2016 Leaf it to Rusk Fall Festival
Unwind Your Mind in Rusk County!
September 23, 24 & 25, 2016
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
_______________________________
The Leaf it to Rusk Fall Festival is a county-wide celebration of the fall season in Rusk County. Start
the weekend off by joining us for a Beer, Wine, and Cheese Tasting event at Johnson’s Crossing with
the addition of free casino games & prizes. Experience the outdoors with guided hikes in the Blue
Hills, horse drawn wagon rides, breakfast with pilots at the airport, hands-on arts & craft activities,
shop the garage sales, visit the Historical Museums and much more.
There’s so much to do during the Leaf it to Rusk Fall Festival, plan to stay at one of the many fine
lodging establishments available in Rusk County. *** Camping is available during LITR at the Rusk
County Fairgrounds. There is a self-service drop box near the back entrance of the fairgrounds. Cost
is $23/day for electric and $18/day for non-electric. Amenities include showers, flush toilets and
dumping station. Call 715-532-2151 for more information.
Go to www.ruskcountywi.com for lodging info. For more information on events, call the Greater
Ladysmith Area Chamber of Commerce office at 715-532-7328 or the Rusk County Visitor Center at
715-532-2642. This list of events is also on the LITR website: www.leafittoruskcounty.com
$ = There is a fee for this event
Friday Events
Beer, Wine & Cheese Tasting Event at Johnson’s Crossing $
(at the corner of Hwy 27 South and County Rd D)
Fri. Sept. 23 5:00 – 7:30pm Join the Chamber and Give 365 Rusk for a fun-filled evening to
kick-off our Leaf it to Rusk weekend! Cost: $15.00 - purchase tickets in advance at the chamber
office, at Johnson’s Crossing or at the door that night. Come and enjoy samples of micro- brew beers,
Wisc. wines, Johnson’s Crossing appetizers, Wisc. Sheep Milk Cheese samples, delicious appetizers
from Maple Hill Farm… and… enjoy some free casino games with prizes! Contact the chamber office
at 715-532-7328 for more info. (Advance ticket purchase recommended) Must be 21 to attend.
This event sponsored by: Ladysmith Federal Savings & Loan & Pam Kley for Rusk County Clerk.
Friday/Saturday Events & Sunday
Fine Arts Center & Gallery
105 W Miner Ave (downtown Ladysmith in Miner Plaza)
Fri. & Sat. 9am-5pm Sun. 10am – 3pm
Kids, come and have fun designing your own coffee mugs with your own art work. Homemade ice
cream will be served. While you’re there, take a look at the beautiful pieces of art produced by Rusk
County artists.
Saturday Events
Biggest Farmers Market of the Season (corner of Hwy 8 and 4th St – Ladysmith)
Sat. Sept. 24: 8:30am - 1:00pm (extended hours for event). This Farmers Market brings together
the best of the Rusk County area fall harvest. Taste your way through the market with free samples.
Enjoy live music and cooking demonstrations and local crafts.
10:00am – 2:00pm Charcoal Chicken Dinner at the Farmers Market site. Ladysmith EMT’s
Fundraiser…join them for a great meal while visiting the Farmers Mkt. and support your local EMT’s.
pg. 2
Saturday Events
Ladysmith Area Garage Sale
Sat. Sept. 24: 8am – 2pm
Do you have something you need to get rid of and don’t want to throw away? Those interested in
having a garage sale are encouraged to call the Rusk County Recycling Dept. no later than September
14 to be put on a map that will list all the garage sales in the Ladysmith area. Maps will be available at
the Rusk County Visitor Center and City Hall the week of September 19. There is no cost to be put on
the map. For more information, call or email Charmaine at (715) 532-2167 or 532-2151, email at
[email protected].
Rusk County Visitor Center & Railroad Displays
205 W 9th St. South (Hwy 27 – Ladysmith)
Sat. Sept. 24: 8:30am – 1:00pm
Stop in at the Visitor Center for a tour of the renovated train, caboose, and boxcar. Learn about their
renovation process.
