This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Wednesday, July 21
Summer festival season in rural Wisconsin communities remains in full swing as the Columbia County Fair hits Portage this week. The fair features a carnival, agricultural competitions, bingo, motorcross, a truck and tractor pull, a demolition derby, a parade, fireworks, and more. Food will be plentiful, with chicken and pork barbecues, a "buyers buffet," a steak fry, and a Future Farmers of America breakfast. Veterans Memorial Field, 300 Superior St., 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, 1 -9 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m.-Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, $16 admission for carnival. Call 608-697-5307 for more info.
The Green County Fair likewise gets started today in Monroe. The attractions at this fair includes a carnival, a rodeo and horse-pulling contest, harness racing, tractor pulls and demolition derbies, an antique tractor display, grandstand entertainment, and more. Fairgoers will also find livestock, poultry, and cheese auctions. Green County Fairgrounds, 2600 10th St., 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, $8 adults and $3 kids 8-12. Call 608-325-9159 for more info.
Thursday, July 22
One Dane County community will likewise be hosting a celebration this week as WaunaFest brings the best of summer to Waunakee. The fun at this Centennial Park, 901 S. Holiday Dr., 4-10 p.m. Thursday, 2 p.m.-midnight Friday, 6 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. Call 849-5977 for more info.
Friday, July 23
festival this weekend. Activities at the fest includes three nights of live music, a raffle, bingo, a co-ed volleyball tournament, its 15th annual 5K run/walk, children's activities and performers, a flea market and book tent, and a family-style beef dinner on Sunday. St. Dennis Church, 409 Dempsey Rd., 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, 9 a.m.-midnight Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Call 246-5124 for more info.
Saturday, July 24
The Kickapoo Country Fair, hosted by the Organic Valley farm cooperative, bills itself as the "Midwest's largest organic food and sustainability festival." This is the seventh year of the Temple Grandin and headlining performer Miles Nielsen, along with more talks and live music, theater and dancing, farm tours, green building and lifestyle workshops, the fourth annual Butter Churn Bike Tour, kids' activities, and more. Organic agriculture and its bounty are at the heart of this two-day celebration, though, and fairgoers will find cooking demonstrations, free samples of organic food, Wisconsin-made beer and cheese tastings, and the all-you-can-eat organic Kickapoo Country Breakfast buffet on Sunday. Facebook the Kickapoo County Fair when it hosts Greek Fest this weekend. The annual Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 11 N. 7th St., 4-9 p.m. Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, free. Call 244-1019 for more info.
Colombia Independence Day Fest today. The party will feature music and dance performances by Cumbia con Klase, Grupo de Bachata Alabanza Unida, El Curiquingue, and Grupo Candela, along with food from Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico. Fireman's Park, 7400 Lee St., Middleton, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m., free. Call 217-6132 for more info.
"All who are interested in exploring the bounty and beauty of neighborhood gardens and the bike paths that connect them" are encouraged to take part in the eighth annual Community Gardens Bike Tour put on by invites anybody who loves farm animals to show their support at A Day With Heart today. It is celebration of these familiar critters and a kickoff fundraiser for the Dane County Humane Society, 5132 Voges Rd., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $5 per family. Call 219-1172 for more info.
The Taste of Sun Prairie brings together more than a dozen restaurants and other businesses together for a feast that doubles as a fundraiser for Cannery Square Plaza, Sun Prairie, noon-7 p.m., dishes $5 and less. Call 837-5213 for more info.
The Willy Street Co-op is throwing a DIY Fair today to provide practical advice for anybody interested in participating in its month-long Eat Local Challenge. Tips and suggestions will be shared by representatives from , and , food preservation by rain garden adjacent to Jenifer St. behind the store. Willy Street Co-op, 1221 Williamson St., 11 a.m.-3 p.m., free. Call 251-6776 for more info.
Sunday, July 25
in this round of the increasingly popular biannual promotion. The options for dinner include The Blue Marlin, Brocach Irish Pub, Captain Bill's, The Continental Fitchburg, Dayton Street Grille, Eldorado Grill, Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Fresco, Harvest, La Brioche True Food, Las Cazuelas Mexican Restaurant, Lombardinos, Mariner's Inn, Nau-Ti-Gal, Quivey's Grove Stone House, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Sardine, Tornado Steak House, and Zander's Capitol Grill. Both dinner and a $15 three-course lunch option will be offered by Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano, Bluephies Restaurant & Vodkatorium, The Cabana Room, Cafe Continental, Capitol Chophouse, Inka Heritage, Johnny Delmonico's Steakhouse, Johnny's Italian Steakhouse, Liliana's Restaurant, Osteria Papavero, Quivey's Grove Stable Grill, and Samba Brazilian Grill. Drinks, taxes, and gratuity are not included in the fixed price. No tickets or coupons are necessary for these meals, but diners are encouraged to call in advance for reservations. Restaurant Week runs through Friday, July 30.