Festivals and Events

by Hannah Tetzlaff Before ThunderBoss Bar & Grill in Green Lake was a twinkle in an eye, owners Chris Barbin and Lori Csaszar knew they wanted to create ThunderFest. “I’ve been on this project [planning ThunderFest] since November before we opened up the doors of ThunderBoss,” ThunderBoss head chef Trent […]

New festival thunders into Green Lake

Lynn Pollesch of Ripon shuttles fest attendees up and down South Street in 2017. Pollesch is the founder of the East Central Tractor Cruise, Inc. Maic D’Agostino photo by Ariana Hones Thirty years ago, the farmers came in from the fields after a long summer of planting, tending and weeding […]

Harvest Fest celebrates 30 years of community

Green Lake Community members work to decorate downtown Green Lake with festive fall decorations in preparation for the city’s biggest event of the year, Harvest Fest. Maic D’Agostino photo by Hannah Tetzlaff When the sky turns gray, the air becomes crisp and the trees are decorated in splashes of red, […]

Splash: End of summer? No worries! Fall fun has just ...

At .01 miles away, the Thrasher Opera House is decidedly closer way to get one’s art fix. Pictured are, from left, Dennis Duijsters, Helcia Bierman, Maria Dietrich, Krista Norton, Mary Allen and Tim Lyke. Ariana Hones photo by Ariana Hones In place of an open New York field will be […]

Get ready to groove

Bill Munsey, chair of the planning committee for the Green Lake Chili Cook-off, tastes some of his own concoctions. Ariana Hones photo by Ariana Hones Ostrich. Venison. Buffalo. Beef. All related through their home in the chili pot. The inclusion of one of these meats spiced to perfection may even […]

Stirring up champion flavors

ABOVE, PRINCETON CRANE Festival organizers, from left, Mary and Bob Vethe, and Greg and Carol Bielski get ready to involve the community in all things wildlife. Left, a crane pokes its beak into a camera out of curiosity. Ariana Hones and submitted photo by Ariana Hones “I think about how […]

Princeton gives a whoop

Members of the Davidson County band play the night away during last year’s Street Bash. submitted photo by Ariana Hones The last days of summer drenched in a Green Lake atmosphere of camaraderie and music. The Mill Pond-lined streets blocked off as hundreds flock for a final evening of jubilee. […]

A bash to remember

GETTING IN THE spirit for the Green Lake Area 13dot1 Half Marathon & 5k, which takes place the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, are, from left, Kinzie Quade, Kristin and Dennis Galatowitsch, Tom and Wendy Schultz and Sandie Quade. Ariana Hones photo by Ariana Hones A decade ago, Tom Kloosterboer, […]

On your mark…Get set…

Children line up for their turn during the Green Lake County Fair’s Demolition Derby. Ariana Hones photos by Ariana Hones A hoard of lawnmowers rammed into each other as a cloud of dust engulfed them. The crowd screamed. “Reverse! Get ‘em!” This was Demolition Derby 2018. I had never been […]

Not your grandmother’s derby

Jeanna Powell, left, and Steve Joas show off their traditional German clothing while polka dancing at last year’s Volksfest. submitted photo by Hannah Tetzlaff When Jeanna Powell attended Waupun’s Volksfest — a German festival — more than four years ago, she witnessed a scene that inspired her. A woman and […]

Splash: Half-stepping and twirling, Volksfest polkas into town

Standing before their cars are Street Cruzers, Inc. Car Club members, from left, President Brian Dudek, owner of the red 1950 Chevy 2 ton; Vice President Don Fink, owner of the blue 1939 Chevy Coupe; and Vicky Parsons, owner of the black and gray 1946 GMC. Spectators may spot these […]

Splash: For 31 years, ‘Cruzers’ have cruised down memory lane

Josephine and her mother, Katie Broderick of Berlin, enjoy a spin on the tilt-a-whirl as the sun begins to set on the fair. Reagan Zimmerman photo by Ariana Hones The agricultural history of the United States, just as rich as the very soil it uses to thrive, celebrates itself in […]

GL Fair aims to provide fun for all

Green Lake association staff, including Development Manager Josh Schubring, Project Manager Alison Niescier and Executive Director Stephanie Prellwitz serve up a cheers for their Aug. 4 Prohibition Party Gala. Ariana Hones photo by Ariana Hones From just across Gatsby’s West Egg lawn, he could see the shimmery green light on […]

A little party will be permitted

REED Shohoney, left, and Stephen Lunde don Folds of Honor shirts as the sun sets on their marathon golf day earlier this month. Each golfed 83 holes over 13 hours to raise $871.50 for the military organization. submitted photo by Ariana Hones The noon sun was just overhead as Stephen […]

Marathon day of golf at Lawsonia drives big donation for ...

Members of the 2018 White Hot Party planning team and Green Lake Renewal jump for joy thinking about this year’s party. The celebration will take place Saturday, July 14 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Joe and Tina Pregont’s home on Green Lake’s Sugarloaf Point. submitted photo by Ariana Hones […]

Let’s party

ADIRONDACK CHAIRS MADE pleasant perches for riders on a parade unit that recognized all five branches of the armed services. Plane, politicians and patriots highlight GL Fourth of July Parade Must be an election year. Politicians — including Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker — were out in force for Green Lake’s […]

Patriotic Flyover

A line of fellows focus on their shots while trying to “Sink the Bismarck” in the Mill Pond next to Playground Park. Reagan Zimmerman photo by Ariana Hones As people around the United States gear up to celebrates America’s birthday to remember the freedoms both won and still fighting for, […]

Flags won’t be all that’s flying July 4th

Performing Native American folk music before the start of “The Last Animals” are, from left, Annie Humphrey, Wade and Quintin Fernandez. Ariana Hones photo by Ariana Hones What invokes dialogue? What inspires action? These questions served as guide for the creation of “The Last Animals,” the premiere film of the […]

White Rhi-no!

A VIEW FROM the balcony shows all the merchandise for sale at Saving Grace Salvage Co., which is located in a former Berlin Catholic church. Ariana Hones photo by Ariana Hones At least twice a year, in the fall and spring, local vintage and salvage stores comes together to promote […]

Hitting the road for the Mascoutin Vintage Roadshow

MEMBERS OF THE ZOR Mavericks ride on scooters during a past June Dairy Days Grand Parade. This year’s “Grand Parade” is set for Saturday, June 9 at 7 p.m. Jonathan Bailey photo As a salute to the area’s rich agricultural past, present and future, Markesan June Dairy Days is set […]

June Dairy Days returns to Markesan June 8-10