Unbeatable weekend

If the Milwaukee area has one last fling before cooler weather sets in, it begins this Friday, Sept. 18. It’s a weekend for all interests:

• On Saturday, the Menomonee and Milwaukee rivers in downtown Milwaukee will be filled with crews, competing in the annual Milwaukee River Challenge. Don’t miss this opportunity to see this Olympic sport that relies on teamwork. The crews will be practicing on Friday. Plan to get a good viewing position on Saturday — patios at the Milwaukee Ale House and The Harp are recommended.

• The weekend also is the only weekend that provides top-notch collegiate tennis competition. The 34th Milwaukee Tennis Classic will bring outstanding players to Western Racquet Club in Elm Grove. Included from the UW-Madison team will be two former state high school champions — Michael Dierberger and Billy Bertha.

• The Hidden River Art Festival at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield is the last major outdoor art festival of the season and this year highlights many Wisconsin artists. Running from Friday through Sunday, this is one of the area’s best run festivals in a beautiful setting with plenty of free parking.

• Historic Cedarburg winds up its 2009 festival season with its always popular Wine & Harvest Festival Saturday and Sunday. Complete with grape stomps for adults and kids, a Great Pumpkin Regatta on Cedar Creek, live music and many more activities for all, this is a great way to celebrate the changing seasons.

You can get all the details at http://www.KeyMilwaukee.com. Get out and enjoy these events which only the Milwaukee area offers.