Jefferson County Tourism Council
MAY 2016
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Jefferson County Farmers' Markets
It's Fresh Produce time in Jefferson County!
Spring, summer and fall in Jefferson County is a reliably tasty time as many of our communities have wonderful Farmers' Markets. Almost any day of the week, you can find fresh produce, prepared foods, live music, crafts and more! Plan your visit to our local Farmers' Markets, and extend your day to shop, dine, and enjoy Jefferson County!

Whitewater - City Market
Tuesdays
, 3:30pm-7:30pm
Carvath Lakefront Park
May through October
Facebook

Lake Mills - Artisan/Farmers' Market
Wednesdays
, 2pm-6:30pm
Commons Park downtown
May through October

Jefferson Farmers' Market
Thursdays
, 11am-6pm
Preview Day: May 12
Season: June 9 through October 13
Jefferson City Downtown Parking Lot (east of First Merit Bank)
Facebook

Cambridge - Open Air Market
Fridays
- 2pm-6pm
Veteran Park on Main Street
June through September
(Note: Market stays open until 8:30pm on concert nights - June 10 & 24; July 8 & 15; August 12)
Facebook

Fort Atkinson - Fort Farmers' Market
Saturdays
, 8am-noon
May through October
Market Square - South Water Street
An extended "Arts Saturday" takes place the last Saturday of each month with even more craft vendors and festivities
Facebook

Whitewater - Farmers' Market
Saturdays
, 8am-noon
Winchester True Value - 1415 W. Main St
April 30 through November 5
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Jefferson County Restaurant Review Crew
by Randy Otto and the rest of the hungry review crew

Just ask anyone in Lake Mills, Jefferson County, Wisconsin - Blue Moon Pizza *Pasta* Creole Restaurant might be the best, tastiest pizza here on the earth or on the moon itself. Who knew? 

Click here to read the whole review.


Jefferson County Discounts
Have you checked out all of the great discounts offered in Jefferson County? From restaurants to B&Bs, from hotels to theater, to shopping shopping shopping - we have it all!

Here is just a sample of what you will find on our discount page.  







May Events in Jefferson County
(please double-check our website to verify dates and times)
Through May 29, 2016 - Sister Act 
First it was a blockbuster movie starring Whoopi Goldberg. Then it was a hit Broadway musical that took New York and London by storm!  Now, direct from a successful National Tour, SISTER ACT comes to our stage in a brand new production as only The Fireside can give you. This hilarious, tuneful, exciting show tells the tale of Deloris - a Las Vegas lounge singer who witnesses a murder and is forced to hide in a convent pretending to be a nun - Sister Mary Clarence.  What follows is a rollicking, fast-paced comedy filled with nuns, cops, gangsters, mistaken identities, comic chases, rapid fire jokes, and a terrific score by the Academy Award winning composer of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE LITTLE MERMAID, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and NEWSIES.

Seven shows weekly Wednesday through Sunday  

Fort Atkinson - Fireside Dinner Theatre - 1131 Janesville Ave
Seven shows weekly Wednesday through Sunday
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Through May 7, 2016 - 56th Annual Mary Hoard Art Show

Part One of the Mary Hoard Art Show runs April 1 through Saturday, April 9 from 9:30am to 4:30pm at the Hoard Historical Museum.  Part One of this show features artwork by students in Kindergarten through Grade Eight that attend public, private, or home schools in the Fort Atkinson Area School District.

Part Two of the Mary Hoard Art Show runs from the Art Show Opening on Sunday, April 24 through Saturday, May 7 from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Part Two of this show features artwork by high school students that attend public, private, or home schools in the Fort Atkinson Area School District and adult artists living, working, or taking art classes in Jefferson County cities and rural areas.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturdays from 9:30am to 4:30pm and closed on Sundays and Mondays.