Rusk Area Arts Alliance Art Harvest – Leaf it to the Toads at Toad House
711 Lake Ave, Ladysmith
Sat. Sept. 24: Toad House will be open from 9-4 with lunch, bakery, coffee and specialty drinks.
9am - 2pm: Art Harvest with the Toadally Artsy Kids making wind chimes.
9:30am – 10:30am: A violin “animal” for the Instrumental Petting Zoo. “Zookeeper” Emily
Kormann, director of the Northwoods Strings, will bring a smaller size violin for the kids to try out.
1:30pm – 2:30pm: Hazel Peterson, Easy Listening Piano
Connections Store Parking Lot Sale NEW event!
500 W 9th St N, Ladysmith
Sat. Sept. 24: 8am - 3pm The Connections Store will be hosting a Thrift/Craft Sale in the
Connections Store parking lot. Looking for people interested in setting up a table or more. Those
wanting to have a space are asked to donate a non-perishable food item in place of a registration fee.
You are responsible for your own table/chair etc. To reserve a space, please contact Jeff at the
Connections Store & More: 715-532-7542
In addition, on Sat. from 9am - 2pm Connections Store customers will receive 30% off their entire
purchase by donating a non-perishable item. All non-perishable items received during this event will
be split between local food pantries.
Rusk County Airport Fly-In & Pancake Feed $
(Airport Rd – Tony WI, watch for airport signs)
Sat. Sept. 24: 9:00am - 1:00pm Start a busy day of activities with a hearty Pancake Brunch at the
airport, cooked and served by the Ladysmith Lions Club. Fly or drive – everyone welcome! Pilots eat
free. Meet pilots and learn about their planes and flying adventures.
Saturday Events
pg. 3
Leaf it to Rusk Bike Ride $ NEW event!
(co-sponsored by Harvest of Talents & Rusk Cty. Sports & Recreation )
Sat. Sept. 24 Registration 8:00-9:00am at Rusk County Memorial Hospital
Families and novice to experienced riders are invited to participate. This is a ride, not a race. Helmets
are required for all riders. Brightly colored clothes are recommended.
Optional distance of 3 miles, 15.5 or 31 miles. Small patches of gravel possible on all routes.
How to Pre-Register: visit - www.ruskcountywi.com/event/leafittoruskbikeride and follow all
instructions. For more information contact Ruth Pooler at [email protected]
All proceeds from the ride will stay in Rusk County to benefit area residents through the Harvest of
Talents and the Rusk County Sports & Recreation organization.
Road Relay Race & 5K Run $ NEW event!
Sat. Sept. 24:
Relay Race registration starts at 8:30am in the Jeld Wen parking lot in Hawkins. (Hwy 8 east to
Hawkins) Race begins at 10am. Relay race to raise money for and show support of our local law
enforcement folks! The race is 40 miles starting in Hawkins to Weyerhaeuser WI. The race will be
for teams of four runners that will each have a leg of 8-10 miles to complete. Entry fee for the race
will be collected the day of - at registration. Entry fee is $100 per team of 4. After the race there will
be awards, music, food and drinks at Burdy’s Sports Bar & Grill in Weyerhaeuser.. Whether you are
racing or not, come show your support!
5K Run: Registration at 12:30pm at Weyerhaeuser School parking lot….run is at 2pm.
For more info go to: www.eventbrite.com/e/leaf-it-to-rusk-road-relay-race-tickets-26992387959
Questions about either the Relay or 5K, please call Brad Bartels at 715-919-0255.
Bruce News Letter Museum
(located ½ block off Main St. on East River Ave – watch for Museum sign)
Sat. Sept 24 9:00am - 4:00pm
Stop in for a complementary cup of coffee and view all the displays including the new telephone
display. Volunteers on hand to answer your history questions.
Flambeau PTA Color Run $
NEW Event!
Sat. Sept. 24: Registration – 9am, Race begins at 10am. The run/walk will take place around
the school for about 1.5 miles (cross country route).
Join us for a fun time as the Flambeau PTA raises money to support the area’s youth.
