Wisconsin News and Sports
A perennial Wisconsin Dells attraction is closing down, permanently.
The owners of the Tommy Bartlett Show say the ski show is not coming back next year. President Tom Diehl says that the loss of revenues from being closed for the 2020 season makes it impossible to reopen for 2021.
The move will not affect the year round Exploratory Museum in the Dells.
The ski show had been in operation since 1953.
Wisconsin’s professional sports teams did not play scheduled games Wednesday night.
The Milwaukee Bucks never emerged from the locker room, for Game 5 of their playoff series with the Orlando Magic, and released a statement saying they were “calling for justice for Jacob Blake.”
Full statement from the Milwaukee Bucks: pic.twitter.com/jjGEyVcCmB
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) August 26, 2020
The NBA then cancelled Game 5 of the series between Houston and Oklahoma City, and the LA Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers.
Players for the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnatti Reds also did not play, saying they wished to draw attention to racial injustice and systemic oppression.
From the players of the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds: pic.twitter.com/qkhH4AmBKm
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) August 26, 2020
MLB games between Seattle and San Diego and the Dodgers and Giants were also cancelled.
Marcus Theaters is getting ready to reopen their theaters by the end of the week.
The company says it will be reopening select locations on August 21st, and more on the 28th.
That includes locations in Wausau, the Milwaukee area, Sun Prairie, La Crosse and the Fox Valley.
Shows will be running in reduced capacity so that social distancing can take place, and they’re asking people to buy their tickets online. You will have to wear a mask inside, except when you’re eating.
A UW-Madison research team is working to help make it safer to be outside with a program to find and identify ticks.
It’s called The Tick App and researcher Bieneke Bron says they want to prevent the spread of tick borne illnesses like Lyme Disease.
There are several features to help you figure out what steps you need to take to protect yourself. Bron says you can even get a tick forecast from your phone before you go out.
“If you have your GPS location on it will find out in what county you are and it pulls from a database what activity level we expect for the deer ticks.”
You can also upload pictures of ticks you find and researchers will identify them for you. Bron reminds people that ticks are excellent at hiding inside of things like clothing and other debris.
It’s also important to make sure you check your pets for ticks after they come back inside.
“After going outside or after running into leaf litter or out in the backyard if you have the time and opportunity.”
You should also keep a close eye on any bedding your pet uses in order to be sure ticks aren’t hiding in there either.
You can download the app for both Apple and Android at The Tick App.
Wisconsin state park campgrounds reopen Wednesday. But Department of Natural Resources Secretary Preston Cole advises it’s going to be a little different than pre-pandemic.
“Changes around public safety are going to be in place, only because we’re worried about folks. We’re worried about social distancing, and we have to pay attention,” Cole said. “There will be park staff at each and every site, to remind folks about social distancing.”
Campgrounds were closed in March as a COVID-19 precaution.
Restrooms will be open, however concessions will not, so you’ll need to bring your own bug spray and firewood. Also, campground hosts, who are typically older adults at greater risk for COVID-19, won’t be there to greet campers.
Reserve a site and get more information on the DNR website.
The D N R is set to reopen the state’s campgrounds on Wednesday.
DNR section chief Missy VanLanduyt says that while restrooms will be open, bubblers are turned off and no staff are on site, so trash cans have been removed.
“So just remember to bring your own water and to pack in and pack out and that there may be capacity restrictions but if you go to our web page and search Park capacity you’ll be able to plan your trip ahead of time before you get there just in case the capacity restriction is put into place.”
VanLanduyt says that you’ll still need to buy a park pass online, and do online registration and reservations.
“And we still will have a number of the tools in place to limit overcrowding and to promote social distancing but we still wanted to keep this as an opportunity and as a tradition to really get people out and explore outdoor recreation on our state properties.”
One more thing to remember is that there will be no onsite firewood sales at parks. “So people should plan ahead and purchase firewood outside of the property prior to entering and it actually is a requirement that fire would be purchased only within 10 miles of their camping location.”
That’s part of the state’s effort to prevent the spread of Emerald Ash Borer and other infectious diseases.
You can register for a campsite and get your parks passes online at http://dnr.wi.gov.
Milwaukee’s Summerfest is canceled this year. The board of directors made the decision to cancel at its regular meeting Thursday morning.
The COVID-19 pandemic makes large gatherings risky.
After careful, diligent, and thoughtful consideration and out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of our community, Summerfest presented by @amfam will not take place as previously announced. Full statement, refunds, 2020 ticket page: https://t.co/LF9wqWPmNP pic.twitter.com/2E1NjvjzfF
— Summerfest (@Summerfest) June 4, 2020
Milwaukee’s sprawling lakefront music festival had already been postponed from June to September. People who’d bought tickets through Summerfest.com or Ticketmaster can get refunds.
Cream puff (PHOTO: Wisconsin State Fair)
The Wisconsin State Fair has been officially called off due to COVID-19. This is the first time in 75 years that the fair will not be happening.
The decision was made on Thursday by Fair Board chairman John Yingling. In a statement, Yingling says the decision was not made lightly, and that he’s got everyone’s safety in mind.
We thank you for your unwavering support and will look forward to celebrating the 2021 Wisconsin State Fair, presented by U.S. Cellular, August 5 – 15. Refunds, FAQs and Other Information https://t.co/6gc3zO8RHU (7/7) pic.twitter.com/zppmKwL7Bf
— Wisconsin State Fair (@wistatefair) May 28, 2020
The Fair attracts over a million visitors every year and organizers said it would be impossible to enforce social distancing on the grounds. The other issue would be putting on the fair only for no one to show up due to fears over COVID-19.
Tourism officials say this will be another $200 million loss to Milwaukee and the suburbs, but that they’re hoping more summer events will be happening to help ease the financial impact.
It’s going to be a great few weeks to get out and enjoy the state parks, but the DNR is asking that you do so safely.
DNR Section Chief Missy Vanlanduit says there may be closures or restrictions in place to help keep people socially distanced.
“And you can go on to our web page and type in park capacities and you’ll be able to see in real-time if there are any closures at any of our properties related to high attendance.”
Campgrounds will remain closed for at least a few weeks, and wardens will examine how safe it is to reopen those at that point. Vanlanduit says they’re striving to keep people safe and are asking visitors to do their part as well.
“We’re just encouraging people to travel within their household to maintain that 6-foot distancing between other visitors and to travel within their own communities as well.”
Vanlanduit reminds people to bring their own cleaning supplies like hand sanitizer, and to be ready to pack in and pack out themselves.
Some summer attractions in Wisconsin are back in business, but not without some controversy.
Riviera Beach at Lake Geneva opened Saturday after the coronavirus shutdown. However the city’s longtime beach supervisor resigned. George Steffen says he quit because he didn’t want to make it seem as if he approved of putting employees and the public at risk. He’d supervised the area since 1980.
The downtown farmers market in Manitowoc also opened Saturday. Booths were a bit further apart, and most people wore masks. Manitowoc’s market manager says safety restrictions may stay in place for the entire market season.