9:30am - 4:30pm
Fort Atkinson - 401 Whitewater Avenue 
(920) 563-7769
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May 6-7, 2016 - Lake Mills City-Wide Rummage Sale

The Tyranena Ladies are hosting their annual City Wide Rummage Sale this weekend. Maps will be available at Sentry, Friday Morning.

Lake Mills - all around town
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May 6-7, 2016 - Jefferson Public Library Used Book Sale

The Library will have used books, DVDs and audio books on CD at this Spring Used Book Sale.

Friday - 9am to 5:30pm
Saturday - 9am to 3pm

Jefferson - Jefferson Public Library, 321 South Main Street
920-674-7733
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May 10-11, 2016 - The Hoppers

This multi-award winning family group has been singing to global audiences for over 55 years with appearances ranging from presidential religious inaugural ceremonies and New York's Carnegie Hall to singing conventions and churches. They have performed throughout the United States as well as in Israel, Europe, and Africa. Their unique blend of harmonies and song choices have created a legacy of musical excellence. Known as America's Favorite Family of Gospel Music, they are favorites on the Gaither Homecoming videos and tours, and their recordings frequently land at the top of the charts. Comprised of family members Claude & Connie, son Mike Hopper, and son Dean and his wife, Kim and their daughter Carly, The Hoppers were formed in 1957 in the rural-farm town of Madison, NC, and have grown continuously for decades, touching countless lives around the world. Kim is particularly noted for the excitement she brings to any live performance - her unmistakable, rafter-ringing soprano vocals are not to be missed!

Tuesday matinee arrival at 10:30am; Tuesday and Wednesday evening arrival 5pm

Fort Atkinson - Fireside Dinner Theatre - 1131 Janesville Ave
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May 14, 2016 - Watertown City-Wide Rummage Sale

Rummage sales throughout the city of Watertown.

Sponsored by the Watertown Daily Times.

Watertown - around town - 920-261-4949
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May 14, 2016 - Community Shred Day

Bring your confidential personal and business documents to be professionally shredded onsite by PROSHRED Security.

Saturday, May 14 from 10am to 12pm.

Shred trucks will be at BOTH Bank of Lake Mills Locations:
Lake Mills: 136 East Madison Street
Watertown: 400 Bernard Street

Electronics will not be taken this time.
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May 14, 2016 - Touch a Truck Bike Rodeo

Join us for the annual Touch-A-Truck event! Don't miss your chance to see the vehicles that fascinate you up close and hands on, including emergency and military vehicles, farm equipment, race cars and much more.

Registration is not required for this free event.

Don't forget your camera for this wonderful photo opportunity!

In conjunction with Touch-A-Truck, the Dane County Sheriff's Office will also be hosting a bike rodeo. A bike rodeo is designed to be a fun, educational and hands on way for children and parents to learn about bike safety. There will also be a bike technician available to do a safety check on the bikes. An adult must attend along with the bike riders. Free bike helmets will be provided for the first 50 participants to arrive. Participants who complete the course will be eligible for a prize drawing.

10am - 12pm
Cambridge -  403 Blue Jay Way 
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May 14, 2016 - Fiesta Cultural Latino Americana & Fiesta 5k

Please join us for a day of fun with your family & friends!Promoting positive cross-cultural attitudes in our multicultural community.

Saturday, May 14th, 2016

9am - 2pm
Schurz Elementary School

Fiesta 5k starts at 9am

After Fiesta 5k, we'll enjoy Mexican food, live Mariachi music, pinatas, and dance performances by Schurz Dance Club, Dance Group Arcoiris and Ballet Folklorico Nacional of Milwaukee
 
Watertown
Check our website for more details!
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May 14, 2016 - Free Memory Screening

What is memory screening? It's a wellness tool to identify possible changes in memory and cognition. This information is used as a baseline of where a person is today and to monitor changes in the future. This is not a diagnostic tool. Cathy Kehoe, the Dementia Care Specialist for Jefferson County, can complete a short memory screen for you at no cost. We provide you with the results immediately, and you can share them with your physician or keep them for future comparison. If potential changes are detected, it's very important to follow-up with your physician or a memory diagnostic clinic for further evaluation. Upon request, we can fax the results to your physician. Please call the library at 920-674-7733 ext. 3 to reserve your half hour time slot.

