This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Highlights
Thursday, July 28
Eating desserts is good for democracy now? Sign us up! Desserts for Democracy features "desserts, mostly homemade, lemonade and mineral water," Ed Garvey and Jon Erpenbach! At a city park complete with a spray play area. Democracy, frankly, doesn't get any better than that. In fact Middleton is with this event showing its appreciation for state senator Erpenbach, who emerged from the Fab-14 weeks in Illinois as, well, fab. The Raging Grannies will be on hand to provide feisty musical entertainment. Lakeview Park, 6300 Mendota Ave., Middleton, 6:30 p.m., free. Call 556-1121 for more info.
Friday, July 29
If you haven't ever visited LaFarge, Wis., headquarters for Cultivate is a dinner/benefit for the Valley Stewardship Network and to "inspire awareness about the importance of cultivating a healthy watershed and foodshed in the Driftless region of Wisconsin." The evening will feature a Farm-to-Bar reception, a five-course, family-style meal with local, seasonal and organic food by Rooted Spoon Culinary, a talk by Dr. Fred Kirschenmann, and music by the Pie City Ramblers. Kickapoo Country Fair is a celebration of the food, culture and landscape of the Driftless region. The eighth annual ,1 Organic Way, La Farge, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., $10 admission. See Facebook or call 888-444-6455 for more info.
The Sassy Cow Farm Carnival is a chance for the whole family to visit the rGBH-free dairy, milk a cow, play Spilled Milk Bowling, and nosh on deep-fried Sassy Cow cheese curds, brats and burgers from Johnson's Sausage in Rio, and caramel corn from Uncle Muncle. Uncle Muncle! Again, sign us up. Greek Fest put on by starts on Saturday night, when the "Kafeneion" (cafe) will serve a Greek sampler plate of village appetizers, Greek wine and Capital Brewery Beer, plus Parthenon Gyros. On Sunday, head back for a Greek-style dinner of roast lamb or Athenian baked chicken with rice, Greek salad, bread, feta cheese and olives, gyros and a sampler vegetarian plate of spanakopeta, rice, bread, Greek salad and olives. Homemade Greek pastries are for sale to take home. Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 11 N. 7th St., 4-9 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, free. See Facebook or call 244-1019 for more info.
More events this week
Wednesday, July 27
Vegetable & Fruit Gardens drop-in session for kids, with instructors Nancy and Stan Skolasi discussing produce growing in the zoo garden that are tasty to both animals and people. Vilas Zoo, 702 S. Randall Ave., 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 258-9490 for more info.
Thursday, July 28
WaunaFest, an annual four-day community food stands operated by nearly a dozen community groups, Knights of Columbus breakfasts, two beer gardens, a carnival, sports tournaments, live music, children's activities, a parade, fireworks, and more. Centennial Park, 901 S. Holiday Dr., Waunakee, 4 p.m.-midnight Thursday, 2 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday, 6 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Call 849-5977 for more info.
Summerset Festival of the Arts, an annual four-day arts celebration held at the , 1006 Connie Rd., Baraboo, noon-9 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-8:45 p.m. Sunday. Call 608-355-5200 for more info.
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 6-7:30 p.m., $25. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Friday, July 29
St. Dennis Festival, the 55th annual three-day parish festival at St. Dempsey Rd., 409 Dempsey Rd., 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, 8 a.m.-midnight Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Call 246-5124 for more info.
Cambridge Umbrella Daze, an annual two-day community festival, featuring a chicken barbecue, a food court and beer tent, sports tournaments, live music, and more. Lake Ripley Park, N4310 Park Rd., Cambridge, 4-9 p.m. Friday, 8:15 a.m.-11 p.m .Saturday, $5 admission Friday and $3 Saturday. Call 608-423-8108 for more info.
Easy Dim Sum class, with instructor Paul Tseng preparing a menu of dough for dumplings and scallion pancakes, wontons, chow mein, and other improvised items. Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 6-8 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Saturday, July 30
Free community meal prepared by volunteers. Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St., 11:15 a.m., free. Call 257-4576 for more info.
Polka on the Riverway, an annual community festival, featuring food stands, a classic car and cycle show, live music, children's activities, and more. Dowtown Sauk City, along the Wisconsin River, noon-10:30 p.m. Call 608-643-4168 for more info.
Colombian Independence Day Celebration, an annual festival hosted by Fireman's Park, 7400 Lee St., Middleton, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Call 213-2972 for more info.
Atwood Summerfest, an annual neighborhood celebration and fundraiser for the 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.
Sunshine Soul Festival, a fundraiser for a Haitian family, featuring Haitian food, a raffle, and live music. Capital Brewery, 7734 Terrace Ave., Middleton, noon-10 p.m., $5 donation. Call 836-7100 for more info.
Get Your Salsa On! class, with instructor Hallie Klecker of the blog Willy Street Co-op East, 1221 Williamson St., 2-4 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 251-6776 for more info.
