Archive for the ‘Holidays and Events’ Category

Great Taste 2014

Sunday, August 10th, 2014

We’ve had blistering heat and a monsoon in recent years, but Saturday’s 28th annual Great Taste of the Midwest took place on a beautiful day.

Thanks to a new layout implemented last year, which moved a tent below the “loop road,” 6,000 patrons now have access to 160 breweries with more than 1,000 beers (and wine and liquor). And per usual, lines weren’t too long, unless you were in special areas or waiting for timed releases.

I didn’t sit through any of the three presentations, but I wanted to mention folks like Gail Ambrosius, Suzanne Wolcott (Goose Island) and Marc Buttera (O’so) were on the docket.

Finally, it’s nice to have a $1 Union Cab waiting for you when you leave, as long as you leave before everyone else does.

Check out our 2014 Great Taste of the Midwest Flickr album.

Ignite Madison hosts food event

Thursday, May 29th, 2014

This post was submitted by Giovanna Couey and edited by EatDrinkMadison.com.

Photo courtesy of Ignite Madison

Ignite Madison hosted an All Things Food event that took place May 21 at High Noon Saloon. If you’re not familiar with Ignite, it’s a global movement connecting people in cities and exposing new ideas and people.

Ignite features five minute presentations by people who have an idea–and the guts–to get onstage and share it with fellow creative folks. Each presentation is composed of 20 slides that automatically advance every 15 seconds.

At All Things Food, the audience heard stories from people from all different walks of life but connected by what we eat and why. Whether it was learning about living off the grid, being a “huntress,” connecting with family or focusing on sustainability, the 10 speakers all had engaging and inspiring stories.

All Things Food even featured a local celebrity chef, as Dan Bonanno from Pig and a Fur Coat was on hand to talk about how he translates his Italian past and Madison present into his delicious cooking.

With more than 200 guest in attendance, All Things Food also raised over $1,500 for the Community Action Coalition of Southern Wisconsin, providing food for families in the Madison area and beyond.

The next Ignite Madison will take place in September.

Madison-area community festivals

Sunday, May 11th, 2014

I love how much we pack into our summers here in Madison. In addition to events like the Dane County Farmers’ Market and Concerts on the Square, I always look forward to the community festivals in the area. I’ve rounded them up in a grid and included some notes for each. And yes, I will be watching Cherry Pie perform at least four times this summer, twice during these festivals.

Events Dates Of note
Syttende Mai (Stoughton) May 16-18 Is a marathon just a bit too long for you? Try the annual 20-mile run from downtown Madison to Stoughton. New this year is a strongman competition called the “Viking Games.”
Fitchburg Days May 16-18 On the same weekend we’re celebrating our Norwegian heritage in Stoughton, we can celebrate our Irish heritage in Fitchburg. That means annual performances by both Pat McCurdy and The Kissers.
Verona Hometown Days June 12-15 Hometown Days always books great bands, and this year in no exception with local favorites Charm School Rejects, Madison County and Cherry Pie. The big parade takes place on Sunday.
Fireman’s Festival (Cottage Grove) June 12-15 This festival has a little bit of everything, from a rodeo to craft beer tasting to the Smokin’ Hot BBQ contest to a rugby tournament. Doesn’t have the music lineup of Hometown Days, though.
Oregon Summer Fest June 26-29 See cars from all decades in the annual car show, and enjoy ribs, ribs and more ribs at the Oregon-Brooklyn Lions Club “Thrilla on the Grilla.”
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 Not one, but two, parades to watch (the second is in Token Creek). Lots of free events, including a Super Tuesday concert and pony rides.
Waunafest July 24-27 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. 14-17 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. 22-24 Here we are at the end of the summer festival schedule. Check out the huge craft fair and the kiddie parade. Hopefully event organizers add a lot more porta-potties by the beer tent.

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

    Park Hotel Urban Air

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