-Liv - Fitchrona Focus Founder

Get your helmet ready: Wisconsin Bike Week is here, and Fitchburg and Verona are in full gear with events for every kind of rider. From commuter perks to brewery cruises, here’s what’s happening this week on two wheels:

Major Bike Trails Connecting Fitchburg & Verona

1. Capital City State Trail
Length: 17 miles | Surface: Paved
Highlights: Wetlands, prairies, and urban scenery. Connects to the Military Ridge and Badger State Trails.

2. Badger State Trail
Length: 40 miles | Surface: Paved in Fitchburg, crushed limestone elsewhere
Highlights: Scenic route to the Illinois state line (via Stewart Tunnel—currently closed).

3. Military Ridge State Trail
Length: 40 miles | Surface: Crushed limestone (paved between Verona and Madison)
Highlights: Rails-to-trails path connecting Dodgeville, Verona, and Fitchburg.

4. Cannonball Path
Length: 4 miles | Surface: Paved
Highlights: Madison’s first bicycle roundabout and a key connector between Fitchburg and downtown Madison.

☕ Tuesday, June 3: Morning Fuel at the Velo UnderRound
7:00–9:00 AM | Capital City State Trail & Cannonball Path
Kick off your day with free bagels, coffee, trail maps, and bike checks at Fitchburg’s commuter station, hosted by Bike Fitchburg, the City of Fitchburg, and the Chamber. It’s the ultimate pit stop at a one-of-a-kind five-trail interchange.

🍷 Tuesday, June 3: Bike to Toot + Kate’s for a Free Pour!
All Evening | 109 S Main St, Verona
Ride your bike to Toot + Kate’s Wine Bar and enjoy a free 5 oz pour just for rolling up on two wheels. Bonus: This deal runs every Tuesday all summer long, not just during Bike Week.

🚲 Wednesday, June 4: Rides for Joe
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Fitchburg Senior Center
Join a community ride in memory of local cycling champion Joe Imilkowski. This monthly slow-roll series is open to all and tailored for seniors. Expect relaxed rides from 8 to 20 miles on local trails. Don’t forget your helmet and trail pass.

🚲 Saturday, June 7: Body Maintenance for Mountain Bikers
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Core Health & Fitness, Middleton
Join this hands-on workshop to keep your body tuned for the trails. Certified trainers will walk you through techniques to stay injury-free. Optional donations support local trails via CORP.

🍻 Sunday, June 8: BREWS CRUISE!
1:00–5:00 PM | Start at Delta Beer Lab (Fitchburg) or Starkweather Brewing (Madison)
End Bike Week in style with a scenic loop around Lake Monona and two craft beer stops. Choose your start location, grab a drink, bike the ~13-mile loop, and enjoy another brew before heading back. Riders get a free sticker from both breweries. Party pace encouraged!

BONUS: Madison BCycle Discount
Use code BikeWeek25 to get 25% off a monthly BCycle Madison pass. Valid for purchases June 1–8, 2025.
-Fun Fact: In Fitchburg alone, there are 17 BCycle docking stations!

Join the fun at one of Verona’s longest-running traditions! With over 50 years of history, Verona Hometown Days is a summer highlight packed with live music, thrilling carnival rides, delicious food, games, and kid-friendly entertainment. It’s a celebration of community, connection, and good old-fashioned fun.

Location: Hometown USA Festival Park (behind the Verona Ice Arena, near City Hall and the Military Ridge State Trail)
💵 Admission: Free! Just a $5 cover for the Friday & Saturday evening bands
🕐 Festival Hours: Friday: 5 PM – 10 PM | Saturday: 12 PM – 12 AM | Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM

🔍 Medallion Hunt Returns!
The hunt begins Wednesday, June 4! Solve daily riddles for a chance to win $250 and the title of Medallion Master.
Clues are posted daily on Facebook and Instagram
The medallion is hidden on public or Chamber-member property in Verona
No digging or tools required—just brainpower and curiosity!

