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- September 15, 2022
September 15, 2022
Administration
2022 Multicultural Fair
It's this weeekend!
Road Closures
We are so excited that the event is almost here!
We did want to let everyone know to be aware that around 10:00 a.m. the section of Linnerud Drive between the Sun Prairie Public Library and Sheehan Park will be closed until the evening for the event. There will be partial road closures where Linnerud crosses with S Walker Way that only permits access to the event and the Sun Prairie Public Library. There will be another partial road closure where Linnerud and South Bird Street cross that only permits access to the event and Community Gardens.
The Sun Prairie Multicultural Fair will be taking place on Saturday, September 17 beginning at 11 a.m. at 1375 Linnerud Dr.
We hope to see you there!
Are you ready for all the performances?
Interested in helping volunteer?
Thank you sponsors!
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
Latinx Heritage Month in Sun Prairie School District
From September 15th through October 15th there will be several opportunities for staff, students, and parents/ caregivers to engage in celebrating across the district. The Department of Systemic Equity and Inclusion is proud to share with you the following district sponsored events and encourage you to share with students and caregivers as well. Your participation is greatly appreciated!
Have you seen the merch?
To show pride and spirit for Latinx Heritage Month, the school district is selling some cool swag. To check it out, click here.
Watch COCO!
There will be two simultaneously streamed versions of the movie CoCo (Spanish and English) in different areas of Meadow View Elementary School. Join in the fun and bring your family to this experience!
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 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:
September 22nd
6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Kick realism to the curb with this explorative, fun acrylic painting workshop! Learn how to apply acrylic paints with these abstract, eye catching miniature triptych paintings you’ll want to hang up to display for your friends and family!
Listen to Your Art – Frida Kahlo
September 30th
9:00-11:00 a.m.
Registration Deadline: 9/23/2022
Join Ms. Jessica from Jessica’s Art Studio on these days off of school for hours of creativity! You will also learn about famous artists and popular art methods such as drawing, painting, sculpture, clay
exploration and more. This day's theme is Frida Kahlo, students will create art inspired by this artist.
Wear “Art Clothes” and be prepared to get messy. It is recommended to bring an Art Bag with you to take your projects home at the end of the day.
October 1st – November 19th, 2022
10:00-10:30 a.m.
Registration Deadline: 9/23/2022
DiscoverAcro is a series of movement classes designed to introduce children to the creative and expressive world of acro.
This is a parent/child class. Children must be walking to attend this class.
No Class 10/29.
Registration Deadline: 9/29/2022
Rec on the Go are theme-based exploration kits for kids ages 5 and up. Each bi-monthly kit will feature crafts, experiments and other fun activities for kids. Kits are available for pick up or delivery.
October - Halloween Spooktacular
Ghosts, ghouls, and goblins, oh my! Halloween is the best, let's celebrate with Rec on the Go!
Pick up and delivery will be available October 7. Participants will be emailed when kits are ready, so make sure your email address is in your profile is correct.
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
Open House
Sun Prairie Media Center
KIDS-4 Registration Open – Only a Few Spots Remain!
KIDS-4, the one-of-a-kind media production/media literacy experience unique to Sun Prairie, is almost full for the 2022-2023 crew year. However, we have a few spots left for students in 4th through 8th grade.
Currently, the crews are at a number that they can operate, however - since space remains in a few of these crews, we are still looking for a few more students to round them out. Also, if your child is already signed up, have them tell a friend to get the word out about this unique program.
In the KIDS-4 crews, students should expect to collaborate in all aspects of media production, from sound, lighting, directing, cameras, in addition to bringing creative ideas and being on-camera.
Registration for KIDS-4 is open right now at kids4.tv and is expected to close on Friday, September 16.
-KIDS-4 Registration Information: https://www.kids4.tv/kids-4-signup-info/
-Contact Sun Prairie Media Center with questions at: 837-4193 or Rachel at rpackard@cityofsunprairie.com
-Program Fee = $150 for Members and $180 for Non-members. Price includes a t-shirt, crew poster and USB drive complete with child’s produced work. Scholarships available for those who qualify.
Sun Prairie Public Library
Over the past few months, the Sun Prairie Public Library has begun working on a new three-year strategic plan that will provide direction and set priorities for services for 2023-2025.
We are working with ReThinking Libraries, a library consulting firm. A key component to the strategic planning process is community input through surveys and listening sessions. The end result will be a plan for the Sun Prairie Public Library that will clearly identify the needs and aspirations of the community with both quantitative and qualitative data. We value your input and look forward to your participation!
Please help us by taking our 10-15 minute survey. Let us know how you feel about the library's current and potential services. Survey is available in English y tambien en Espanol!
Attend a Community Listening Session!
We will be hosting three general Community Listening Sessions during the month of September at the library. To register to attend, please click the links below. All sessions are in the Library Community Room, unless indicated.
Monday, September 26th from 6-7pm
Wednesday, September 28th from 9:30-10:30am
Thursday, September 29th from 6-7pm via ZOOM (Virtual Meeting)
If you are unable to attend a general session, you are welcome to register to attend one of the sessions below:
Monday, September 26th from 8-9am
(Community & Business Leaders)
Tuesday, September 27th from 6-7pm
(Educators & Caregivers)
Thursday, September 29th from 8-9am
(Library Volunteers)
Questions?
If you have any questions on the Strategic Planning process, please contact Svetha Hetzler, Library Director at 825-0900 or by email at shetzler@sunlib.org.
Children’s & Teen Services
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
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.
Wednesday, September 21 6:30-7:30pm, Library Community Room
Come meet Anne Goodwin, author of Come to the Lake: Reflections on a Cottage Life! Award-winning Wisconsin author and speaker Anne Goodwin encourages audiences to experience the return of connection—to ourselves, loved ones and the natural environment, which she experiences as she spends her summers in a 1920s cottage on a lake in southeastern Wisconsin. Come to the Lake reminds us to reconnect with the gifts we receive from nature, solitude, good food, shared hospitality, and choosing a simpler life. A visit to the lake, real or imagined, is time well spent. No registration required.
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.