Before they fall

0 Comments | La Crosse Tribune, Oct 12, 2004 | by Cahalan, Steve

Look for bright fall colors to peak within the next week, and for tourists to head to the area to see them.

Tourists already have been coming for several days to see the fall colors, said Michelle Hoch, tourism and marketing coordinator for the La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

"We've been getting calls for the last couple months from people who want to know when the peak will be. They're planning their fall color run," Hoch said.

"The colors are definitely changing," said Dorothy Lenard, administrative program specialist in the Division of Natural Science at Viterbo University. "The peak around here is generally going to be the next couple weeks."

Sharon Cuchna, executive director of the Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce, said she expects fall colors in her area to peak by Oct. 20 and to be "exceptionally beautiful."

"In (the LaCrosse) area, I would say the peak would probably be next week," said Kirsten Held, forestry outreach specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry.

COLOR REPORT

For updated information about Wisconsin's fall colors, check the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Fall Color Report at www.travelwisconsin.com/search/FallColorReport.html or call the department's Fall Color Hotline at 1-800-432-8747.