Monroe Cheese Days, how to describe it for someone who's never been? It's a festival celebrating…read moreMonroe's claim to fame: cheese. More specifically, locally made cheese and limburger cheese. Local beer is a big part of it too, but that's not the star of the show (and for good reason because Minhas brews are less than good). There's live music, most of which is fantastic (pro tip: check out the beer tent down by Minhas, that's where you'll find some great music, especially later in the afternoon and evening). There are some fun Swiss cultural experiences to be had from the stage on the South side of the Square thanks to the Alphorn players, yodelers, and accordion players. As for food, the cheese curds are stupid good. Yes the line is long, and yes you should do it anyway. I only wish they'd offer an additional ticket where you have the option to pay an extra $.50-$1 to pair funky cheese sauces and aioli dips with your curds. These curds certainly don't need sauces, but it'd add to the whole foodie experience. A few notes for first-timers: -Get the cheese curds. You can't possibly participate in a Cheese Days celebration without eating these cheese curds. I promise they're the best you've ever had. -There are two beer areas: one surrounding the square, a second at the beer tent. The beer used to be restricted to beer tents only, now you can wander each respective area. -Music at the Beer tent is a must. -The beer stand on the square offers different brews than that at the Beer Tent down by Minhas, so try something from both areas. Don't expect to love the Minhas beer though. -Check out the hospitality tent ahead of time for events you want to participate in. They're free. I recommend the cheese and beer pairing class. It's lead by a Master Cheesemaker.

Should be called Minhas and cheese days. I came up from Madison, the drive was pretty! The…read morefestival was large and hard to miss. It was much larger than expected. I walked in to grilled cheese, cheese curds, cream puffs, and beer. I heard the cheese puffs was where the party was at but I decided to go with the grilled cheese from one of the tents. It was way boring. For a cheese fest, I was expecting something that had a little bit of personality but it was just blah. The cheese tent was ok. You had to fight the crowd to get any cheese and yeah, there was a good variety but you can almost get the same variety from a good cheese shop, such as my fave, Ehlenbach's. You do not even have to fight crowds there. The one saving grace was Minhas and their bandstand. Their beer was cheaper, there was a big band playing that actually made me want to boogie and the people watching was prime. I think I would go again but I would have to for sure rethink the plan. I did at one point refer to this as the Disneyland of cheese, long lines for about 10 seconds of glory.

I arrived here on a Saturday afternoon to see Trace Adkins in concert. Neat facility, albeit and…read morelittle congested. Parking was free but you had to drive a mile into what appeared to be a former working field to be hand parked by several people who where obviously hot and tired of parking cars. Entry fee was $6, which is cheap, in my book. They had all the traditional 4-H animals, food vendors, rides and games. The people watching was well worth the price of admission! I adored the small venue for the concert. Grand standing/assigned seats is the way to go! Departing was a bit of a disaster because at 10p at night there was no one there to direct traffic. That was a mess! All and all, a fun place, just plan to go without any time restrictions on where/when you need to be some place else.

