Fond du Lac, here are 9 can't miss events happening this summer, from Walleye Weekend to Fondue Fest
FOND DU LAC - While the farmers' market signals the start of warm-weather activities, Walleye Weekend ushers Fond du Lac into summer, and the area has much more in store in the coming months.
This year marks the third for both the downtown night market and the food truck festivals in Lakeside Park, while older events, like Art on the Island, the downtown wine walk and Pride Picnic also make their return.
The summer promises opportunities for shopping, food, live music and more, with Fondue Fest to round out the season in September.
Here are nine events and festivals to add to your calendar this summer.
Farmers' market
The downtown farmers' market starts Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon and then is weekly on Saturdays through October on Main Street between Western and Forest avenues.
This year, more than 80 vendors line the street offering produce, plants, flowers, baked goods and other foods, as well as arts, crafts and other hand-made items, according to the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership website.
Austin Skalecki will provide live music for opening day, and other acts throughout the season include Kylar Kuzio; Rich Nimkie & The Funky Boy; Gale Lichman; J.T. Jazz; Strategic; Cory & Bryan; Sam Rodenwald; Russ Drezdon; The O'Boyle Family; and Jim N' Nancy.
Special events at the market so far include June Dairy Days June 3 and the Monster March Oct. 28. Starting in June, the first Saturday of every month is EBT Match Day.
Shoppers can visit the information booth to swipe their debit cards, credit cards or Electronic Balance Transfer cards in exchange for Market Bucks, which can only be used at the market and are valid throughout the season.
Pets are allowed but must remain on leashes no more than 6 feet in length and under control at all times.
Road closures will start each Saturday at 6 a.m. for set-up time, and after booths are disassembled, the roads will reopen at 1 p.m.
Food truck festivals
The first of two food truck festivals, hosted by the Friends of Lakeside Park organization, will be on Lakeside Park's Oven Island from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 28.
Thirty food trucks are slated for this year, including Inferno Subs, Flip's Mini Donuts, Fanna's on the Fly, YumYum Thai Street Food, Osorio's Latin Fusion and The Frozen Beaker.
Additionally, Fondy Softball Association will offer drinks while Until Dawn offers live music. Local animals rescues and the police, fire and sheriff's departments will have booths and activities in addition to two bounce houses, face painting, a Lakeside Park historical display and Wisconsin Wheelmen's showcase of antique cycles.
The second food truck festival will be Sept. 17 and include an art fair.
Art on the Island
Fond du Lac Artists' Association's Art on the Island event will set up at 10 a.m. June 5 on Oven Island in Lakeside Park.
Paintings, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture and other artwork will be on display as local and regional artists sell their wares and offer demonstrations of their artistic processes.
A silent auction will support Fond du Lac Artists’ Association Scholarship Fund, and this year's scholarship recipients will display their artwork.
Thirteen Thursdays concert series at THELMA
Coinciding with a few of the night markets, the Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts will host the free Thirteen Thursdays concert series at 7 p.m. Thursdays starting June 8 at the center's plaza, 51 Sheboygan St.
The gates and bar open at 6 p.m. and the music starts at 7 p.m. each performance night. A food truck will be available for additional refreshments.
Oshkosh-based quartet Copper Box will kick off the series on the first night, bringing polka, rock and blues feels to familiar songs alongside their original works.
The other bands include Listening Party, Good Morning Bedlam, The Jimmys, Jesse Stratton Band, 5 Card Studs, Artie West Quintet, The Astronomers, Unity the Band, Random Maxx, Bella Cain Unplugged, Throwback Stereo and Katz Sass.
Walleye Weekend
Walleye Weekend this year will be June 9-11 throughout Lakeside Park, promising its usual family-friendly entertainment, food and tournaments, all with free admission.
