What is new for Northwoods Drifter in 2026
Every March, the Hodag Dome in Rhinelander transforms into the Northwoods’ biggest gathering of businesses, nonprofits, and neighbors. The Up North Community Expo isn’t just another trade show — it’s become a springtime tradition where relationships form over bingo cards and job offers happen between prize drawings.
This year’s expo happens March 5 from noon to 5 p.m., bringing together 91 exhibitors from seven Northwoods counties. Best part? It’s completely free and designed for the whole family.
Whether you’re hunting for work, looking to volunteer, or just curious what’s happening across the region, this event connects you with opportunities you didn’t know existed.
Walk into most community expos and you’ll find a sea of folding tables with brochures. The Up North Community Expo takes a different approach.
The Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce designed this event as a genuine networking hub. Twenty-nine businesses will be actively hiring on-site this year. Nonprofits seeking volunteers set up alongside craft vendors and service providers, creating an atmosphere that’s part job fair, part community celebration.
“It’s so worth it to see all the people just exploring different things and the networking that happens and the relationships that are built,” says Rachel Boehlen, the Chamber’s director of events and strategic initiatives.
The Oneida County Fair hosts bingo throughout the afternoon. Games and prize drawings keep things lively. Kids don’t get dragged through boring booths — they actually have fun.
Seven Northwoods counties send representatives. That geographic spread matters more than you might think.
Small businesses from Vilas County connect with potential customers in Oneida. A nonprofit in Forest County finds volunteers from Lincoln. Craft vendors meet wholesale buyers. Cross-county collaboration that would take months of emails happens naturally over a few hours.
“Come and see what there is, because there’s a lot of things in the Northwoods that you might not realize are happening, and a lot of groups that exist that you might not even know.”
The expo has grown significantly since launching four years ago. What started as a simple community gathering now attracts exhibitors who plan their marketing calendars around it.
If you’re in the market for work, March 5 could change your trajectory. Twenty-nine hiring businesses means real job opportunities across multiple industries.
Bring resumes. Dress casual but presentable — this is the Northwoods, not Manhattan, but first impressions still count. Many employers conduct informal interviews right there.
For nonprofits, volunteer recruitment can make or break programs. Organizations serving everything from youth sports to habitat conservation to food pantries will be actively seeking help. If you’ve been thinking about giving back but didn’t know where to start, this expo removes that barrier.
Here’s where things get interesting for foodies and craft beverage fans.
At 5:30 p.m., the action moves to Rouman Cinema for Expo After Hours. For $10 at the door, you’ll sample local food and beverages until 7:30 p.m. This separate event exists because the Hodag Dome’s turf and track need protection from spills — practical Wisconsin problem-solving at work.
Local restaurants and breweries showcase what makes Northwoods cuisine special. It’s a relaxed way to continue conversations started at the expo while supporting regional food producers.
The Up North Community Expo represents something bigger than vendor tables and door prizes.
In a region where tourism drives much of the economy, events like this strengthen the year-round community fabric. Businesses find employees. Nonprofits discover passionate volunteers. Residents learn about services they need. Relationships form that lead to collaborations months later.
The Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce continues accepting exhibitor applications for those who want booth space. Early sign-ups gain additional marketing exposure, though details change annually.
Rachel Boehlen encourages people to attend even without a specific agenda. Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you’re just exploring. That craft vendor might spark a business idea. That nonprofit could align perfectly with your values. That hiring manager might describe your dream job.
Mark your calendar for March 5, noon to 5 p.m. at the Hodag Dome. Bring the family, bring your resume, or just bring curiosity. The Northwoods has more happening than any single person can track — this expo puts it all under one roof for an afternoon.
Written by
Mike has been coming up or living in the Northwoods since his childhood. He is also an avid outdoorsman, writer and supper club aficionado.
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