More than a geographic region, the Kickapoo Valley is a community; a collection of people who call the valley their home and love to throw a party. This weekend, the people of the Kickapoo Valley invite you to celebrate their home and heritage at the 7th Annual Kickapoo Country Fair on July 24 and 25 at Organic Valley in LaFarge. Billed as the Midwest’s largest organic food and sustainability festival, the fair will be “a celebration of the simple things that make for a life rich in beauty, culture and connections.”
The Fair offers a wide range of activities, from a farmers market, farm tours, artisans, the Butter Churn Bike Tour, children’s activities (games and face-painting), lots of local food, and live music all weekend long. Wisconsin’s very own Michael Perry will be there reading from his latest book and performing with his band, the Long Beds. Perry is a treat. As good of story teller as a writer, he’ll be sure to entertain you with his self-depreciating humor; from his receding hairline to his humorous (really) battle with kidney stones.
On July 30 – August 1, you’ll want to wander up the river to Wilton for the annual Wilton Wood Turtle Days. If the title strikes you as peculiar – it did me – you’ll be interested to know that it came from a clan of endangered wood turtles that forced the Wisconsin DOT to go around their habitat when Highway 131 was reconstructed. Now that’s standing up for your homestead rights!
Wood Turtle Days features softball and volleyball tournaments, arts and crafts display, parade, 5K run-walk, and fireworks. According to Lori at Village Hall, “We’re known for our fireworks. Instead of ending our event with fireworks, we kick it off with fireworks on Friday night!”
While you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to check out the Sparta-Elroy Trail, a “rails-to-trails” bike trail known for its three railroad tunnels. And the hiking trails are open at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve at LaFarge and Wildcat Mountain near Ontario, back down the river. So, there’s a lot to do along the Kickapoo. Or you can stop for a moment and just gawk at that magnificent scenery.
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