9:30am - noon

Jefferson - Jefferson Public Library - 321 South Main Street  
920-674-7733 ext. 3
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May 18, 2016 - Fort Atkinson Summer Charity Concerts

Bring your lawn chair, pack a picnic basket, and enjoy an evening with friends for concerts in the park featuring The Krause Family Band and Teddy Davenport.

Held Wednesday evenings during the summer at Barrie Park Band Shell, an outdoor music venue for the community, for a total of six concerts all for a charitable cause. Funds raised are donated to Boys & Girls Club of Fort Atkinson and applied to the Fort Atkinson Charity Concert scholarship which supports students who have shown a commitment to their communities.

6pm-9pm

Fort Atkinson - 210 Robert Street  
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May 21, 2016 - Diaryland Walkers Fort Atkinson Walk

10K and 5K walk on city sidewalks. Explore the City of Fort Atkinson as it takes you down historic Main Street to a riverwalk along the Rock River, and on to a bark trail nature area for bird enthusiasts. As you continue walking, you will pass the Hoard Historical Museum and National Dairy Shrine, an early season farmers' market, and a bike path with delightful children-at-play statues. Pets will be permitted on the walk. Restrooms and water are available at the start point and along the walk.

Start 8am - 12pm. Finish by 3pm.

Fort Atkinson - 210 Robert St - Barrie Park 
(920) 563-3481
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May 21-22, 2016 - Watertown Military Show

The Watertown Veterans Council is sponsoring a display of historic military vehicles and airplanes.  The fundraising event will include war re-enactments, static vehicle display, vendor booths with memorabilia, a USO-style swing dance band and a pancake breakfast.
 

Saturday 7:30am - 10:30pm; Sunday 9:00am - 3:00pm

Watertown - Watertown Municipal Airport - 1741 River Drive
920-262-0930
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May 21, 2016 - Concert on the Lawn

Free Concert on the Lawn at the Hoard Historical Museum featuring the Briarpickers, a mandolin and violin duo from Middleton. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy live music while enjoying the beauty of the the Museum Lawn and Gardens.

Seating is first-come, first served on the lawn. The Museum will be open and accessible during the concert and program.

3pm-4pm

Fort Atkinson - 401 Whitewater Avenue
920-563-7769
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May 21, 2016 - Friends of the Cambridge Library Plant Sale

The annual Friends of the Library Plant Sale is held in May and provides an opportunity for gardening enthusiasts to share their spring plantings. Hundreds of plants are available from prairie plants to woodland plants to beautiful garden plants and a variety of hostas. Master Gardeners are on hand to answer questions about how, when and where the plants grow best. You are welcome to share your plantings, or attend the sale and purchase inexpensively priced plants and pottery.

9am start

Cambridge - Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce - 200 Spring Street
608-423-3900
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May 27-30, 2016 - Memorial Day Sidewalk Sale at Johnson Creek Premium Outlets

Johnson Creek Premium Outlets Kick off the summer season with the hottest trends and colors plus enjoy savings on the sidewalks and in the stores!

Extended shopping hours: Stores open 9am to 9pm on Friday, Sat & Monday.
10am to 7pm on Sunday.

Johnson Creek - Johnson Creek Premium Outlets - 575 W. Linmar Lane
(920) 699-4111
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May 28-29, 2016 - Fort Koshkonong Rendezvous

Take a step back in time with the early pioneers of the 1800s, as people reenact this historical time period.  Stroll through the park and view demonstrations and exhibits of how tasks were accomplished.  Demonstrations include black powder shooting and competition, pioneer demonstrations, interactive old-time chores, birch bark canoe demonstration, and blacksmithing. Sit back and relax on a horse-drawn wagon or sample fry bread, root beer, and kettle corn from our camp chefs.

