Plus, weekend events + local kid-friendly activities.
 
07.20.2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE

Today’s Forecast

81º | 6% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 5:36 a.m. | Sunset 8:30 p.m.

 

Editor’s Note

Hi, Madison. Heading to the Dane County Fair this weekend? Today is Farm Fresh Day — check out the lineup of fun things to do while you’re there. Tomorrow, July 21, is Family Day; here’s that schedule of events.
 
Events
This Weekend
  • Dane County Fair | Saturday, July 20-Sunday, July 21 | 8 a.m.-8 p.m. | Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison | $8-$35 | Snag discounted tickets online for this annual, family-friendly event dating back to 1851 — expect classic fair bites, carnival rides, free concerts, local youth exhibits, and more.*
  • Tom Innis | Saturday, July 20 | 5-8 p.m. | Delta Beer Lab, 167 E. Badger Rd., Madison | Free | This acoustic guitarist is known for his takes on rock, blues, and Americana classics.
  • Fun Intended Pun Slam | Saturday, July 20 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Madison’s, 119 King St., Madison | $6-$50 | Bring your sharpest puns, acronyms, idioms, and humor to the table — eight audience members will be chosen to battle it out in this fun war of words.
Plan Ahead
  • All Levels Yoga with Ali | Monday, July 22 | 5-6 p.m. | Goodman Community Center, 214 Waubesa St., Madison | $5 | Take mat-ters into your own hands and start your week with some gentle yoga at this drop-in class.
  • Ice Cream + Wine Pairing | Wednesday, July 24 | 6 p.m. | Grape Water Wine Bar, 7466 Hubbard Ave., Middleton | $40 | I scream, you scream, we all scream... for ice cream samples paired expertly with wine.
  • 2024 Disability Pride Festival | Saturday, July 27 | 12-5 p.m. | Warner Park, 2930 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | Free | Join this festival featuring artists, activists, and friends celebrating their authentic selves.
  • Maren Morris | Saturday, July 27 | 8 p.m. | The Sylvee, 25 S. Livingston St., Madison | $45-$300 | The award-winning country artist performs her “RSVP Redux Tour” — $1 from every ticket will go to LGBTQ+ organizations serving youth in their communities.
There's plenty more to do
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Drink Up

Raise a glass to Drink Up Week

Toast of the town: Drink Up Week has arrived

608_DrinkUp_Lead_JULY2024
In a week, we’ll be toasting to Drink Up Week and some great deals around town. | Photo provided by Forward Craft & Coffee
Drink Up Week is finally here, and we have a feeling it’ll be the toast of the town.

Here’s the tea — from Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26, we’re celebrating the buzziest entrepreneurs, mixologists, venues, and beverages that make Madison go ‘round.

We asked local businesses to participate in Drink Up Week by offering drink deals for our readers. They poured their all into the task — and the deals, well, they’re flowing.

Presenting: 608today’s interactive map of Drink Up Deals across Madison for our readers to bookmark, including must-grab deals like:
 
Asked

The most memorable drink I ever had in our city is...

Spill the tea
Wellness

Can’t get out of bed?

A woman in a white sweatshirt and green shorts holding a coffee cup and walking her white dog with a red leash in a local park
If the idea of a walk with your dog in the park (local coffee in-hand) no longer sparks joy, keep reading. | Photo via Pexels
If the thought of grabbing a treat from Crescendo or taking a stroll in Tenney-Lapham Park still can’t get you out of bed, you might need some support.

While Madison has many excellent, local mental health counselors, therapists, and resources, if you’re looking for a therapy option completely online — available in as little as 24 hours, and at a 25% off discount — BetterHelp can, well, help.

