Hidden Valleys of Southwestern Wisconsin

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Blanchardville Father’s Day Chicken Barbeque
July, Jamm 2-day music festival and Pecatonica River
Art Confluence in August, and in October, a uniquely
“Blanchardville” tradition of a whole community true
Homecoming celebration involving the school, alumni
from across the country, and community in a Friday
night torchlight-parade, and bonfire, a fun, slightly wacky
Saturday homecoming parade, and a football game, with
packed taverns on Friday and Saturday nights, often
providing live music.
For more information, please call the Village
Clerk at (608) 523-4521 or check the website at
www.blanchardville.com.
Darlington - A Town
For All Seasons
Darlington, Wisconsin – Joshua Darling never knew
what he missed. In the mid 1800s, Darling, a wealthy
investor and banker from Warsaw, New York, learned
that the southwest region of Wisconsin was in the midst
of a roaring lead mining land boom. Darling sent
his agents to purchase the land that could eventually
be developed into a village that would serve the floor
of European miners and their families drawn by the
prospect of potential riches. In 1850, valuable land
adjacent to the scenic Pecatonica River was purchased
by Darling’s agents, but no record exists that Darling
ever visited the site of his investment.
Joshua Darling’s legacy is now the county seat of
Lafayette County. Darlington has enjoyed a rich and
colorful history in the heart of the beautiful hills and
valleys of southwest Wisconsin. In
1879, two brothers, Joe and Albert
Parson, organized a small circus and
museum that traveled to nearby towns.
They hired a young man working as
a harness maker in Darlington and
soon discovered that he was also
an accomplished juggler and skilled
entertainer.
The eldest of five brothers, the
young man’s name was Al Ringling. In
short order all the brothers were bitten
by the circus bug as the golden age of
American circus history entered full
bloom. In 1907 the Ringling brothers
purchased the larger and older Barnum
Darlington Super 8
100% Smoke-Free Facilites
Banquet & Conference Center • Lounge
Free SuperStart ® Breakfast • Indoor Pool
Free Wireless Internet • Suite & Meeting Room
All Rooms with Coffee Maker & Hair Dryer
Children 17 & Under Stay Free with Adult
Hwy. 81 W, 1/4 mi. W. of Hwy. 23 • 201 Christensen Dr.
(608) 776-8830
1.800.800.8000 • super8.com • super8darlington.com
and Bailey Circus and the rest, as they say, is history.
“We have fun all year around in Darlington,” according to Sue
Osterday, director of Darlington Chamber of Commerce. “There is
a treasure of outdoor activities waiting for families and people of
all ages. Just a few include camping, fishing, canoeing, horseback
riding, and ATV, biking or snowmobiling on the 47 mile multipurpose
Cheese County Trail.
Cinco de Mayo: A touch and taste of Old Mexico heats up in
Darlington annually on the first Saturday of May. The vibrant local
Hispanic community leads the way with Mariachi bands, dancers in
authentic costumes, piñatas, and games for the kids. Traditional
American festival fare is served along with the fabulous, homemade
Mexican delicacies.
Canoe Festival: For four days, over the second full weekend
of June, Darlington goes a little crazy. The Canoe Festival is a
summer party that packs in over 35 events, from stock car races,
softball and volleyball tournaments, to kid’s shows, parade,
fireworks and a memorable canoe race down the Pecatonica River.
In between, find gymnastic and martial arts demonstrations, road
runs, duck races, a talent show, teen dance, carnival, plenty of fair
food and even an ATV pull.
Tunes at Twilight: Summer concert series hosted annually each
Sunday night in July at the festival grounds from 7:00 -8:30 pm.
“Trail riders can rent ATVs adjacent to the trail and you’ll
find full campground hookup facilities at Pecatonica River Trails
Park.” Osterday said, “Stay overnight at the Super 8 Hotel, The Old
Darlington Hotel, the Riverview Lodge, or Trailview Cabins.” The
Lafayette County Speedway in Darlington is a popular destination
for stock car fans, drawing hundreds of spectator every Friday
night April through September. Darlington also offers excellent
restaurants and unique, locally owned shops. Its quaint downtown
boulevard is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Learn more at www.darlingtonwi.org or call the Chamber of
Commerce, 608-776-3067. Joshua Darling would be amazed today
to visit Darlington–a town for all seasons.
Gratiot
This community is a good place to stop for refueling – both for
you and your vehicle, refreshments and relaxation. The village sits
on the Cheese Country Recreational Trail which was once a rail
corridor. The trail is for hikers, bicyclists, ATV riders, horseback
riders, and, in winter, cross country skiers and snowmobilers.
In winter the trail is a hub for snowmobile trails extending into
Illinois.
Wolf Creek Campground is great for ATV users having sites
Destination
Super sm
Restaurant,
Lounge &
Banquet
Center
Full Service
Lunch & Dinner
11:00 AM - Close
Saturday Dinner Only
Call for Availability
Friday Night Fish Fry
5:00 - 9:00 PM
(608) 776-2450
At the Darlington
Super 8 – In the
business park
off Hwys.
81 & 23
$1.00 Off
Friday Fish Fry
or
One coupon
Sunday Brunch!
per customer per visit.
Offer expires 12/31/12.
Restaurant, Lounge
& Banquet Center
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Hidden Valleys