My Summer: A complete guide to area summer events

MAY

May 2

Wine Walk. Downtown Baraboo. Join 15 merchants from 5 to 8 p.m. for a $15 wine tasting tour. Online: www.baraboo.com

May 17 - 18

Automotion.

Wisconsin Dells. With more than 900 cars in the parking lot at Noah's Ark. Online: www.wisdells.com

May 9

Creedence Clearwater Revisited. The band will perform at Ho-Chunk Casino in Wisconsin Dells. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets: $35 and $45. Online: www.ticketmaster.com

May 16-18

St. Mary's Best Fest. Portage.

Carnival rides, raffle, food and more. Online: www.travelcolumbiacounty.net

May 17

Faire on the Square. Downtown Baraboo from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Art and craft fair, food, live entertainment. Online: www.baraboo.com

May 29-June 1

Canal Days Encampments. Historic re-enactments at the Indian Agency House and Surgeons' Quarters in Portage along Highway 33. Call (608) 742-5054 for additional information.

JUNE

June-August

Friesland Band concerts and pie social. The event takes place every Tuesday evening at the Friesland Shelter downtown.

June 1

Annual open house at all state parks, with free admission and fishing.

Reedsburg Rotary Fly-In, Drive-In Breakfast. Reedsburg Municipal Airport.

Zoo Crew Day. The event returns to Baraboo from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ochsner Park and Zoo on Eighth Avenue. Online: www.baraboo.com

June 4

Sheryl Crow. Alliant Energy Center in Madison. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets: $68 and $58. Online: www.alliantenergycenter.com

June 6

Corvettes in the Dells. Street dance. Downtown Reedsburg, 4:30 to 8 p.m. Online: www.reedsburg.org

June 7

Buddy Guy. Ho-Chunk Casino in Wisconsin Dells. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets: $30. Online: www.ticketmaster.com or (608) 255-4646.

American Players Theatre. The Spring Green theater opens the season with a preview performance of "The Belle's Stratagem." The official opening night is June 14. The plays this summer also include: "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Ah, Wilderness!," "Henry IV: The Making of a King" and "Widowers' Houses. Online: www.playinthewoods.org or call (608) 588-2361.

June 7 and 8

3rd Annual Taste of Wisconsin Dells. The downtown event will feature more than 20 local restaurants. Online: www.wisdells.com

June 7

George Jones performs at Crystal Grand Music Theatre. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets: $40.95 or $45.95. Call (608) 254-4545.

June 10 - 15

Reedsburg Butter Festival in downtown. Online: www.reedsburg.org

June 12

Concert on the Square. The season for music in downtown Baraboo kicks off and runs each Thursday evening at 7 p.m. through the summer.

June 13-15

Columbus Carriage Classic. Enjoy graceful horses, authentic and replica carriages and drivers in period attire at the 7th Annual Columbus Carriage Classic. Drive parades held on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. through downtown. Online: www.columbusvisitorcenter.com

June 13-15

Cesky Den Festival in Hillsboro.

This Bohemian festival brings ethnic foods and costumes to life. Events include polka bands. Online: www.ceskyden.com

June 18

10th Anniversary of Concerts in the Park in Reedsburg. Swing Crew at 7 p.m. in City Park to kick off season. Online: www.reedsburg.org

3rd Annual Waterslide-athon: From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Noah's Ark to benefit The Ronald McDonald House. Park admission purchase required. Online: www.wisdells.com

June 21

Trisha Yearwood at Crystal Grand Music Theatre. Show time is 8 p.m. Tickets: $40.95 or $45.95. Call (608) 254-4545.

A Tour of Historic Homes in Baraboo. Take a self-guided tour of six of Baraboo's beautiful older homes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets cost $15. Call (608) 356-1001. Online: www.baraboo.com

June 21 and 22

Native American Artifact & Antique Show. Held at Sauk County Fairgrounds in Baraboo from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Online: www.baraboo.com

June 22

Willie Nelson at Crystal Grand. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets: $85.95, $65.95 and $55.95. Call (608) 254-4545.

June 26-July 6

Summerfest in Milwaukee.

June 27-29

Baraboo-Dells Air Show. Baraboo-Dells Municipal Airport on Highway 12. Online: www.baraboodellsairshow.com

June 29

Cruising to Portage Car & Truck Show. Held at Veteran's Memorial Field. Free admission. Online: www.travelcolumbiacounty.net

JULY

Fourth of July

July 4-6

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show comes to Circus World Museum in Baraboo. Arena performances held Friday and Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. Tickets: $14.95 for adults, $7.95 for children 5-11, $12.95 for senior citizens 65 and older. Online: www.baraboo.com

July 8-13

Sauk County Fair returns to Baraboo. All events take place at the Sauk County Fairgrounds. Online: www.baraboo.com

July 11-26

Summerset Theatre returns to UW-Baraboo. Performances of "You Can't Take It With You." Online: www.summersettheatre.com

July 12

"Rock of Love" fans can see Bret Michaels with Poison at the Alliant Energy Center, Willow Island, in Madison along with Dokken and Sebastian Bach. Tickets: $37. Online: www.alliantenergycenter.com or www.ticketmaster.com

July 18-19

Art Walk. Portage will play host to local artists. Regional wine, beer and cheese tasting. Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (608) 745-1861

July 19

Concert in the Park. This free event brings the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra to play at Pauquette Park in Portage. Music from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Online: www.portagewi.com

July 23-27

Columbia County Fair in Portage. Online: www.columbiacofair.com

July 26

Hootie & the Blowfish at Ho-Chunk Casino. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets: $45 and $55. Online: www.ticketmaster.com or (608) 255-4646.

Lazy Beaver Canoe Race. Starts in LaValle and ends in Reedsburg. 10 a.m. Call 800-844-3507.

Old Fashioned Day in Baraboo. Online: www.baraboo.com

AUGUST

August 1-2

Critical Mass Concert in Portage. Free concert with live Christian bands. Contact: Marilyn Jahn at (608) 617-7787 for details.

The Big Dig — DL Gasser Construction on Fox Hill Road, Baraboo. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $8 in advance and $10 day of.  Online: www.thebigdig.info

Reedikulus Day's sidewalk sales return to Reedsburg. Online: www.reedsburg.org

August 8

Wynonna Judd at Crystal Grand. Show starts at 8 p.m. Call (608) 254-4545.

August 9

Summer Art Classic in downtown Baraboo. The free event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Online: www.saukcountyartassociation.org

August 10

YesterFest. An old-fashioned community picnic at the Wisconsin River canal. Music, food, free horse-drawn wagon and antique tractor rides and games. Online: www.portagewi.com

August 15-17

The Badger Steam & Gas Engine Show. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs $5. Online: badgersteamandgas.com

August 16

 Friendship Village Celebrates Zona Gale.Call Blanche Murtagh at (608) 742-3315.

August 22

Taste of Portage in city's downtown. Food and art and craft vendors. Online: www.portagewi.com

August 23

Foreigner at Ho-Chunk Casino. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets: $35 and $45. Online: www.ticketmaster.com or (608) 255-4646.

August 29 (through weekend)

Baraboo River Rendezvous. Re-enactment of the pre-1840 fur trade era. Admission $1. Call (608) 356-8172.

August 29-30

The Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw. Marion Park in Prairie du Sac. Online: www.wiscowchip.com