October 2026

How to Engage in the 2027 Budget Process

At the October 6 Committee of the Whole meeting, Mayor Stocker will be presenting his recommended 2027 budget. As the first since the failed referendum, this budget prioritizes the services and obligations the City must continue to provide while recognizing that, given our current revenue limitations, we cannot fund every request.

Budget workshops will follow Mayor Stocker's presentation throughout October. The 2027 Budget Public Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27. Residents are encouraged to engage in the process. Listen in to learn more about how to get involved!

Interview with Aaron Oppenheimer, City Administrator

Council Votes to Remove Racist Covenants from Property Records

Over the summer, the City hosted the 'Unjust Deeds' exhibit in the Library's Atrium, which highlighted the history of racial covenants in Dane County and beyond. Then in August, the Common Council voted to reject racially discriminatory covenants in Sun Prairie.

What are the discriminatory restrictions and covenants? They are clauses in property deeds that excluded certain racial, religious, and ethnic groups, especially targeting Black people in the early 1900s. These restrictions are now illegal, but documenting them shows the barriers people of color faced in getting safe, affordable housing.

Even though racial covenants are unenforceable today, they might still appear on property deeds or title reports. In fact, there are more than 200 properties in Sun Prairie that still have discriminatory language attached to their deed.

We encourage residents to check, and if found, add an official record striking the racist and discriminatory language attached to their property deed. Visit this link to learn how.

Important Election Dates & Reminders!

November 3, 2026 is Election Day! Absentee ballots were mailed on Thursday, September 3rd for any voter that had a valid request on file at that time. Now any new requests received will be processed and mailed within 24 hours.

In-Person Absentee Voting will start on October 20, 2026 and occur at City Hall. Watch for more details coming soon.

Registration Deadlines:

October 6, 2026 – Last day for voters to establish residence for the General Election. Voters moving after this date must vote from their prior address as they will not meet the residency requirement.
October 14, 2026 – Registering to vote by mail or online for the General Election ends this day.
October 30, 2026 – Registering in-person at the Clerk’s Office for the General Election closes at 5:00 p.m. this day.

You can register on Election Day at your polling place, but registering ahead of time helps you avoid potential delays and ensures you have extra time, if needed, to find proof of residency.

The easiest way to verify your polling place, register to vote, and request an absentee ballot is by visiting myvote.wi.gov.

Sun Prairie Historical Museum Announces Fall Public Hours

The Sun Prairie Historical Museum is pleased to announce new regular public hours that began Tuesday, September 8, providing the community with more opportunities to visit the Museum and explore its exhibits, collections, and stories of Sun Prairie’s past.

After being open primarily by appointment for much of 2026, the Museum will once again offer consistent public hours throughout the week. The new Fall schedule is designed to make the Museum more accessible and welcoming to residents, families, visitors, and anyone interested in learning more about Sun Prairie’s history.

New Fall Museum Hours through December 30, 2026:

Tuesday: 10 am – 2 pm
Wednesday: 2 – 6 pm
Thursday: 2 – 6 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 2 pm

Information regarding any continuation or changes to regular public hours in 2027 will be communicated at a later date.

Join us for Migration at the Marsh!

Join us Sunday, October 18, from 9–11 am at Patrick Marsh for Migration at the Marsh, a morning celebrating migratory birds and the conservation of special places that support wildlife!

Bring your friends and family to explore Sun Prairie’s largest conservation park and discover the incredible journeys migratory birds make each year. Learn how conservation efforts at places like Patrick Marsh provide important habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife, and enjoy some hands-on fun along the way!

This free, family-friendly event will feature:

Guided bird & native plant ecology walks at 9:30 & 10:30am
Bird and nature themed crafts and activities for all ages
Bird City designation ceremony at 9am, celebrating Sun Prairie’s commitment to creating a community where birds and people can thrive

Learn more by visiting our EventBrite page.

Downtown Sun Prairie: Mark your calendars! The Full Fun is in full swing in Downtown Sun Prairie. Scroll to learn more.

Fire & EMS: Join Sun Prairie Fire & EMS for their Open House on Sunday, October 11!

Parks, Recreation & Forestry: From Halloween to Holiday Cheer, our Parks, Recreation & Forestry department has no shortage of fun events for the whole family! You won't want to miss out.

Sun Prairie Public Library: There's always something happening at the library! Take a look and make a plan to visit this month.

Sun Prairie Utilities: Sun Prairie Utilities is celebrating Public Power Month! And you're invited to participate in some community events. Scroll to learn more.

