When you stay at Franklin Victorian Bed and Breakfast, you will quickly discover that there are many

things to do in Sparta, Wisconsin.

Below, you will find a list of some of our local

Wisconsin events

and bicycle tours.

Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012
SPARTA AREA - page down for more areas
2012 Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce Calendar of Events

Rotary meets every Tuesday evening at Jake’s Northwoods @ 7pm

January 28: Annual Banquet @ The Colonial

February 11: Cabin Fever @ Club 16 (Sparta Chamber Fundraiser)

March 3: Monroe County Historical Spring Craft Show @ Sparta High School

May 1 : State Bike Trail Open House-Chamber Depot -10am

May 19: Fort McCoy Armed Forces Day

May 28: Memorial Day Parade, Sparta

June 7-10: Sparta Butterfest Celebration & Carnival @ Memorial Park

Concerts in the Park Every Wednesday Night, Summer Months @ Evans Bosshard Park, Hwy 16 East, Sparta

July 4: Independence Day Fireworks @ Sparta’s Memorial Park

July 28: Sparta Crazy Daze- Shopping Extravaganza

August 25-26: Leon Gatorfest @ Leon Community Center

September 15: On the Trial Beer & Wine Challenge-Evans Bosshard Park

September 19: Fort McCoy Appreciation @ Country Inn

September 19-20:Annual Sparta Ambassadors’ Honorary Citizens

September 28-30: Warrens Cranberry Festival

October 6: Fall Harvest Fest

October 1-31: Runs all month, House of Shadows, every Friday & Saturday evening Not-so scary 6-7pm Very scary 7-10pm. For more information go to www.house-of-shadows.com or call 269-2582.

November 3: Monroe County Historical Fall Craft Show @ The Sparta High School

December 7: Sparta’s Holiday Parade * Holiday Lights in the Park (Lights all month)

May 1, 2012 - May 1, 2012
CELEBRATE OPENING DAY OF BIKE TRAIL IN SPARTA
2011 Opening of the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail
Tuesday May 1, 2012
9am- Ride the bike trail from Norwalk to Tunnel #3
Arrive at the depot around noon.
Noon- Flag raising ceremony
ribbon cutting, DNR- Friends of the Trail Presentation, Light reception
12:30-3pm - Kiwanis members present bike rodeo
Bike Safety
Trail Display and information
Call the Sparta Chamber @ 269-4123 for more info.

May 6, 2012 - May 7, 2012
La Crosse Fitness Festival May 6-7, 2012
The Festival Foods La Crosse Fitness Festival is a two-day celebration that gives area residents and visitors from across the country an opportunity to enjoy active, aerobic outdoor events amidst the breathtaking natural beauty of the Mississippi River Valley. The wide range of activities--from a full marathon to a 5-kilometer walk, youth events, and cycling events--offers challenges to both experienced and novice athletes of all ages and fitness levels.
www.lacrossefitnessfestival.com

May 23, 2012 - Oct 31, 2012
2012 Sparta Farmer's Market
Memorial Park at Rusk & Montgomery
Wednesday 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Saturday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm

For more information,
Email- spartamarket@yahoo.com or call 608-269-1104

Jun 7, 2012 - Jun 10, 2012
Sparta Butterfest
2nd Weekend in June
Sparta Butterfest is fun for the whole family! Arts & Crafts/Flea Market, Carnival, Parade, Car Show, Live Music, Food Booths, Live Entertainment, Bingo Tent, & much more! Visit the Sparta Butterfest website www.spartabutterfest.com for more information!

Jun 9, 2012 - Jun 9, 2012
Sparta Run & Walk Stampede
Annual Sparta Run & Walk Stampede
Saturday, June 9, 2012
5 mile run and 2 run & walk
Sparta Memorial Park is just a few blocks from the Franklin Victorian Bed and Breakfast 8 a.m.
Print Registration Forms at www.bgcofsparta.org & www.spartabutterfest.com

Jun 27, 2012 - Aug 15, 2012
Concerts in the Park - Free Event
Just 2 blocks from our B&B, enjoy an outdoor concert every Wednesday during the summer months at our newly-constructed band shell, located in Evans Bosshard Park, Hwy 16 East, right here in Sparta. Be sure to bring your lawn chair or blanket. Hearty concessions will be available at each concert -enjoy dinner and music in the beautiful park.
Start time: 7 PM
2012 dates are as follows:
Full Band Schedule

* In the event of inclement weather, concerts will be held at Sparta High School.

Aug 5, 2012 - Aug 10, 2012
COULEE REGION POWWOW BICYCLE TOURS- AUG 5-10, 2012
Coulee Region Tour - www.wisconsinbicycletours.com 414-671-4560
Sparta, Wisconsin - "Bicycling Capital of America"
Enjoy custom planned loop rides, averaging 56 miles per day, traveling across some of Wisconsin's most beautiful, scenic landscape. Mini-ride options: 35 miles per day. The basic ride package is six days, or select the number of days you choose to ride at an appropriate daily fee.

