Oneida County Community Blogs

Do you love to ice fish? Love the Wisconsin Northwoods? Wanna combine the 2 for great fun and a chance to win some dough??? Rhinelander is hosting a North American Ice Fishing Circuit Qualifying Tounrament NEXT WEEKEND (January 9-11)!!!

 The top 10 teams (and maybe more), earn an automatic seat in the Championship Tournament next December! To learn more, and to sign up, visit www.rhinelanderchamber.com and click on the NAIFC Tournament link (First Paragraph).

Things are getting chilly up here in Hodag Country. It’s really feeling… and looking like Fall out there. People are starting to fire up their wood stoves, burn leaves, and pumpkins are appearing on many doorsteps.

But you still have time to enjoy the color or to sit in front of a bon-fire while listening to the lake lap against the shore. Remember that Hodag Country is a destination for all seasons. And it won’t be long before we welcome the ice fishermen and snowmobilers up for the winter months.

If you are even considering fishing the Rhinelander Toyota Hodag Muskie Challenge next week, get your application in ASAP! Of the 5 lake groups, 3 fields are filled, leaving Boom Lake and the River, and Pelican Lake the only open groups.

Registration is $250 per 2 person team. Top prize is $20,000 guaranteed. A new Ranger boat, Mercury motor, and trailer package goes to the first 50-inch fish caught and successfully released and the overall largest muskie gets a free replica from Fittante Taxidermy.

3 of our 5 lake groups are within 3 spots of closing! So if you want to fish the Rhinelander Toyota Hodag Muskie Challenge this year, get your registration in quick! These spots fill on a first come first serve basis.

Remember that first prize is guaranteed at $20,000 with cash prizes through 10th place. You also have the opportunity this year to win a new Ranger boat, mercury motor and trailor package! To win, you must snag the first 50-inch muskie! The angler catching the largest muskie overall will receive a replica from fittante Taxidermy!

 So come on out for the Rhinelander Toyota Hodag Muskie Challenge September 20-21! You must preregister. To download the application, visit www.rhinelanderchamber.com

Well, it feels like Fall….and it smells like Fall…. but so far it doesn’t look much like Fall. I have a feeling that will change over the next few days though. As I drove through town today I noticed many trees beginning their color change. We are nowhere near peak yet but the transformation has definitely begun. and this cool stretch might be just what our desiduous friends need to start their preparations for winter.

But we are preparing for another true sign of Autumn… OKTOBERFEST! Are you ready for 4 days of Polka???? It starts tonight from 5-8…. but with a variety band to get the crowd into the proper mood. Come out and join us if you are in the neighborhood!

Rhinelander’s 2008 Oktoberfest starts THURSDAY! Friday marks the beginning of the polka bands but festivities will commence from 5-8pm on Thursday with the Scott Bixby Variety band and free admission! For a full event list, visit www.rhinelanderchamber.com We have new inflatable rides for the kids this year and the same great Hacker Pschoor beer and root beer available!

Would you like to win a Ranger Boat? Or maybe $20,000 cash…. OR BOTH?! Well you can! You can win up to $55,000 in cash and prizes (with over $70,000 in cash and prizes available to the field) by fishing the 21st Annual Rhinelander Toyota Hodag Muskie Challenge on September 20 and 21st.

We guarantee a $20,000 cash prize payout for the winning team. The first angler to catch a 50-inch muskie wins the Ranger Boat package, and the angler catching the largest muskie overall wins a replica of their trophy fish from Fittante Taxidermy. We pay out to 10th place and also have numerous raffles available.

For more information, go to www.rhinelanderchamber.com and click on the Rhinelander Toyota link. And stay tuned here for pictures of the Ranger Boat.

That’s right… it’s time to break out the Um-Pa and shake it at the Rhinelander Oktoberfest, brought to you this year by the Rhinelander Hotels. Next weekend (September 4-7) we will be polka-ing to our hearts delight! Thursday night and Saturday night will feature non-polka bands so if you prefer that, you can come and enjoy the great food, beer, and music then. Sunday morning will feature a German Church servicce, the Rhinelander Community Band, and a craft fair, all under the main tent. Oh, and we have inflatables for the little ones too!

There’s something for everyone at this year’s Rhinelander Oktoberfest! In the Trig’s parking lot of the Riverwalk center in Historic Downtown Rhinelander!

It was in the 30’s when I left for work this morning. I actually had to defrost my windows…. and it’s AUGUST! But it’s shaping up to be a beautiful 76 degree day. The nights are getting colder though and some stray young trees have already begun changing color a bit.

Do you remember the way county fairs used to be? 4-H focused, free admission, barbershop quartets migling, traditional fair games, inflatable children’s “rides”, great food, great weather, great music?????

Are you daydreaming yet of those times? Well, the 2008 Oneida County Fair is taking a step back in time. Everything will be just as you remember it. So come to Hodag Country next weekend (August 14-16) and experience an old-fashioned county fair.

4-H exhibits and judging will take place Thursday and the rest of the fun starts Friday and goes through Saturday. Hope to see you there!