Ellie here. Happy Monday! Thanks for starting your week with us.

This weekend, I enjoyed some time up in Townsend with around 20 of my close friends. We relaxed on the lake, played yard games, and had bonfires in the yard. It was a great time!

And speaking of Up North, we all know how essential that region is (wherever you may deem it to be). We’ve also heard your requests for more coverage of the smaller towns in Wisconsin.

That’s why, starting next week, we’ll be introducing a newsletter section dedicated specifically to those areas. 

Are there any particular things you want to see covered in that section? Let me know!

Click on the badgers to find an event near you!

Another Monday means another Wisconsin event roundup. Here’s what we’ve got going on in the Badger State this week:

🎡 2026 Central Wisconsin State Fair, Marshfield (Aug. 25-30)

Celebrate the end of summer with a week of family fun, carnival rides, fair food, beer gardens, and live music. The festivities also include 4-H and open-class exhibits, grandstand events, and more.

🍗 Poplar Hall’s Food Truck Fest, Appleton (Aug. 26)

Spend a summer evening by the river with food trucks, live music, and scenic views at Poplar Hall. This is a free, family-friendly event complete with a diverse selection of food trucks.

🎢 Manitowoc County Fair (Aug. 26-30)

Enjoy five days of family fun with unlimited carnival rides, a sea lion show, pony rides, a Woman’s Day event, live music, and more. Admission is $15 and includes all entertainment and attractions.

🌽 Loyal Corn Festival (Aug. 27-30)

This annual festival brings the community together to enjoy summer’s sweet corn, live music, local vendors, and family activities. The weekend also features a popular Sunday parade, citywide garage sales, and a chance to win cash by finding the Golden Ear of Corn.

🏖 Middleton Good Neighbor Festival (Aug. 28-30)

Bring your family and friends and enjoy this weekend-long festival, complete with live music, family activities, an arts and crafts fair, a 5K run/walk, and two parades. And be sure to bring your beach apparel for the “Greetings from South Beach” theme.

🛩 Pistons & Props Air & Car Show, Janesville (Aug. 28-30)

Calling all car and aviation enthusiasts. This event is perfect for all ages, featuring a full airshow, hot air balloons, fireworks, historic aircraft rides, a car show, heavy equipment displays, live music, and kids’ activities.

Visitors from all over stand in awe of the Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians on Holy Hill in Hubertus, and of the incredible views from the scenic tower. (Pratim Biswas/CC-BY-SA-4.0)

Beyond changes to grant structures, the Department of Housing and Urban Development proposes to remove some of its regulatory authority to pursue claims a policy has a discriminatory effect without evidence of intent. It could affect how fair housing groups identify and challenge such practices. (Adobe Stock)

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Ellie Bourdo with stories from Holly Garcia and Public News Service.

 It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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