Portage county june dairy days 2023

Looking to find something new, unique, quirky or fun for an upcoming story? We are here to help! To start below is an overview of what’s new in the Stevens Point Area.

Local Makers in the Stevens Point Area

Fun on the Water in the Stevens Point Area

Biking in the Stevens Point Area

If you don't see what you need, contact us. 

What’s New for 2022

New Construction/Capital Projects

Lake Pacawa Project - This iconic park located in Plover, continues to serve as a hub for the community. With the completion of the bandshell, development continues to transform the park. Phase 2 improvements focus on improving accessibility, with universally accessible playground and ADA beach improvements, along with a pavilion (with concessions and restrooms), kid-friendly splash pad, and walking trails - the new park is poised to be a popular local spot.    

SentryWorld to add new Boutique Hotel Property – The new development is scheduled to open in 2022. The facility will be constructed near the golf course and adjoining facility, which recently hosted the USGA Junior Girls’ Championship. More details here.

Central City Market – This cooperative of local makers in central Wisconsin is reimagining an 1800’s era historical building as a space for local food businesses to collaborate. Once used by Altenburg Dairy, the reimagined space will provide a unique shopping, dining, and entertainment experience to the region – showcasing local food and products. The space plans to include a bakery, ice cream parlor, and test kitchen, in addition to market space (including Northern Oasis Spirits, Upstream Cider, Siren Shrub, Tapped Maple Syrup, Altenburg Dairy, Main Grain Bakery, and the Stevens Point Area Co-op).

The Opera House Complex – What was built as the Opera House in downtown Stevens Point is in the process of being reimagined as an event venue and Biergarten blending historic charm with a modern touch. Originally commissioned in 1893 by G. F. Andrae, the new space will include ‘Andrae’s Biergarten’ as well as interior event space. View a 3D rendering envisioning the new space.

Great Northern Distilling - A new location and facility are in the works for Great Northern Distilling, which will feature an expanded production area, tasting room, and event space. The area's first distillery, they are committed to small batches using ingredients sourced from 150 miles or less. A formal announcement is expected later this year, with public details for the location.

SentryWorld Reimagines Course - The course has been closed since the start of the pandemic and remained closed to allow for course changes, in preparation for hosting the 2023 U.S. Senior Open Championship. The course is set to open to the public after two-year hiatus during the 2022 season. View a 3D tour of the newly reimagined course.

Standing Rocks Mountain Biking - Trail work continues for Standing Rocks County Park. While the park has been known for its difficult single-track mountain biking trails, new trails and reworked sections are offering more beginner level mountain biking trails to the park, which also offers winter sports (including lighted cross-country ski trails & fat tire biking), as well as a dog park and disc golf.

Events

The Return of the Energy Fair - After taking a pause during the pandemic (in 2020 and 2021), the nation’s longest-running event of its kind returns! Each year, the Fair brings over 11,500 attendees together to learn about clean energy and sustainability, connect with others, and take action towards a just energy transition. Join the MREA for a weekend of educational workshops, family-friendly events, live music, inspiring keynotes, camping, food trucks, solar-brewed beer, and so much more June 24-26, 2022!

More reasons to visit the Stevens Point Area

Here are spots to explore, away from crowds in central Wisconsin.

• Get away from the crowd, with a beautiful view at the top 10 secluded spots in the Stevens Point Area.
• Social-distance by bike, with a stop at Central Waters, a barrel-aging giant in the Stevens Point Area. Get tips for the trip, in our ride guide.
• Stake out your perfect piece of shoreline – and a great getaway – with these waterfront rentals in the Stevens Point Area.
• Hidden Beaches are the perfect spot for summer fun – and on the Wisconsin River flowage in the Stevens Point Area, there are plenty of sandbars to enjoy. Learn more about Maple Island Beach, one of the most popular hidden beaches, in our guide to hidden beaches.
• Need a classic Wisconsin Fish Fry? Check out the best spots in the Stevens Point Area, for a fish fry to-go – and then head out to your favorite picnic spot.
• Up your craft cocktail game, from wherever you are! Get inspiration from these central Wisconsin makers as part of #CocktailsInPlace – with expert tips! 
• Traveling with the family and looking for places to explore? Check out the Kid’s Guide to the Green Circle Trail with recommendations by trail segment.
• Move over Geocaching – the painted rock movement is here. Learn more about local artists creating these magical moments (perfect for socially distanced fun for the whole family) here.