Accommodations
Let your budget decide where and how you'd like to overnight it. Tenting, camper, or your RV, space is part of the ride package. For a different experience, stay in a motel or B&B. Prices start at $37 per day, special rates for Coulee Region Tour. A list of motels and B&Bs will be sent to you upon registration. All persons staying in the motels or B&Bs must be registered to receive the special rate discount.

Food
Thursday dinner and entertainment is included in the ride package. All other meals are your responsibility. Excellent area restaurants are available with discounts for Coulee Region Tour riders.

What if I want to take a day off from biking?
Draw your own itinerary. Skip a day’s ride if you want. This is your vacation and we encourage you to enjoy it as you explore this beautiful area of Wisconsin.
Museums
Parks
Lakes
Shopping
Swimming
Tennis
Horseback riding
Bowling
Canoeing
Fishing
Golf
Sightseeing by car

Aug 25, 2012 - Aug 26, 2012
Leon Gatorfest
In May of 2002, USA Today ran an article stating that alligators have been found in unexpected locations including Buffalo, NY, Nashua, NH and...Leon, WI- No truth to this in Leon, but the local Residents love to find any reason to celebrate and so, Gaterfest was Born. Join in the fun on August 25th & 26th for the 9th annual Gatorfest in downtown Leon:

Events and Activities:

The 2011 schedule will be updated as soon as possible- events to give you an idea of all the fun to come and more:
Saturday,
9 am: Karen Wright Greeno Memorial 5k Walk/Run
Laundry Basket Softball Tournament
10am: Hillbilly Horseshoes Tournament
All Day Chicken Q, Live Music, Kids Inflatables and Games, Arts and Crafts Show, Live Reptile Exhibit
8-midnight: The Freezers
Sunday
8-10 am: Pancake Breakfast
9 am: Laundry Basket Softball Tournament cont'd.
Noon-1 Stand Still Parade
1-3 pm: Car/Tractor Show
2:30 pm: Frog Jumpers Exhibition-Leon Gators vs. Melvina Frog
3 pm: Challenge Ballgame Oktoberfest vs. Gatorfest
3:30 pm: Gator Crawl drawings
All day: Food stands, Arts & Crafts Show, Kids Inflatables & Games, Mini petting Farm
Grounds close at 7

Please call Sharon Folcey -608-269-8463 or folcey@centurytel.net with any questions.

Sep 15, 2012 - Sep 15, 2012
“On the Trail Beer and Wine Making Contest”!!
On the Trail Beer & Wine Contest September 15, 2012
September 15, 2012 Start fermenting now!! Enter your home brew or wine specialty in our On the Trail Beer & Wine Contest. Call 608-269-4123 to enter!

Sep 28, 2012 - Oct 6, 2012
2012 Oktoberfest, La Crosse, WI
http://www.oktoberfestusa.com/
Friday, September 28 Saturday, October 6
Welcome to the official Oktoberfest, USA website. Celebrating over 50 years of Oktoberfest in La Crosse, WI.
Oktoberfest USA, through a network of volunteers, preserves, promotes, represents, and celebrates the values of our diverse heritage regionally, and internationally.

Oct 6, 2012 - Oct 31, 2012
House of Shadows

The House of Shadows began 14 years ago as an annual fund raising event for the Boys & Girls Club of Sparta. It is a highly interactive haunted attraction located in the old Child Center Infirmary, which is believed to really be haunted.

The House of Shadows continues to be one of the Club's largest fund raising events which generates the money needed to provide over 600 children with fun and educational programming throughout the year.

Admission: 'Not So Scary' tba per person Starts at 6:00, ends at 7:00
This is the best option for the young or faint of heart. Characters will not jump out and it's not as dark in the house as the Very Scary option. This is a great way for families with small children to enjoy the experience without being terrified.
'Very Scary' tba per person Starts at 7:00, last ticket will be sold at 10:00
The rooms are dark, ghoulish creatures jump out from behind every corner! While a group waits its turn, there is a tent area available to enjoy concessions, scary movies, and listen to the sounds emanating from the house.
'Spook Pass' tba per person Starts at 7:00, last ticket will be sold at 10:00
If you just can't wait to be terrified out of your mind, purchase a Spook Pass! You'll immediately go to the front of the line and won't have to wait. This is available during Very Scary hours.

2012 Haunting Dates are: October tba

The ghosts and goblins await you at this years House of Shadows and we await you at our Sparta Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast.

Nov 4, 2012 - Nov 4, 2012
Rails to Trails Marathon in Norwalk, WI in the Fall
~Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, 5k, Fun Run~
November 4, 2012
~Walker Friendly~
www.railstotrailsrace.com