30th Annual Fall Diddley Craft Show was a HUGE HIT!…read more Always nicely done, well laid out and organized.. It is perhaps one of the cleanest & most inclusive outdoor craft shows I have ever met... My sister's and I happily attend this EVERY year and while it is waayy out in Belvidere...it is always worth the drive.. Its a festive way to introduce the upcoming holidays, yet another year... This event was held Oct 11th & 12th (held once every year in October).. We went opening day, Saturday and arrived around 2:00pm.... Hours held: 9-5 on Sat. & 9-4 Sun. YES, it was super crowded, but it was a gorgeous day to be outside...just perfect for walking around the outdoor tents where you will find OVER 300 VENDORS showcasing some of the most unique, hand crafted original designs....everything from pottery, jewelry, soaps, naturally scented lotions, quilts, Fall, Halloween & Christmas decorations not to mention your favorite sports team, children & baby items...to any and all things dog and cat related; treats, warmers...candles, essential oils and aromatherapy rocks..the list is endless...its a great way to pickup a "gift" or treat yourself....They can even personalize various arts.... There is an outstanding display of folk art, wood carving, dried florals, painted and appliqued clothing, fine art, small local artesian shops selling chocolates, infused vinegars, jams, sauces, etc...to local designers with hand made scarves, ponchos, sweaters....an array of beautiful wood work designs....Vendors come from all over Illinois including Chicago.... All the displays are nicely organized and "eye catchy"...there is PLENTY of room to walk in between vendors & ailes, so although it is a popular event - you will not be "mobbed" or trampled over...Everyone is so friendly here.... We have ALWAYS found something we couldn't live without (and at times really didn't need), because EVERTYHING is hand made or crafted - you simply cannot leave without finding something you will fall in love with....There are treasures to be found here.... Many of the vendors have business cards ready to hand out - so if you find a designer you absolutely love - many times you can order through their website or phone since they can sell out of items here rather quickly...however, they do "stock" up for this event... The Festival also has numerous outdoor stalls to grab a "bite" while you sit at the nearby picnic tables...They have Funnel Cake stands, Kettle Corn, Cream Puffs, Cheese Curds, Kebobs, Homemade pies and coffee cakes for sale..Burgers, Dogs...something for everyone's palette while satisfying hunger.....You will see SOME kids and strollers here too - fyi. After coming here for years, we have found you can pretty much check out NEARLY all vendors within 2 hrs (or less). There are many "repeat" vendor's here we noticed, so it gets quicker, the more familiar you are coming here... We never pass up the Roasted Nut stand - candied too - with a variety of Walnuts, Almonds, Cashews...Sooo good.... There is a $6.00 admission fee, however, ALL proceeds from shows benefit McHenry County agencies concerned with mental health services..SO, YOU ARE SUPPORTING A CAUSE! If you have missed it this year - MARK your calendar's for next year!! It's a great way to spend a day, support your communities and spend money from some very TALENTED artists....

This is one of the best public art fairs I've been to. Held the last weekend in June, 200 artists…read moreand crafters line the main street of spring green, making it easy to stroll the half-mile or so exhibits of very high quality art, crafts, photography and fabrics. Set up as it is in the middle of town, you still have access to other local businesses, bars, restaurants, and the best bookstore ever, and there is a common area as well with lots of seating and live music. It's easy to spend the better part of the day here between the art, the entertainment, and the food and drink options, like The Shack, Freddy Valentine's, and the Spring Green General Store. Fun people watching and doggie-watching, too!

LOVE this Arts & Crafts Fair!! No other like it. Have been attending the last full weekend in June…read moresince the late 70's. Keep it up....

Great food and family fun! It would be a tragedy if this were the last festival. It is really…read moreour city's crown jewel.

I grew up in Monona, and have been coming to this festival for 10+ years! Truly a Wisconsin staple…read morefor the 4th of July! Nestled in between two local parks, there's amazing entertainment, events (don't miss the wife carry!!) rides and games for your little ones, and delicious food/drink! This year was exactly what I would come to expect from the monona community after the 2020 absence, amazing! The fireworks though, always incredible but this year was bar none! They spare no expense and make it an unforgettable experience and by far the best place to watch fireworks in the southern part of Wisconsin. I was lucky enough to be a vendor for the Art fair for the first time this year, as I've been dreaming of doing so since I was little. Such an amazing experience! The event coordinator was wonderful and very thorough with planning and checking in on all of us vendors to make sure we were ready to go and happy. Thanks Laurie! And thanks to volunteers and everyone who made this year spectacular! Only thing I wish was more abundant was hand washing stations, though I'm sure they're hard to get ahold of nowadays.

