Good morning from “IOWA ”.
We understand that most everyone attending the “2nd Annual, National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering & Reunion” in September, have to travel considerable distances.
Considering those distances, some could plan to come earlier and stay later to explore the “Upper Mississippi River”, before heading home.
At the same time to promote “day trips/cruises” during the “Gathering and Reunion”, several communities up and down the river have been contacted to list their attractions etc.
In each instance if any C-Brat will contact the director, via e-mail or otherwise (please identify yourself as a C-Brat), the various communities will mail out a packet of information about their community and attractions.
To help interested C-Brat’s plan their “Upper Mississippi River” vacations and/or adventure/s, information from other communities will be listed as we go along.
The following information is from Patti Wacker, Tourism Coordinator for Prairie du Chien, WI
Best regards,
Ron, Connie, Bear & Dolly Fisher
Ron,
It was nice to meet you the other day. Below is a list of attractions and their direct web site links. I also have the September events listed. I hope this is what you were looking for.
If you need anything else from me, please let me know.
Patti Wacker, Tourism Coordinator
Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 326, 211 S. Main
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
608-326-8555 ext 11, 800-732-1673
pdccoc@mhtc.net www.prairieduchien.org
Prairie du Chien Area Attractions:
Villa Louis Historic Site
http://villalouis.wisconsinhistory.org/
Mississippi Explorer Cruises
http://www.mississippiexplorer.com/
Info about Captain Jack Libbey
http://www.mississippiexplorer.com/pages/our-crew.php
Fort Crawford Museum
http://www.fortcrawfordmuseum.com/
Effigy Mounds National Monument
http://www.nps.gov/efmo/index.htm
Wyalusing State Park
http://www.wyalusing.org/
Pikes Peak State Park
http://www.iowadnr.gov/parks/state_park ... _peak.html
Lady Luck Casino
http://marquette.isleofcapricasinos.com/index.aspx
Many more attractions/sites are listed on this link – this also includes boating information
http://www.prairieduchien.org/visitors/attractions.htm
September Events:
September - Saturdays: Farmers Market, Downtown Prairie du Chien.
September - October: "Spirits" of Prairie du Chien Bus Tour, Take a haunting tour of people and places of Prairie du Chien's past, reservations required. Date to be announced
September 2 and September 17: Music on the River Cruise, Blend of folk, blues, and bluegrass of local musicians aboard the Mississippi Explorer Cruises, two hour cruise departs at 6:30 p.m., St. Feriole Island river front, Prairie du Chien, 1-877-647-7397. Ticket booth at Blackhawk & Main.
September 3-5: Good Ol' Summertime Celebration, Parade (Saturday) and festivities in McGregor, IA, flea market all weekend in Marquette, IA, 800-896-0910.
September 4: River Pirate Family Cruise, Aaarrrrr!!! Come meet the original River Pirate Captain Jack and his swashbuckling crew… An experience you won’t soon forget as they share stories of pirates on the river!!!!! Two-hour river cruise. Sunday departing at 2 p.m. Call for reservations 877-647-7397. Ticket booth at Blackhawk & Main.
September 5: Black Hawk War and Treaty of 1805 Mississippi River Cruise, Explore the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers as a local historian tells the story of the Black Hawk War and treaty of 1805. This two-hour cruise is a must for river and history buffs, departs at 11 a.m., Mississippi Explorer Cruises, St. Feriole Island river front, Prairie du Chien, 1-877-647-7397. Ticket booth at Blackhawk & Main.
September 10-11: Annual Villa Louis Carriage Classic, Midwest's most elegant and lavishly appointed equine sport driving event. Some of the region's finest horses and over 100 new and restored carriages compete in a variety of arena and cross-country events. Learn how this event descends from the Dousman era when the Villa Louis was known as the Artesian Stock Farm and was home to one of the Midwest’s finest racehorse farms. Villa Louis Historic Site, St. Feriole, Island, Prairie du Chien, 608-326-2721.
September 11: "Life on the Mississippi" River Cruise, Captain Jack, a noted Smithsonian Archivist, will share his personal life experiences onboard various Mississippi River transportation which includes keelboats, steamboats, towboats and barges. This cruise will transit the navigation channel, backwaters and view massive barge loading and unloading facilities. The two-hour cruise departs at 2 p.m., Mississippi Explorer Cruises, St. Feriole Island river front, Prairie du Chien, 1-877-647-7397. Ticket booth at Blackhawk & Main.
September 16-17: Cannons at the Fort, Historic reenactors present aspects of early 19th century domestic and military life at Prairie du Chien, when a fort was the prominent part of the community. Musket and cannon firing demonstrations occur throughout the event, 9 a.m..- 4 p.m., Fort Crawford Museum, 717 S Beaumont Rd, Prairie du Chien, 608-326-6960.
September 17: Horseless Carriage Classic Car Show, View classic cars on the historic and beautiful grounds of Villa Louis. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Villa Louis Historic Site, St. Feriole Island, Prairie du Chien, 608-326-2721.
September 17: Bird Walk, Join birders for a ranger-led walk at Effigy Mounds National Monument, north of Marquette, IA. Meet at visitor center at 8 a.m. For more information contact the park 563-873-3491.
September 17: Railroad Days, Railroad program and activities, Marquette Depot & Information Center, Marquette, IA, 800-896-0910.
September 17-18: Grape Harvest, Sampling of wine 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., live music on Saturday 1-4 p.m., Eagles Landing Winery, Marquette, IA, 563-873-2509.
September 24: Hole in the Sock Gang 1880 Street Theatre, The Old West comes alive in downtown McGregor, IA, with a reenactment of action-packed bank robberies, cowboy shootouts and saloon girls, free show, 800-896-0910.