2019 Event & Activity Schedule
Location Changes In:
Live Entertainment
Fun For Children
Click below for details!
All Historic Downtown Day events are FREE unless noted with a $
Art Galleries
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
"Life is Art" Works by Connie Minowa
Fannin Counseling & Art Therapy - 129 6th Street S.
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Life Is Art is a body of work that represents Connie Minowa as an artist. The work is based in storytelling about our spiritual and emotional journey, defining beauty and awe in nature, and exploring abstract and impressionist realms to symbolize states of being.
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Artist Painting Demonstrations
2nd and Main - among the Herons
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Come watch awesome local artists paint, learn about Arts in La Crosse, and maybe even bring home a canvas!
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Walking Together - East and West Exhibit
Pump House Regional Arts Center - 119 King Street
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An invitational exhibition of artwork by fifteen Chinese contemporary oil painting masters promoting cultural exchange and understanding through art.
1:00 pm
Modern Calligraphy Workshop $
​Pump House Regional Arts Center - 119 King Street
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Sign up and try your hand at calligraphy. No experience necessary. This fun workshop is a great way to explore the calligraphy art style. Who knows, you may find a hidden talent or an undiscovered passion. Tickets for purchase at: https://www.thepumphouse.org/event/modern-calligraphy-workshop-2/
1:00 pm
Sculpture Walking Tour with Artist Elmer Petersen
Leaves from The Players statue - 2nd and Main
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Learn about these sculptures from the artist himself! Join Elmer Petersen on this walking to to visit some of his original works of art in Downtown La Crosse.
ALL DAY
500 Main Murals
Behind 444 Main street
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Take a walk through this ever-changing alley of colors and share your experiences with us on Instagram!
Children's Fun & Activities
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
All About Steam $
Children's Museum - 207 5th Ave S
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Educational crafts, and activities focused around STEAM! We will be teaching kids about technology and art throughout history. Free with membership, or general admission fees.
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Kids' Temporary Tattoo Booth
Fayze's - 135 4th Street S.
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Scarecrow Alley - MOVED TO 500 MAIN STREET
RAIN LOCATION- 500 Main Street
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Kids Games and Fun
Paint a Pumpkin
Games
Arts & Crafts
Face Painting
Train Rides
Little Free Library Books
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Paperback Rider Little Free Library
Cameron Park Farmers Market - Between 4th and King Street
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Stop by and get a free book to take home for the last time this season. This Little Free Library has books for all ages!
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11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Pokémon League
River City Hobbies - 423 Main Street
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Stop, Drop & Draw - Chalk Art
Full Circle Supply - 535 Main Street
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Join us for chalking the walks! Bring your kids and show us your creative spirit!
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Weekly Pokémon Tournament $
River City Hobbies - 423 Main Street
Entertainment
10 am - 11 am
HOLLYWOOD STAGE MOVED TO WEBER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
10:00 am - 10:20 am
Onalaska Show Choir
Hollywood Stage | Weber Center for the Performing Arts
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OHS Hilltoppers is proud to present The Onalaska Academy, a show musically inspired by the characters of the Netflix series, The Umbrella Academy. Each number evokes the personalities and story lines of members of this elite crime fighting organization raised from birth to defeat evil. Although somewhat dysfunctional, this group comes together to try to prevent the end of the world.
10:20 am - 10:40 am
Holmen Show Choir
Hollywood Stage | Weber Center for the Performing Arts
10:40 am - 11:00 am
Logan Show Choir
Hollywood Stage | Weber Center for the Performing Arts
10 am - 3 pm
DIAMOND STAGE MOVED TO NORTH HALL OF LA CROSSE CENTER
10:00 am - 11:00 am
ClogJam Cloggers
Howes Diamond Jewelers Stage | La Crosse Center
11:30 am - 12:00 pm
Misty's Dance Unlimited
​Howes Diamond Jewelers Stage | La Crosse Center
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12:15 pm - 12:30 pm
La Crosse Hmong Dance Group
​Howes Diamond Jewelers Stage | La Crosse Center
12:30 pm - 1 pm
Pearl Street Banjo Band
​Howes Diamond Jewelers Stage | La Crosse Center
1pm - 1:45 pm
Special Export Quartet
​Howes Diamond Jewelers Stage | La Crosse Center
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
CheezLand Uke Band
​Howes Diamond Jewelers Stage | La Crosse Center
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1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
The Enduring Families Project
Historic Pearl Stage - 2nd and Pearl in front of the La Crosse Center
Presented by the La Crosse County Historical Society
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Come watch as the Enduring Families Project brings to life the stories of early African Americans who lived in La Crosse.
