Things to do

There is a lot going on in Cheese Country this first weekend in October!

The annual Chili Cookoff and Oktoberfest is happening on Monroe's downtown Square on Saturday. Chili judging happens at noon, and all proceeds benefit Monroe Youth Hockey. There will also be face painting, a pumpkin patch, scarecrow making, balloons and music. The Monroe Farmer's Market is also running on the Square on Saturday from 7 am until noon.

Before or after your visit to the Chili Cookoff, walk over to the library for the annual Monroe Stamp and Post Card show. The show is open from 10 am until 3 and will be in the second floor meeting room of the library. There will be a silent auction of post cards and stamps as well.

The Wisconsin Solar Tour takes place on Saturday and Sunday, and there are stops in the area. Up in Blanchardville, visit the Hankley House. Inn Serendipity, a favorite of this blog, is open between Clarno and Browntown. New this year is the Monroe Super 8. Now Travel Green certified, the hotel has a wide array of environmental and energy conersving systems in place. Please click on each name to visit the the MREA page for each property listing date and time each location is open as well as directions.

Fall festivals abound! The village of Albany is having their fall festival on Saturday in downtown Albany, and St Victor's in Monroe is having theirs as well on Saturday and Sunday.

A new exhibit is opening in Frehner Gallery this evening. "Fall into Art" with the Driftless Area Artists is a multi-media exhibit, and the opening reception is from 5 until 7 pm this evening. Come back on Saturday from 10 until 4 for Art in Action, an event designed to bring the public closer to the art and the artists. There will be video studio tours, and the artists will be on hand to demonstrate their art and discuss with the public.