THE OFFICIAL WEB SITE OF THE MADISON TIMES WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sizing up the summer

by Jonathan Gramling

There's no excuse to be sitting at home watching the same old reruns on television this summer. While Wisconsin always features a wealth of summer activities and fun, Wisconsin's summer experience just keeps getting better, especially this summer.

Genyne Edwards, the deputy secretary for the Wis. Dept. of Tourism, has been keeping tabs on what's going on and has helped with the planning to make 2005 the best summer yet.

At the top of Edwards' list are the NAACP and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce conventions both of which are being held in Milwaukee. Each of these events will be attracting thousands of members to Milwaukee for an extended stay and that means the overall African American and Latino arts and cultural activities will dramatically increase before, during, and after the conventions. “Milwaukee and Madison are sometimes hidden jewels,” Edwards confided. “The perception that people have of these cities is sometimes off base. I think both of these conventions will let people see what Wisconsin is really about.” The NAACP convention is July 9-14 and the Hispanic Chamber is Sept 14-17.

"The Haggerty Museum is hosting an exhibit on African American art," Edwards said. "John Daniels and his family are having an exhibit on African American visual art from around the state. There are a number of other entrepreneurs who will be hosting either nightlife events or just things that we traditionally wouldn't have, but because these conventions are coming, they give us a huge opportunity to focus on the diversity. There will be special tours of the Black Holocaust Museum. There's going to be street vendors and the list goes on and on."

Even if you aren't going to the convention, there should still be plenty to do. "In Milwaukee, there are tons of restaurants that have opened up on the Riverwalk," Edwards said. "You can walk 2-3 miles along the Milwaukee River."

For people who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Edwards has just the right kind of destination in mind: one of Wisconsin's many spas. "There's been a huge emphasis on and interest in Wisconsin's boutique hotels and spas," Edwards revealed. "I think the spa trend is only going to grow. Since we already have four-star resorts hotels and destinations, it makes sense for them to develop their spa packages. Elkhart Lake is doing a huge renovation right now. Lakelawn in Delavan is also undergoing an expansion. Both of these include nice spa areas. Spas have everything: massages, pedicures, manicures, aromatherapy, yoga, and relaxation. I think people are looking for more holistic healing. It's a national trend, but I think it's growing a lot in Wisconsin because we are already seen as a place where people can come and relax because of our natural and scenic beauty."

And while the Wisconsin Dells is seen as children and family vacation getaway, it too is starting to attract the adult vacationer. "Wisconsin Dells is even growing a lot of its spa products and becoming more of an adult destination to get away," Edwards confided. "If you and your spouse or significant other just want to go and get away, Wisconsin Dells is becoming known for that as well."

Then, of course, there are the performing arts. Edwards has found that the performing arts aren't just for the fall and school year. Summer venues are cropping up all over the place. "Now many arts groups understand that people may want to experience art in the summer too," Edwards said. "Many people want a blend of experiences during their vacations. The Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee has a summer season. They now have some Broadway plays that will be in-house. It's great that the Overture Center is having a summer schedule. This weekend, Meshell Ndegeocello is a pretty big artist to be featured here in Madison at the Isthmus Jazz Festival. This is a market she could do very well in. It's great for the state overall because it increases opportunities for other venues to bring top-billing artists in."

But if you just have to get out and enjoy Mother Nature, Wisconsin is the place to be. "In Wisconsin, we have our public parks and public trails," Edwards emphasized. "There are over 15,000 lakes and rivers in Wisconsin. Where else can you go where there is that much water? People should definitely try to get out and enjoy the water." And there are the summer festivals, the golf, the water parks, the farmers' markets …"

And don't let the high gas prices scare you away from enjoying all that summer in Wisconsin has to offer. According to Edwards, the gas increase should only boost the overall cost of a trip by $20-25. "This still is a fly to as well as a drive to destination," Edwards said. There is plenty to do at little or no cost. Relax and enjoy it!