Registration Fee: $30 per person/student; community members and walk-ins are welcome. Students
have the opportunity to raise donations for additional prizes. Each participant will receive a shirt and
color run packets for the fun.
Directions to Flambeau School: Hwy 8 east for approximately 5 miles. Turn right (south) on County
Rd I and travel approimately 3 miles. The school is on the left side of the road. For more information,
call Lucy Taylor at 715-532-3050.
Pg.4
Saturday Events
Reclaimed Flambeau Mine (Copper Trails Mine Site parking lot)
(approx.. 2 miles south of Ladysmith on Hwy 27)
Sat. Sept. 24: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Flambeau Riders Club will have Free Horse Drawn wagon rides; Chili Feed and Baked Goods; roast
hot dogs & marshmallows. * Bring your own horse for a 11:30am guided ride on the Copper Park
Equestrian Trail. Free Will donations
Rusk Riders ATV Club Guided ATV Ride
(meet at the former Weyerhaeuser School)
Sat. Sept. 24 10:00 am and 1:00 pm rides
The Rusk Riders ATV Club will have two guided ATV rides on the trail leaving from the former
Weyerhaeuser School parking lot and riding to the Buck’s Lake ATV parking lot and back….lunch
will be available at Buck’s Lake. For more info, contact Dave Williams at 715-532-0282.
Downtown Ladysmith Activities on Miner Ave.
Sat. Sept. 24:










10am - 2pm: Classic Car Show on Miner Ave in Ladysmith. Trophies & Dash Plaques
10am - 4pm: Antique Tractor Show – Miner Ave in Ladysmith
10am - 4pm: “As American as Apple Pie” Apple Themed Games, Apple Treats & Silent
Auction (117 Miner Ave W) – Rusk Dems. New
10am - 4pm: Dunk Tank, Cake Walk, Games, Coffee & Donuts (Miner Ave & E 2nd St)
- Rusk Cty. Republican Party New
10am - 2pm: Free Kids Airbrush Tattoos by ML Faces – Miner Plaza New
11am: Free Family Movie – TBA Miner Theatre in downtown Ladysmith. New
Movie sponsored by Ladysmith Federal Savings & Loan
Starting at 11am: 211 Club Oktoberfest Brats & Burgers Cookout with Beer Garden in front
of 211 Club on Miner Ave.
11am - 2pm: Fresh Steamed Sweet Corn – Centennial Square/Miner Ave
Noon - 10pm: Music on Miner Ave (intersection of Miner and W 2nd St)
Noon - 2pm: Mario Brothers
3 - 6pm: Mojo Blues Band
7 - 10pm: TBA
1:00pm: (noon registration) Ladysmith Jaycees Cornhole “Bean Bag” Tournament $ New
Miner Ave near the 211 Club in downtown Ladysmith. Two person teams/Double
Elimination. $20 per team – 50% payout to 1st Place. Proceeds to Jaycee Scholarship Fund.
Ladysmith Main Street will be having a Downtown Scavenger Hunt on Saturday. Sheets will be
available for pick-up at the Rusk County Visitor Center & Ladysmith Main St. Office and must be
turned in by Mon. Oct. 3 at the Rusk County Visitor Center. A prize will be given from a drawing of
the correct entries.
pg. 5
Saturday & Sunday Events
Scarecrows on Parade!
(Hwy 8 – top of the bridge)
Stroll along the sidewalk to view the marvelous scarecrows created by area businesses and
organizations before the scarecrows leave for whatever comes next in a scarecrows short life. Vote for
your top 3 scarecrows!!
Outdoor Flea Market at Holly’s Last Stand (west on Hwy 8)
Sat & Sun. Sept. 24 & 25: 8am – 8pm
Big Flea Market plus food samples. Looking for vendors to participate.
Cloverland Corn Maze
$ NEW event!
(Maze at W6807 Deertail Rd)
Sat. Sept. 24 & Sun. Sept. 25: 10:00am - 3:00pm
Fun for all!
 Enjoy the autumn weather together as a family by walking through the corn maze.
