All In A Days Work

You don’t have to wait for summer to get out there and have some fun- check out all the fun to be had in Madison Wisconsin this Spring; and these are some events you don’t want to miss!

This post is sponsored by Kayser Ford Lincoln.

Share the Love Valentine’s Day Food Tour
Madison Eats Food Tours
Feb 14, 2017

Share The Love this Valentine’s day on our special edition Atwood Brew & Chew tour! All proceeds from this tour will go to the Jewish Social Services refugee resettlement program. Exclusive love-filled food and beverage offerings are generously provided by our partners to make this a very special night for you and our community! Enjoy a chocolate and wine pairing with Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier and Table Wine; a special Valentine’s Sake cocktail at Next Door Brewing and stops at Tex Tubb’s Taco Palace, Monsoon Siam 2 and Chocolaterian Cafe! Learn about this hip eastside neighborhood’s history between bites! Non-alcoholic and vegetarian options always available.

Wisconsin Fishing Expo
Alliant Energy center of Dane County
Feb 24th – Feb 26th

The Wisconsin Fishing Expo is the largest consumer fishing show in the Midwest! Each year, 20,000 attendees pack the Alliant Energy Center Exposition Hall, in Madison, Wisconsin to enjoy this annual fishing tradition. The Expo is, itself, an annual event that helps promote the sport of fishing to enthusiasts of all ages. Today, more than ever, it is important to understand that a fishing rod is a tool that will inspire wholesome family memories in a way that video games or smart phones can’t touch. And, while you will find hundreds of exhibits – including hard to find lures, leading brands in the industry, great deals on boats, and fishing trips of a lifetime- attendees will also have the chance to enjoy one-on-one time with members of the leading nonprofit fishing clubs from across the state, each one eager to help attendees improve their fishing skills for a lifetime. The Wisconsin Fishing Expo experience doesn’t just offer products and services, but an avenue to make fishing a lifetime hobby that will help families stick together. In fact, portions of the proceeds from the show even help fund projects that make fishing better right here in the State of Wisconsin. Hours are: Friday – 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M., Saturday – 9:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M., Sunday – 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

International Festival
Overture Center for the Arts
Feb 25, 2017

Your passport to the arts! Enjoy more than 30 free performances throughout Overture by artists who call Dane County home celebrating the rich cultural heritage within our community. Indulge in cuisines from around the world, browse stunning arts and crafts available for purchase and learn about the many local businesses with global connections.

Madison on Tap
New Holland Pavillion @ the Alliant Energy Center
March 4, 2017

It’s no hoptical illusion, the 3rd annual Madison on Tap is returning this March. Madison’s largest craft beer festival is back and better than ever, serving up samples of 180+ craft beer styles from more than 90 breweries. Soak up samples during the general admission session or hop it up to the VIP level for extra tasting time. We’ll have live music, great vendors, and delicious food available for purchase to ensure a perfectly crafted experience.

GeekCraft Expo
Madison Masonic Center
March 25th & March 26th

The 2nd annual GeekCraft Expo is returning to the Madison Masonic Center spring of 2017! This event will be full of local crafters/artists who make and sell their geeky goods. This a free to the public event that will take place Saturday, March 25th 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 26th 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Fun for all ages and a great way to support local crafters!

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2017 Wisconsin Film Festival
Select theaters throughout Madison
March 30th – April 6th

The Wisconsin Film Festival is presented by the UW-Madison Arts Institute in association with the Department of Communication Arts. Founded in 199, the Festival presents an average of 150 film screenings over eight days every spring, making it the largest university-produced film festival in the nation.

The Festival is known for its diverse film offerings: American independent, international cinema, documentaries, experimental and avant-garde, classics, the Wisconsin’s Own Competition and Children’s Cinema. The festival strives to make films screened accessible for all audiences. Tickets go on sale to the public March 11th.

An ideal and idyllic location: Halfway between Madison and Milwaukee, Watertown offers the perfect blend of small town values, an outdoor lifestyle and lots of modern day fun.

