Check out the Mad City Ski Team’s Fourth of July show. | Photo by Mad City Ski
Summer has officially begun in Madison, and nothing says summer like the Fourth of July.
Local festivities are kicking off this week:
Firework Watch Party | Saturday, June 29 | 6 p.m.-2 a.m. | The Rigby, 119 E. Main St. | Cost of purchase | Get a rooftop view of the fireworks blasting off at Breese Stevens Field.
Festival Foods Lights the Isthmus | Saturday, June 29 | 6-10 p.m. | Breese Stevens Field, 917 E. Mifflin St. | $13-$95 | Depending on which of the three ticket packages you choose, you could snag a rooftop spot, or access to the (air-conditioned) Forward Club.
Monona Community Festival | Tuesday, July 2-Thursday, July 4 | Times vary | Winnequah Park, 1055 Nichols Rd., Monona | Free | In addition to a carnival, the Wife Carrying Championship, and live music, the fireworks will take place on the final day of the festival at dusk.
Have your fill of food, fireworks, and fun at the Monona Community Festival. | Photo by Monona Community Festival
Madison Mallards Postgame | Wednesday, July 3 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | Warner Park, 2920 N. Sherman Ave. | Cost of Mallards tickets | Stick around after the game for a 20-minute fireworks show. Pro tip: If you can’t make the game, the fireworks will be visible from the public park surrounding the field.
Shorewood Hills Independence Day Festivities | Wednesday, July 3- Thursday, July 4 | Times vary | Free | Geared toward families with children, this two-day affair will be full of water balloon fights, casual sporting events, a parade, and of course, fireworks.
Fourth Fest | Thursday, July 4 | 2-8 p.m. | Edgewater Hotel, 1001 Wisconsin Pl. | Free | Natty Nation and the People Brothers Band will perform live at this lakeside festival between Mad City Water Ski shows on Lake Mendota.
WaunaBoom | Thursday, July 4 | 2-10:30 p.m. | Ripp Park, 213 Dorn Dr., Waunakee | Free | Enjoy food carts, an F-35 flyover, and live music before the fireworks display, which will be synced with music.
Bicycle Rodeo | Monday, June 24 | 4-6 p.m. | Frances Street Plaza, 500-600 State St., Madison | Free | Families are invited to take part in obstacle courses, drills, games, and prizes.
Tuesday, June 25
Downtown Veteran Social | Tuesday, June 25 | 10-11:15 a.m. | Madison Senior Center, 330 West Mifflin St., Madison | Free | Local veterans can socialize with other veterans and their families.
Succulent Bar | Tuesday, June 25 | 6-8 p.m. | Delta Beer Lab, 167 E. Badger Rd., Madison | $60 | Sip craft beer while learning about taking care of house plant succulents.
Wednesday, June 26
Concerts on the Square | Wednesday, June 26 | 7-9 p.m. | King Street Corner of Capitol Square, King St., Madison | Free | The three-time Grammy-nominated group Tiempo Libre will open the CoS season alongside the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra.
What’s in Bloom? | Wednesday, June 26 | 7 p.m. | UW-Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy., Madison | Free | Find, compare, and learn about flowers with a native plant garden curator.
Thursday, June 27
Basque Patio Dinner Party | Thursday, June 27 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Four Winds Farm, 5735 Adams Rd., Fitchburg | $75 | Enjoy a four-course meal prepared by James Beard semifinalist and Amara chef Jon Nodler.
Art Fair on the Square returns to the Capitol Saturday, July 13-Sunday, July 14. Over 350 artists from across the country will be displaying their work. Note: The Dane County Farmers’ Market will be held at Breese Stevens Field that Saturday.
Development
Madison Common Council approved rezoning 201-205 S. Stoughton Rd. to become a “Tiny House Village,” which is expected to include a shared building and 22 portable housing units.
Environment
Check local beach water quality conditions before heading to the lakes. Several beaches, including Olbrich, Olin, and Spring Harbor, closed recently due to high levels of bacteria. (WKOW)
Eat
You scream, I scream, we all scream for Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company. Reader’s Digest named the Madison-based company the best ice cream in Wisconsin.
State
The Wisconsin DNR warns that collecting cicadas from state parks is illegal, citing state law against removing animals. Reports of cicada harvesting have prompted this reminder, and wardens will enforce these regulations. (WMTV)
Number
$112,529. That’s the minimum income needed for basic needs in Wisconsin for a family of two working adults and two children (according to SmartAsset, a financial tech company). For an adult with no children, it’s $42,062.
Flooded streets make for less-than-ideal driving conditions on the isthmus. | Photo by 608today
Recently, Madison has been hit with its fair share of heavy rain. We’ve gotten nine inches of rain over the past month, compared to only one inch during the same time last year.
If you notice inclement weather taking a toll on your neighborhood, the City wants to hear about it.
Report a problem
Madisonians can submit an online form to let the City know about flooding issues.
What you’ll need:
A photo of the flooded area
Specific location of the problem area
Timeline of when the flood started and how long it has lasted
Note: If a clogged grate/waterway is causing an immediate threat to your private property, call 608-266-4430.
Resources
Flood alerts | Sign up to get updates on flash floods and road closures sent directly to your phone.
Free sandbags | Through October, seven locations throughout the city offer free sandbags to residents who want to protect their homes from rising water.
Did you guys see that Kim Kardashian was at Summerfest over the weekend? Love her or hate her, Kim K. visiting Wisconsin was not on my 2024 Bingo card.
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