Mercury Marine, Grande Cheese and Holiday Automotive-sponsored stages will host Hip Pocket, Bella Cain, That 90's Band, Jeremiah Jams Band, The Astronomers, Time Machine, Verona Grove and many others, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Echoes of Camp Randal Marching Band will provide additional entertainment with a 30-minute showcase march through the park leading up to the closing ceremony June 11.
FamilyLand on the west side of the park will provide events and activities for children and families, including youth golf, a scavenger hunt, a toddler bounce castle, inflatable obstacle course and SeaHamsters — floating inflatable balls that allow kids of all ages to climb inside and play bumper balls. Additionally, Fountain Island will turn into Imagination Island for June 10 and 11 with face painting, crafts and other activities.
Festivities start at 3 p.m. June 9, 8 a.m. June 10 and 9 a.m. June 11. For more information and daily schedule, visit walleyeweekend.com.
Summer Wine Walk
When summer is nearly fully under way, 12 downtown businesses will turn into wine "tasting rooms" from 4 to 8 p.m. June 16 as Summer Wine Walk attendees sample wine and stroll downtown.
Tickets are available now on the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership website and come with three options, depending on drink preferences: sweet wine tickets, dry wine tickets and mocktail tickets.
Check-in will be 2 to 6 p.m. at 131 S. Main St., where all attendees will need to show identification to prove they are 21 or older. They will also receive a souvenir wine glass, a map of serving locations and a lanyard with a punch card. Wine glasses must be empty when leaving each business.
Sweet wine and dry wine tickets are $30, while mocktail tickets are $15.
Night market
This year's downtown night market will return from 5 to 8 p.m. June 29, July 13 and 27 and Aug. 10 and 24 on Main Street Plaza and Sheboygan Street.
The night market looks similar to the farmers' market, but will feature a slightly different variety of vendors and entertainment, including fresh produce, prepared foods, local artists and live music, as well as outdoor games for children.
Hold'em High will provide music at the first market, followed by Listening Party, Nick Gonnering Duo, Only Jamz and Jeremiah Jams Band at succeeding markets.
Main Street will be closed 3 to 9 p.m. on event nights for setup and takedown.
Pride Picnic
The fifth-annual Pride Picnic invites "members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies to celebrate in an inclusive, family-friendly space" June 25, according to the event's Facebook page.
From noon to 7 p.m., attendees can enjoy the food trucks, activities, LGBTQ+ resources and live entertainment.
Prior to the event is a Pride Ride at 11 a.m., where the picnic organizers and Fond du Lac Cyclery will host a family-friendly casual bike ride from Deneveu Shelter through the Fond du Lac Loop, crossing Lakeside Park and the downtown area.
The picnic is funded by sponsors and community donations through its United Way partnership. A new fundraising event this year is Pride Prom at 7:30 p.m. May 20, welcoming all to relive or re-do their prom night, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community with a night of dancing, snacks, live entertainment, photo booths and non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. The theme is "Throwback" and tickets are available through a link on the Facebook event listing for $25 for individuals, $45 for pairs and $65 for a group of four.
Fondue Fest
It's never too early to start thinking about Fondue Fest as the city's largest one-day festival prepares to bring in thousands Sept. 9.
Moraine Park Technical College culinary arts students will serve up cheese and chocolate fondue as farmers' market and other vendors set up shop and three stages play live music. The day will also include Kids' Zone activities, a car show and finale shows at the end of the day hosted by THELMA and Fat Joe's Burgers and Brew.
Fondue Fest brings entertainment to Fond du Lac while also offering MPTC students to enter and advance in the hospitality industry with hands-on, practical experience in all aspects of food preparation and production.
Every year, between 70 and 90 pounds of cheese is melted for the event.
Read more:
Mocktails: Here's where to get the best mocktails this summer in Fond du Lac
Memorial Day: What to know about this year’s Memorial Day parade and program in Fond du Lac
Mile of Music: First 50 artists coming to 10th annual Mile of Music announced
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke.
This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac summer events include Walleye Weekend, Fondue Fest