Calico Cottage & The Rock River Winery

With wine from more than 37 Wisconsin wineries, over 475 flavors to choose from Wine tasting daily, and parties, a friendly welcome and great customer service. Browse the gift shop and find many unique and one of a kind treasures, including antiques and handmade jewelry.

Ho-Chunk Casino

Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells – Baraboo, Wisconsin, offers a full-service casino that lets you enjoy 24-hour slot machines, bingo, blackjack and other games 365 days a year. Experience a Wisconsin luxury hotel with the gaming excitement of a Vegas vacation! You’ll experience the best in Wisconsin casinos at Ho-Chunk.But more than great games and casino action, Ho-Chunk offers a deluxe experience like no other Wisconsin Dells hotel. Each of our 302 room or suites is designed with a rustic elegance inspired by the area. We have the perfect accommodations for family vacations, romantic honeymoons and business conferences, with a variety of amenities that include a spa, fitness room, pool & sauna to fit any traveler’s needs.

This post is sponsored by Kayser Chrysler Center of Watertown.

Watertown Farmers Market

One of the areas largest and longest running farmers’ markets. Located in beautiful Riverside Park. Check them out for special events, such as cooking demonstrations, planned throughout the season.

Lake Koshkonong

Lake Koshkonong is a reservoir in Southern Wisconsin that lies along the Rock River. Visitors can boat, fish and swim in the 10,595 acre lake that is only about 7 ft deep at its deepest, and surrounded by by beaches and camping resorts. They also have Lakeview’s Bar and Grill which is a favorite place for drinks, music and the best view of the lake. They feature live music and DJ’s every weekend and its a great place to go and relax on the water.

Glacial Drumlin State Trail

Developed in 1986, the Glacial Drumlin State Trail is one of Wisconsin’s best bicycle trails. The 52 mile long trail runs between Cottage Grove and the Fox River Sanctuary in Waukesha with an easy connection to Madison and Milwaukee.
If you plan to bike or roller blade, you will need to buy a pass – just $5 a day, or $25 for the year. Walkers, runners, and children under 16 are FREE.

Sauk City is a beautiful city to visit – no matter what the season. It is however a favorite winter destination for those who love birds – a power plant just North of town keeps a large pool of the river open in winter which attracts dozens of eagles who fish in it all season. . but that’s not all..

River Ridge Trail. River Ridge Trail is a greenspace/trail winding through the City of Waupaca. By linking parks and other public and private lands, the community and its visitors are able to better appreciate the natural features and beauty of this area. The trail lies in the tension zone between Wisconsin’s northern and southern eco-regions, an area of unique biological diversity. In the future look for signs along the way identifying tree species and major plant and animal communities.

Dr. Evermore’s Sculpture Park. Nothing like you’ve ever seen, this park is filled with giant, whimsical welded creations – steel animals, birds, and spiders made from junk, plus his most famous work the “Forevertron.”

**This post is sponsored by Kayser Chrysler Center**

Devil’s Lake State Park is a favorite for all who love the outdoors – and is the biggest state park in Wisconsin. This 9,217 acre state park is known for its 500-foot-high quartzite bluffs along the 360-acre Devil’s Lake, which was created by a glacier depositing terminal moraines that plugged the north and south ends of the gap in the bluffs thousands of years ago; the sand at the bottom of Devil’s Lake is thought to also be deposited by glaciers. This park has 423 family campsites, 29 miles of hiking trails, 6 miles of bike trails and views that will take your breathe away from atop the park’s 300-foot bluffs.

