Goin' to the Lake: Chris Shaffer and Joseph Dames are in Shell Lake, Spooner
SHELL LAKE, Wis. — WCCO's next Goin' to the Lake begins Thursday as Chris Shaffer and Joseph Dames head to Shell Lake, Wisconsin. On Friday, they headed to Spooner.
Shell Lake is a small town in western Wisconsin, with a population of just 1,300 people. It boasts a beautiful 2,600 acre lake and a thriving artistic community.
The Shell Lake Arts Center has been a community staple for over 40 years, providing education to artists of all ages. A lakefront pavilion attracts residents for outdoor summer concerts, picnics and weddings.
Chris and Joseph will be exploring this small town and all it's gems — from the Potter's Shed to the Canoe Heritage Museum — on Thursday.
Friday, Chris and Joseph headed to Spooner, which boasts ATV trails and an 18-hole disc golf course. Spooner Lake is just outside the city, with two public landings and a nearby resort. Spooner was established in 1909, and had a population of 2,682 in 2010.
Washburn County Fair
The Washburn County Fair entered its 112th year, and Chris and Joseph stopped by to see all the hard work kids have been putting in to their exhibitions.
The fair has the goal of providing competitive environments for young exhibitors. The fair goes on all weekend, and features a horse pull, kiddie tractor pull, a live show, and auction.
Red Brick Cafe in Spooner
Chris and Joseph hit up the Red Brick Cafe in Baronette, thanks to advice from WCCO viewers. They loved the eggs benedict, as well as a cinnamon roll.
The Potters Shed
The Potters Shed is one of the coolest places Chris and Joseph say they found in Shell Lake.
The second-generation family business says handmade crafts are their bread and butter, whether selling them here in person or at fairs around the region. Not only can you stop and shop for some amazing art pieces and decorations, but you can make your own pottery creations.
They'll get you set up to paint and glaze your own pottery. Some of the things you see in their shop are also made on-site.
Beyond that, they've got an amazing set-up: a beautiful garden-style patio with all kinds of history in the decorations.
They've also got a great live music space for the "Music at the Shed" concerts that happen every Friday during the summer months.
Shell Lake Art Center
We found out it's not only the waters of Shell Lake that draw people to town, the love of the arts and a one-of-a-kind camp experience brings kids and educators from all over the country.
The art center offers more than 20 different summer camps — from show choir and concert band, to focused training in trumpets and trombone.
It's also home to the longest continually running jazz ensemble camp in the country.
Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum
Born out of respect and admiration for the tradition and history of canoeing, workers at the Canoe Heritage Museum in Spooner say it's a labor of love.
The workshop is busy with a handcrafted canoe taking up to 200 hours of hammering, sanding and steaming the planks that make these more than just a vessel but a work of art.
Beyond a workshop to build and restore canoes, the museum gives a look at the history shaped by this essential, early mode of transportation.
The museum is an ode to the love of nature that shapes our Wisconsin and Minnesota summers to this day.
Fishing on Shell Lake
Chris and Joseph took part in a fishing bet. Whoever has the biggest fish gets to stay in the boat while the person with the smallest fish will have to say hi to Shell Lake.
Watch the video below to see who won.