 Walk on trails surrounded by the stunning beauty of maples, oaks and evergreen, parts of it
along Deertail Creek.
 Buy a pumpkin for that perfect Jack-O-Lantern
 Cost: $2/person or $10/family
Directions: From Ladysmith…Hwy 8 east to Rocky Ridge Rd - right on Rocky Ridge to Cty P, left on
Cty Rd P east, as if going to the Flambeau School. Turn south(right) onto Cloverland Rd. turn east
(left) onto Deertail Rd. First and only driveway on Deertail – watch for signs.
Felsenmeer & Grundy/Gundy Canyon Guided Lunch Hikes
$
Sat. Sept. 24 - 11:00 am Felsenmeer Hike
Enjoy the unique beauty of the Blue Hills with the Felsenmeer Lunch Hike. This will be a three mile,
round trip guided hike. The Blue Hills Felsenmeer is a fractured rock formation that was created at the
time of the last glaciation. The area’s unique geology and plant species qualifies it as a Wisconsin
State Natural Area. Guide: Michael Harris
Sun. Sept. 25 – 11am Gundy/Grundy Canyon & Devils Kettle Hike
Hike to the Grundy/Gundy Canyon & Devils Kettle area in the Blue Hills with some surprise features
along the way. Approx. 3 ½ mile round trip hike. Guide: Michael Harris
Both are strenuous hikes and require appropriate hiking footwear….rain or shine. Not
appropriate for young children.
Prior registration and payment ($10) required by Sept. 20. No refunds after Sept. 21. A box lunch
and bottled water are provided for both hikes.
Saturday hike: Meet at the former Blue Hills Inn parking lot at 10:30am
Sunday hike: Meet at the former Blue Hills Inn parking lot at 10:30 am
You must register with the Chamber office, 715-532-7328.
These two hikes sponsored by: Rusk County Memorial Hospital, Attorney Al Kenyon, Ladysmith Federal
Savings & Loan and James & Lydia Rennicke.
pg. 6
Saturday & Sunday Events
Rusk County Historical Museum
(Hwy 8 east – next to the fairgrounds)
Sat. & Sun., Sept. 24 & 25: 11am - 3pm Learn about the rich history of Rusk County through the
wide variety of displays that include logging history, antique farm machinery, rail history, WW I & II
artifacts, antiques, Little Red Schoolhouse, Log Cabin and more. The wedding dresses display
showcases pioneer Rusk County couples; the vintage doll display showcases many German-made dolls
from the early 1900’s that were owned by Rusk County children. Check out the enlarged and
improved military display. The farm display has several working, hand-operated pieces used during the
late 1800’s to early 1900’s. Be sure to visit our newly opened 20’s house and Ed’s Plow Museum.
Tours will be available.
Christie Mountain Fall Color Chairlift Rides $
(W13755 County Rd O – north and west of Bruce WI)
Sat. & Sun. Sept. 24 & 25 Noon - 4pm
Experience breathtaking views of the Blue Hills, participate in the activities and enjoy a light lunch.
 Chairlift rides
 Intro to Rock Climbing for kids & adults
 Sheriff & Fire Department demonstrations
 Refreshments available for purchase
Sunday Event
NEW event!
Sept. 25: 11:00am - 4:00pm Open House at Trails End Camp
N5405 Trails Ed (north of Bruce – look for signs)
 11am & 1:30 pm: Presentations by Chris Cold, DNR Wildlife
Topic: “Wildlife & Plant Ecology” Chris will have animals to show as part of his
presentations.
 Camp tours and nature hike (subject to weather)
 Lunch will be served; Pulled pork sandwiches, chips, beans, coleslaw and pumpkin bars
(Free will donation)
 Come and see the newly renovated outdoor amphitheatre
Rusk County Transit Commission Bus Rides to events in the City of Ladysmith area on Sat. Sept.
24 from 8am-4pm. Call 715-532-1000 to reserve a ride. $
Greater Ladysmith Area Chamber of Commerce
205 W 9th St South
Ladysmith WI 54848
715-532-7328
www.ladysmithchamber.com
or www.leafittoruskcounty.com