Wisconsin State Fair Park Officials are pleased to announce that the 160th Wisconsin State Fair, presented by U.S. Cellular, ended on a high note this evening at 10pm.
Hundreds of thousands of loyal Fairgoers came out to celebrate during the Fairâs annual 11-day run and take advantage of family-friendly pricing, diverse entertainment and fair traditions. Mother Nature was âfairlyâ kind this year, offering a few hot, humid days and a couple days of light rain, but mostly beautiful blue skies and light breezes, providing Fairgoers the opportunity to enjoy all that the Fair has to offer.
âIt was a tremendous Fair despite the tough start,â stated Chief Executive Officer of Wisconsin State Fair Park Rick Frenette. âWe are appreciative of the collaboration and efforts of the State Patrol, West Allis Police Department, and Milwaukee Police Department to assure our Fairgoers that the Fair is a safe, fun experience for our guests. We look forward to continuing to work with them for the 2012 Wisconsin State Fair and beyond.â
âThe attendance this year shows, that more than ever our Fairgoers are passionate about the Wisconsin State Fair, and they showed amazing support for us this year,â stated Patrice Harris, communications manager. âWe are thrilled that each year they come out to enjoy the new things we have to offer and the traditions of the Fair â the agriculture, food, music, attractions, contests and activities.â
In addition to a four percent increase in attendance, initial revenue reports reflect a significant increase of 5.6%.
2011 ATTENDANCE 911,231
ADMISSION PROMOTIONS
AUGUST 4 HUNGER TASK FORCE DAY 45,133
149,500 pounds of food donated to Hunger Task Force
AUGUST 5 DISCOVERWISCONSIN.COM DAY 5,145
AUGUST 8 SPRECHER BREWING CO. $6 BEFORE 6PM 10,047
AUGUST 9 KOHLâS FAMILY VALUE DAY 27,559 Adults
13,073 Youth
AUGUST 11 U.S.CELLULAR $5 after 5pm 4,214
AUGUST 14 MILITARY & VETERANS RECOGNITION DAY
COURTESY OF BUDWEISER 2,162
FOOD STATISTICS
Wisconsin Bakers Association Original Cream Puffs 355,478
Artic Glacier Pounds of Ice 550,425
Real Wisconsin Cheese Grill Grilled Cheese Sandwiches 52,143
The 2012 Wisconsin State Fair, presented by U.S. Cellular, will take place August 2 â 12, 2012. The Wisconsin State Fair offers an original experience to all that attend and is a phenomenal value with 30 FREE entertainment stages, thousands of animals, endless family activities, events, contests, vendors and culinary delights. For the most up-to-date information, please visit WiStateFair.com
Deep Fried Beer...like the Deep Fried Butter everyone is talking about it at this years Wisconsin State Fair.
You've tried to imagine the flavors in your mouth and what it might taste like...
You're wondering where you can find it and how much it costs.
I have you covered as we go to the Budweiser Pavilion and get some first reactions to the much talked about Deep Fried Beer at the 160th Wisconsin State Fair.
Summerfest officials are excited to announce several new food and beverage offerings and returning favorites for Summerfest 2011.
Trinity, a new vendor in the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard area, will feature traditional Irish fare including Reuben Rolls, Irish Nachos, Shepherdâs Pie and a Corned Beef Sandwich.
Zaffiroâs Pizza Company, a new vendor in the Ethnic Village, located on the north end of the grounds, will serve a variety of thin crust pizzas along with salads.
SoLo, formerly named Oakland Trattoria, will continue to serve favorites including Pizza, Breadsticks and Chicken Tenders.
Pitchâs, located in the M&I Classic Rock Stage area, will introduce the French Fried Corn Chip Pie, which will be served with sour cream and salsa.
Rupenaâs, also located in the Miller Lite Oasis area, will serve a variety of handmade fresh sausages along with favorites like Spit Roasted Chicken, a Grilled Ribeye Sandwich and a Chicken Wrap.
Flanneryâs, formerly named McGillycuddyâs, will continue to serve Buffalo Wings, Chicken Tenders, Burgers and Fries in a new location on the north end of the grounds.
Sazamaâs Lakeside Grille presented by Fiduciary Management, Inc., located on the north end of the M&I Classic Rock Stage with Miller Lite will once again offer sit-down table service during Summerfest. Sazamaâs Lakeside Grille will feature an assortment of delicious appetizers, steak, poultry and seafood entrees, late night small plates and desserts, a variety of wines and gorgeous lakeshore views.
