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- September 1, 2022
September 1, 2022
Administration
Thank You Sponsors!
We owe a BIG thank you to our amazing sponsors of the 2022 Sun Prairie Multicultural Fair. This event is made possible because of your generosity!
City Hall Elevator Upgrade!
The City Hall elevator is expected to be out of service for approximately three weeks pending elevator upgrades starting on August 22 through September 9. In the meantime, please use the stairs to access the second floor.
We understand the impact this will have on our community and will make every effort to meet all requests while the elevator is out of service to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities through appropriate aids and services. To request this service, please contact 608-837-2511. City services can be accessed online at: cityofsunprairie.com.
Accommodations for public meetings taking place in the Council Chambers at city hall:
o Zoom and Survey Monkey will continue to be available to members of the public who wish to attend or speak during city meetings.
o Technology will be set up in the front portion of the Community Room to stream the meeting and for public comment during the public comment period. Please refer to the meeting agenda to request this service with the appropriate department.
Community Development
5th annual Fall Beer Taste event – Downtown Sun Prairie’s Oktoberfest!
The Sun Prairie Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) is pleased to announce that the date of the fifth annual Downtown Fall Beer Taste - Downtown Sun Prairie’s Oktoberfest event, is set for Saturday September 24 from 12:00 (noon)-4:00PM.
The event includes over 20 Downtown Sun Prairie businesses. Participating businesses will be pouring 3oz. samples of up to two flavors of a fall beer, Oktoberfest, or cider, and are encouraged to provide light snacks to event attendees.
As event attendees travel from one participating business to another, Oktoberfest-style musical entertainment will also be throughout Downtown Sun Prairie. The musical entertainment line-up includes a variety of music from the Mad City Jug Band and traveling accordionist Steve Meisner.
Tickets for the event should be purchased online on Eventbrite at https://fallbeertaste2022.eventbrite.com. Standard event tickets are $35.00; designated driver tickets are available for $10.00. Event t-shirts are available for purchase online for $20.00 through September 9. Designated drivers will receive appetizers and exclusive participant deals, but they will not be permitted to sample the beers served.
Event check-in is required, and will be at the Bank of Sun Prairie’s Downtown Sun Prairie location at 228 E. Main Street. Check-in timeframe is from 11:30-3:00PM. At check-in, event attendees will have their ID’s checked to ensure that they are 21 years of age or older, receive a 5oz. Fall Beer Taste sampling glass, an event wristband, and an event brochure. Designated drivers will receive a 16oz. Downtown Sun Prairie styrene cup.
The BID has partnered with the following distributors for this year’s event: General Beer Distributors, Wisconsin Distributors, Beechwood Sales & Service, and Frank Beer Distributors. All of the distributors have a large array of local fall ales and Oktoberfests that will be featured at Fall Beer Taste, providing this year’s event with the most expansive variety of fall beers yet!
“The Sun Prairie Downtown Business Improvement District is looking forward to another great Fall Beer Taste. We have our best beer line up yet,” said Adam Bougie, owner of Glass Nickel Pizza Sun Prairie and BID Board Chair. “It’s a fun event that attracts people to local, downtown businesses.”
The Fall Beer Taste event is sponsored in part by the Bank of Sun Prairie, Forever Yours Jewelry, Faded Roots Boutique, and Budding Butterfly.
The intent of the Fall Beer Taste is to bring awareness to the variety of unique retail shops, specialty services businesses, and restaurants and bars that are located in Downtown Sun Prairie, and encourage event participants to visit Downtown Sun Prairie.
Follow us on Facebook at Downtown Sun Prairie for information about events and updates! www.facebook.com/downtownsunprairie
Downtown Sun Prairie… we’re having fun down here!
Community Spotlight
IRONMAN volunteers needed for September 10th & 11th
CapitalLand Music Festival
Come #outside for the the 4th Annual #capitallandmusicfest on Saturday, SEPTEMBER 10th at Sheehan Park in Sun Prairie, WI
This year's guest will be the #beautiful #sultry sounds of #Artist Roe , #Soul #Smooth #Voice of #RecordingArtist Kevin Ross, #GrammyNominated artist Ro James.
