This weekend, don your best green attire and head downtown to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Several restaurants and bars have special events planned for the weekend, but the fun isn't just the food and drink. Be sure to check out these events, beginning Saturday morning:

Shamrock Shuffle

This 5K run/walk or 10K race raises money for the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County and the Dyslexia Center of Madison. Participants meet at the Pyle Center, and race starts at 10 a.m. near the corner of State and Lake Streets.  Green attire, fun costumes and St. Patrick's Day themed props are encouraged. Strollers are welcome, but organizers ask that you leave your dogs at home (an insurance issue). There is still time to register, but registration is capped at

Some parks require hiking to the top of a hill to experience a beautiful vista, and other sites can be enjoyed while seated. That is just one of the many reasons the Jenni and Kyle Preserve is so special.

This natural area near Madison and Fitchburg provides educational and recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Of the handful of Dane County Parks that offer accessible fishing sites, the Jenni and Kyle Preserve has the most at eight, as well as accessible nature trails, a sheltered picnic area, and two wheelchair swings.

The park was named in memory of siblings Jenni and Kyle Geurkink, who both died in the 1980s of a degenerative neurological disorder before they turned 4. Their grandparents, Harvey and Patricia

Ready for outdoor recreation? Spring is almost upon us, and soon the area will be bustling with bikers and paddlers. Madison, with its abundance of parks, trails, and lakes, was ranked by WalletHub as one of the best cities in the country for an active lifestyle. And this weekend, March 9-11, the city is hosting two converging expos at the Alliant Energy Center with great deals, prizes, and tips: Bike-O-Rama and Canoecopia. Note that admission does not include parking fees.

Bike-O-Rama
When: Noon to 9 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: New Holland Pavilion, Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison
Admission: Free

The Midwest Bicycle Show and Sale "Bike-O-Rama" is the largest bicycle sale in

Enter Monona Terrace today or tomorrow, and the smell of all things dairy will be wafting through the air. More than 3000 unique cheese, butters and yogurts will be on exhibit, hoping to gain recognition and earn rewards at the World Championship Cheese Contest.  This 32nd biannual event is hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, a trade association that includes more than 500 companies dedicated to making the best dairy products possible. And, while Wisconsin is famous for cheese, entrants in this competition include cheese makers from around the world.

The contest is open for public visits until 4 p.m. today and Wednesday. Stop in to enjoy the smells, taste the samples, and see what leading cheese makers are doing with their products. 

This weekend (March 3-4), the Madison Kids Expo is offering a perfect opportunity to enjoy family fun and burn off some steam. The event is organized by Brava Magazine and takes place at the Alliant Energy Center on Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Bring the little ones, and expect lots of hands-on exhibits, open play areas, demonstrations by dancers and karate teams, face painting and more.

The Kids Expo has several purposes:

•  It's Affordable Fun: The admission fee gives you access to the full expo, and most events are at no additional cost. This is your chance to try out a wide range of activities, and see what your child enjoys the most. Options like laser tag, mazes, bounce houses, craft projects, and animal

With 25 recreation parks in Dane County, Indian Lake County Park ranks as one of the largest and most popular according to a recent survey. Located along State Hwy. 19 in the Town of Berry (north of Cross Plains), the park encompasses prairies, rolling meadows, valleys, wetlands, and woodlands centered around a 67-acre lake formed by the glacial melt.

To see this gorgeous hilltop view, take a short walk from the shelter parking lot, up some wooden stairs, and past a secular place of meditation, built in 1857.

Scenic hiking trails loop through the 483-acre park, including the Ice Age National Scenic Trail that passes by the adjacent Halfway Prairie Wildlife Area.

Offering a wonderful blend of natural, cultural, and recreational

Wisconsin is fortunate to have an abundance of lakes and rivers, and the Madison area is no exception. Any given day, you will find someone fishing on Lake Mendota, Monona or Waubesa. Whether it be huddled over a hole in the ice, or fly fishing in one of the area's many rivers, catching fish is a popular past-time.

This weekend, the Wisconsin Fishing Expo intends to celebrate the sport and offer some fun events for all ages. The expo will be at Alliant Energy Center beginning at  4 p.m. on Friday. Experts on everything from muskies, salmon, trout and panfish to kayaking, sonar and other techniques will be on hand to share their knowledge. A two-story exhibit hall (125,000 square feet) will offer a wide range of products designed to improve your

If you've ever asked for book recommendations on social media, you were likely overwhelmed by the responses. With so many online choices it can be tough to decide what to read next. Sometimes it's easier (and more fun) to flip through the pages in person to get a better sense of the story inside.

Now is a great time to do just that at the Friends of Madison Public Library (FMPL) book sale, February 22-25. Head to the first floor of Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin St., to browse the huge selection of books for every age and interest. You never know what you might find!

"There is no better way to spend time on a cold winter day than cozying up with a good book," the news release said.

With most items priced at $2 or less, it's also an

The snow today comes with perfect timing. The City of Madison Parks Department is hosting Snow Glow 2018 at Elver Park, from 1:30-8 p.m. Bundle up, bring all ages, and prepare for a fun afternoon of exploring all kinds of outdoor fun. The events are free, and some require registration. Check out their official site to learn more. 

Beginning at 1:30, there will be a snow shoe workshop for eager explorers.  REI and Aldo Leopold Nature Center will be on hand to discuss the gear required, and a limited quantity of snow shoes will be available for visitors at no cost. 

At 3:00, a learn to cross country ski workshop will begin. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own gear for this event, but some rentals are available in the warming shelter. Sit-skis

Ice-skating, hockey, sleigh rides and snow shoeing can all be part of your weekend plans. The Frozen Assets Festival on Lake Mendota offers the perfect opportunity to try something new, and gain a new respect for the lakes that make Madison beautiful year round. Hosted at the Edgewater, the festival includes both outdoor and indoor activities. The Clean Lakes Alliance sponsors the festival, which includes all kinds of free and low cost opportunities to enjoy the frozen lake, and learn new skills. While admission to the festival is free, the weekend is also a fundraiser. The Clean Lakes Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the water quality of the lakes, streams and wetlands of the Yahara River watershed. Funds raised through