The now-on-us holidays are a celebration of flashy colors, so before its too late, why not add to your New Year’s festivities with an activity that by all accounts takes the events of this season to another level.
Making these memories even more meaningful can be introducing fireworks to the mix, especially when you consider the bright way they reflect over the new-fallen snow. But you have to act soon.
If you plan to enjoy a fireworks display before year’s end, a prime place to consider is the locally owned and operated Venture Fireworks. While summer is the main time most people associate with such displays — and you might want to consider checking them out then as well — winter has its own special advantages, and this Hudson store is making the most of this opportunity for their customers by re-opening for the last week of the year.
Venture Fireworks will be open to serve you on Dec. 26-31 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. That means that even on New Year’s Eve, if you have been too busy with the holidays — just like Christmas shopping — you can still get your fireworks at the last minute. They are conveniently located just off of Interstate 94 near Exit 4, just a few miles east of the border with Minnesota.
Jeff Osbeck of Venture Fireworks is a longtime Hudson resident, so he knows a thing or two about them. He says how they are different from the big box stores for fireworks is the friendly and knowledgable staff, who will steer you in the right direction to have a fun, safe and hassle-free experience, whether it is December or July.
And it is that summer vs. winter consideration that can be especially illuminating. The presence of frosty snow, with colors of fireworks flashing around it, creates a whole different visual effect to enjoy that’s over and above what you would normally experience. This is a way to make the holiday truly memorable.
Osbeck heard such high praise from a couple who recently got married. The wedding gift of fireworks he gave them created memories beyond the usual household items that are typically received. It was such a hit that a phone call was received from a long distance away on the wedding night, to say that the extra visual effect had made their celebration truly extraordinary.
There are military and cash discounts available. Venture Fireworks can be found at 631 Commerce Drive, Hudson, WI 54016, just north of Interstate 94 off Exit 4 in the town of Hudson. Contact them at (715) 386-8767, or at www.venturefireworks.com, or on Facebook. Please mention this article if you patronize Venture Fireworks.

Most venues are closed on Christmas Eve itself, although there are some noteable exceptions earlier in the day, based around what one venue calls “the biggest rivalry in pro football,” but on the days before (and after) there is more local music:
– How many holiday carols do you know? There may be plenty, but you’ll have to move faster than Santa top catch them. At The Bungalow Inn in Lakeland, Jeff Carver, a versatile musical performer, offers a last chance at that venue for 2016 to catch him carving out such classics, when playing smooth jazz with a trumpet and mixing in Christmas music, on Thursday, Dec. 22, from 5-7 p.m. This act has become a popular fixture at The Bungalow for many Thirsty Thursdays (with fine dining to boot) since fall.
– Then on the Tuesday between the two holidays, catch another fast-becoming-a-tradition at the Bungalow, The Jorgensen Tagg duo. Some of what the national critics are saying include “Hold On. Could be a new standard for the genre!” and from as far away as London, “Sounds great! Good radio potential.” That’s fitting, since the duo will take it on the road, and around the world, in the first part of the new year.
– The M8Ds look the part of a hard-edged rock band, and thusly they bring on music of the ’80s, with a pop-punk twist. See how they incorporate these various genres when they play the Smilin’ Moose on Friday night.

– Ditch Chicken plays the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Friday night, emulating at times an artist they like, Bad Girlfriend, and also fleshing out with a variety of other tunes their classic rock and rock ‘n roll. The apple does not fall far from the tree, as they hail from Stillwater and Oakdale, and so who knows, you might recognize some of the members.
– And then there’s football. At noon on Dec. 24, the Border Battle between the Packers and Vikings will rekindle, with celebrations that include drink specials, sloppy joes and halftime taco bars around the area, and Seasons Tavern in North Hudson is even throwing breakfast into the mix. They will be serving that most important meal of the day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will keep their doors open during the extent of that pro football game — kinda makes you wish for OT. As it wears on, there will be an offering of homemade chili.

Get on your trumpet to proclaim the gift of music, while at a holiday party:
– How many holiday carols do you know? At The Bungalow Inn in Lakeland, Jeff Carver, a versatile musical performer and educator, will play smooth jazz with a trumpet and mix in Christmas music for two early evening hours while you dine on a full menu. The offering is on Thursdays, Dec. 15 and 22, from 5-7 p.m.
– You know the typical Christmas routine when you buy one present, such as a gift certificate, and then get something for yourself in the process? Dick’s Bar and Grill has a version of that as when you buy certain house T-shirts for a mere $10, you get a token to be used on a drink. The items can be seen in a display case along the north wall. Noticably missing, considering the time of year that it is, are the silver flasks that had been shown on the bottom featuring golfing llamas, the house mascot, wearing sweaters and swinging away with a club (but not the holiday-ish ugly kind).
– This other idea for a present, as in more than one free drink, has been “spotted.” At the Village Inn in North Hudson, you can get a 96-ounce hopper of New Glarus Spotted Cow for $24. Or, if holiday shopping has left you short of cash, you can do the Mich Golden Light option for $20.
– If you go to the Smilin’ Moose on this or virtually any other weekend, you can see two entertaining things that don’t have to do with the band. (Which this Friday is Smokescreen). There is that ever-popular game where patrons try to pound a nail into a log, (don’t try this if you’ve just had one of their ladle shots), and also the impromptu dance contests where somebody breakdances in the middle of a circle of admirers (one of those shots might bolster your courage and allow you to get lower than the rest).