CLMF will be equipped with Food vendors, VIP meet & greet, games and fun, so come prepared;
whether you're #lookingforlove, meeting up with #friends or just want to get the #family out the house. MARK YOUR CALENDARS for a #greatnight of #goodmusic and a much needed #sweetrelease...but you #alreadyknewthat
See You September 10th | 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. | Sheehan Park 925-1375 Linnerud Drive, Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Parks, Recreation and Forestry
Recreation Department
The Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry office is open: Monday – Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, or by phone at (608) 837-3449 or by email at rec@cityofsunprairie.com.
Announcements:
Fall Rec Connection Guide out now!
Registration now open for all fall programs. To view the guide or to register, visit rec.cityofsunprairie.com
“Recreation is for Everyone” Scholarship form!
Come join us for fun and enriching programs available for the whole family! Requesting a scholarship is easier than ever with our NEW online form! This easy, streamlined form provides "no questions asked" financial access to SPPRF programs.
In order to request the Recreation is for Everyone Scholarship you must be a resident of Sun Prairie or enrolled in the Sun Prairie Area School District.
For questions or assistance contact us at 608-837-3449 or visit Recreation is for Everyone Scholarship Information
- Scholarships cover 50% of enrollment fees on most programs
- No formal documentation is required for approval of financial assistance
- Online submission with approvals within 2 business days
Fitness “TRY-IT” Week
Are you thinking about signing up for a fitness class but you’re not sure which one? Join a FREE class (or several) during our “Try It” week to help you make up your mind! No need to register, just show up! All classes with be held at WCSB unless noted below.
CLASS | AGES | DAY | DATE | TIME |
Totally Toned for Women- Running Diva Mom Studio (351 E. Main St, #335) | 16+ | Tues | 9/6 | 8:45 - 9:30 a.m. |
Zumba with Naveen | 16+ | Tues | 9/6 | 6:00 – 6:45 p.m. |
Walk the Prairie | 16+ | Wed | 9/7 | 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. |
Pound | 16+ | Wed | 9/7 | 5:45 – 6:30 p.m. |
Totally Toned for Women- Running Diva Mom Studio (351 E. Main St, #335) | 16+ | Thurs | 9/8 | 8:45 - 9:30 a.m. |
Zumba Gold | 16+ | Thurs | 9/8 | 9:00 – 9:45 a.m. |
Zumba with Valerie | 16+ | Thurs | 9/8 | 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. |
Fitness Flex Pass
Not sure what fitness class is right for you? Enjoy the flexibility to try them all with our new Fit Flex Pass. Click here to purchase a 5 or 10 class pass, Fit Flex Pass - Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry (cityofsunprairie.com), passes never expire!
Upcoming Programs Not to Be Missed:
Music Together
Mondays, September 12 – November 21, 9:30 – 10:15 am OR 10:30-11:15am
Wednesdays (Outdoor at Wyndham Hills Park), September 14-November 2, 9:30 – 10:15 am OR 10:30-11:15am
Each Music Together class is an active music making experience designed to teach the way young children learn: through play with the ones they love! In this mixed-age class each child participates at his or her own level through singing, moving, chanting, listening, watching, and exploring musical instruments. Classes provide a variety of adult-child activities that are engaging and developmentally appropriate and offer new ways to play musically at home. This semester, families will receive the beautifully illustrated Flutes songbook, a CD with the Flutes recordings, and a code to access the music online. This is a parent/child class .
September 13th – December 22nd
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Registration Ends: 9/06/2022
This class will give your tot an opportunity to explore their independence while socializing with peers! At Tot School children will play, create and learn through interactive activities in a semi-structured environment. Parents are asked to remain on site but not actively in program. A lounge with coffee and refreshments will be provided. Free Wi-Fi is also available.
This is a 9-week session. Payments have been broken up in three equal portions for convenience for our customers. Please note that by registering, you are agreeing to pay the FULL program amount over the course of three months. Automatic payments are not available. Payments may be made through online account, in person, 24-hour dropbox or by mail. There will be no proration of fees. Registrants will be liable for all three payments regardless of whether the child attends all months or not.
Save 5% by paying for the session in full at the time of registration. To do this please call 608-837-3449 and we can process your registration by phone and apply the 5% discount.
