MONTICELLO — Just a year old in the area, a local restaurant is offering free food and entertainment for up to 500 people on New Year’s. 

The Pink Heifer in downtown Monticello announced the combination anniversary/New Year’s party this week. The centerpiece on Saturday will be a free, all you can eat barbecue buffet, featuring the restaurant’s signature, smoked pulled pork and chicken.

“We have truly been blown away by the love shown to us from Monticello, Monroe, New Glarus and all of Green County,” the restaurant said in its invitation to party on New Year’s Eve. 

What’s more, Milwaukee’s Dueling Pianos will provide free entertainment. There is no cover charge or fee for the food or music, and drinks will be available for purchase. The buffet starts at 7 p.m. and runs through 10 p.m. The music is slated for 9 p.m. until 12:15 a.m.

Joe and Lauren Fox opened the restaurant earlier this year in the former Monticello House building downtown. The Fox’s, originally from Chicago, came back to the Midwest and Green County from California just before the pandemic hit in 2020.

In addition to the popular restaurant and adjoining banquet space, the couple renovated the upper floors for residential apartments.

— Gary Mays