Ana and Eric light the fire on Wood County, a diverse county in the heart of Wisconsin offering cities like Marshfield, a major medical hub, and Wisconsin Rapids, known for its papermaking, water skiing, golf, and - more recently - competitive BMX racing, as well as beautiful, serene rural areas from farms to forest and plenty of open space for outdoor fun. They open the Cabin door for Matt McLean from Visit Marshfield and Meredith Kleker from the Wisconsin Rapids Convention & Visitors Bureau for an in-depth look at the county they both call home. One major note about Wood County is its penchant for cranberries. Not only do they produce a sizable share of Wisconsin’s cranberry crop (which leads the nation and is tops among the world), Pittsville is home to the only Cranberry Program in a high school and a “Cranberry Road” Auto Tour offers people the opportunity for a colorful tour of the bogs and marshes. Pittsville is also the geographic center of the state, by the way, in case you were curious about why we say Wood County is in the heart of Wisconsin. Outdoor adventures abound in the county, from bountiful hunting areas to beautiful trails; designated areas like the Mead Wildlife Area offers opportunities for both. Powers Bluff near the center of the county is a literal standout, rising prominently among the landscape while offering winter recreation from tubing to snowboarding. Wood County is becoming more of a golf destination, from nearby Sand Valley to Lake Arrowhead. The Wisconsin River, which runs along the eastern side of the county and right through Wisconsin Rapids, is home to active water ski groups who put on popular shows in season. We dive into Wisconsin Rapids with Meredith, checking out the city’s sports offerings from its Central Wisconsin BMX track to baseball games at Witter Field for Wisconsin Rapids Rafters action - and unique way they deliver beers to you! If hockey is more your sport, the Wisconsin Rapids River Kings have you covered in winter. The city’s paper history is showcased in the Papermaking Museum, and one of the newer breweries in the state, Two Doors Down Brewing, is right downtown, not far from Hotel Mead, Wisconsin Rapids; own boutique hotel. Matt highlights Marsjhfield with us, including art galleries, museums, historic sites, the World’s Largest Round Barn on the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, and some excellent shopping up and down the city’s main drag, Central Avenue. Blue Heron Brewpub is Marshfield’s own brewery, and if you want to wander among some remarkable sculptures and metal art, the Jurustic Walk downtown will mesmerize. Marshfield also offers a fantastic (and free) zoo in Wildwood Park, which features an impressive display holding two Kodiak bears along with a wide variety of other animals. Wisconsin’s reputation for cheese shines in Nasonville with their dairy and the very popular Dairy State Cheese Store in Rudolph, which also has the amazing Rudolph Grotto nearby and is the home of Dick Trickle and other popular race car drivers. We cover it all in this episode - make sure you cover all of Wood County to truly experience it!

Wood County: https://www.woodcountywi.gov/

Visit Marshfield: https://www.visitmarshfield.com/. Follow on social @VisitMarshfield  
Wisconsin Rapids Convention & Visitors Bureau: https://www.visitwisrapids.com/. Follow in Instagram @visitwisrapids.