Sun Prairie Public Library

Children’s & Teen Services

Itsy Bitsy Lapsit

Monday, September 21 - November 9 at 10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., Youth Program Room

Itsy Bitsy Lapsits (formerly Small Fry) are 20-25 minutes long and are filled with 1-2 short books, songs, action rhymes and more! Some songs, stories and rhymes are repeated each week and new ones are gradually introduced. Geared For: Ages 0-2 but all ages are welcome at any Storytime.

Little Kid Storytime

Tuesdays, September 22 - November 10 at 10 a.m., Youth Program Room

Little Kid Storytimes are 25-30 minutes long and are filled with short books, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, puppets and more – a different variety each week. Geared For: Ages 1-3 but all ages are welcome at any Storytime.

Big Kid Storytime

Tuesdays, September 22 - November 10 at 11:15 a.m, Youth Program Room

Big Kid Storytimes are 30-35 minutes long and are filled with longer books, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, puppets and more – a different variety each week. This Storytime is geared for children who are ready for stories that are a bit longer. Geared For: Ages 3-5 but all ages are welcome at any Storytime.

Cuentos Infantiles (Spanish Storytime)

Wednesdays, September 23 – November 11at 5 p.m., Youth Program Room

Orientado para las: Edades 3-5. Pero todas las edades son bienvenidos para todos los cuentos infantiles.

Geared For: Ages 3-5 but all ages are welcome at any Storytime

Hablantes nativos hasta principiantes bienvenidos

Native speakers to beginner’s welcome!

Family Storytime

Thursdays, September 24 - November 12 at 6:30 p.m., Youth Program Room

Family Storytimes are 30-35 minutes long and are filled with longer books, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, puppets, and more – a different variety each week. This Storytime is geared toward families, so all ages are welcome. Geared For: Ages 0-5 but all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend!

LEGO® Club

Thursday, October 1 from 2-3:30 p.m., The Mixer

Build with the library’s LEGO® collection! Bring your creativity but leave your LEGO®s at home! Registration is required.

For school-age children only (Kindergarten - 5th grade). Children can be left with the librarian as long as they are registered.

Sun Prairie Utilities Story & A Truck

Wednesday, October 7 from 10-10:45 a.m., Youth Program Room

Join us in the Youth Program Room where we'll read "If I were a Lineworker." After we'll go outside and see a bucket truck!

All ages welcome! All library programs are free and open to the public.

Puppet Workshop with guest artist Monica Cliff

Wednesday, October 7 from 6-7:30 p.m., The Mixer

Bring a simple piece of cardboard to life in this fun, hands-on workshop! Participants will design, decorate, and assemble a beautiful flying bird puppet inspired by folk art and nature. Using cardboard, markers, and a few simple materials, you'll learn how to build a bird that flaps its wings.

Ages: 6+ (Children under 8 should attend with an adult.)

Skill Level: Beginner—no experience necessary!

All materials are included.

Artsy Kids Club

Saturday, October 10 from 10-11:30 a.m., The Mixer

Join Prairie Music & Arts for a new Artsy Kids Club for youth in grades K-5. Guided by teaching artist Chele Ramos, each session will showcase a planned project, exposing young artists to a variety of artistic styles. This open art format also offers the freedom to explore independent art-making using self-chosen materials.

This monthly program is FREE and supported by the Sun Prairie Public Library Foundation.

Costume Swap

Sunday, October 11 from 1:30-4:30 p.m., Community Room

Looking to save money on this year's Halloween costume? Stop on by to browse our collection of gently used costumes in a variety of sizes. All costumes are free, and you do not have to donate a costume in order to take one. While supplies last.

Have costumes to donate? Please drop off clean, gently used costumes and accessories to Youth Services by Thursday, October 8. (Please, no donations on the day of the event.) All sizes are welcome. No rips, stains, or used makeup/face paint, please.

All library programs are free and open to the public.

Star Wars Reads Day

Saturday, October 17 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m, Community Room

An exciting family event in October is our annual Star Wars Reads Day! On Saturday, October 17th from 10:00 AM until Noon, Star Wars fans of all ages are encouraged to come dressed in your favorite Star Wars attire and have fun with games, crafts, and activities!

There is even a potential for photo ops with members of the WI Garrison of the 501st Legion (if you’re not a diehard Star Wars fan – this means real live stormtroopers!).

Teen Creativity Club

Tuesday, October 20 from 4-6 p.m., The Mixer

Meet up with Melissa for Teen Creativity Club. Projects we'll be doing: painting, zine making, air-dry clay, collage and more. Registration is recommended. When you register, you'll automatically be signed up for all sessions. It is okay if you are not able to come to all sessions. This program is for teens in 6th - 12th grade.

Adult Services

Virtual Author Talk with Veronica Roth

Thursday, October 1 from 6-7 p.m.

