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- Driftless Tribe #0027
Driftless Tribe #0027
Weekly Breakdown
Hey y’all — welcome to this week’s edition of the newsletter.
The rain and cloudy skies lately have me feeling a little off. I haven’t caught much sun yet this summer (but I plan to fix that soon). The Driftless is a big place, and I’ve made a promise to myself to get out and explore more of it, especially the spots I haven’t seen yet. You should too.
Moment in Time
Plain, 1921 - Wisconsin Historical Society, WHI-99622
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:
Carol from Spring Green: “Camping at Wisconsin Riverside Resort”
Lorri from Monroe: “Restaurants, farmers markets, casinos”
Michael from LaValle: “Lake Redstone”
🏈 UWP & The Bears Den: Platteville’s NFL Past
As we gear up for another NFL season, it’s worth remembering that while the Driftless region sits far from any professional stadium, it once played host to one of the league’s most iconic teams.
From 1984 to 2001, the Chicago Bears held their summer training camp at UW–Platteville, including the legendary 1985 season that ended with a Super Bowl victory. With stars like Jim McMahon and Walter Payton on the roster, it was a golden era for the Bears — and somehow, quiet little Platteville became part of that story.
Though the Bears eventually moved operations closer to Chicago, they didn’t leave without saying thanks. The team donated $250,000 to the university, funding what became the “Bears Den” computer lab in the student center.
The memories still linger. When I attended UW–Platteville nearly a decade ago, the stories still echoed around campus — players filling the dorms, fans lining the streets, and legends like Walter Payton sprinting up the massive hill near the football field and engineering hall.
Fortunately (or unfortunately), this lifelong Packer fan hopes the Bears never return to Platteville — or to the kind of glory they stumbled into during the 1980s. Maybe it was the Driftless air that gave them their edge back then… but let’s be honest, it’s been a long hibernation since.
🎶 Featured Event: Americana Music in the Park – Tomah, WI
Now in its 15th year, Americana Music in the Park brings free live music to Gillett Park in Tomah every other Wednesday night from 6–8:30 PM, all summer long. Grab a blanket or lawn chair and catch acts like Zachary Thomas Diedrich Band, Gin, Chocolate & Bottle Rockets, and Jessica Willis Fisher. A true Driftless summer staple!
See more information at: https://ampwis.org/
Happenings
Want a Featured Event including a poster listed? Reach out and say hi.
WEDNESDAY 6/11
La Valle, Trail Break Cafe Pizzeria Charcoal Drawing Event Link
Reedsburg, Webb Park B3 Popsicles in the Park Link
La Crosse, Fork & Fable Crafthouse Birria Quesadilla Night with Central Waters Brewing Company Link
Tomah, Winnebago Park Wonderful Wednesday Link
Belleville, Seven Acre Dairy Co Free Outdoor Movie Night Link
Baraboo, Ardyth’s Sew-N-Vac Shoppe Jelly Roll Rug Class Link
Lone Rock, Angel Dreams Studio Community Art Class Link
Monroe, Bullquarian Brewhouse Live w/ Gary Hendrickson and Friends Link
Baraboo, Con Amici Open Mic Link
THURSDAY 6/12
Loganville, Narrows Creek Winery Wine Glass Paint Nite Link
Richland Center, Symons 2025 Wellness Stride Link
Hillsboro, Driftless Music Gardens Bonfire 2025 Link
Viroqua, Eckhart Park FCC & Partners In Wellness Fair Link
Wonewoc, Summit Ridge Live w/ Swing Crew Link
Wisconsin Dells, Showboat Saloon Live w/ Buffalo Wabs Link
Darlington, City Canoe Festival Link
Platteville, City Park Music in the Park Link
Baraboo, Library Moo-ve and Groove Storytime Link
Dodgeville, Dodger Bowl Lanes Cruise into Dodger Bowl Link
Trempealeau, Elmaro Vineyard Sunset Yoga Link
FRIDAY 6/13
Soldiers Grove, Fire Department Soldiers Grove Dairy Days Link
Soldiers Grove, City Tractor Pull Link
Kendall, The Lumberyard Friday Night Music Link
Muscoda, Wild Hills Winery Live w/ The Lovelys Link
Viroqua, Bethel Auxiliary Chicken Q Fundraiser Link
Ontario, Ontario Market Live Music, Karaoke, Ontario Market Link
Baraboo, Balanced Rock Winery Live w/ Mark Croft Band Link
La Crosse, La Crosse Center Trivia on the Terrace Link
Prairie Du Sac, Riverwalk Park Night Market Link
Fort McCoy, MWR Army Lunch Link
Mineral Point, Orchard Lawn Live w/ Jesse Bauman Link
SATURDAY 6/14
Viola, Red Bard at Griff Run Vintage Sale Link
Mauston, Reel Brothers Harley Davidson 10th Annual Ride to Rock Out the Silence Link
Richland Center, W 7th St Dairy Days and Rodeo Parade Link
La Valle, Trail Break Cafe Pizzeria Outdoor BBQ & Music Link
Richland Center, Library Rabbits R Us Link
Wonewoc, Corkscrew Wine Bar Family Fun Day Link
Wonewoc, Fitness & Fuel 4 You Fuel Your Fire 5K Link
Wilton, Hitchin’ Post Scavenger Hunt Link
Spring Green, Wisconsin Riverside Resort Live w/ 3 Souls Link
Boscobel, Bowl & Banquet GNO The Show Link
Wonewoc, Summit Ridge Live w/ Blue Collar 40 Link
Elroy, Madden’s Irish Pub Live w/ Old Goat Skiffle Band Link
New Glarus, City Beer, Bacon & Cheese 2025 Link
Mazomanie, 18 W Commercial St Annual ATV Ride Link
Harpers Ferry, Yellow River State Forest Campfire / Cast Iron Cooking Link
Baraboo, City Big Top Parade Link
Trempealeau, Fire Department 36th Annual Fireman’s Dance Link
Prairie Du Chien, 101 N Villa Louis Rd Live Music at the Rendezvous Link
Winona, The Parlour Room Pop Up Market Link
Baraboo, Balanced Rock Winery Live w/ Dave Potter Blues Band Link
La Crosse, Interstate Fair La Crosse County Dairy Breakfast Link
Belleville, Seven Acre Dairy Co Live w/ Madison Jazz Orchestra Link
Platteville, The Gym 4th Annual Outdoor Dart Tournament Link
Baraboo, Broken Bottle Winery Live w/ Abby Spencer Link
Viroqua, City Vernon County Dairy Breakfast Link
Plain, Library Adult Garden Workshop Link
Lancaster, Fireball Lanes Bingo Link
Spring Green, SG General Store Bluegrass Jam Link
SUNDAY 6/15
Reedsburg, The Underground Collective Exploring Your Intuitive Gifts Link
Reedsburg, Corner Pub Brewery Smoked Meats Buffet Link
Belleville, The Mill Live w/ The Honey Pies Link
Baraboo, Wiscocktail Father’s Day Buffalo Trace Whiskey Tasting Link
Trempealeau, City Street Market Sunday Link
Belleville, Seven Acre Dairy Farm Father’s Day Grill Out Link
Guttenberg, Guttenberg Brewing Co Burgers & Beers Link
Baraboo, Wildside Action Sports Free Kids Bike Tune-Up Day Link
Trempealeau, Elmaro Vineyard Crepes by Jean Luc Link
MONDAY 6/16
TUESDAY 6/17
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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