Summer Céad Míle Fáilte 🍀

Inside: Irish Fest, Sounds of Summer, Barthel Fruit Farm

August 13, 2025

Worlds are starting to collide this week, with back-to-school season competing with summer festivals that just won’t quit and fall festivities starting to peek out. Which is your favorite season?

Know the North Shore: Barthel Fruit Farm

I know some of you may be mourning the end of summer… but others (like me) are more than ready for fall! First up: Apple picking season. To get you in the spirit, here’s a primer on the oldest apple orchard in the area, Mequon’s Barthel Fruit Farm.

The story of Barthel Fruit Farm begins in 1839 when August Barthel, a German immigrant, established his homestead. What started as a general farm with dairy operations has evolved into a specialized fruit paradise, thanks to August's early passion for orchards and tree grafting. Get to know Barthel Fruit Farm.

Irish Fest 2025

Pack your dancing shoes and bring the whole family – Milwaukee Irish Fest 2025 is set to transform the 75-acre Henry Maier Festival Park into a Celtic wonderland from Thursday, August 14 through Sunday, August 17. Learn about Irish culture, dance moves and maybe even a few Irish phrases! See our full family guide to Irish Fest, and learn how to get in with free or discounted tickets. Sláinte!

Whitefish Bay’s Sounds of Summer 🎶

Sounds of Summer takes place Saturday, August 16 from 6-10 pm on Silver Spring Drive in Whitefish Bay. The free community event features live music, food from Sendik's, beverages from the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation, and plenty of space for dancing.

Zoo a la Carte 🥪🐒

The fan-favorite Milwaukee County Zoo's A La Carte festival runs this year from August 14-17, 2025. This four-day celebration combines everything families love: amazing animals, delicious food and live music. See the food and musical line-up.

Summer Style

This year, be the coolest person chilling at Sounds of Summer and show your love of Yacht Rock with the rad gear of Middle Class Fancy. Get 15% off with this link!

More North Shore Adventures

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center native plant sale going on now

North Shore History: 55 Years of Village Hall

The Whitefish Bay Village Hall has been around for 55 years at its current location on Marlborough Drive and Lexington Avenue. Originally established in 1902 in a small frame building, the village hall relocated several times before finding its permanent home in 1970, just south of the Whitefish Bay Library.

See you out there,
North Shore Family Adventures

P.S. Forward this guide to anyone asking, “What’s left on our summer bucket list??” Encourage them to subscribe! Find more SUMMER GUIDES and 93 Free Summer Adventures in Milwaukee’s North Shore.

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