NEW BEVERAGES MGD 64 Lemonade, a limited edition low calorie beer with the taste of lemonade will be available at selected sites throughout the Summerfest grounds.
Praire Fume from Wollersheim Winery, located in Prarie du Sac, Wisconsin, will be available throughout the Marcus Amphitheater.
Yellow Tail Wines and Domaine Ste. Michelle Champagne will be poured at selected sites throughout the Summerfest grounds.
SPECIAL DATES
For the third consecutive year, Summerfest will host the Worldâs Largest Happy Hour on Wednesday, July 6 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Summerfest attendees will receive $1.00 off all alcoholic beverages and any 20 oz. soda or water product during the Worldâs Largest Happy Hour!
Special food and beverage discounts will again be offered on Childrenâs Fest Day on Tuesday, July 5 from Noon â 3:00 pm.
Want more Summerfest food info? Print the complete Summerfest Food and Beverage Directory, which lists food and beverages by category and by area at Summerfest.com
Summerfest officials announced the seventh list of stage headlining entertainment for Summerfest 2011. The Summerfest Rock Stage with Miller Lite will feature a great mix of rock music performances from a variety of artists.
The stage will showcase the following headlining performers:
June 29 | 10:00 pm | Saving Abel
June 30 | 8:00 pm | Blackberry Smoke
10:00 pm | Jackyl
July 1 | 8:00 pm | Civil Twilight
10:00 pm | Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
July 2 | 10:00 pm | Hinder
July 3 | 8:00 pm | Urge Overkill
10:00 pm | Fuel
July 5 | 10:00 pm | My Darkest Days
July 6 | 10:00 pm | Sick Puppies
July 7 | 8:00 pm | Pop Evil
10:00 pm | Finger 11
July 8 | 10:00 pm | Sevendust
July 9 | 10:00 pm | Buckcherry
July 10 | 8:00 pm | Ten Years
10:00 pm | Hollywood Undead
Summerfest 2011 will take place June 29 â July 3 and July 5 â 10, from Noon until Midnight daily. Summerfest will be closed Monday. The Worldâs Largest Music Festival and Milwaukeeâs cornerstone summer celebration attracts the music industryâs hottest stars, emerging talent and local favorites. The Marcus Amphitheater and 10 additional stages, along with a diverse selection of food and beverage vendors, marketplaces and interactive exhibits, are set against the Lake Michigan and downtown backdrops, creating a festival experience like no other. Patrons can also enjoy Miller Lite, the Official Beer of Summerfest. For more details visit Summerfest.com
Summerfest officials are pleased to have held admission and beer prices for multiple years while making significant improvements to the grounds, including the development of the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse and Miller Lite Oasis, while continuing to showcase an amazing scope and caliber of musical talent at Summerfest.Â
2011 marks the fifth straight year Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. has managed to not raise Summerfest Gate Admission prices. In 2006, $12 General Admission increased to $15, while a new significantly less expensive $8 Weekday (prior to 4:00pm) Admission ticket was also introduced.
Gate Admission ticket prices will not change in 2011, with pricing as follows:
$15 General Admission
$8 Weekday Admission (prior to 4:00pm)
3 for $33 Pass (valid for admission on three separate days)
Festival-fans can save money on ticket purchases when they take advantage of advance sale discounted pricing, featuring General Admission tickets for only $13 and Weekday (prior to 4:00pm) Admission tickets for only $6, if purchased before May 1 on Summerfest.com
As part of Summerfestâs commitment to the community, the event will maintain its plan to develop free or discounted admission promotions on every day of the festival. These admission promotions will be listed on Summerfest.com as they are confirmed. Additionally, as part of its âLetâs Fest!â campaign, Summerfest is giving away 100,000 General Admission tickets, including 44,000 new limited edition commemorative Summerfest Opening Day tickets via promotions and events. Fest-fans are encouraged to connect with Summerfest on Facebook and Twitter for numerous ways to win and receive the free tickets.
