MONROE - Country comes to town this weekend in downtown Monroe.
Farmfest, set for Saturday, June 1, kicks off Farmin' on the Square, Main Street Monroe's two-year promotion of the area's close connection with farmers, cheesemakers and artists.
"We are so excited about Farmin' on the Square," said Amy Brandt, executive director for Main Street Monroe. "This will be the best summer yet with all the animals on the Square." Previously, Main Street Monroe had a zoo theme for the summer of 2011 and a pirate theme for 2012. This is the first time the promotion will extend for two years.
A prelude event, just prior to the kickoff event start at 10 a.m., is the dedication at Cannova's Garden of Eaten' at southeast corner of the Square.
The garden of raised beds, which includes a wheelchair-accessible bed, symbolizes the farm-to-table concept of locally-produced food.
Encircling the Square will be other main attractions. Many local artists and Zoli, the woodcarver, have spent the past winter and spring making the numerous new downtown residents - including a cow, pig, rooster, horse, sheep and their offspring, as well as the farm dog and cat. More than a dozen painted fiberglass farm animals and half dozen wooden carvings will be on display,
Brandt encourages visitors to "take a close look at the detailed scenes" painted on the life-sized, fiberglass animals.
"People don't realize the high level of artistry we have here," she said, "and watching Zoli (at work) continues to blow people away.
"We have so many talented people in Green County," she added.
The talent that pulled together to create Farmin' on the Square goes well beyond the fine arts, according to Brandt.
Members of South Central Wisconsin Master Gardeners, Driftless Area artists, high school carpentry students, city staff and other volunteers collaborated to design, build and plant Cannova's Garden. Zeitler Auto Body, Monroe, put the high-gloss finish on the fiberglass animals, and Davis Foundations, rural Monticello, laid the bases on which they are mounted.
"Without these and other generous people who donated their time and talents, the animals would not have come to life," Brandt said.
Many community and youth organizations and local businesses will provide activities, entertainment and free gifts or information on the street, and downtown stores that financially support Main Street Monroe will be open for business, too.
Attendees will find free pony rides, kids' games and craft table, a petting zoo, square dancers, a tractor show, farmer's market, and wood carving demonstrations among other activities. The bluegrass-to-newgrass band, Grass Attack, will take the stage from 10 to 11 a.m. and then meander around the Square. Monroe will also crown its Dairy Queen during the Farmfest.
Farmfest, set for Saturday, June 1, kicks off Farmin' on the Square, Main Street Monroe's two-year promotion of the area's close connection with farmers, cheesemakers and artists.
"We are so excited about Farmin' on the Square," said Amy Brandt, executive director for Main Street Monroe. "This will be the best summer yet with all the animals on the Square." Previously, Main Street Monroe had a zoo theme for the summer of 2011 and a pirate theme for 2012. This is the first time the promotion will extend for two years.
A prelude event, just prior to the kickoff event start at 10 a.m., is the dedication at Cannova's Garden of Eaten' at southeast corner of the Square.
The garden of raised beds, which includes a wheelchair-accessible bed, symbolizes the farm-to-table concept of locally-produced food.
Encircling the Square will be other main attractions. Many local artists and Zoli, the woodcarver, have spent the past winter and spring making the numerous new downtown residents - including a cow, pig, rooster, horse, sheep and their offspring, as well as the farm dog and cat. More than a dozen painted fiberglass farm animals and half dozen wooden carvings will be on display,
Brandt encourages visitors to "take a close look at the detailed scenes" painted on the life-sized, fiberglass animals.
"People don't realize the high level of artistry we have here," she said, "and watching Zoli (at work) continues to blow people away.
"We have so many talented people in Green County," she added.
The talent that pulled together to create Farmin' on the Square goes well beyond the fine arts, according to Brandt.
Members of South Central Wisconsin Master Gardeners, Driftless Area artists, high school carpentry students, city staff and other volunteers collaborated to design, build and plant Cannova's Garden. Zeitler Auto Body, Monroe, put the high-gloss finish on the fiberglass animals, and Davis Foundations, rural Monticello, laid the bases on which they are mounted.
"Without these and other generous people who donated their time and talents, the animals would not have come to life," Brandt said.
Many community and youth organizations and local businesses will provide activities, entertainment and free gifts or information on the street, and downtown stores that financially support Main Street Monroe will be open for business, too.
Attendees will find free pony rides, kids' games and craft table, a petting zoo, square dancers, a tractor show, farmer's market, and wood carving demonstrations among other activities. The bluegrass-to-newgrass band, Grass Attack, will take the stage from 10 to 11 a.m. and then meander around the Square. Monroe will also crown its Dairy Queen during the Farmfest.