From ice-cold brews to flaming hot wings — with a sprinkling of live music and family activities in between — the tri-state area will host a wide array of festivals this summer.
Throughout June, July and August, community calendars are packed with events where local residents can enjoy live entertainment, food and beverage vendors and more.
Here are just a few of the upcoming festivals in the tri-states:
Taste of Summer
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, June 6, June 27 and Aug. 1.
Where: National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, 350 E. Third St., Dubuque.
Tickets: $5 suggested donation, which will support the museum’s conservation efforts.
Details: The after-hours event features live music, foot trucks and a beer/seltzer stand. Food vendors will compete for the prize of Best Vendor at each of the three events.
More information: Details on food vendors and performers can be found in the “Events” tab at rivermuseum.org.
Music on Main Street
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays, June 14, July 12 and Aug. 16.
Where: Town Clock Plaza on Main Street, Dubuque.
Tickets: Free.
Details: The event, formerly known as “Dubuque … And All That Jazz!” features live music, food trucks, beverage tents, bounce houses and more. The June 14 event will feature singer-songwriter Elizabeth Moen as the headline artist. Alt-country artist Joelton Mayfield will perform July 12, and Al Holliday and the Eastside Rhythm Band will headline the Aug. 16 concert.
More information: “Dubuque Main Street” on Facebook, or call Dubuque Main Street at 563-588-4400.
HerbFest
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 23.
Where: Herb Area of the Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 3800 Arboretum Drive, Dubuque.
Details: The Herb Society of Dubuque’s annual event will include a silent auction, herb garden tours, grab-and-go bags of herbal treats, sample plants and a sale of handcrafted items. This year’s “herb of the year” is yarrow.
More information: dubuquearboretum.net/herbfest or email DBQHerbSociety@gmail.com.
Galena (Ill.) Brew Fest
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 20.
Where: Chestnut Mountain Resort, 8700 W. Chestnut Mountain Road.
Tickets: $35 if purchased before July 1, and $40 if purchased after July 1, including a wristband, glass and 30 sampling tickets. Designated driver tickets also are available for $5.
Details: The festival, which benefits Galena Art & Recreation Center, will feature local and regional beer, wine and spirits, along with activities like a beer stein holding contest and music.
More information: galenaarc.org/
galena-brew-fest
Key City Beer & Seltzer Festival
When: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3.
Where: Town Clock Plaza/700 block of North Main Street, Dubuque.
Tickets: $35 general admission tickets, which include unlimited tastings and a souvenir glass, and $65 VIP tickets, which include general admission-level perks along with one hour early entry, a T-shirt, reusable bag, $15 in food tickets and access to a special seating area. $10 designated driver tickets also are available and include two nonalcoholic drinks.
Details: Dubuque Main Street launched the inaugural Key City Beer Festival last year to celebrate craft beers, promote regional breweries and businesses and raise funds for downtown development. Officials have made some updates to the event this summer, including adding seltzers, more beer choices, more food vendors and additional shade structures.
More information: tinyurl.com/ KeyCityBeer or call Dubuque Main Street at 563-588-4400.
East Dubuque (Ill.) Wingfest XIX
When: Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10.
Where: Sinsinawa Avenue.
Tickets: $10 per person for the wing tasting portion of the event, other activities are free.
Details: The 19th annual festival, hosted by East Dubuque Greater Events Foundation, includes a wing tasting beginning at 2 p.m., along with food vendors, free inflatables, live music and a fireworks display.
More information: “East Dubuque Wingfest” on Facebook.
DBQfest (DubuqueFest Fine Arts Festival)
When: Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 10 and 11.
Where: Washington Square, 700 Locust St., Dubuque.
Tickets: Free, though donations can be made on the DBQfest website.
Details: The annual event, known as Iowa’s oldest arts festival, will include a two-day art fair featuring artists and makers, live music, food vendors, activities and community booths. The application deadliness for artists and musicians have passed, but those interested in being a food vendor have until July 1 to apply.
More information: dbqfest.com.
Irish Hooley
When: Saturday, Aug. 24.
Where: Alliant Amphitheater, 600 Star Brewery Drive, Dubuque.
Tickets: $15 in advance and $20 the day of the event, with tickets available beginning June 1 at Shamrock Imports (391 Bluff St., Dubuque), Happy’s Place (2323 Rockdale Road, Dubuque), Family Beer & Liquor (20200 U.S. 20 W., East Dubuque, Ill.) and Premier Bank locations.
Details: The annual event celebrating Irish culture includes music, dancing and food. This year’s headline act will be The High Kings, with other featured acts including Rory Makem, Michael Darcy and the Atlantic Tramps, Ballyheigue, The Lads of Dubuque, McNulty Irish Dancers, Dubuque Fire Pipes and Drums and Ian Gould.
More information: irishhooley.org.
Potosi (Wis.) Brewfest
When: 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24.
Where: Holiday Gardens Event Center, 101 Brewery Hollow Road.
Tickets: General admission tickets are $39 if purchased before Aug. 1 and $49 starting Aug. 1. VIP tickets, which allow purchasers to attend the event starting at noon, are $65, and designated driver tickets are $15.
Details: The 16th annual event, which benefits the Potosi Foundation, will feature about 60 vendors from craft breweries, distilleries and wineries, as well as specialty meat and cheese sellers. Activities like a beer stein holding contest also will be held, along with games, live music and food.
More information: potosibrewery.com/news-events/potosi-brewfest.
Elizabeth Kelsey writes for the Telegraph Herald.
