We bet you don’t know all 20 of these Madison facts. | Photo via Canva
As connoisseurs of the quirky and unconventional, we put together a list of 608’s history, oddest characteristics, and more. Maybe you’ve lived here your whole life and know some of this, or maybe you’ll learn something new.
Either way, test your local knowledge with these 20 interesting facts.
History
Madison is named after Founding Father and President James Madison. According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, the fourth US president never visited 608.
We can thank James Duane Doty for our city’s name, too. This politician, businessman, and land speculator owned much of the land between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona with plans of building a city. He wanted to name it after Madison for his contributions to the US Constitution.
University of Wisconsin
Our faithful college wasn’t always known as the “Badgers” throughout its history. It’s actually gone through many name changes, including simply “Madison,” “Madison’s Boys,” and “Madison Team.”
The Bodega Night Market | 5-9 p.m. | Breese Stevens Field | Shop goods from 60+ local artisans and food vendors, play yard games, and sip beer + wine under the stars.
Summer Fun Concert Series | Thursday, Aug. 7-Thursday, Aug. 28 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Stone Horse Green, Middleton | Free | Bring a picnic and find a spot on the lawn to listen to a performance by Ced, a fingerstyle guitarist.
Friday, Aug. 8
Blooms on the Farm | Friday, Aug. 8-Sunday, Aug. 31 | Times vary | Schuster’s Farm, Deerfield | $11+ | Take photos in the flower fields, snuggle newborn goats, take a wagon ride, and sip a wine slushy.
Leo’s Half Shell Raw Bar Pop-Up | Friday, Aug. 8-Friday, Aug. 29 | 4-9 p.m. | Leopold’s Books Bar Caffe | Free | Sit on the patio and indulge in a seafood feast of oysters, shrimp, crab claws, clams, caviar, and more.
Saturday, Aug. 9
Doggy Play Date | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | The Bogey Factory, Verona | Free | Bring your four-legged friend to the patio for warm weather, cold drinks, and plenty of food for all.
Madison Mallards vs. Green Bay Rockers | 6:05 p.m. | Warner Park | $27+ | Two Wisconsin-based teams will enter the field, but only one can walk away a winner.
Sunday, Aug. 10
Monroe Street Farmers Market | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Monroe Street Farmers Market | Free | Summer is nearly over, but that just means fall produce is on the way, so stop by this local market to restock before the season is out.
Monday, Aug. 11
Rooftop Yoga | 5-6 p.m. | Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center | Free | Move your body and relax your mind as you flow through a yoga class + listen to a sound bath in the rooftop garden.
Tuesday, Aug. 12
Concert in the Park: Rod Ellenbecker | 5-8 p.m. | Wetmore Park, Sun Prairie | Free | Spend an evening with Rod Ellenbecker, a solo acoustic rocker, plus enjoy food and drinks throughout the show.
Wednesday, Aug. 13
Live at Leopold’s | 7-9 p.m. | Leopold’s Books Bar Caffe | Free | Find a cozy nook in the bookshop to listen to Madison-based “gateway jazz” ensemble Feestet.
A new wing shop serving baked — not fried — traditional wings is now open on State Street. Baked Wings & Things opened on Tuesday and offers five dry rubs + four sauces to choose from. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Family
A new inclusive splash pad is making waves at Rennebolm Park. The “sprayground” was designed for those with developmental disabilities and named after Jeff Erlanger, a local advocate for disability rights. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Eat
The Wisconsin State Fair is back on Sunday, Aug. 10 and there are plenty of new things to try at this age-old tradition. Check out this local guide that details fever dream foods like bratwurst Rangoon. (CapTimes)
Travel
The Badgers are traveling to Alabama and Oregon this season and multiple airlines are now offering direct flights from Madison. The Dane County Regional Airport has weekend flights through American Airlines, Delta, and United. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Pets
Dane County Humane Society is hosting a Clear the Shelters event with reduced adoption fees nearly all month. Currently, cats are 50% off and tomorrow, Aug. 8 starts a new week of discounts.
Arts
“The Book of Mormon” — the popular musical produced by the creators of “South Park” — is coming to Overture Center Friday, Oct. 24-Sunday, Oct. 26. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Aug. 8. (WMTV15)
Real Estate
Looking for new digs, Madison? Victory Homes of Wisconsin is redefining your weekend plans. Imagine strolling through beautifully-crafted model homes, open for your exploration every Saturday and Sunday, 12-4 p.m. Feel the space, envision the details, and discover what makes a Victory Home uniquely you. Take a tour.*
Plan Ahead
Mark your calendars: Contemporary singer, songwriter, and guitarist Jeff Tweedy is heading to Shannon Hall at Memorial Union on Friday, Nov. 21, with special guest Macie Stewart. Madisonians can jam out to both new and familiar songs with Tweedy and fellow Chicago-based musicians. Tickets are on sale — snag yours.*
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Travel
Harley-Davidson Museum has your Labor Day weekend planned. From Thursday, Aug. 28 through Sunday, Aug. 31, experience live music, BBQ, lawn games + unbeatable deals. Swing by for H-D® Factory Outlet, catch sets by Dandy Freling + Big Heart Kind Band, and ride the Big Unit Poker Run, supporting Fisher House Wisconsin.*
There’s nothing like performing a surgical removal from a bear’s head to get the blood rushing.
That’s what we’re guessing the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources + US Department of Agriculture were feeling as they freed this bear from its self-inflicted trap. Here’s the scoop:
Folks in northern Wisconsin spotted and reported a two-year old female bear roaming with a large plastic jug on her head. This community watch party turned into a statewide hunt with federal agencies, and somehow with a jug on her head, she still managed to evade traps and officials for more than a week.
Luckily, her escapade came to an end after wildlife experts finally caught up to her. They were able to safely tranquilize her, carefully remove the jug, and free her back into the wild. They noted she immediately went to feeding on some nearby berries once she was freed.
A great maxi wrap dress that can see you through the transition from summer into fall. Choose your favorite print or floral and enjoy the airy, comfortable feel and flattering ruffle hem.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
My friends often mock me because I have a bad habit of going down internet rabbit holes whenever I find a new and interesting topic. Enter: James Duane Doty. If you need me, I’ll be on YouTube finding the longest documentary about him.
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