Sports Events in Wisconsin

Inaugurated in 1988, the BMO Harris Bradley Center is the home of the National Basketball Association's Milwaukee Bucks, the American Hockey League's Milwaukee Admirals, the American Football League's Milwaukee Mustangs, and the basketball team from nearby Marquette University.

Constructed between 1986 and 1988, the BMO Harris Bradley Center replaced the former MECCA, which had the smallest seating capacity in the National Basketball Association at the time. The building's design was by the architectural firm of Populous. Funds for the arena were donated to the State of Wisconsin by philanthropists Lloyd and Jane Pettit as a memorial to her father, Harry Lynde Bradley.

The seating capacity of the arena varies depending upon the event. The seating capacity is 18,717 for professional basketball, 18,850 for college basketball, and 20,000 for concerts.

In addition to hosting professional sports matches, the BMO Harris Bradley Center has featured NCAA championship games, professional wrestling, concerts, ice shows, and other large-scale events.

4 more images

In the small town of Argyle you can rent canoes from a man named Pete Jagg. The former Argyle police officer is quite conscientious and flexible, lives two miles outside of town and has everything you need for a good price. He knows the river and has you park your car where the canoe route finishes, then drives you to the starting point, helps you push off then says goodbye. You then paddle the ten or twelve miles downriver enjoying the scenery and navigating the minor obstacles the river has chosen for you. In good weather, you don't even break a sweat. When you're finished, you pull the canoe onto shore and walk away.

I did this with three princesses, Mudfoot, Underfoot and Leftfoot and we had a blast, though finished up in sore need of somethign cold to drink. Paddling downriver isn't really that hard, but there was a stretch at the end which was pretty open and we ran into a headwind.

Equipment: Pete Jagg provides paddles, life preservers, the canoes and cushions, all the essentials, but what I really felt was missing was a cup holder! If I do this again, that's what I'm bringing.

1 more image

As previously mentioned, my goal in life is to visit every Major League Baseball stadium.

I visited Miller Park in June of 2002 and while I haven't yet been back for a second game, I plan to go back. The Brewers are one of my favorite teams and the stadium is awesome.

1)Arrival & Departure
Miller Park is in Milwaukee and yet situated out of the city center so, unlike some parks that are inexplicably downtown where there is already a seriously lack of parking places, there is a huge parking lot of ample spaces. Out of a possible high score of 5, I give Miller Park a 4.

2)Food
I evidently was sick the day I was there because I did not eat at the park. Duh! It's Wisconsin! I totally should have had a hot dog in the land of sausages! I don't know what I was thinking but this is one reason why I want to return some day. No score.

3)Comfort
I give Miller Park a 4 on this because it's not a huge park so it's easy to find your seat, the seats are comfortable, there's leg room between rows, and lots of bathrooms.

4)Enjoyment
I have to give a 5 to the home of the Wiener Races. Every park has something fun going on - in Milwaukee it's a race they hold between innings. The runners are different kinds of sausages - there's a hot dog, an Italian sausage, a German sausage...is there a fourth? Seems to me there is but I can't remember right now. Anyway, the runners are actually people in giant sausage suits and, well, you have to see it to appreciate it fully but trust me, it's hilarious. They also have a big slide and when a Brewer hits a home run the mascot slides down the slide. Finally, in the 7th inning stretch they not only sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" but also, "Roll Out the Barrell." Good times.

Overall, Milwaukee makes going to a game in their fairly new stadium an old-fashioned fun experience. I give it an average score of 4.

Wisconsin is home to the famous Green Bay Packers. Unlike other NFL teams, you cannot always get into these games on the spur of the moment. Hotel rooms are books a year in advance as soon as the games are announced. Tickets are at a premium as there is a waiting list of thousands for season tickets. If you plan to attend, be sure to plan your housing and ticket purchases so they coincide. This is often a problem. You may have to stay some distance from Lambeau Field....perhaps an hour away or more. Come dressed warmly too as the weather is variable and outdoor....no dome here!

This year when we went to Miller Park to see the Chicago Cubs play the Milwaukee Brewers, I was able to take a picture of this fantastic place on the outside.

"Tailgating" is permitted in all parking lots, and hundreds of people take advantage of it. They also have Permanent tailgate pavilions which are located across the river from the Klement's Sausage Haus. The parking lots close 2 hours after the game or event, and all vehicles must leave then.

I also saw for the first time a memorial to the three men who were killed while building Miller Park. The Memorial consists of life-sized statues of the three men dressed as they did while working on the job. It is called "Teamwork", and I found it to be quite touching.

This wonderful stadium has a retractable roof, which we've seen open and close while there. It takes about 20 minutes for this to happen. The closing is quite dramatic; they play the theme from "Star Wars" while it is closing.

Bernie Brewer is the time-honored symbol of the Brewers. He entertains guests throughout the game from Bernie's Dugout that is located above the left field bleaches. If they hit a home run, he slides down his slide. It's really great fun.

They also have what they call a "Sausage Race" where people dressed as a Hot Dog, a Polish sausage, a Italian Sausage, & a "Braut" race around the track. On this night, the Hot Dog won easily.

By the way, both times we have gone, the Cubs have won!

Equipment: Just bring yourself, your enthusiasm, a big smile, plenty of money for all the delicious treats, and a positive attitude.