This year, visitors will see tools from the 18th and 19th century and learn about the wood working trades, the types of woods that were used, and how barns are assembled. A sawyer reenactment will demonstrate hewing round logs into square beams often used in the construction of log homes and cabins.

Visitors will capture the lifestyle, from clothing worn by the pioneers to their housing.  Continue on to see the old "Fort", a replica for local militia units during the Black Hawk War of 1832.

Free parking is available.

Saturday 9am-5pm & Sunday 9am-4pm

Fort Atkinson - Rock River Park - 1300 Lillian Street
(920) 563-3210
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May 28, 2016 - Ripley Park Opening Day

The gates of Ripley Park will open at 9 am on Saturday, marking yet another wonderful summer in Cambridge, Wis. Located on the west shores of Lake Ripley, Ripley Park is an 18 acre park privately owned by the Cambridge Foundation and managed by the Cambridge Community Activities Program. Ripley Park has something for everyone - sandy beach, swimming, basketball, volleyball, tennis and more!

There will be FREE admission, special events, and games all day long!

9am

Cambridge - Lake Ripley Park - N4310 Park Road
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May 30, 2016 - Cambridge Memorial Day Parade & Firemen's Breakfast

T&C Days Parade Enjoy your Memorial Day in downtown Cambridge! Memorial Day starts with the annual Firemen's all-you-can-eat breakfast at the Fire Station, with the annual parade down Main Street at 10:30am followed by a Memorial service downtown in Veteran's Park after the parade, and back to the Fire Station for the continuing French Toast & Eggs breakfast.

Interested in participating in the parade?    You can line up at the Middle School at 10am and the parade takes off at 10:30am.

Memorial Day breakfast 6am to 11:30am at the Cambridge Fire House, 271 W. Main.

Parade starts at 10:30am at the Nikolay Middle school, 211 South St. and heads down Main St.

Memorial Service in downtown Veteran's Park immediately following the parade  and sponsored by the Cambridge Historic School Foundation.  The memorial service will include a laying of the wreath, music by the Cambridge High School Band and the Bel Canto Choir and speakers. It is a moving presentation and a beloved Cambridge tradition.

The Cambridge Historic School Museum will host a program on Memorial Day. The 19 men listed on the benches in Veterans Park were more than a name, rank and serial number. Find out about them during a presentation at the museum by Russ Amacher. The one hour program will begin about 11 am after the Memorial Day Parade and Services. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free. Call 920-563-9095 for more information.

6am - 11:30am

Cambridge - Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce - 271 Main Street
608-423-3780
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May 31, 2016 - 6th Annual Watertown Art Walk

The Watertown Arts Council and Watertown Unified School District Art Department is teaming up for the 6th Annual Watertown Art Walk.

A raffle and student awards at Partnership Bank begin at 7:15 pm.

Maps featuring local businesses and artists will be available at Partnership Bank and the Watertown Chamber of Commerce
 
4:00-7:00pm
Watertown
920-262-7500
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JEFFERSON COUNTY TOURISM COUNCIL CONTACT INFO  

 

President:  Kate Anderson  |  president@enjoyjeffersoncounty.com  |   920-648-3585
Vice President:  Steven Cline   |   vp@enjoyjeffersoncounty.com
Treasurer:  Janet Werner   |   treasurer@enjoyjeffersoncounty.com   |   920-674-4511

Secretary:  Katie Otto  |  secretary@enjoyjeffersoncounty.com  |  920-648-6721

Newsletter Editor: Katie Otto |  newsletter@enjoyjeffersoncounty.com  | 920-988-4458  

Official Guide Representative:  Jennifer Erdman   |   sales@enjoyjeffersoncounty.com   |   414-213-4125