DriftlessNow.com’s focus is on the nature, geological features, cultures, and people of the Driftless area. In addition, we showcase events that celebrate the pride and diversity that makes the Southwest Wisconsin Driftless region unique.
All in Events
A hot and buggy day didn’t stop canoers and music lovers alike from attending the 3rd annual Friends of Readstown Fundraiser. A timed 6-mile race from Readstown Tourist Park to Soldiers Grove’s Beauford T. Anderson Memorial Park, individuals and groups started the race, placing their canoes into the Kickapoo River in tandem. The race takes most people about an hour to complete.
Rooted deep in tradition and culture, this year’s Memorial Day pow-wow hosted by the Ho-Chunk Nation, held at the Andrew Black Memorial Pow-wow grounds in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, honored the 100th Anniversary of the American Legion. Andrew Blackhawk Post 129 as always, was the host Legion Post.
A rainy Memorial Day did not deter the annual raising of flags honoring Veterans that are no longer walking Mother Earth. Veterans worked together in a ceremony paying respect to not only Native Veteran flags, but non-native Veteran flags as well.
Despite overnight storms that dropped additional rain throughout the Driftless area, the morning gave way to sunshine and warmer temperatures. This encouraged vendors and patrons at the Ontario Farmer’s and Flea Market.
Last year’s floods decimated many towns and villages in, and around, the Driftless area, leaving a variety of flood damage both to personal and municipal property. Not spared from last falls flood impact was the small village of Ontario, Wisconsin, and specifically the OK Corral, an equine event venue located 20 miles South of Tomah on Hwy. 131.
A dreary and went day did not stop bird lovers from attending a bird conservation and habitat presentation and resources held on Saturday, May 18th.
Gays Mills Held their 27th annual Folk Festival of Music and Dance, May 10th, 11th, and 12th. This year’s Fest featured performances by Lou Shields, Tricia Spencer and Howard Rains, and Sweet Sheiks.
First place in the 8-mile race for female and male respectively was, Leah Baldwin, finishing at 1:03:31.5, and David Maxwell, finishing at 1:04:14.2.
First place in the 13.1-mile race for male and female respectively was Rusty Daines, finishing at 1:31:12.6, and Jill Wojta, finishing at 1:47:20.6.
A long time running, the Yuba Volunteer Fire Department held its 39th annual smelt feed last Saturday May 11th, at the Yuba Community Center.
While cars lined the streets of Yuba every which way, people were lined up waiting to get their annual fill of the little silvery fish that are found abundant in the Great Lakes.