Beckman Mill & County Park. Have a picnic lunch and sip lemonade by the old mill stream after you tour Beckman Mill. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Beckman Mill is one of Wisconsin’s only restored, working gristmills. Built in 1868, the mill has been restored to how it looked and operated in its hey days of the 1920’s. On the grounds of the 50-acre Beckman Mill County Park you will see an authentically restored 1868 grist mill, a new dam, mill pond, fish ladder, foot bridge, saw mill display, 1840’s cooperage, visitor center, gift shop, creamery, blacksmith shop, picnic shelter, vintage garden, nature trail and more. A must visit during Progress Days in the Spring and Heritage Days in the Fall. Park open daily for picnics and available for weddings and family reunions. Checkout website for great special events held in the park.

Pier Natural Bridge Park. This site has a very unusual geological feature – a half-mile long “finger” of blocked and layered sandstone rising nearly 60 feet above the flood plain of two merging valleys. This narrow finger is topped by tall pines and covered with green shrubs. The West Branch of the Pine River meets with the Main Branch underneath this rock formation, which forms a Natural Bridge. The Park has two historical markers – one indicating the unique rock formation and the other recognizing the significance of the Blackhawk wars in this area. The park has a man-made tunnel which allows visitors to walk through the rock formation to the West Branch of the Pine River. There are also stairs to walk to the top of the rock formation to view the surrounding area. This 10-acre county park has 6 campsites, two shelters, picnic tables and grills, play equipment, and pit toilets.

Virginia is full of fun – so if you are planning a trip for Spring Break, or Summer vacation there is a ton of fun to be found in Richmond!

Kings Dominion

Family theme park near Richmond, Virginia featuring numerous roller coasters, thrill rides, water rides, Nickelodeon-themed attractions and activities for all ages.

Canal Walk
Richmond’s Canal Walk features four centuries of our state capital’s history depicted through fascinating history medallions, statues and exhibits. Did you know that in 1888 Richmond built the first commercially successful electric streetcar system in the world? And that Richmond is the only city in the world with a triple main-line railroad crossing still in operation? Look for all of this along the Canal Walk. Don’t forget about the Richmond Slave Trail, Richmond National Battlefield Park or the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar, and be sure to visit Box Brown Plaza on the Canal Walk, an exhibit chronicling African-Americans’ contributions to Richmond’s Riverfront.

Peak Experiences
One of the largest indoor rock climbing centers in the United States,  outdoor enthusiasts that share a passion for climbing will have an unforgettable experience at Peak Experiences.  Climbers of all skill levels are challenged by more than 125 top-rope routes, lead-climbing, and bouldering. The climbing wall landscape is continually transforming to keep climbers engaged and challenged upon every visit!

 **This post is sponsored in part by Pearson Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.**

Thunderbolt Indoor Karting
When was the last time you let loose? Whether you’re looking for a place to host your next business party or the next afternoon you have free, Thunderbolt Indoor Racing is the premiere place for high-speed entertainment in Richmond. Reawaken your sense of competition. Challenge yourself to reach top speeds. Feel a surge of adrenaline you haven’t felt in years as you zip around our track and cross that checkered line at the end of your final lap.

American Civil War Museum
The White House of the Confederacy was the Civil War residence of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Guided tours of this restored mansion are given throughout the day. The adjoining Museum has three floors of galleries containing some of the most important Civil War artifacts that tell stories from the battlefield and the home-front.

Brown’s Island
With the James River running through downtown Richmond, this island serves as a wonderful spot to observe a stretch of urban waterway. The park, a stone’s throw from downtown, is connected to the popular Canal Walk. Festivals, concerts and art displays are common attractions.
Beside being a music venue, the island is also home to pathways and is a popular place for sightseeing. Visible from the island is the Belle Isle, the Manchester Bridge, and the ruins of the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad Bridge. The Rivanna Subdivision Trestle crosses the island, making it a popular destination for railfans, too.

Echo Lake Park
Echo Lake Park’s main feature is the mill pond at the center of the park. Amenities include a fishing and observation pier, 1.5-mile nature trail (mostly gravel surface and shaded), pedestrian bridge over a spillway, picnic shelter and playground. There is a one bass per day limit in the pond. No boating and no swimming. Open daily from dawn to dusk.