Preschool Classes
Little Wolves @Westside Community Services Building
Mondays and Wednesdays, September 12 – December 21, 8:00-9:945am
Tiny Terrapins @ Token Springs Elementary
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays September 13th – December 22nd
Two sessions available: 8:00 – 9:45 a.m. or 10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Are you looking for an opportunity for children to learn through play? This inclusion program will be an early pre-school experience incorporating music, art and movement activities. Peers will engage in activities that will develop skills in the areas of expressive language development, fine and gross motor skills, and play skills. Tiny Terrapins is a team-taught program with the Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department and the Sun Prairie Area School District Early Childhood Special Education Department.
This is a semester long program. Payments have been broken up in four equal portions for convenience for our customers. Please note that by registering, you are agreeing to pay the FULL program amount over the course of four months. Automatic payments are not available. Payments may be made through online account, in person, 24-hour dropbox or by mail. There will be no proration of fees. Registrants will be liable for all four payments regardless of whether the child attends all months or not.
Thursday Early Release Afterschool Programming (previously TGIT)
Thursdays, 1:30-5:00pm
September 8-29 - $95
October 6-27- $95
November 3-17 - $71, No class 11/24
December 1-22- $95
Elementary School Site Locations:
Horizon
Meadowview
Northside
Royal Oaks
Beginning in the 2022 – 2023 school year, Sun Prairie Area School District Elementary Schools will be dismissing students at 1:30 pm on Thursday afternoons to accommodate professional staff development. In an effort to provide high quality afterschool childcare to our growing community, Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry, the Sun Prairie Area School District and Community Schools are putting forth a collaborative effort to provide a community partner-based afterschool program. This program will aim to provide families with safe, affordable and engaging childcare on Thursday afternoons for students in kindergarten through 5th grade.
Childcare will be available from dismissal at 1:30 pm until 5:00 pm. We will pilot this program, starting in September, at four elementary school locations in September and will have programming at all nine elementary schools starting in January 2023. Program partners will be brought in monthly to provide fun and exciting programming ranging from chess to sports to ukulele lessons.
If this program isn’t offered at your school initially you do have the option to attend any site, but transportation will not be provided at this time. Registration will be by month for September -December. Please click “register” to be added to our interest list to be notified when enrollment begins and when new sites are added to this program.
For more information visit rec.cityofsunprairie.com and the digital version of the Rec Connection which will be updated prior to the start of the school year. Please contact Emily Rebarchek, erebarchek@cityofsunprairie.com, or call 608-837-3449 with any questions.
Public Safety
Cop on a Rooftop – Special Olympics of Wisconsin
Sergeant Ryahn Smith assisted in facilitating the 2022 Special Olympics Wisconsin Cop on a Rooftop with Dunkin event on Friday, August 19th. The event was a wonderful success bringing community members together with their public safety personnel from the PD, FIRE and EMS as well as Dane County Sheriff Deputies. The community poured into the Dunkin Donuts lot both via the drive-thru as well as on foot, and with their generosity and support, $2,978.61 was raised to benefit Special Olympics of Wisconsin.
Sweet Corn Festival
The Sun Prairie Police Department participated in and staffed each event and night of the 2022 Cornfest. Officers assisted with the parade and staffed areas of the festival grounds during each night of the week. With the weather bringing on and off rain this year, there were some lower attendance periods, but all of that changed on Sunday. Heavy crowds and traffic were observed on Sunday, but people remained calm for the most part and were able to enjoy the festivities. Very few disturbances were observed or reported, and no arrests needed to be made. Officers found opportunities they could to interact with our community members and have some fun, as well. Thousands of attendees poured in, and that meant thousands of junior police officers were roaming the grounds as well proudly displaying their sticker badge!
Public Works
Electronics Recycle Drop-Off
Taxi Service Update
Sun Prairie Public Library
Library Closed for Labor Day
The library will be closed on Monday, September 5 for Labor Day. The drive-through book drops will remain open.
Children’s & Teen Services
Wow! We had so many readers in the Summer Reading Program this year! Thank you to all who participated. The SRP ended August 6.