Summerfest has not raised beer prices since 2008. Throughout this period, the organization has continued to experience annual increased operating expenses related to entertainer and production expenditures for Summerfest. In 2011, MWF will spend over 9% more on entertainers than in 2008, which was the last time beer prices were adjusted. Moving forward, a 2011 price adjustment on select beverages is necessary in order to continue to pay the perpetually increasing talent fees and deliver the scope and the quality of entertainment Summerfest patrons have come to expect.Â
New beer pricing for 2011 will be $5.00 for a 16 ounce cup of draft beer (previously $4.50) and $6.50 for a 16 ounce bottle of beer (previously $6.00). Â
Considering new 2011 adjusted prices, Summerfestâs beer prices continue to remain among the lowest in Southeastern Wisconsin area sports and entertainment venues and attractions for bottled and draft beer.Â
Summerfest offers festival-goers a variety of coveted food and beverage festival favorites each year. Pricing for all food vendor menus is being finalized, however, pricing on water and soda products as well as the following festival favorites have not changed:Â
·        Sazâs Sour Cream & Chive Fries - $3.25
·        Sazâs Mozzarella Marinara - $3.25
·        Charcoal Grillâs Bacon Wrap Water Chestnuts - $6.00
·        Greek Villageâs Gyros - $5.75
·        Martinoâs Chicago Style Hot Dog with Fries - $5.00Â
·        Milleâs Meat Ball Sandwich - $5.50
·        The Venice Clubâs - Eggplant Strips - $5.75
·        La Perlaâs Salsa and Chips - $3.50
Â
Summerfest 2011 will take place June 29 â July 3 and July 5 â 10, from Noon until Midnight daily. For the first time in the eventâs history, Summerfest will open on a Wednesday and not operate on Monday. The Worldâs Largest Music Festival and Milwaukeeâs cornerstone summer celebration attracts the music industryâs hottest stars, emerging talent and local favorites. The Marcus Amphitheater and 10 additional stages, along with a diverse selection of food and beverage vendors, marketplaces and interactive exhibits, are set against the Lake Michigan and downtown backdrops, creating a festival experience like no other. Patrons can also enjoy Miller Lite, the Official Beer of Summerfest. For more details visit Summerfest.com
We get your letters...
What an amazing weekend!
First of all, a very big THANK YOU to everyone who came out to Grafton and Mukwonago and waited in line amid cold, windy and rainy conditions for those Wisconsin Dells Season Opener Cards.
For me, it is a chance to meet / hang out with YOU the listener and give you goodies!
Second, got this letter from our 99.1 The Mix Contact Us forum, from the Dawson family of Port Washington and was truly surprised that my "simple gesture" warranted the following...
Question: Your Name:
Answer: Michelle
Question: Your City:
Answer: Port Washington
Comments:
Yesterday I took my parents to Grafton to wait for season opener cards. It was quite a cold morning. We arrived at 10 because in the past there have been huge lines. My mother is recovering from a recent open-heart surgery. She is a very petite older woman.
Van McNeil was interacting with people people in line and I asked him if it would be possible for my mom to going to the bank to warm up. He unexpectedly took my mom's hand and escorted her into the building. He was so kind to her and gave her a hug. He made sure she was warm and dry and took very good care of her.
My mom and dad are thrilled to be going to the Dells. Unknown to Van my dad just got out of The hospital last Friday after 4 1/2 weeks of being in. It's been a very rough couple of months for my parents and their health. My mother was just beaming about how nice Van was.
I wanted to thank you for the season opener cards which will allow my parents and my family to enjoy a vacation in Wisconsin this summer, and send a special thank you to Van for being so wonderful to my parents.
You're welcome and THANK YOU Michelle!
Just doing what I do because that's how my mama raised me!
Enjoy the Dells!
-Van
#everylistenermatters
Perennial Garden Renovations
Give your tired perennial garden a boost without a total renovation. Topdressing your garden with compost every year or two provides most if not all the nutrients your perennials need.
Pull back the mulch if needed. Then spread an inch of compost over the soil surface. You can buy a quality compost or make your own.
Leave the compost on the surface or lightly mix it into the soil. The earthworms, ground beetles, and other organisms will take it from there – moving the compost into the soil and around the plant roots where it is needed.
Or, do a bit of vertical mulching. Use an auger bit on your cordless drill. Simply drill holes into the soil between plants. Then fill the holes with compost. This gets the compost closer to the plant roots and soil organisms that will help mix it into and improve the soil.
Soil preparation and repair will help transform your garden.
A bit more information: Apply a plant strengthener such as JAZ spray to increase plant vigor and their natural ability to tolerate environmental stresses, insect attacks, and disease problems. These natural products aren't fertilizers or pesticides. They can be applied to established plants at the beginning of the season to boost their ability to deal with stress or as soon as problems arise.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Growing Banana Plants Indoors or Out
Add a bit of the tropics indoors or out with a banana plant.
