Tuesday Tidbits - August 11, 2026

Lakeshore Balloon Glow: Make plans to join us this Friday, August 14th, for one of Manitowoc’s biggest waterfront celebrations! Lakeshore Balloon Glow returns from 5:00–9:00pm in Downtown Manitowoc. This FREE, family-friendly event features food trucks, kids’ activities, a Webfooters Water Ski Show, a Mischief & Magic Show, and an incredible balloon glow along the riverfront at dusk. Stick around for a spectacular fireworks show over the harbor at 8:30pm! Bring your family and friends, enjoy an evening of fun, food, and entertainment! Click Here to learn more.

Lincoln Park Zoological Society: Join us Tuesday, August 18th, from 4:00–6:00pm as we celebrate the grand opening of the brand new Coastal Wetland Aviary at Lincoln Park Zoo (1215 N. 8th Street, Manitowoc)! A brief ceremony and ribbon cutting will take place at 4:00pm, with snacks and refreshments available from 3:00–5:00pm, courtesy of the Lincoln Park Zoological Society. This unique, open-air aviary offers an immersive experience featuring wild birds that naturally travel through our coastal wetlands. Come celebrate this exciting new addition and experience it for yourself! Click Here to register!

Progress Lakeshore: What can a former Super Bowl champion, NFL executive, and nationally recognized leader teach your organization? Find out at Progress Lakeshore's 2026 Acceleration Breakfast on September 22nd, featuring Mark Murphy, former President & CEO of the Green Bay Packers. In his keynote, Building A Championship Organization, Murphy will share lessons on leadership, culture, and success. This exclusive event is reserved for Progress Lakeshore Member Investors. If you're not registered yet, now is the time to secure your spot.

Register Here: https://www.progresslakeshore.org/acceleration-breakfast/.

Lester Public Library: Wednesday: Brat Fry with Healthiest Manitowoc County's Investing Early Coalition. Noon-3:00pm, purchase cheeseburgers ($4), burgers and brats ($3), hotdogs ($2), and popcorn and drinks ($1). From 1:00pm-3:00pm, Art Splash for kids: messy and colorful fun! Bring towels. Swimsuits and goggles nice, too. Monday, August 17th at 6:00pm: Crafting Calm for ages 16+. Enjoy music and simple activities like coloring, dot-to-dot drawing, and diamond painting. 6:00pm Thursday, August 20th: Sturgeon Protectors. Learn about a Native-led movement devoted to safeguarding these ancient, essential fish. LPL.

Chatterbox Learning Center: Join tomorrow, Wednesday, August 12th, from 4:00–6:00pm for the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of Chatterbox Learning Center at Orion Energy Systems, located at 2210 Woodland Drive in Manitowoc. Celebrate this exciting milestone with our team as we open the doors to our beautiful new center. Guests are invited to tour the facility, meet our staff, and learn more about the high-quality early childhood programs we will provide to families in the Manitowoc community. Light refreshments will be served, and we look forward to celebrating with you! Click Here to register.

Manitowoc Public Library: Please note that the Youth Services Department will be taking a Storytime Break from Sunday, August 16th through Saturday, August 29th, as they gear-up for Fall programming after a busy Summer. Neither Baby Storytime nor Preschool Storytime will meet during that 14-day span. Storytime hours will resume—9:30am for Baby, 10:30am for Preschool—on Wednesday, September 2nd.

Body Kneads Therapeutic Massage: Join us Friday, August 21st, from 1:00–6:00pm as we celebrate our 20th Business Anniversary and a grand opening event for our new, larger studio at 708 Chicago Street, Manitowoc! Stop by for an official ribbon cutting at 1:00pm, meet Victoria, tour the new space, enjoy light refreshments, and enter for a chance to win a free massage. Come celebrate this exciting milestone! Click Here to register!

Miss Harbor Cities Organization, Inc: This year for our 2027 competition (being held October 17th, 2026) we're excited to launch The Harbor Ten —a new initiative inviting just 10 businesses, organizations, civic clubs, families or individuals to make a $100 investment in our scholarship fund. Together, The Harbor Ten will provide $1,000 in scholarships that help recognize and support young women who are pursuing higher education while demonstrating leadership, talent, communication skills, and a commitment to serving their communities. Learn more about all of our sponsorship opportunities and sign on to be part of our Harbor Ten. 

Lakeshore College is expanding workforce development across the region through Wisconsin Technical College System Workforce Advancement Training (WAT) grants. This year, the college secured two grants in a single cycle for the first time, bringing more than $211,000 to provide over 2,200 hours of customized training for 556 employees at Burger Boat Company and Nemak. The grants help employers strengthen workforce skills, boost productivity, and invest in long-term success. Learn more about the benefits of WAT grants by visiting lakeshore.edu.

Manitowoc-Two Rivers YMCA: Give your kid a safe, fun place to learn, play, and make friends—before school, after school, and on school breaks with the YMCA! Learn more & register at https://www.mtrymca.org/school-age-child-care.