Programs resume in mid-September! We’ll have Storytime, Outdoor Storytime, LEGO® Club, Young Critics Club, Tween and Teen Book Clubs, Teen Board Gaming, Teen Creativity Club, and more! Visit https://www.sunprairiepubliclibrary.org/sppl-kids-page for more information.
Adult Services
Moderated Discussion with WI Author, Lauren Fox (Virtual)
Wednesday, September 14 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Join us for this newly rescheduled moderated discussion with best-selling Wisconsin writer and author of this year's Sun Prairie Community Read, “Send for Me”! It's your opportunity to learn more about Lauren, her life as a writer, and the books she reads (as well as pens). There will also be ample time left to ask your questions because the more you know...the more you know!
This event will be held via Zoom. To receive the Zoom log in information, please register on our Events Calendar at https://sunprairie.librarymarket.com.
Virtual Chilean Guitar Concert
Thursday, September 15 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Fan favorite and Chilean guitar virtuoso, Ricardo Parra returns to us live in virtual concert from across the sea to perform pieces from his glorious new album as well as a few classics! Hypnotic, lyrical, and absolutely relaxing, it's the kind of music that makes for one beautiful and meditative night! This event will be held via Zoom. To receive the Zoom log in information, please register on our Events Calendar at https://sunprairie.librarymarket.com. This evening is funded by the Friends of Sun Prairie Public Library.
From the Streets of New York to the Stages of the World: Being a Global Artist
Sunday, September 18 2-3 p.m., Library Community Room
Baron Kelly, University of Wisconsin Professor, will discuss his life path, from growing up in the streets of New York to becoming a global artist who graces the world's stage. His professional career began by singing with the Metropolitan Opera and evolved into a four-time world-traveled Fulbright Scholar, enabling him to bridge ethnic divides as a cultural specialist for the United States. Kelly trained at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and holds a PhD in Theatre from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a published author and sits on numerous editorial boards including The Harold Pinter Review and the Comparative Drama Conference. This program is provided via a partnership with the UW Speakers Bureau.
Fathering: Challenges, Benefits, Barriers
Tuesday, September 20 6:30-7:30 p.m. Library Community Room
More men today are actively involved in the lives of their children than they would report was the case for their own fathers, however, our social fabric is still slow in its full integration of fathers. Our organizations are challenged in their appreciation of the role of fathers, and even in the family, fathers face significant barriers. What are some of the father related, organization orientation, and relational factors that could enhance the contribution of fathers beyond child support?
Presented by Alvin Thomas, a clinical trained psychologist focused on the risk and protective factors for African-American boys, the positive development of youth, and the engagement of fathers in care of their children. He is an alumni fellow of the International Max Planck Research School on the Life Course, and the Health Equity Leadership Institute. He has presented his work internationally and has earned numerous awards including the Center for the Education of Women Scholarship. (Thomas is the first man to receive an award from the Center in its 40-year history.) This program is part of a partnership with the UW-Speaker's Bureau.
Sun Prairie Utilities
Each year, more than 2,000 community-owned utilities, like Sun Prairie Utilities, across the nation observe Public Power Week during the first full week of October. Public Power Week is a celebration of these not-for-profit electric utilities that proudly serve the electric power needs of about 40 million Americans - or almost 15 percent of electricity consumers.
Every public power system is different due to its community's population, geography, climate, natural resources, economy, and local government structure. However, all public power systems have in common their purpose: to provide adequate, reliable, not-for-profit electricity at a reasonable price with proper protection of the environment.
Join us in celebrating Public Power Week, October 2-8. In appreciation of our customers, we’re providing the following opportunities to celebrate Public Power in Sun Prairie:
Monday October 3rd - Sunshine Supper 5pm-6pm- SPU Staff will be sponsoring and serving dinner at the Sunshine Building; this is a drive-thru event. Conservation item giveaway will be included.
Wednesday October 5th - Storytime at Sun Prairie Public Library @3:30pm- SPU Lineman will be reading “If I Were a Lineworker”. A bucket truck will be on site for “touch a truck”. This event will be held outside, weather permitting.
Thursday October 6th – SPU Facility Tour 9am-1pm- To meet the demands of our growing community, SPU is planning to build a new facility. Join us at 125 W. Main Street for a tour of the current space and provide important feedback. Light refreshments will be served.