Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Scott Williams Inside the Twig’s Beverage Museum in Shawano, Discover Wisconsin managing director Greg Smith serves up popcorn at a sneak peek of the group’s new Wolf River tourism segment.
Discover Wisconsin is drawing rave reviews for its new TV episode featuring Wolf River tourism opportunities ranging from trout fishing to museum hopping.
The new 30-minute TV spot promoting tourism in the Shawano County area will make its public debut at 6:30 p.m. Saturday on WFRV-TV (Channel 5) and will also be available at discoverwisconsin.com.
About 100 invited guests applauded enthusiastically Monday after getting a sneak preview inside the Twig’s Beverage Museum.
“What a great way to showcase our community,” Shawano Mayor Lorna Marquardt said.
Discover Wisconsin crews spent weeks taping and editing scenes designed to entice tourists to visit the Wolf River area for its natural resources and fun activities that include fishing, rafting, canoeing and biking.
The TV episode will air repeatedly over the next two years throughout the Midwest, while Discover Wisconsin officials also promote the region on their website, on social media and at trade shows.
The effort is being funded by $10,000 contributions each from Shawano County, Menominee County, Langlade County and the village of Fremont in Waupaca County — all of which are highlighted in the program.
Greg Smith, managing director of Discover Wisconsin, told those attending the sneak preview that they could expect a boost in tourism once new audiences discover the beauty of the Wolf River and all the amenities that are available.
“They’ll come here,” Smith said. “They’ll come here to enjoy what you enjoy every day.”
The program, which is presented in segments focused on different geographic areas along the river, highlights recreational opportunities that include whitewater rafting, horseback riding, trout fishing, bike riding, sturgeon spawning and canoeing. Viewers also get a glimpse at the Menominee Indian reservation, the Shawano County barn quilts and the Twig’s Beverage Museum.
Organizers of the sneak preview event decided to treat viewers to an evening inside the Twig’s museum, where guests enjoyed fresh popcorn and Shawano’s own Sun Drop soda. Gathered in front of a temporary movie screen, participants cheered some of their favorite scenes in the Discover Wisconsin segment while seated alongside some of the same Twig’s museum attractions featured in the show.
Mariah Haberman, one of the show’s hosts, told the crowd it was the most unique venue she has seen for one of the show’s special premieres.
Commenting on the soda pop museum, Haberman said: “This is amazing. I hope you know how lucky you are.”
Greeting guests and handing out movie theater tickets was Patti Peterson, tourism manager for the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce, who coordinated the production deal with Discover Wisconsin.
Peterson also extended thanks to Shawano Municipal Airport and American Marine & Motorsports for their help taping scenes for the program.
Jerry Erdmann, chairman of the Shawano County Board, told the crowd he was pleased to see local tourism back in the spotlight.
“When it comes to tourism, I think we have something here in Shawano County that is top-notch,” Erdmann said. “We have so much to offer here — let’s show it.”