Archive for the ‘Holidays and Events’ Category

Madison-area guide to fireworks shows 2017

Thursday, June 29th, 2017

Last week’s Shake the Lake was the lead-up to more 4th of July celebrations in the Madison, Wis., area. Here’s a look at the rest (date listed is when the fireworks show takes place), updated for 2017:

Event When, where Of Note
Madison Mallards July 1 & 4, Warner Park Game time both nights is 5:05 p.m.
Wilderness, Chula Vista, Mt. OlympusKalahari July 2 & 4, Lake Delton Almost all the major resorts are having their own fireworks displays (Chula Vista’s is on July 2)
Monona Community Festival July 4, Winnequah Park Includes the Wisconsin Wife Carry Championship and an art fair
DeForest Area 4th of July Celebration July 4, Fireman’s Park Includes a car show and free pony rides
Shorewood Hills July 4, Blackhawk Country Club Includes a triathlon and adult water fight
Maple Bluff Fest on the Fourth July 4, Beach Park Includes a 5K and “Battle of the Bluffs” softball game
Waunaboom July 4, Ripp Park Includes an F-16 flyover
Stoughton Fair July 9, Mandt Park Includes tractor pulls and pizza-eating contest

Madison-area community festivals 2017

Sunday, May 7th, 2017

Time again for my annual round-up of Madison-area community festivals, which begin next weekend. I can’t wait for the beer tents and live music!

Events Dates Of note
Syttende Mai (Stoughton) May 19-21 (This event is a week later than normal.) Is a marathon just a bit too long for you? Try the annual 20-mile run from downtown Madison to Stoughton. Also check out the strongman competition called the “Viking Games.”
Fitchburg Days May 19-21 Fitchburg Days allows us to celebrate our Irish heritage in Fitchburg. That means annual performances by both Pat McCurdy and The Kissers.
Verona Hometown Days June 1-4 Hometown Days always books great bands, and this year is no exception with local favorites 5th Gear and Cherry Pie. The big parade takes place on Sunday.
Fireman’s Festival (Cottage Grove) June 15-18 This festival has a little bit of everything, from a craft fair to the Smokin’ Hot BBQ contest to a horse pull. Big coup to land Madison County as a headliner.
Oregon Summer Fest June 22-25 See cars from all decades in the annual car show, and enjoy ribs and BBQ chicken at the Oregon-Brooklyn Lions Club “Thrilla on the Grilla.”
Cross Plains Worlds Fair TBD 2016 was likely the last year of this two-day event. No announcements have been made yet about this year’s version.
Monona Community Festival July 3-4 I’ve always enjoyed the hole-in-one challenge, which seems to be won with some frequency. And believe it or not, the festival hosts the annual Wisconsin Wife Carry Championship.
DeForest Area 4th of July Celebration July 3-4 Definitely the worst website of all the communities. Features a well-attended parade. Lots of free events, including a Kings of Radio concert and pony rides.
Waunafest July 27-30 Waunakee has such strong community spirit, which is why this event has the largest attendance … and also the largest beer tent. Be warned that parking can be difficult.
Sweet Corn Festival (Sun Prairie) Aug. 17-20 As the name implies, you can’t attend this event without eating some of the 75 tons of sweet corn. Since the event is at Angell Park, there will be midget car racing and a tractor pull.
Middleton Good Neighbor Festival Aug. 25-27 Here we are at the end of the summer festival schedule. Check out the huge craft fair and the parade on University Avenue. Still WAY TOO FEW porta-potties by the beer tent.

Note: I didn’t include the McFarland Family Festival since it takes place in the fall.

Food news and events April 20, 2017

Thursday, April 20th, 2017

beardcompetitionheaderLotsa Stone Fired Pizza is now selling 16-oz tap beers, including local and seasonal.

“We are very excited to launch this program,” COO Anthony DiGangi said in a statement. “Madison is a beer drinking city so we figured this would be a great way to provide another amazing product to our guests at a great price.”

Domestics are $2 (one kind will be $1 on Thursdays) and craft beers are $3 ($2 on Tuesdays).

***

Wisconsin Brewing Co. will resume its free backyard concert series on Friday, May 5, with a performance by WheelHouse at 6 p.m.

Other bands slated to perform include the Jimmys, Pat McCurdy and Piano Fondue. A full schedule can be found on the WBC website.

***

Wisconsin Whisk is currently soliciting recipes for its first e-cookbook, which will be used to show the community a snapshot of its diverse membership. Submissions are due May 6.

***

Bos Meadery will be releasing Baeries Wear Boots at an event beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 6. It’s a sparkling session mead made with elderberries, aronia berries, Pinot Grigio juice and wildflower honey.

***

Do you think your beard is award-winning? If so, you should enter the first Madison Craft Beer’d Championship taking place 7-10 p.m. Thursday, May 4 at the Great Dane. The categories are:

  • Freestyle – Full beard, not matching any other category
  • Whiskerina – For the ladies: Fake beards and mustaches welcome.
  • Natural full beard – Less than 6″
  • Natural full beard – More than 6″
  • Mustache/Partial Beard – Can include goatees, sideburns, etc.
    Madison Symphony Orchestra Urban Air

  • Blog Home

    You are currently browsing the archives for the Holidays and Events category.

  • Archives

  • Categories