The large leaves are great for screening views and creating a bit of privacy on a balcony, patio or in the yard. Add a wicker planter or chair and you have your own tropical get-away.
The fiber banana (Musa basjoo) is hardy in zones 5 to 11. It grows in full sun. It will die back to the ground and benefit from winter mulch in northern areas of its hardiness zone.
Less hardy and smaller, the blood banana (Musa acuminata 'Zebrina'), has large leaves with red markings on 6 to 8 foot plants. It's only hardy in zones 10 to 11, but can be overwintered as a houseplant or allowed to go dormant in other areas.
Combine these tropical beauties with palms, ginger and bird-of-paradise. Or add some hardy tropical look-alikes such as Japanese forest grass, large leaf hostas and trumpet vines.
A bit more information: Push the limits of your growing region with special wintering techniques developed by Dr. David Francko, author of Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths: Warm-Climate Plants for Cooler Areas. And for those in warmer regions check out Creating the Tropical Look.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Preserving the Asparagus Harvest
Preserve the flavor and nutrition of asparagus to enjoy year round.
This flavorful vegetable is low in calories and high in Vitamins A and C as well as fiber. Unfortunately, it is most readily available and at the best price in the spring.
Insure the best flavor with proper harvesting. Select young tender spears 8 to 10 inches tall. Wash, remove the ends, and then cut to fit the freezer bag or container.
Blanch the asparagus before freezing to lock in flavor, color and texture. Dip the asparagus into boiling water. You'll need a large pan with a lid. Blanch small spears for 2 minutes, medium spears for 3 minutes and large spears for 4 minutes.
Remove and immediately set the blanched spears in ice water for 5 minutes to cool. Drain and freeze.
And, if you don't have an asparagus patch, you may want to consider planting one this year.
A bit more information: May is National Asparagus Month. For tips on planting and harvesting asparagus listen to my audio tip. And check out the National Center for Home Food Preservation website for helpful tips and guidelines for preserving your harvest.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Mexican Mint Marigold (Tagetes lucida)
Add a little color and flavor to your garden and salads with Mexican tarragon.
This subtle beauty is really a type of marigold, but the leaves and flowers have a tarragon fragrance and flavor.
Wait until after the danger of frost has passed to plant this zone 8 to 10 hardy plant. Grow it in full sun to part shade and well-drained soils. It is somewhat drought tolerant. Northern gardeners can treat it like an annual and those in the northern range of its hardiness zone may see it die back to the ground in a hard freeze. But don't worry its root hardy.
The yellow flowers appear in late summer and persist through fall. The 14 to 20 inch tall plants make a nice addition to herb gardens and flowerbeds.
Harvest the new growth to use fresh. Preserve the flavor by freezing the leaves or storing in vinegar. They tend to lose their flavor when dried.
A bit more information: You can find this plant listed under several common names including Mexican tarragon, Texas tarragon, pericon, and sweet mace. No matter the common name you can use the leaves and blossoms in soups, sauces and chicken dishes as well as salads. Some gardeners even seep it for tea. Visit Bonnie Plants for more information and gardeners ideas for growing and using this plant in the garden.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Year of the Watermelon
Year of the Watermelon
The National Garden Bureau has declared 2013 the Year of the Watermelon. Be part of the celebration and consider planting watermelon in this year's garden.
Don't let the sweet flavor deceive you – these are nutritious as well as delicious. High in Vitamin C, low in fat and calories - it is a great way to boost your energy. Plus, all parts are edible.
You can pickle the rind, eat the fleshy portion fresh or roast or grind the seeds for flavoring. In china they stir fry watermelon while the Russians often pickle it before eating. You may want to try some new ways of enjoying this tasty summer treat.
Grow watermelon in full sun and well-drained soils. Save space by growing these plants on a trellis or decorative obelisk. Just secure the heavy fruit to the support with a cloth or macramé sling. Or plant a few seeds in a container and let the vines wander over your balcony or trellis.
A bit more information: Try planting one of the large picnic-type watermelons that can weigh 15 to 50 pounds. These are sure to get everyone in the family excited about growing and eating this, the largest edible fruit in the United States. Or perhaps you want to try one of the icebox melons that is much smaller at 5 to 15 pounds and easier to squeeze into the fridge. And don't forget about those with unique colored rinds and flesh and of course those that lack seeds.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Clematis Stem Wilt
Clematis Stem Wilt
Your clematis looks beautiful until suddenly the stems and leaves start turning black. Though it looks bad your clematis will survive.