🎤 Friday, June 6
Kick off the weekend with carnival rides, local food vendors, and family entertainment.
Live Music: Turning Point (5:30–8:30 PM) and Zac Matthews Band (8:30 PM–12 AM | $5 cover)
Entertainment: Mr. Magic, David Landau (Kids Tent), balloon sculpting, face painting, petting zoo, and pony rides
Wrap up the night with an epic fireworks show!

Pro Tip: Best views are from the festival grounds. Nearby options include Veterans Park and the lawn outside City Hall and the Police Station.

🚗 Saturday, June 7
Start your morning with classic cars.
Hometown Rumble Car Show (8–11 AM)
Live Music All Day: Small Blind Johnny, Casey & Greg, The Yard Dogs, and Cherry Pie (8:30 PM–12 AM | $5 cover)
Food court, strawberry shortcake, beer tent, and carnival rides run throughout the day
Kids Tent features David Landau, Wayne the Wizard, and a special meet & greet with Drea and Officer Kyle

🎈 Sunday, June 8
Cap off the weekend with the beloved Verona Hometown Days Parade at 11 AM
Live Music: Just Merl & a Girl (12–2 PM) and The Elizabeth Mary Band (2 PM)
Enjoy , pony rides, petting zoo, and kids’ activities throughout the afternoon

Whether you come for the music, food, rides, or friendly competition, Hometown Days offers a weekend full of memories waiting to be made.

The Paddock at Quivey’s Grove is the place to be on summer evenings in Fitchburg!

Tuesdays mean Meat Raffles (6–8 PM, June 7–August 26), where all raffle proceeds go to support local nonprofits and community groups. Bar and food service start at 5:30 PM. Cash only for raffle

Thursdays bring live music under the tent with fan-favorite duo Just Merl and A Girl, performing rain or shine from 6–8 PM. Grab a drink, enjoy the tunes, and soak in the summer vibes.

Want to host a Tuesday night raffle for your cause? Email Quivey’s Grove for more information - [email protected]

The sun is out and the water’s on!

Fitchburg’s Splash Pad at McKee Farms Park is open for the season as of last week, and it’s ready to keep the whole family cool, all for free! Swing by daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. through Labor Day.

But wait, there’s more summer fun on the way! Fireman’s Park Beach in Verona opens Friday, June 13, and yes, their splash pad is free too. The beach is open daily from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m., with lifeguards on duty, shady hangouts, restrooms, and tasty concessions to keep the good vibes going.

So grab your towels, pack some snacks, and hit the splash pads. Because summer is officially in session!

I first discovered ceramics at my high school job in Maryland, where I worked at a local art studio. There, I helped with classes and kiln firings, but only ever threw on the wheel once or twice for fun. I told myself in college that I would finally learn, but life got in the way and I never got to. But, after getting my degrees, I was feeling burnt out and unfulfilled. I had been in school non-stop preparing for a PhD program and didn’t have much time for creative outlets. I took the leap and picked up wheel throwing last summer at my local studio, Crimson Artist Collective, in Verona.

At this point, I’ve taken multiple classes, and love throwing and underglazing the most. Right now, it’s hard for me to describe what my style is because I just like such a variety of designs, but I guess I could say I really like florals, fruits, and bright colors!

Before I knew it, I had so many pieces that my boyfriend encouraged me to start selling. That led to my first market, The Crafty Fair, in April. Since then, I've been excited to be part of Madison’s vibrant art community. The people here have really encouraged me and I’m really looking forward to connecting with more people through my work.

You can find my work featured on Toot & Kate’s shelves all through June, and I’ll be doing a pop-up at Delta Beer Lab on June 27th from 6–9 pm.

Follow on instagram @pufflemakes.

Thanks for reading the Fitchrona Focus today! If you found something useful, please share it with someone who wants to find Verona’s Hometown medallion!

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