Meyers Design, Inc: Your brand deserves to stand out. For over 25 years, Meyers Design, Inc. has helped businesses elevate their image with strategic, professional design. We create LOGOS • WEBSITES • BROCHURES • NEWSLETTERS • ADVERTISEMENTS and FULL MARKETING CAMPAIGNS that get your business noticed, remembered, and chosen. Ready to strengthen your image and attract more customers? Visit MeyersDesignInc.com. Don’t blend in. Let’s build something unique that makes your business stand out.

Aurora Health Care is proud to sponsor the Manitowoc Farmers Market once again! This Saturday, August 15th, 2026, we’re highlighting baby safety. Stop by our booth (booth #1, near the main entrance) to say hello and pick up helpful resources on baby safety. We’d love to see you there! https://www.aurorahealthcare.org/doctors#/.

Hope Community Church: our mission is bold yet simple: Love Like Jesus! We welcome all generations to experience joy, encouragement, and real connection. Families love our amazing children and youth ministries—built to inspire and engage every age. Whether you’re exploring your faith or looking for a vibrant church home, there’s a place for you at Hope. Join us Sundays at 9:00am or 10:30am come as you are and discover a community excited to welcome you! Visit us at: www.hccalive.com. 

Manitowoc County Kennel Club: Hunt and Field - The part of the club that focus on training dogs for HUNTING and competition in AKC licensed HUNT TESTS and FIELD TRIALS. The field portion of the club is 95% retriever, but there are a few other breeds represented. Nestled up against the Manitowoc River near the rural community of Valders, WI, the Manitowoc County Kennel Club owns 198 acres of training grounds which includes four technical ponds and several large fields. The training grounds have river frontage and four major training ponds. See our website for more information!

The Chamber of Manitowoc County: Do you know a changemaker who is making a difference in Manitowoc County? The Chamber of Manitowoc County is accepting nominations for the 2026 Future 15 Annual Banquet, honoring 15 outstanding young professionals ages 21-40 who are creating a positive impact through their careers and communities. Help recognize the leaders who are shaping the future growth, prosperity, and quality of life in Manitowoc County. Nominations are open now and must be submitted by Friday, August 21st, 2026. Click Here to submit a nomination!

Bump and Beyond Family Wellness: It’s time for BACK-TO-SCHOOL WELLNESS! Help your family start the school year feeling their best! Bump and Beyond Family Wellness provides gentle, family-centered chiropractic care for children, teens, parents, and families. From posture and growing bodies to overall wellness, we’re here to support healthy families throughout the school year. Call (920)304-9374 or www.bumpandbeyondwi.com to schedule your family for a Back to School checkup.

Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Hospital invites you to take control of your chronic pain and get back to the life you want with our Pain Neuroscience Education program. Using a mind-body approach based on current neuroscience research, the program offers strategies and exercises for treating pain. The fall session begins September 9th at the HFM Wellness Center. The cost is $50 for Wellness Center members, $75 for non-members. Visit www.hfmhealth.org/wellnessclass for more information.

Manitowoc Marina is your go-to place for top brands like Olukai, Sebago, goodr, Helly Hansen, and Kavu.  We also carry a large selection of Manitowoc and Lake Michigan apparel.  Open each day 8:00am - 7:00pm.

Patriot Riders of America WI Chapter 2: Housing Assistance: provides financial assistance to Veterans for mortgage or rent payments, utility bills, home repairs, yard maintenance and more.

Medical Assistance: provides financial assistance to Veterans for medical bill payments, prescriptions, transportation costs and medical equipment costs. Personal Assistance: provides financial assistance to Veterans for personal items such clothing, hygiene items, groceries, personal bills, vehicle repairs/bills, phone bills, pet care and other personal needs. Outreach Veterans “Operations”: various programs and visits to assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, home visits and community events where we support our Veterans with gifts, personal need items, conversation, bakery, birthday parties, pinning ceremonies, funeral services, escort services, and more. Find us on Facebook to learn more and donate today: https://www.facebook.com/patriotridersofamericawichapter2.

The Safety Health and Wellness Committee: Summer is almost over, and school will begin soon. As the school year begins, Back to School Safety remains a top priority. Families, students, and staff are encouraged to stay alert and practice safe habits every day. Please watch for school buses, obey traffic laws in school zones, and use designated walking routes. Students should report any safety concerns to a trusted adult immediately. Good hygiene, staying home when sick, and following school procedures help protect everyone. Keep emergency contact information current and review safety plans at home. By working together and looking out for one another, we can create a safe, welcoming environment for a successful school year.

Mindful Moment: Need a helping hand? Manitowoc Public Library’s Community Resources page is a free, easy-to-use directory connecting people with local organizations that offer support for food, housing, employment, mental health, transportation, addiction recovery, legal assistance, veterans’ services, and more. Resources can be filtered by category, making it simple to find information when it's needed. Keep this page in mind for yourself or share it with friends, family, neighbors, or anyone who may benefit from knowing about available community resources. Click Here to view the Community Resources page.

The Forst Inn:

Save 15% on any tickets to a Forst Inn event. Visit our website to order your tickets. Select a performance and choose your seats, then when you checkout, enter the Discount Code CHAMBERCARD to have your order discounted 15%. Performance information can be found at https://www.forstinn.org/overview.html.

Reference herein to any product, service, manufacturer, vendor or other information (whether by trademark, trade name or otherwise) does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof or any affiliation therewith by the Chamber of Manitowoc County.