The fungus that causes this disease enters your plant through wounds and cracks in the stem near ground level. Fortunately new growth arising below this point will be disease free.
Reduce future problems by pruning out and destroying infested stems. Disinfect tools between cuts to reduce the risk of spreading this disease.
As new growth emerges from the soil carefully secure it to the support to reduce the risk of cracking and damage. Eliminating the entryways for the fungus will reduce the risk of disease.
In the future consider planting the crown of the clematis below the soil surface. This allows the plant to produce new shoots below the point of infection.
Try growing small flowered clematis that tend to resist this disease. Alpina, macropetala and the viticella types are a few to consider.
A bit more information: For a disease to occur you must have the causal organism (fungus, bacteria, virus) present, disease-promoting weather and susceptible plants. Remove one of these factors and you eliminate the disease. Keep this in mind when managing clematis stem wilt and other plant diseases in your garden.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
I'm a fan, are you?
Who doesn't LOVE a good Roller Coaster? Am I right?! I've been so very lucky to been have rasied in the Midwest, a stones throw away from Six Flags Great America, where I practicaly spent my summers as kid with my best bud Edgar!
Mom and dad would drop us off at open and pick us up at close. 10a-10p. Don't think I could handle that now. Heck, I could barley make it on one run of Batman The Ride Backwards!
Yes, that's right, for a limited time this season, (BTW... I tried to find out when from officials, they wouldn't budge, so get there soon!) Batman The Ride will be running BACKWARDS!!
MOBILE USERS: Click here to WATCH Van rides Batman: The Ride Backwards!
www.SixFlags.com
My Lucky Brewers Socks
I've been wearing these sock to the last few games I have attended at Miller Park and the crew always wins when I have them on. Do you think my socks lucky?
Matt Nathanson AND Plain White T's coming to Festa!
YES! That headline is correct...Matt Nathanson AND the Plain White T's will be performing at Festa Italiana, Saturday night, July 20th and I have the honor of being your ON STAGE HOST!!
I'm super stoked and looking forward to hanging with Platinum-selling singer-song writer Matt Nathanson, and Grammy-nominated Chicago-bred Plain White T's again!
Check out the videos from both groups last visit to The Mix Studios:
WATCH Matt Nathanson Interview and Performance.
WATCH Plain White T's Interview and Performance.
Watch for and Prevent Borers on Trees and Shrubs
Extreme heat and cold, droughts and floods can leave our plants stressed and more susceptible to damaging borers.
These insects are the immature stage of moths and beetles that feed under the bark and inside the stems of plants. Their feeding weakens and in some cases kills the plant.
Many borers are opportunists, attacking already stressed trees. We can't control the weather but we can help reduce stress on our plants. Start by growing plants suited to the climate and growing conditions in your landscape.
Mulch the area under and around the base of trees and shrubs. Organic mulches like wood chips keep the roots cool and moist and reduce competition from grass and weeds.
Be sure to water new plantings thoroughly and as needed the first few years. And do the same for established trees and shrubs during extended drought. This will keep them healthy and help ward off borers.
A bit more information: Incorporate trees and shrubs into perennial planting beds. You will create an attractive garden and better environment for the plants. Plus, planting beds as well as mulching will reduce the need for hand trimming and will keep weed whips and mowers away from the trunks of the trees. And don't pile soil or mulch over the stems of shrubs and the trunks of trees. These practices create entryways for pests and encourage disease problems.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Lawn Revival
If sparse, bare spots or lots of weeds describe your lawn, it is time for a little lawn revival.
Start by evaluating the current state of your lawn. If more than 60% is bare or filled with weeds, it is time to start over. Look at this as an opportunity to properly prepare the soil, select a more drought tolerant lawn or convert it into a no mow or low maintenance lawn or planting bed.
Overseed thin sparse lawns. Core aerate first or use a slit seeder to insure good seed-to-soil contact. For small bare spots use a lawn patch kit or make your own. Mix a handful of quality grass seed into a bucket of topsoil. Remove any dead grass and roughen the soil surface. Then sprinkle the commercial or homemade lawn patch over the prepared bare spot.
Keep the soil moist until the grass seed begins to grow.
A bit more information: Larger areas will benefit from the addition of organic matter into the top 6 inches of soil before sowing the grass seed or laying sod. Keep the soil moist until the sod has rooted into the soil below and the grass seed begins to grow. Consider overseeding the lawn to help create a more uniform appearance in the lawn. For more information, click here.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
