Some neighborhoods are just perfectly suited for outdoor fun. The Marquette/Willy Street area recognizes the benefits of their neighborhood and, each year, invites the greater Madison community to enjoy it, too. This weekend they celebrate their waterfront location with the Marquette Waterfront Festival. The festival highlights the neighborhood's easy access to the shores of Lake Monona and the Yahara River. Expect to enjoy the water, but to spend lots of time on land, jamming to the wide variety of live music scheduled both days.
The celebration begins with the Dandelion Dash, a 100 yard dash for kids. The dash begins at 9:30, and there will be two races, to ensure that kids race with their age group. Then at noon, bands will begin performing on two stages, and will offer continuous live music until well after dinner. Food and merchandise vendors will set up throughout the area, allowing visitors a chance to linger, and enjoy the day.
Sunday will kick off with the River Alliance's "Fools Flotilla," a collection of watercraft that start at Tenney Park and head down the river together at 9:30. Then the bands start up again at 11:30 and play until the last band is scheduled at 5:30.
The Marquette Waterfront Festival is a fundraiser for the Marquette Neighborhood Association. Attend for free, but buy your drinks there, and help them ensure future festivals take place. The neighborhood welcomes the festival, and encourages all who can to come by bike, in order to keep the traffic down.
Other Events to Catch This Weekend:
Art+Lake+Green+Bike (Saturday, June 9): Stop by Alumni Park and celebrate Wisconsin Bike Week. This event provides several demonstrations including uses for lavender, cooking with local herbs, beekeepers, free make and take activities and a Badger Pride Wall. Enjoy the outdoors, and learn more about living green in Madison.
Dane County Breakfast on the Farm (Saturday, June 9): No advance tickets needed, you buy them on site! Head out to 5116 Pheasant Branch Road in Waunakee, and enjoy a farm fresh breakfast, beginning at 7:30 a.m. While on the farm, enjoy live music, horse-drawn carriages, face painting, and a variety of events set up to educate you on farm and dairy life.
Midwest Log Rolling Championships (Saturday, June 9): Head to Vilas Park and enjoy watching the amateurs try log rolling from 9-1. Then the professionals take the stage, and compete until 5 p.m. This is sure to be an entertaining event, and it raises money for Huntington's Disease research.