Get custom-matched with one of their 30,000+ licensed therapists.
Access therapy anywhere you are for 25% off
News Notes
Civic
  • Downtown Madison may be tiny, but local business owners are hoping to make it mighty. The city is partnering with Main Street Alabama — a nonprofit dedicated to the revitalization of downtown areas — to potentially bring events, foot traffic, and apartments to our own downtown. (WAFF)
Development
  • Beginning in September, a $177 million project near UW Hospital’s emergency room will add 48 beds + 29 emergency department rooms to the facility. Meanwhile, a $133 million project at East Madison Hospital will add six operating rooms and 60 post-surgery bays by summer 2026. (In Business)
Environment
  • Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway spoke at the USDOT Transportation and Climate Symposium about Madison’s ongoing efforts to reduce climate pollution. The mayor touched on our city’s goal of achieving 100% renewable energy for city operations, electric bikeshare, and Madison’s upcoming all-electric bus rapid transit line.
Opening
  • Downtown sushi spot RED is expanding with a 5,000-sqft lounge across from its existing space. Want to keep up with all the most recent restaurants and bars that are opening or closing in our area? Read more on our website. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Sports
  • Badgers fans, pull up a chair. UW says new premium seats are coming to the renovated Kohl Center later this year. Fans can expect wider, padded season seats near the floor starting at $6,000 for men’s basketball and $1,750 for men’s hockey, plus access to a new club space.
Health
  • Madison Pediatric Dental & Orthodontics has moved into a shiny, new 22,000-sqft building at 220 W. Broadway in Monona. The practice will host a grand opening celebration open to the community on Wednesday, July 24, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. featuring face painting, a bounce house, and snow cones. (HNGNews.com)
Eat
  • Hungry? Summer Restaurant Week returns tomorrow through Friday, July 26, with 35 participating Madison restaurants offering three-course, prix fixe menus starting at $30. We spy spots like Craftsman Table & Tap, La Pollera Colombiana, Sushi Lover, Heritage Tavern, and Steenbock’s on Orchard on the dining list. (Madison Magazine)
Festival
  • A party with a purpose. The Brother Love Music Festival is tomorrow, July 21, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Belleville Library Park. All proceeds will support local school meal programs that provide food during the week and on weekends to kids in need. Get tickets.
Fun Fact
  • Tomorrow is National Ice Cream Day and according to the goods delivery service GoPuff, Madison orders a lot of ice cream. The company says 30% of its orders in our city contain ice cream — likely pints of Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked.
Jobs
Legacy
  • It takes a village, as they say. As proud Madisonians, we’re inspired by the contributions of our most tenured community members. Please join us in celebrating the legacies of those who have recently died. (Wisconsin State Journal)
    Community
    Try This
    • Being in the newsletter biz, we read a lot of emails. One we especially enjoy: The Daily Upside. It’s all about the latest stock market news, with no bull, so you can be smarter about your investments. Give it a try (for free).*
    Finance
    • If your Saturday consists of mowing the lawn, deep-cleaning the patio, or heading to Home Depot, here’s one more responsible task to add to your to-do list: Move your credit card debt. This card offers 0% interest on a balance transfer until nearly 2026, plus 2% cash back on purchases.*
    Biz

    🍻 Tap into the local suds scene

    Local libations: A round of Madison-centric craft beers

    Two arms and hands, each holding a pint of Great Dane Pub and Brewing beer, share a toast. One pint is an amber color while the other is a darker, stout-style beer.
    Great Dane Pub & Brewing knows a thing or two about locally inspired craft brews. | Photo via Great Dane Pub & Brewing
    Madison makes a lot of great craft beer. Local brewers are constantly tapping their creative juices to drum up crafty collaborations, standout recipes, and fun names for their frothy masterpieces.

    As we celebrate Drink Up Week, we’d like to raise a glass to five Madison-centric brews with names that draw inspiration from our city’s history, communities, and culture.

    1st Settlement Apricot Sour, Great Dane Pub & Brewing
    This brew’s name feels like a nod to Madison’s historic First Settlement District, the city’s first residential district to form in 1837 — and the seed for the place we call home.

    Style + flavor: This dry, 7% ABV sour beer — fermented with wild yeast + brewed with 100 pounds of apricots — boasts a light tartness and fruity aromas.

    Supper Club, Capital Brewery
    According to Capital Brewery, this beer pays homage to Wisconsin’s supper club tradition and “goes great with a fish fry, prime rib, or just a relish tray.”

    Style + flavor: The 5% ABV classic Wisconsin lager features Northern Brewer hops. It’s a tad bitter, but touted for its drinkability.

    Cheers to you, Mad City.
    3 more fun brews
    6AM City Drink Up Campaign
     
    City Guide

    💦 Kid-friendly activities in Madison

    Kid-friendly activities in Madison

    Esther beach
    Soak up the sun at one of Madison’s many (free) beaches. | Photo via City of Madison
    Fellow parents, this one’s for you. We’re in the thick of summer, and if you’re looking for ways to keep the kids busy, we’ve got you covered. Check out our guide to 24 kid-friendly activities around Mad City.

    Splash around

    Local beaches | Check out the city’s beach page to find which beaches have swim ropes and/or lifeguards on duty. Kids will remember the best part about growing up on an isthmus.

    Madison Log Rolling | Based on Lake Wingra, the organization offers classes, camps, and party options. Kids will remember, well, rolling on a log.

    Rutabaga Paddlesports | Youth programs include counselor-led canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard camps. Kids will remember learning about water safety.

    Splash parks | Head over to one of the city’s three splash parks this summer. Kids will remember staying cool while having fun.
    More guides
     
    The Buy

    The Buy 7.20.24 (Affiliate)

    A water bottle organizer to transform your cluttered kitchen cabinet into a functional, organized space. We like: the bamboo material and how labels come included.
    More worth The Buy
    The Wrap
     
    Missed our previous newsletter?    
    Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback    
    Advertise with us to stand out.    
    Games | Crossword, Sudoku, and More    
     
     

    Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

    Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

    Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

    P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

    ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY