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- Driftless Tribe #0020
Driftless Tribe #0020
Weekly Breakdown
What’s Happening in the Driftless: 100+ Events This Week
Easter weekend is almost here, and I’ll be making my rounds through the Driftless—visiting family, catching up, and maybe sneaking in a stop at one of our favorite small-town spots (Thirsty Farmer in Cobb is speaking to me right now)
If you’re hitting the road too, let me know where you’ll be! Always fun to hear where readers are spending their weekends—and who knows, maybe we’ll cross paths out there.
Driftless Trivia:
🌿 What unique geological feature gives the Driftless Area its distinctive landscape? |
Community Weekend Happenings
What’s on your agenda this weekend? We’d love to hear about it!
At Driftless Tribe, we’re all about fostering community, and one way we can do that is by sharing the amazing events and plans happening across the Driftless Area. Let us know what you’re up to this weekend by filling out the form below, and we’ll highlight a few in our next newsletter.
Community Submissions:
Craig from Whitehall: “Grumpy Troll”
Connie from Chaseburg: “Lacrosse, Buzzard Billies, Viroqua, Driftless Cafe, shopping in Onalaska”
Greta from Dodgeville: “Mineral Point Farmers Market on Saturday mornings”
Moment in Time
Shullsburg Brewery - Wisconsin Historical Society, WHI-46098
The Wisconsin River – “Mother River” and Its Dangers
I’ve always tried to keep this newsletter positive—highlighting the fun, the quirky, and the meaningful parts of Driftless life. Each week, I aim to share the events, traditions, and small-town spirit that make this region special.
But some things are too important to ignore.
Over the weekend, another life was lost to the Wisconsin River. A boat capsized near the Dells. One person was found, and another is still missing. Tragically, this happens every year. My brother lost a close friend in high school to the river in a nearly identical way.
I feel an obligation to talk about it—not to scare you, but to inform and protect.
I grew up on the Wisconsin River. I swam in it, caught my first fish in it, and learned how to drive a flatbottom boat on it—taught by my grandfather, who also showed me how to read the current. I was always forced to wear a life jacket, even on the hottest summer days when it felt unbearable. At the time, I didn’t understand why. Now I do.
The Wisconsin River is powerful, beautiful, and deeply woven into the Driftless landscape. But it can also be extremely dangerous, especially to those unfamiliar with how quickly things can go wrong.
Here’s what makes it so risky:
Strong, hidden undercurrents that can pull even experienced swimmers under
Shifting sandbars that can transform rapidly, potentially collapse if walked on
Submerged trees and rocks that can trap swimmers or boats
Sudden changes in depth and flow, without any warning
Cold water temps, even in summer, that can shock the body
These dangers are often invisible until it’s too late. The surface may look calm, but underneath, the river moves totally differently.
So as we head into warmer months, I urge you—respect the river. Wear a life jacket. Don’t take chances. If you’re unfamiliar with a stretch of water, ask someone who knows it.
I love this river. I always have. But loving it means understanding it, and passing on that respect. It’s a lesson I carry with me—and I hope you do too.
Happenings
Want a Featured Event including a poster? Reach out and say hi.
Wednesday 4/16
Richland Center, RC Community Center – Winter Market Link
Onalaska, Omni Center – Donkey Basketball Link
Winona, Backwater BBQ – Food Truck @ the Loaf Link
Baraboo, Library – Board game Bonanza for Kids Link
Paoli, Seven Acre Dairy Co – Cheesemaker Dinner Link
Lancaster, Library – Ice Cream & Identity Theft Link
Winona, No Name Bar – Art Battle with Dr. Bob Link
Muscoda, English Prairie Distilling Co – Open Mic Night Link
Mauston, Gravity Box Brewing Co – Trivia Link
Thursday 4/17
Baraboo, Wiscocktail – Karmen Lindener Photography Art Show Link
New Glarus, Tofflers – Live w/ The Jimmy’s Link
Mauston, Gravity Box Brewing – Book Swap Link
Monroe, Bullquarian Brewhouse – Open Mic Night Link
Monroe, Library – Friendship Speed Dating Link
Trempealeau, Elmaro Vineyard – Sunset Yoga Link
Baraboo, Balanced Rock Winery – Bingo Link
Wisconsin Dells, Grateful Shed – Open Jam Link
Lancaster, Library – Cooking with Kids Link
Baraboo, Al Ringling Brewery – Swing Night Link
Viroqua, Library – Adult Art Class Link
Friday 4/18
Baraboo, Con Amici – Karaoke Link
Blue Mounds, Blue Mounds State Park – Easter EGGstravaganza Link
Soldiers Grove, Old Oak Inn – Live w/ Edward David Anderson Link
LaCrosse, Popcorn Tavern – Live w/ Shoeless Trio Jam Link
Mineral Point, Aspen Ridge – Boss Cow Coffee Truck Link
Winona, No Name Bar – Live w/ Four Twenty Eve Eve Link
Trempealeau, Trempealeau Hotel, Restaurant & Saloon – Live w/ Dirk Quinn Link
Winona, Two Fathoms Brewery – Live with/ Sugar Loafers Link
Womewoc, Corkscrew Wine Bar – Live w/ Abby Spencer Link
Dodgeville, Dodger Bowl Lanes – Easter Moonlight Bowling Scavenger Hunt Link
Belleville, Al’s Dayton Place – Meat Raffle Link
Trempealeau, Elmaro Vineyard – Live w/ Abbey Lane Link
Dodgeville, Duke’s – Live w/ Logan Bollant Link
Wisconsin Dells, Pal’s Brewing – Live w/ BAMM Duo Link
Trempealeau, Cat Daddy’s – Live w/ Max Harter Link
Sauk City, Library – No School Day Link
Saturday 4/19
Lacrosse, Pearl Street Brewery – Comedy w/ Kevin Bozeman Link
Wisconsin Dells, Pal’s Brewery – Easter Egg Hunt Link
Shullsburg, Second Chance Coffee & Music – Live with Dylan Doyle Link
Baraboo, Baraboo Bluff Winery – Adult Egg Hunt Link
Rockland, The Vault – King’s Superhero Ride Link
Monroe’s, Rowdy’s – Customer Appreciation Party Link
Harper’s Ferry, Yellow River State Forest – Sounds of the Night Link
Trempealeau, Elmaro Vineyard – Easter Egg Hunt Link
Viroqua, VFW – Live w/ People Brothers Band Link
LaCrosse, Hatchery Riverside – Bourbon Party & Giveaway Link
Dodgeville, Upland Hills – Community Celebration Link
Winona, MG’s on Fifth – Karaoke Link
Browntown, Hawks Mill Winery – Easter Egg Hunt Link
New Lisbon, Community Center – Easter Egg Hunt & Pancake Breakfast Link
Westby, Norseland Nursery – Easter Egg Hunt Link
Blanchardville, Cork Down Saloon – Live w/ The Sunshine Band Link
Lime Ridge, Branding Iron Roadhouse – Wood-Fired Oven Pizza Night Link
Lancaster, Fireball Lanes – Bingo Link
Potosi, Potosi’s Hub – Decluttering & Organization Tips with Liz Garcia Link
Wisconsin Dells, Grateful Shed – Egg Hunt Link
Wilton, Blue Collar 40 – Live w/ Hitchin’ Post Link
Avoca, Whiskey Row Saloon – Live w/ Elvis & The Oldies Show Link
Westby, Daily Brew – Easter Bunny Link
Wonewoc, Summit Ridge – Live w/ Last Ride Link
Prairie Du Sac, Sauk Prairie River Arts Center – Live w/ Kontras Quartet Link
Monroe, Bullquarian Brewhouse – Live w/ Lochanside Link
Spring Green, Wyoming Valley – WRAP and Teen Driftless Area Link
Ridgeway, Brewskee’s on the Ridge – Easter Comedy Show Link
Monroe, Masonic Lodge – Farmers Market Link
Trempealeau, Trempealeau Hotel, Restaurant & Saloon – Live w/ Jimmy & Case Link
Cobb, Thirsty Farmer – Karaoke Link
Bangor, Leo & Leona’s – Live w/ Howard Luedtke & Blue Max Link
Muscoda, English Prairie Distilling Co – Just Merl and a Girl Link
Blue Mounds, Blue Mounds State Park – Earth Day Celebration Link
Boscobel, Mt. Zion Pub – Backtracking with Steve O Link
Spring Green, Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret – Live w/ DC and The Love Link
Wisconsin Dells, Grateful Shed – Live w/ John Hamilton Link
Trempealeau, Elmaro Vineyard – Live w/ Doug Mahlum Link
Baraboo, Balanced Rock Winery – Live w/ Arilya Link
Wonewoc, Corkscrew Wine Bar – Live w/ Gary Frisch Link
New Glarus, Dirty Dog Taphaus – Live w/ Mark Malin Link
Sunday 4/20
Monday 4/21
Tuesday 4/22
Baraboo, Library – Building Block for Tiny Tots Link
Alma, Big River Theater – Tales of the Last River Rat Link
Baraboo, Library – Seed Starting with Doreen Hamburg Link
Elroy, Madden’s Irish Pub – Pixar Quizmaster Trivia Link
LaCrosse, Popcorn Tavern – Open Mic Link
Dodgeville, Merrimac & Main – Paint your Pet Link
We will check in again next week.
Let us know any events / establishments you would like to be added to this list via IG @driftlesstribe or email [email protected]
If someone forwarded this to you, time to make the leap and join the Tribe!
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