8:30 am – 8:30 pm – Fur Trade Encampment – Become A Voyageur
Drop-in any time! Paddle a 28 foot canoe! Join us for a truly a hands-on experience in history and camaraderie into the fur trade era and the lives of its most colorful participants – the Voyageurs. You’ll get to paddle a Voyageur canoe and learn about the Voyageur way of life. You will step into the past with Jean Paul Pauquette and Jacques Largillier as your guides. This is a FREE program sponsored by the Friends of Devil’s Lake. This program is great for all ages. Activities will happen at the North Shore Boat Launch. Presented by Fox of the River Voyageur Canoe LLC.
11:00am – 12:00pm – Animal Feeding Day
Watch the animals in the Nature Center have lunch! Watch the box turtles munch on some salad. See the garter snake slurp down a worm. Look at the treefrogs as they tackle a cricket or two. This program is great for all ages.
11:30 am – 12:30 am – Meet The Bee Keepers!
Check out the Nature Center’s beehive! Come visit with the beekeepers and watch as they take care of the hive. This program is great for all ages. Happening outside the Nature Center.
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Guided Kayak Tour
Go on a kayak adventure at Devil’s Lake! Guides will take you on a 2-hour tour of the lake exploring the geology, history and lake’s wildlife. Space is limited, so you’ll need to preregister. If you need to rent a kayak, please let us know when you register. The rental fee is $25 for a single kayak and $45 for a double.
To register, please contact the Nature Center at (608) 356-8301 ext. 140. This program is best for adults and children 10 and older. Meet at the Chateau (North Shore Concessions).
7:30 pm – 10:30 pm – Dance To The Big Bands
Dance to the Big Band sounds of the Hal Edwards Orchestra in Wisconsin’s celebrated “most romantic dance pavilion” – the Chateau. Join us as we relive the glory years. Cost is $10 and happens at the Chateau (North Shore Concessions).
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Stuck On The Rocks
Find out what happens when there’s an emergency on the bluffs of Devil Lake. Staff from the Baraboo District Ambulance Service will show you the techniques and equipment used in rope rescues. Happening outside the Chateau (North Shore Concessions). – Presented by the Baraboo District Ambulance Service
Mirror Lake State Park Events
Saturday, July 20, 2019
10:00 am – 11:30 am – Hike the Echo Rock and Ishnala Trail
Travel back in time on this 2.4-mile hike to learn how Mirror Lake was formed. Explore the wildflowers, smell the fresh pine trees, walk through the cool Ishnala Gorge. Learn about the human history of the park, who lived in and around the park, before it was a park. Let’s see if we can find some cool bugs and creatures and birds as well. If there is light rain, we will still go. If there is heavy rain and/or lightning, we will cancel. Meet at Echo Rock trailhead at the top of the boat landing parking lot.
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Dragonflies and Damselflies
Let’s take a look to see if we can find some dragonflies and damselflies in the beach area. Do you know what they eat? Where do they live? Where do they go in the winter? Wild cards and handouts on dragonflies and damselflies available. Meet at the beach area.
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Music In The Park: Tim Southwick Johnson
Join the Friends of Mirror Lake as they bring Tim Southwick Johnson to the outdoor amphitheater stage as part of the Music in the Park summer concert series. Tim Southwick Johnson is an accomplished performer on acoustic guitar, mandolin, tenor guitar, ukulele, and harmonica. His original songs run the gamut from fun story songs to romping fingerstyle instrumentals. Tim even brings the songwriting process to the stage composing “on the fly”. Event is free. A valid park vehicle sticker is required to enter the park. Bring your own chairs or sit on our rock seating. Bug spray suggested.
Sunday, July 21, 2019
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm- Playing with Shakespeare: Children’s Workshop
The Summit Players are a traveling theatre company who present short, fun, accessible and free Shakespeare workshops and performances to audiences around the state. This year, join the Players as they perform a mini-version of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. The production is ‘Shakespeare out of a trunk,’ with minimal set, costumes and props and a focus on actors, as per the style of Shakespeare’s time. Prior to the performance, company members will lead a 45-minute children’s workshop. 1 p.m. workshop; 2:30 p.m. performance.
2:30pm – 3:45pm – Shakespeare in the Park: Romeo & Juliet
The Summit Players are a traveling theatre company who present short, fun, accessible and free Shakespeare workshops and performances to audiences around the state. This year, join the Players as they perform a mini-version of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. The production is ‘Shakespeare out of a trunk,’ with minimal set, costumes and props and a focus on actors, as per the style of Shakespeare’s time. Prior to the performance, company members will lead a 45-minute children’s workshop. 1 p.m. workshop; 2:30 p.m. performance.
Community Events
Saturday, July 20, 2019
All Day – Baraboo’s Big Top Parade & Circus Celebration
July 20th, 2019 the Baraboo Community will be alive with events and activities as we celebrate the 7th Annual Big Top Parade and Circus Celebration in downtown Baraboo. This year, the parade theme will be “All You Need is Love” celebrating the 1960’s era. The Big Top Parade & Circus Celebration will feature concerts, children’s activities, carnival games, live performances, a concert on the Square and food vendors from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. The main event — the Big Top Parade — kicks off at 11:00 a.m. Along with our grand marshals, the parade features over 75 traditional circus parade units and circus-themed entries created by community groups and businesses. – More Information Click Here.
Final Wrap
A hot weekend generally means a very busy weekend at Devil’s Lake State Park. On Saturday, you can expect the north shore parking areas to fill up as early as 10 am on a busy weekend. From there a bit of havoc ensues as park visitors are sent to the south shore and parking will be, well, interesting. We’ve got two posts for “first times” worth a read if this will be your first visit to Devil’s Lake State Park; What Do I Need To Know & “10 Honest Tips For First-Timers”
Also on Saturday with the Circus Parade in Downtown Baraboo, traffic is going to be something else on main routes through Baraboo. So keep that in mind as well. Ultimately, like I say every time, bring your patience and be kind. Everyone else will likely be hot and stressed too! Having fun is often just a state of mind! Be safe!
For nearly 2 decades the Skillet Creek blog has focused on 3 main goals; To inspire you to visit and explore the Devil’s Lake region, to help you get the most your visit by sharing tips, events, and other helpful information. Lastly to advocate for our environment & wildlife and talk about how we can keep our natural areas amazing now and into the future! That last goal can sometimes cause controversy, but it’s the only way we can accomplish the first two. – Derrick Mayoleth, Owner.
Related Posts