It’s nearing Christmas and what have you done? Maybe you should take in some music, other than the usual carols, by ranging northward, but not as far as the North Pole, (just further up and east than the metro, including the Medina, as the musicians stow their gear for gigs there not unlike The Gear Daddies might):
– They are local guys and have been at the heart of the Hudson music scene for years, and now are often headin’ up north with their act. That from Dave and the guys of the band Wawi, which head to Clayton (you know, travel to Turtle Lake and then backtrack south a few miles, as Dave put it), where they will play at Charlie’s on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 4-7 p.m. Dave made that pitch when brought up front by one-man-bander Jeff Loven, as most of what they play these days are charitable benefits, such as this one for someone who had a stroke. That Dave was soon followed by another Dave, who also was making a cameo, and this was unusual because he sang two songs in a row by the same artist, not diversifying, that being the Stone Temple Pilots. He apparently has more staying power, unfortunately, then their longtime lead singer who succumbed to drugs.
– Think of it as sushi rock ‘n roll and more. Sushi Roll is made up of equal parts driving rock band, light-hearted pop, and over-the-top theatrical verve, as their name brings to mind other groups such as Verve Pipe and Phish. They play the Smilin’ Moose on Friday night, and will show their easy transition between not only band names that are much alike, but revved-up versions of your favorite pop and rock hits.
– Hudson’s own Garret, best known for doing local solo and duo performances, is now the part of a full band that has been playing almost exclusively in the Twin Cities, such as a recent gig in St. Louis Park, because of the logistics of what those clubs are looking for. The band name is The Dead Wrens, which is fitting because the song I heard right before talking to him was about being responsible for a bird who “broke his back” by the Black Crowes. Maybe there is such bad karma for you if you don’t take in their performance, so don’t be Bah Humbug. There was such an opportunity on Thursday night at Dick’s Bar and Grill, when Garret was one of the hosts of an introductory open mic session, which may become yet another regular gig.
– And for the kiddies, there are breakfast with Santa events all over in the coming two weekends, but because Mr. Claus is working with some of his elves, I can’t disclose too many details because of labor restrictions involving kiddies with jobs, or other workers of similar short stature. But for the adults, there often are specials too, such as Bloody Mary’s to help them cope with the children who have too much sugary candy and are more ansy then those with simply sugarplums dancing in their heads.

Some play only once in a blue moon, others on a key party weekend of the year:
– Blue Moon Drive will perform their traditional bluegrass and bluegrass gospel music with an edge at the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Saturday night, Dec. 3. Their music is based on influences of Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, The Stanley Brothers, J.D. Crowe & The New South, The Bluegrass Album Band, Tony Rice, Lonesome River Band, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, “and too many more to mention.” Band members are musically diverse, in both lyrical and instrumental skills. They are Alan Tompkins on banjo and vocals, Jay Altizer on guitar and vocals, Nate Lee on fiddle, David Seay on guitar and vocals, Greg Lutes on mandolin and vocals, and Michael Glanton on bass.
– Just days prior to the show, a server and patron reflected on their favorite bands that play at The Willow. Of that list, rockers Rizer are near the top, possibly because they’ve been around so long and have built up a following beyond the aformentioned bartender. They play Dec. 30, and the next night is what was described as the ultimate New Year’s Eve band, the locally loved Buck Tucker. Then Rural Route 5 — he initially called it 6 — also drew attention, probably because of last Friday’s show and of course its sultry lead singer.  Another act that fits that bill and has been around lately, characterized as a pleasant surprise, is Still Runnin’. (See them next Saturday). A group that hasn’t played at The Willow for months, which could mean you’ll probably see them make another appearance soon, is a popular country band that still sticks in the mind of a regular patron who overheard the conversation. He said that the one he dubbed as simply Dirt Road is simply spectacular.
– And, don’t forget a venue that has held karaoke for far long enough to attract consistent quality entertainment, some of them real regulars behind the mic, that being the Bungalow Inn in Lakeland, where the crooners start at 9 p.m. each Friday.
– New to the Smilin’ Moose THIS Friday night, Dec. 2, is the rockin’ power trio Kick. They definitely look the hair-band part, from the big and wavy locks to their signature online photo of a lead guitarist taking a scissors-legged leap while jamming between the other two musicians.
– And as the NFL football season really kicks in gear closer to the playoffs, those diehards at Buffalo Wild Wings can take advantage with the special Lagunita offering called, fittingly, Fandom beer, which is described as a citrus-infused-hoppy-pale-wheat-ale.