A historic corner tavern since 1880 in New Glarus . During Oktoberfest we stopped in for lunch…read more Service was quick and friendly. It reminded me of an old time diner . My husband had cheese curds and chicken bacon ranch wrap with fries. The wrap was generous and chicken was tender and fried. I had the chicken salad sandwich with fries. I have not had a chicken salad sandwich in a very long time and was not disappointed. The chicken was chunky, complimented with sweet cranberries and served on wheat toast. The coziness, friendliness and food options gave off a small town feel. If in the area a good option for food.

A small little pub located in New Glarus offers an easygoing atmosphere serving up burgers,…read morechili,local brews with outdoor dining and beer garden. Super friendly service serving food that tastes great! Started with the Frickles...crispy breaded pickle chips served with ranch...not greasy and cooked just right. I had a cup of their New Glarus chili which is made fresh daily with New Glarus beer loaded with beef,tomatoes,beans and spices. Topped with sour cream and local cheddar cheese. I skipped the diced onions. It was so good I wish I ordered a bowl! My wife had their homemade chicken salad sandwich on a gluten free bun (1.00 extra). The chicken salad had dried cranberries and pecans which made it super delicious. For a side she had their homemade bean salad. A great place to stop to try local beers and homemade food while enjoying the small town of New Glarus!

Everyone that has been to the Shitty Barn loves it and now I know why. Bring your favorite picnic…read morefood, grab a beer, place your folding chair in a line to the entrance in order of arrival, (simple and organized), then enjoy an intimate show with 80-100 others. Proof of vaccine or negative test required and masks on indoors. We saw the Ratboys and Wild Pink which were Excellent!! A true gem of a venue. Thank you to the owner for keeping this establishment open, supporting live music, and making folks in the area very happy. Just go.

The Shitty Barn is everything BUT a shitty barn! It's truly a magical venue for live music. Arrive…read moreearly to get a good seat, although there really isn't a bad seat in the barn. I recommend bringing a lawn chair to sit on. They do have a few stadium style seats on the right side but it's recommend to have your own. There is one thing I want to say, please be respectful and bring a small chair, there is limited seating and it's flat. I've been a few times and there is always someone with an obnoxiously oversized chair that makes it hard for people behind them to see. Before the show you can get delicious farm fresh food from Enos Farm. I look forward to their tacos every show! You can also enjoy a cold beer, or wine, but make sure to bring cash as its cash only and no ATM on site. We always have a great time and are loo forward to going back each year!

Great day for the festival. Games, tournaments, food and beverages. Even desserts featuring Sassy…read moreCow ice cream. Canoes and kayaks available to rent for a donation to the Maunesha River Alliance.

We stopped here for something to do because we were in the area and it was a nice summer day for an…read moreoutdoor activity. The square has a lot of restaurants and bars in the area so we would do a couple things before moving on. AFOS is basically an outdoor event where artists from all styles show their work and hope to sell some so they display and show it all off. It's free to enter as a prospective buyer and walk around looking at some neat art works. It's like a mini outdoor museum and some of it is really neat to look at. This is definitely a cool stop if your in the area when it's happening.

This was the second year in a row that I made it to this event. And the first time I went when it…read morewas held on its traditionally weekend in July. Thankfully the weather was very pleasant and not a typical July scorcher. That type of weather would make this fair unpleasant. I have been to many art fairs that consist more of crafts than art. This is an Art fair. The quality of the creations on display is very high and the variety is exceptional. It was very refreshing to see art of this caliber at a street fair. The setting around the Capitol Square is great and there is plenty of room given the street is closed off unlike the weekly Farmer's market. My advice is to attend right when it opens in the morning. Less crowds and more room.