Wellness Travel - trips planned around outdoor recreation including urban recreation, unplugging, healthy foods locally sourced

• Start your day exploring local art – from the massive 150 feet wide ‘E Pluribus Unum’ mural or the giant ‘Sand County Bench’. Then, pick up a picnic lunch from the Stevens Point Area Co-op or some Vegan comfort food from Wicked Willow, before venturing out on the Green Circle Trail. Those interested in locally sourced food can find details in the Farm Fresh Atlas, produced by the Central Rivers Farmshed. Get your farm-to-table fix at Adelante, a local food marketplace that is part coffee roastery and part community gathering space through Liberation Farmers. For more local finds, head straight to the source for brunch on the farm at Lonely Oak Farms, during the growing season. Learn more about the local makers in the Stevens Point Area – then go and meet them yourself.

Volunteer Opportunities for Travelers

• Looking for a unique way to be a part of the winemaking experience? Go behind the scenes at Rock Ridge Vineyard - and help harvest grapes in the early fall - for this one-of-a-kind experience in the Stevens Point Area. This free agritourism experience puts you in the fields where wine begins its journey at Rock Ridge Vineyard. Typically harvest begins in late August through September, but it depends on a number of factors.

Inclusive and Accessible – itinerary ideas for multicultural, LGBTQ+ and accessible travel

• Must-see events include; central Wisconsin’s largest Jazz Festival (Riverfront Jazz Festival), one of the Midwest’s first art shows of the year (Festival of the Arts), a chance to view working local artist studios (Hidden Studios Art Tour), a comic-con meets canoeing adventure (Paddlequest), AIRO Pow-wow and the Festival of India, and Bluegrass in the Pines.

Heritage and Culture 

• Cultural Commons - Visit this interactive and educational community space located in Pfiffner Pioneer Park along the Wisconsin River in Stevens Point. The Park seeks to join the cultural influences of the community from the influence of the Native Americans who first settled here to the sister cities, including native plantings and sculptures.
• For more on the local influence, don’t miss the Menomonie Clans Story, at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. The exhibit, located in Albertson Hall, explores the clan structure, origin story, love songs, lullabies, and more.
• See art and heritage in action, with Karen Ann Hoffman, the 2020 NEA National Heritage Fellow as she shares her talents as a Haudenosaunee Raised Beadworker.

Unique Culinary Offerings

• Go beyond the traditional Wisconsin favorites with 26 things worth trying in the StevensPoint Area - from A to Z. Most notably – a Rusty’s Bloody Mary, the Fried Chicken Donut Sandwich, the nearly foot tall Large Cone, Vegan Banana Pancakes, or the apps at Wissota (stick with the classic, like the giant bavarian pretzel - with beer cheese, of course! - or get adventurous with grilled octopus, crispy rabbit wontons, or the Neuske bacon
  slab.)
• More popular local flavor must-do’s include; Eggs Benedict crepes and single-origin coffee at Ruby, grab a locally made item from Agora Local Makers Market, enjoy brunch on the farm (May-October) at Lonely Oak Farms, eat your way around the state’s oldest farmers market in downtown Stevens Point (held 6 days a week during the growing season, and shifts indoors for the winter from November-April), fresh-made smoked gouda pretzels from Main Grain Bakery to bring along as a snack to Central Waters Brewing Company for a barrel-aged beer – as part of the Central Wisconsin Craft Collective (a partnership of all of the craft beer, wine and spirits makers in the region).