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Vignettes from Discover the Silent City
Historic Pearl Stage - 2nd and Pearl in front of the La Crosse Center
Presented by the La Crosse County Historical Society
Historical Reenactors will portray characters from the Prohibition Era in La Crosse.
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
The Enduring Families Project
​Historic Pearl Stage - 2nd and Pearl in front of the La Crosse Center
Presented by the La Crosse County Historical Society
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Come watch as the Enduring Families Project brings to life the stories of early African Americans who lived in La Crosse.
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
The Time Travelers Band ***CANCELLED***
200 Block of Main Street
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10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Grass Run Band
Cameron Park Farmer's Market
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
CheezLand Uke Band free class
Leithold Music - 116 4th St. S.
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Da Capo Band
Leithold Music - 116 4th Street S.
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Join us to watch the rehearsal of this awesome band!
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Pearl Street Banjo Band
300 Block of Pearl Street & 4th Street
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11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Special Export Quartet
On the Streets of Downtown
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Crosse Section Band
Piggy's - 501 Front Street S.
Food & Treats
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Cameron Park Farmers Market
Cameron Park - 400 Block of King Street
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Guess Candies to Win!
Finnottes - 417 Main Street
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Humane Society Bake Sale $
Cabin Coffee - 401 Jay Street
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Food and Treat Samples
Great River Popcorn Co. - 510 Main Street
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Win a Popcorn Gift Basket
510 Main Street
All Day
Burger Fusion Co. $
Burger Fusion Co. - 200 Pearl Street
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$1 off any combo meal
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*Valid only on October 12, 2019 with a Historic Downtown Day Brochure
All Day
The Breakfast Club $
The Breakfast Club & Pub - 214 Main Street
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6 FREE donut holes with any entree purchase!
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*Valid only on October 12, 2019 with a Historic Downtown Day Brochure
ALL DAY
Dublin Square Irish Pub & Eatery $
Dublin Square - 100 3rd Street N.
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$1.00 off appetizers with an entree purchase
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*Valid only on October 12, 2019 with a Historic Downtown Day Brochure
ALL DAY
The Crow $
The Crow - 100 3rd Street S.
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$1.00 off appetizers with entree purchase
*Valid only on October 12, 2019 with a Historic Downtown Day Brochure
ALL DAY
Howie's on La Crosse $
Howie's - 1128 La Crosse Street
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$1.00 off appetizers with entree purchase
*Valid only on October 12, 2019 with a Historic Downtown Day Brochure
ALL DAY
Big Al's $
Big Al's - 115 3rd Street S.
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$1.00 off appetizers with entree purchase
*Valid only on October 12, 2019 with a Historic Downtown Day Brochure
Historic Fun!
9:00 am - 10:45 am
Mary of the Angels Chapel Tour
Viterbo University Campus - 701 Franciscan Way
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​The interior of the chapel is an architectural and artistic treasure. It is Romanesque in style, with Corinthian pillars and windows of Bavarian stained glass. Altars of Italian marble are decorated with gold bronze, onyx pillars, and inlaid mosaics of Venetian glass and mother of pearl. Visitors will receive a guided tour which highlights the unique features of this exquisite chapel.
9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Antique Musical Entertainment
Antique Center of La Crosse - 110 S 3rd Street
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
The History of Chocolate Video
Finnottes Nut and Chocolate Shop - 417 Main Street
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
La Crosse History Hunt
​Begins at 326 Pearl Street - No pre-registration required
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The scavenger hunt leads the participants around downtown businesses and the La Crosse Public Library Archives. The participants are required to take pictures, find answers, and retrieve items in order to obtain the most points for their team.
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Hixon House Museum $
429 7th Street N.
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Historic Hixon House was built in 1858 by pioneer Gideon Hixon, who went on to become a wealthy lumber baron in La Crosse. He and his wife Ellen raised their five sons in this home and expanded it to the size it is today. In 1965, their descendants gifted the house to LCHS complete with its original Victorian and Arts and Crafts furnishings
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Masonic Center Open House & Tours
La Crosse Masonic Center - 118 8th Street S.
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The La Crosse Masonic Center open house is an opportunity to learn more about Freemasons, Shrines, and the history of these organizations in La Crosse since 1853. Free building tours and light refreshments provided.
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Dahl Auto Museum $
711 3rd Street S.
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The Dahl Auto Museum celebrates the Dahl family's involvement as automotive dealers spanning over 100 years and 5 generations. It also features the history of the automobile through the eyes of Ford Motor Company, an extensive mascot collection and many beautifully restored classic automobiles from the turn of the century to present.
