This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Highlights
Thursday, June 16
Know your farmer! And take a day trip. Certainly the epicenter of progressive farming in southern Wisconsin started in Vernon County. This Field Day hosted by the , operated by Jillian and Adam Varney, near LaFarge. Stop number two is Strawberry Fest at the Sun Prairie Farmers' Market is on Saturday, too, so you may as well stop in. It's a good one. Colonial Club, 301 Blankenheim Ln., Sun Prairie, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 837-4611 for more info.
Slavic cuisine will be served in abundance at Ivana Kupala Day in Cross Plains, with the menu including stuffed cabbage, baked potatoes, cold soups like okroshka and borscht, pirogi, kvass, and much more. This second annual festival of ancient cultures in central Europe, marking the Feast of St. John the Baptist and held on the eve of the summer solstice, is put on by the Indian Lake County Park, 8183 Hwy. 19, Cross Plains, noon-10 p.m., donations encouraged. Call 225-6294 for more info.
Sunday, June 19
It has been a bratwurst-filled spring here in Madison for reasons not entirely having to do with love for sausages. Now it's time for the vegans to have their day in the sun with Mad City Vegan Fest, which will feature speakers, demos, lots of samples, and a couple of dedicated food vendors, if you are looking for a full meal. Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa St., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., free. See Facebook and call 241-1574 for more info.
Judy Hageman of the spinach-growing paragon that is Snug Haven Farm was diagnosed with chronic Lyme's Disease, and is now facing costly medical bills. Friends and colleagues are supporting her in this time of need, and are throwing a community benefit to help pay for her recovery treatments. The party features an outstanding menu of picnic dishes prepared by chefs Tori Miller, David McKercher, Dan Fox, and others, as well as music and dancing, a silent auction, and more. Snug Haven Farm, 1170 Hageman Rd., Belleville, 12:30-4:30 p.m., suggested minimum donations of $25 single person, $45 couple, and $50 family. Call 424-3296 for more info.
More events this week
Wednesday, June 15
Grand opening of Rennie's Dairy Bar, featuring organic ice cream samples from the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, 330 N. Orchard St., 2-5 p.m., free. Call 265-4140 for more info.
Thursday, June 16
Prairie Villa Rendezvous, an annual four-day Fur Trade-era historic encampment, featuring a buffalo burger stand, a "primitive" cooking contest, reenactments and demonstrations, games, a flea market, and more. St. Feriole Island, 100 Water St., Prairie du Chien, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, free admission. Call 800-732-1673 for more info.
Baseball Fest, an annual four-day festival hosted by the Jones Park, 615 Janesville Ave., Fort Atkinson, Thursday-Sunday. Call 920-563-4479 for more info.
Bloomsday, celebrating a day in the life of Leopold Bloom of James Joyce's Ulysses, featuring a menu of Guinness and oysters on the patio and a turn-of-the-century Irish menu in the dining room. The Coopers Tavern, 20 W. Mifflin St., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Call 256-1600 for more info.
Ed Janus, founder of Capital Brewery, 7734 Terrace Ave., Middleton, 5-8 p.m. Call 836-7100 for more info.
Friday, June 17
MREA Energy Fair, the 22nd annual exhibition put on by the , hundreds of workshops and exhibitors, local food and brews, and more. ReNew the Earth Institute, 558 Deer Rd., Custer, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, $15 day or $35 weekend. Call 715-592-6595 for more info.
Wisconsin Civil Service Birthday Party, a celebration demonstration featuring cake and party games. Downtown Madison, corner of King and Webster streets, noon. Call 220-9395 for more info.
Umami patio grand opening, featuring half-price drinks and dumplings. Umami Ramen & Dumpling Bar, 923 Williamson St., 5-11 p.m. Call 819-6319 for more info.
Juneteenth Day, an annual celebration of African-American heritage and final emancipation at the close of the Civil War, featuring a kick-off gathering, parade, performances, children's activities, food, and more. Penn Park, 2101 Fisher St., 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday. Call 358-2872 for more info.
Saturday, June 18
Columbus Carriage Classic, an annual festival and pleasure driving competition, featuring courses and classes, barbecue and pies from Olivet Church, more food stands, and a silent auction. Fireman's Park, 1049 Park Ave., Columbus, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, free admission. Call 219-7921 for more info.
Fab Fresh Farmers' Market, a cooking demonstration with Barbara Wright of the old Dardanelles restaurant and a potluck picnic. Monona Library, 1000 Nichols Rd., Monona, 10:30 a.m., registration recommended. Call 222-6127 for more info.
Cannery Square Block Party, an annual festival featuring a food court, live music, and more. Cannery Square Plaza, Sun Prairie, 11 a.m., free admission. Call 235-8475 for more info.
Free community meal prepared by volunteers. Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St., 11:15 a.m., free. Call 257-4576 for more info.
Greener Wiener, a grill-out fundraiser for Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., Middleton, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., $5. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Radiate Hope Summer Festival, the fifth annual benefit for the Keva Sports Center, 8312 Forsythia St., Middleton, noon-8 p.m. $7 individual or $25 family. Call 334-5051 for more info.
Dairy Month Celebration, a kid's celebration featuring a farmer, baby dairy calf, and samples of dairy products. Madison Children's Museum, 100 N. Hamilton St., noon-2 p.m., free with $7 admission. Call 256-6445 for more info.
Midsummer's Eve, an annual summer solstice celebration at Little Norway. 3576 Cty. Rd. JG, Blue Mounds, 4-8 p.m. $5 admission and $3 kids 5-12 with $7 pork dinner. Call 608-437-8211 for more info.
Sunday, June 19
REAP snack prep, with volunteers needed to prepare and package fresh, healthy, and locally-grown treats for kids at 14 elementary schools around Madison. Savory Sunday, with volunteers need to prepare and serve a fresh, hot meal for the hungry. Lutheran Campus Center, 325 N. Mills St., 11 a.m. Call 233-6967 for more info.
Father's Day Picnic, with hot dogs and root beer, games, tours, children's activities, live music, and more. Father's Day Chicken BBQ, the 50th annual festival, featuring lunch, basebal, and live music. McKellar Park, Blanchardville, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., $10 adults and $8 kids under 12. Call 608-523-2274 for more info.
Father's Day Barbecue, a fundraiser for the Vilas Zoo, 702 S. Randall Ave., 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., $25. Call 258-9490 for more info.
Cottage Grove Brew Fest, the second annual Fireman's Park, 238 S. Grove St., Cottage Grove, 1-5 p.m., $25. Call 444-3586 for more info.
Save the date
Tuesday, June 21
Summer Solstice Sampler, a fundraiser festival for the Capital Brewery, 7734 Terrace Ave., Middleton, 5:30 p.m., single tickets $33 advance and $38 door, pairs of tickets $55 advance and $60 door. Purchase tickets online, and call 217-1388 for more info.
Sunday, July 17
Garlic Dinner, with a six-course menu of dishes highlighting garlic, and featuring guest farmer Richard de Wilde of Harvest, 21 N. Pinckney St., 6 p.m., $65. Call 255-6075 for more info.
