Lake Geneva hotbed for historic cicada emergence, businesses capitalizing on phenomenon

 

LAKE GENEVA Wis. (CBS 58) -- The sound of the summer has finally arrived with thousands of cicadas emerging in Lake Geneva and more are coming.

Lake Geneva is a hotbed for the historic cicada emergence and some businesses and residents are making the most of it.

At Pier 290 in Williams Bay, owner Bill Gage is looking to capitalize on the phenomenon in one of the state's top tourism destinations. His restaurant is preparing to whip up some cicada recipes.

"We’ll embrace it and our chef is coming up with a little cicada cuisine," Gage said. "Trying to work on that guacamole dip and a little special desert."

Research shows that cicadas are a low-fat, high-protein food. For some who can't stomach eating a cicada, how about a cold beer?

Topsy Turvy Brewery will soon release a cicada themed beer, according to Visit Lake Geneva.

While cicadas do surface every summer, this year is unique because two breeding groups of cicadas that each emerge every 13 or 17 years will coincide for the first time since 1803.

It's a cicada emergence unlike anything residents have seen in more than two centuries.

"I look forward to stuff like this," said Joe Holahan, resident of Lake Geneva. "These kinds of events don't happen often."

Alieen Holahan's yard, plants and sidewalk are covered with cicadas, something she said she's just fine with.

"I think it's fascinating, I really do," Holahan said. "It's so rare."

Where Can I See Them?

Some residential areas as well as Big Foot Beach State Park in Lake Geneva have been hot spots for cicadas.

Most Wisconsinites will not be impacted. That's because cicadas will be most noticeable near the Wisconsin River and places like Lake Geneva, Beloit, and Janesville.

And while they're mostly harmless, the noise of the insects can be disruptive, experts say.

PJ Liesch, an extension entomologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told CBS 58 last month some buzzing noise will be in the range of 70 to 80 decibels, which is similar to a vacuum cleaner. Other areas will be hit much harder, with ranges of 90 to 100 decibels, which "could interfere with some outdoor events."

With more cicadas set to emerge over the next several weeks, Holahan is bracing for a louder summer.

"It's real faint and it's going to get a lot louder than that,' Holahan said.

The noise won't last long as most cicadas are expected to be gone by the end of June.

Cicadapalooza

Visit Lake Geneva, along with the University of Wisconsin Entomology Department, are teaming up for a pop-up event called “Lake Geneva Cicadapalooza” on Saturday, June 8th.

The event from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. will include presentations, walking tours, cicada merchandise as well as other cicada infused dishes and drinks in the area to enjoy.