11:00 am - 12:15 pm
Guided Architectural Walking Tour
Tours lead by Barbara Kooiman - Meets at 200 Main Street
11:00 am & 3:00 pm
Historic Storytelling
Pearl Street Books - 323 Pearl Street
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​Brought to you by the La Crosse Storytelling Festival
11:00 am
Walking Tour: Purpose of a Park
Starts in southwest corner of Burns Park - 7th & Main
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From cows to people, this walking tour will explore the purposes and history of La Crosse's downtown parks through Hear, Here stories and information collected at the La Crosse Public Library Archives.
2:00 pm
Walking Tour: Preserving La Crosse
Starts in southwest corner of Burns Park - 7th & Main
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Explore the already lost and the currently protected, this walking tour focuses on the strong preservation movement that arose from past destruction in the downtown area. The content of the tour is composed of Hear, Here stories and information collected at the La Crosse Public Library Archives.
1:30PM - 2:00PM
The Enduring Families Project
Historic Pearl Stage - 2nd and Pearl in front of the La Crosse Center
Presented by the La Crosse County Historical Society
​
Come watch as the Enduring Families Project brings to life the stories of early African Americans who lived in La Crosse.
2:00pm - 2:30PM
Vignettes from Discover the Silent City
​Historic Pearl Stage - 2nd and Pearl in front of the La Crosse Center
Presented by the La Crosse County Historical Society
​
Historical Reenactors will portray characters from the Prohibition Era in La Crosse.
2:30PM - 3:00PM
The Enduring Families Project
Historic Pearl Stage - 2nd and Pearl in front of the La Crosse Center
Presented by the La Crosse County Historical Society
​
Come watch as the Enduring Families Project brings to life the stories of early African Americans who lived in La Crosse.
ALL DAY
Historic Old Fashioned Tour & Contest $
All Day
"Hear, Here" Voices of Downtown La Crosse
Self Guided, Audio, Walking Tour
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Hear, Here shares the diverse stories and voices of downtown La Crosse. We seek out the stories of business people, tourists, and those that call downtown home. We also hear voices of people who experienced downtown long ago by including stories from the Oral History Program at the UW-La Crosse Murphy Library Special Collections.
All Day
Wandering Historical Reenactors
Brought to you by the La Crosse County Historical Society - throughout downtown
Rides & Cruises
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
FREE Trolley Rides with "Frankie La Salle"
Throughout downtown and to Viterbo University
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​Ride on a trolley with La Crosse's Notorious Madam and hear all about La Crosse's past
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
FREE Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
Board at 5th Avenue and King Street
11:00 am
Biking Sculpture Tour $
Departs from Riverside Park by the Eagle
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
La Crosse Queen Sightseeing Cruise $
Riverside Park - 2nd and State Street
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$3 off ticket price ONLY WITH Historic Downtown Day brochure
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
La Crosse Queen Sightseeing Cruise $
Riverside Park - 2nd and State Street
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$3 off ticket price ONLY WITH Historic Downtown Day brochure
1:00 pm
Biking Brewery Tour $
Departs from Riverside Park by the Eagle
All Day
La Crosse Segway Tours 10% off on Historic Day!
​319 Main Street
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Pre-registration is required. Call to book (608) 790-5419
Special Events & Activities
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
FREE Jewelery Cleaning and Check Ups
Rose Jewelers - 431 Main Street
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
FREE Shoe Shines at a 1860's Shoe Shine Stand
Diamond Stage - 4th & Main Street
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Various Arts Demonstrations Local Artists & Artisans
Gallery La Crosse Artists Cooperative - 320 Main Street
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Demonstrations are at assorted times throughout the day.
10:00 am - 5:30 pm
FREE Pumpkin with Purchase $
Painted Porch - 200 Main Street
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​While supplies last
10:30 am - 5:30 pm
FREE Handmade Soap with Purchase $
Handmade Natural Beauty Boutique - 200 Main Street
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​While supplies last
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
FREE Yoga Intro Lesson
The Yoga Place - 444 Main Street #204
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Ideal for those new to yoga or new to the Iyengar method of yoga.This class emphasize the basic principles of alignment in all the poses. Give it a try!
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Activities & Music outside with Verve
Verve, A Credit Union - 311 Main Street
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Paperback Rider Little Free Library
​Historic Pearl Stage - 2nd and Pearl in front of the La Crosse Center
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Stop by and get a free book to take home for the last time this season. This Little Free Library has books for all ages!
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Humane Society Pet Therapy Dogs
Cabin Coffee - 401 Jay Street S.
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ALL DAY
Historic Downtown Day Sale at Dale's!
Dale's Clothing for Men and Women - 121 4th Street South
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Take an additional 50% off clearance sale this weekend!
All Day
La Crosse Escape Room $
319 Main Street
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​Pre-registration required - Call to book (608) 518-3891
ALL WEEKEND
Great Escape of La Crosse $
203 4th Street S.
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Use code HISTORIC to book online