Join us for an online conversation with #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth as we celebrate the enduring legacy of her Divergent series, one of the most iconic young adult series of a generation, and get an exclusive sneak peek into her highly anticipated upcoming novel, The Sixth Faction!

This is a virtual event. Visit our events calendar at www.sunlib.org to register. Thank you to the Friends of the Sun Prairie Public Library for supporting this event!

Learn to Play: Chinese Mahjong (Session 2)

Sunday, October 4 from 1-3 p.m., Atrium Conference Room (Session 2)

Would you like to learn to play Chinese Mahjong? Mahjong is a 4-player tile game that originated in China. Players draw, exchange, and discard tiles to build specific winning combinations of four sets and one pair, combining skill, strategy, and calculation.

We are offering three 2-week sessions that will teach the basics of Chinese Mahjong. Each session consists of three Sundays in a row, from 1:00-3:00PM. Registrants may sign up for only one session, as space is limited, and should be able to commit to all dates. All sessions will be held in the Atrium Conference Room.

This program is for adults and youth ages 12+ (with accompanying adult). Visit the library’s event calendar to register.

Portraiture Without Pressure: Mixed-Media Self Portraits for Everyone!

Monday, October 12 from 6-7:30 p.m.

In this relaxed, creative workshop, led by portrait artist Chele Ramos, participants will create a mixed media self-portrait using their own reference photo. Through a combination of painting, drawing, and collage, we will explore personal style and self-expression. This class is about experimenting, building confidence, and having fun with the process. All skill levels are welcome. Participants should bring a printed photo of themselves for reference.

This event is intended for older teens and adults. Visit our events calendar at www.sunlib.org to register.

Book Club Social Ft. Michael Finkel

Tuesday, October 13 from 5:30-8 p.m., Community Room

Join us on Tuesday, October 13 at 5:30PM for Sun Prairie Public Library's first ever Book Club Social featuring special guest, author and journalist Michael Finkel!

The Book Club Social provides an annual opportunity for all of the library's book clubs to get together, mingle, and hear what titles each group will be reading the following year. This year, we'll also be joined by New York Times bestselling author and journalist Michael Finkel who will talk about his most recent book, The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession. A Q&A and book signing will follow. Books will be available for sale by Prairie Pages. Refreshments will be served.

Registration is required as space is limited. Visit our events calendar at www.sunlib.org to register.

Nature Journaling with Amy Schleser

Sunday, October 18 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Learn to draw what you see as we explore nature journaling with Madison Nature Journal Club founder Amy Schleser. For older teens through adult. Registration is required. Visit our events calendar at www.sunlib.org to register.

Committee of the Whole

The Committee of the Whole, consisting of all 8 seated City Council members, addresses multi-committee issues, reviews the annual budget, manages real estate transactions, engages in long-term planning, has the authority to sanction Council members and officials, and handles matters not assigned to specific committees. Chaired by the Council President, it convenes on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 300 E. Main St., Downtown Sun Prairie, with meeting times occasionally subject to change (refer to the events calendar for specific times).

Check out the latest Committee of the Whole meeting (09/01/2026)

Check out the latest Common Council meeting (09/01/2026)

Sun Prairie Media Center

Sun Prairie Media Center consists of three main entities, each with its own individual mission:

KSUN: The mission of KSUN is to train and nurture Sun Prairie residents in providing original video programming designed to educate, inform, entertain, and enlighten the city of Sun Prairie. KSUN programming should appeal to a wide range of Sun Prairie residents and reflect the diverse nature of the Sun Prairie population.

KIDS-4: The mission of KIDS-4 is to promote media literacy to the youth population of Sun Prairie as well as to teach students all aspects of producing original video and audio content. Students enrolled in KIDS-4 become more discriminating consumers of media, better communicators, better collaborators, and receive vital hands-on experience on a wide range of media-making tools.

103.5 FM The Sun Community Radio: The mission of 103.5 FM The Sun Community Radio is to train and nurture Sun Prairie residents in providing original radio and podcast programming designed to educate, inform, entertain, and enlighten the city of Sun Prairie. 103.5 FM The Sun Community Radio programming should appeal to a wide range of Sun Prairie residents and reflect the diverse nature of the Sun Prairie population.

Check out the abundance of quality community programming at https://www.sunprairiemediacenter.com/

October 2026

How to Engage in the 2027 Budget Process

Council Votes to Remove Racist Covenants from Property Records

Important Election Dates & Reminders!

Sun Prairie Historical Museum Announces Fall Public Hours

Join us for Migration at the Marsh!

Downtown Sun Prairie

Fire & EMS

Parks, Recreation and Forestry

Sun Prairie Public Library

Sun Prairie Utilities

City Services Guide

Committee of the Whole

Sun Prairie Media Center

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