Gem Village, a business and residential area west of Bayfield, gets a lot of traffic rolling through on U.S. Highway 160, but not necessarily a lot of foot traffic unless customers are stopping to look at a tractor, antiques, or grab a pizza and have a beer.
So last year, business owners banded together to create a Gem Village festival, Off the Beaten Path, with art and antique vendors, food and crafts.
This year, the event includes a "poker stroll," which is kind of a poker run for people walking through the festival.
Visitors can get a playing card at Village Junction Antiques, Valley Feed and Ranch, Serendipity Antiques, the Billy Goat Saloon, and the X-Rock radio tent at the rear of the saloon. The best five-card poker hand at the end of the day will win a new barbecue and smoker.
"We have 30 vendors, amazing artists, and I think it's going to be a great day," said Ashleigh Tarkington, owner of the Billy Goat Saloon and one of the organizers of the event.
There also will be a pig roast benefitting local 4H clubs at Valley Feed.
A classic car and motorcycle show will be held behind the feed store, and festivalgoers can vote for the people's choice award in the show. Roadhouse Pizza and Wings will be serving food Saturday, and the BMS volleyball team will have a bake sale.