Sexy Cat. Sexy Cat. Zombie. Pirate. Sexy Baby. Sexy Cat. Wilfred. Something that wears fishnets,…read morebooty shorts and wings. Sexy Zombie. Sexy Mario & Sexy Luigi. Football Player. Cheerleader. Sexy Smurf. Sexy Cat. Sexy Catwoman. Raver. Sexy Race Car Driver. Sexy Ninja Turtle. Sexy Cop. Sexy Cowgirl. Sexy Nerd. Sexy Ref. Rainbow Brite. Sexy Bee. Sexy Flapper. Honey Boo Boo. Fishnet Cupcake. Gangnam Style. French Maid. Wonder Woman. Zombie. Sexy Slut. Sexy Cat. Sexy Harry Potter. Sexy Sex Worker. Sexy Cat. STEP UP YOUR GAME, FREAKFEST-ERS. This was my first ever time attending the legendary Freakfest of Madison, and maybe it used to be a lot better, or maybe I was just too far past the prime Freakfest 21-23 age range, but frankly, it seemed pretty sad. Expectations: I was ready to see some really rad and well thought out costumes. Reality: Sexy this and sexy that and people wearing the jersey of their favorite football player with jeans and those black reflective make-up lines under their eyes. Might as well have been a convention for fishnets and cat ears. #LAME. Where was all the creativity and imagination? Expectations: Streets closed down and party till the break of dawn with music, drinking, community, etc. Reality: Streets blocked off, people pushing falling over in the streets by 11:30, grab ass by strangers, 20-minute wait to get into an already packed bar where you'll wait another 20-minutes attempting to be shoved to the bar to get a drink while little b*tches push their way through the crowd yelling 'I have tits; I get drinks first.' Expectations: Headliners in the past were Third Eye Blind, OkGo, O.A.R. Cage the Elephant, Neon Trees. Reality: Headliner this year was some 19-year old, no-name burnout who "raps" about Donald Trump. At one point, a 21-year old tried to steal my Bill Murray mask (I was Steve Zissou) and I had to freak out just a tad more than what a normal person would consider a complete and total meltdown. He then tried to atone for it by making conversation and admitting that he had no idea who I was and he had never heard of Bill Murray before. Uhm... what?! You're dead to me. I was a festival where 80% of the people there had no idea who Bill Murray was, and 100% knew who the lead character from a Nick Jr show geared toward pre-schoolers was. 'Nuff said. At another point I saw a young chap wearing an afro wig and some sort of bear body suit. He said he was an Ewok, but in the face he was a dead ringer for Horschak from 'Welcome Back, Kotter' and the kid replied, 'Who?' I ended up google searching the image (which was dead-on) on my phone and then he said, "Ohhh! Yeah, another lady at this very same bar told me the exact same thing. She was like 70 years old, though." Sooo that was awesome, and gave a pretty scary accurate look into how an age-grouped demographic of Freakfest would look had it been divided- You're either 18-26, or you're 27 to 100 and old enough to know better. One last gem of the eve was when my date and I were ordering some drinks from the bar, and were elated to see a pretty decent selection of about a dozen or so craft beers. A young lad came up behind us and asked us to put a word in for his beer, a Bud Light bottle, as it was extremely difficult to hold on to any bartenders attention. I would've cringed at the libation request but I've been a broke college student before and maybe he was already at the point of the night where it doesn't what you drink because it all tastes the same anyway. So our beers from a local craft brewery come out and the dude starts attempting to make fun of us for ordering draft, at which point I start talking out my neck and waiving my sassy finger about how we put our reputations on the line to order him his sh*tty bottle of booze, so he should at least attempt to show a tender bit of gratitude. At that point he started back-tracking that he didn't know the bar had good beer (their selection is literally written on the walls surrounding the bar) and I just passed him his bottle and told him to enjoy his well water. For myself, I'd be fine giving out 2-stars and never again paying $8 to walk around a bunch of drunk kids and stand in lines at bars that would otherwise have no wait, but I feel like that's kind of cheating Freakfest given that I am clearly not the target market. I mean, you wouldn't go into a steakhouse and b*tch about how there weren't any vegetarian options, right? So I'll give out a 3-star and note that if you're 30+ years old and NOT trying to sell your stash to a bunch of kids, this might not be the place for you.