Summer is finally here.
It's a time to take that summer getaway you've been planning all year. Or it's time to journey back up north to the cabin on the lake for a week.
But if you're not venturing anywhere far after the Fourth of July holiday and just plan on sticking around Waukesha the rest of the summer, don't worry. There's still plenty to do in your own backyard.
Here's a list of the top 10 things to do in Waukesha this summer.
1) Waukesha County Fair
The oldest county fair in the state returns in a couple weeks to the Waukesha County Expo Center grounds, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha. The fair runs from Wednesday, July 15, to Sunday, July 19. Advance tickets, through July 14, can be purchased online for discounted prices. All the usual favorite attractions return, including the pancake breakfast, the demolition derby, the truck-and-tractor pull and the classic car show. Musical entertainment includes country singer Rodney Atkins and rock group REO Speedwagon, among others. There is also a live shark show and an interactive shark exhibit nearby on the south end of the fairgrounds. (Show times vary each day.) For a complete listing of events, see waukeshacountyfair.com.
2) Concerts in Cutler Park
Music and crowds will fill Cutler Park more than usual this summer. Concerts, part of the Tribute Tuesday lineup and the Civic Band series, will be held nine more nights at the Les Paul Performance Center outside the Waukesha Public Library, 321 Wisconsin Ave. Both began in June and saw large crowds. The Civic Band concert series is in its 72nd year and runs from 8 to 9 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 13. The tribute concerts, which begin at 7 p.m., are being held to recognize Waukesha music icon Les Paul. The remaining two concerts will be held July 14 and Aug. 11. Be sure to bring chairs or blankets.
3) Friday Night Live
Local musical talent continues to be on display on Fridays in downtown Waukesha. Friday Night Live, the popular weekly summer concert series, is in full swing, as musicians and groups occupy nine locations outside various businesses in downtown. The series runs through September. With the streets closed to traffic, attendees can listen to music while shopping and dining at the downtown restaurants, many of which offer outdoor dining. And the rooftop dining at Taylor's Peoples Park is always a favorite.
4) The Farmers Market
Like Friday Night Live, the Farmers Market is well under way for its 2015 season. But now that summer is here, more produce vendors will occupy the spaces as fruits and vegetables come in season. In addition to produce, there are a few hot food booths, as well as baked goods and meats. You can also get flowers and other arts and crafts items at the market, which is held from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday, rain or shine, through Oct. 31, along the Fox River in the Riverfront Plaza (West Broadway Street and North Barstow Street).
5) Waukesha Night Out
The annual Waukesha Night Out returns Wednesday, Aug. 12, to Frame Park near the Rotary Building, 1150 Baxter St. The free event is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and promote safety knowledge and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. The event offers safety and drug information and demonstrations for people of all ages. An inflatable jump house and slide, carnival games, activities and prizes for children will also be available. Night Out begins at 5 p.m.
6) Birthday pool party
Need a place to cool off? Waukesha's two public outdoor swimming pools, Buchner Pool and Horeb Springs Aquatic Center, are open daily for open swim and both also offer family swim hours from 10 a.m. to noon Sundays. Horeb Springs is also celebrating its 10th year in existence. To celebrate its "birthday," the pool will host a family free day "Pool of Memories Party" on Saturday, July 18. There will be activities throughout the day.
7) FootGolf at Moor Downs
Moor Downs Golf Course, celebrating its 100th year in existence this year, has recently added FootGolf, which combines golf and soccer. The FootGolf course is open anytime the golf course is open, except during league play and Sunday afternoons. FootGolf is played with a soccer ball. Players, like in golf, attempt to get the ball into an oversized hole in the fewest amount of kicks. The greens and tees for FootGolf are separate from those of the traditional golf course. If FootGolf isn't your thing, just get out the clubs and play nine or 18 holes.
8) Art and Les Paul
The annual summer art crawl is 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1. In addition to the many art galleries to see, it's also a time to see the public art that is all around downtown Waukesha. Take in the scenery of the Gibson Les Paul 10-foot guitars at various downtown sites and the murals that honor Les Paul. And to honor Paul's 100th birthday this year, Les Paul Middle School-Central Campus will host the traveling interactive Les Paul exhibit on Sept. 10 and 11. Called "Les Paul's Big Sound Experience," the exhibit will allow the public to explore music, sound and technology innovations in a hands-on experience.
9) Waukesha's parks
Waukesha is blessed with many parks throughout the city, and the summer offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the parks system. So take a bike ride or a hike in the Fox River Park on the city's southwest side, catch some fish or bring out the mountain bike in Minooka Park, 1927 E. Sunset Drive. Picnic at Frame Park or rent out some paddle boats, a canoe or kayak and take a ride down the Fox River. The WPRF Department is also hosting a Fox River Family Kayak Day from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at the Fox River Park.
10) Library fun
The Waukesha Public Library is full of activities to keep kids and families entertained during the summer months. The library is centering its summer activities around a superhero theme. The library is offering Superhero camp on Thursdays through July, Family Fun Days on Tuesday afternoons and evenings that will feature a cartoonist as well as a musician, as well afternoon movies on Wednesdays in August. For a full listing of events see the library's website at www.waukesha.lib.wi.us.