Exclusive Interview: Mark Dawson, Lead Singer and Bassist of The Grass Roots

By Aaron S. Robertson

Author's note: After reading this in-depth interview with Mark, check out my follow-up with him in October 2013!

If you ever get the chance to talk with Mark Dawson, you’ll notice a couple of things right off the bat: he loves humor and will almost certainly make you laugh, no matter the subject; and he listens to you, showing a genuine interest in what you have to say. And so it was during our conversation by phone on September 12. I haven’t even met the man in person yet, and we were talking like old pals for more than an hour and a half, sharing memories of our favorite bands and concerts, talking about sports, and a lot more. We talked briefly about other recent interviews I’ve done, the latest having been with Doug Clifford, the drummer of Creedence Clearwater Revival. As many of my readers and friends know, I’m starting to get into lyric/poetry writing a little bit, and Mark even took some time out to give me a few pointers on the business side of music, which I really appreciated. As with all of my interviews, I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity, and I hope you’re just as excited to read these words as I was in writing them.

Serving as the bassist and lead singer of The Grass Roots comes naturally to Mark. “I’ve always been a sucker for mid-60s pop,” he explained. “And not just Brit pop, but American pop. The Buckinghams, Paul Revere and The Raiders, The Seeds, Gary Lewis and The Playboys, and of course, The Grass Roots!,” he added.

Wisconsin State Fair, August 2012.

So just how did Mark end up becoming the bassist and lead singer of one of the greatest bands to emerge from the 1960s, filling the big shoes of Rob Grill, who died in July 2011 after dealing with multiple health issues? The back story, as Mark explains, reaches back to the mid-late 70s. “I was just a punk kid, about 21, trying to hook up with other groups. One night, we played at a field house at Western Illinois University. I think this was ’77 or ’78. We had to open for The Grass Roots! Not only did we have to open for them, but we had to supply our gear to them,” he explained, adding, “Well, Rob and I hit it off, and he invited me up on stage to play some songs with them! That was really cool. And we just kept in touch over the years.” But despite this long friendship of nearly 30 years, the timing for joining The Grass Roots was never quite right. Something else always seemed to come along. “It was never the right moment to make the leap [to The Grass Roots],” Mark told me. “There was always a lot of soul-searching taking place.” He thought a chance came along in 1982, when Epic records pulled the plug on a band Mark was working with. But then another project presented itself, and again, and again, until 2004, when Mark, originally from Chicago, moved to Orlando and Rob to Mt. Dora. The two were now only 30 miles or so apart, and they began keeping in touch more. In 2006, the official announcement was made that Mark had joined the group as a bass player and secondary singer. About taking Rob’s place after his passing, Mark explained, “I don’t try to imitate Rob. I try to emulate what he did.”

Performing in January 2011 at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, IN.

But in addition to helping to carry on the legacy of one of America’s greatest groups, Mark is also making a name for himself as a solo artist, as well. He’s currently working on his second solo album, and hopes to have it completed sometime this fall. Entitled, “Making Noise”, he credits his wife, Cathy, for coming up with the title. “I have an in-home studio, and she always says to me, ‘Go make some noise,’” he explained with a laugh. One of the songs on the album, “Cold Sweat on a Hot Night”, is available for free download at Mark’s Web site. The album promises to be a lot of fun, featuring Carl Giammarese, lead singer of The Buckinghams as well as a solo artist in his own right, and at least one member of the Ides of March, among others in an all-star lineup.

Mark can also be heard on a few group albums. He did a couple albums with The All-Night Newsboys in the mid-90s. And a song entitled, “She’s Gone Hollywood”, which Mark appeared on in an album released in 1982, is getting new life, thanks to The Numero Group, a record company known for putting together high-quality, unique compilations. “That was pretty exciting. I just received this phone call out of the blue one day from someone at The Numero Group saying they’d like to use this song in a compilation album, and that they’ll be in touch to discuss the royalty arrangement,” he said. The compilation is named Buttons: From Champaign to Chicago. “They do a great job finding material for their compilations, and they also do great liner notes - they’re so nicely written, and they really provide the reader with rich background info,” Mark added.

A big fan of Paul McCartney, you may see Mark in the crowd if you’re catching McCartney’s show in St. Louis on November 11. “We just bought the tickets this morning, actually, and I’m really excited,” he told me.

L-R: Dusty Hanvey (guitar), Mark Dawson (bass), Joe Dougherty (drums), and Larry Nelson (keyboards) of The Grass Roots. Source: http://www.the-grassroots.com

The Grass Roots are expected to have a new album out in 2013, as well, the first album with Mark as lead singer of the band’s current lineup. The background story on this live album is interesting. As Mark explained it, the band was performing at the Sausalito Art Festival on September 2. That performance was being recorded for this new album, when, about 40 minutes into the show, the entire festival went down - everything was being run on solar power. In the end, the band lost those first 40 minutes or so on the recording, ending up with only 18 minutes. So The Grass Roots are scheduled to be back out in California in October, this time for a private show in Cloverdale, where the band will give the recording a second go.

Mark Dawson's take on a Grass Roots classic, "Temptation Eyes"

In addition to keeping busy with recording, Mark is also an aspiring author - well, of sorts. He’s working on a book he hopes will be out in early 2013. As with his new album’s title, Mark credits wife Cathy for the idea of the book, which he describes as, “…a little paperback, toilet humor kind-of-book.” Based on, “…the silly, ridiculous things I say on Facebook and Twitter,” Cathy noticed one day that he has over 5,000 Facebook and Twitter posts, and that’s where the idea started. It’s a funny book you don’t want to miss, and Mark said he’s in talks with a, “…famous person…” to pen a foreword.

“I don’t try to imitate Rob. I try to emulate what he did.”

When not on the road touring or in the studio recording, Mark enjoys the simplicity of everyday life. “It sounds cliché, but I really enjoy each and every day,” he explained to me. “Cathy and I hang out a lot, do spontaneous things - dinner, farmers markets, the beach. I love playing with the local musicians when I get the chance. I don’t like schedules, like to be spontaneous, be free-flowing.” Mark is also a big pro-sports fan, mostly baseball and football. “Go Pack!,” he told me, in reference, of course, to our beloved Green Bay Packers.

Mark and guitarist Dusty Hanvey represented The Grass Roots for the 2012 Happy Together Tour, their third year in a row doing the tour. The 2012 lineup, in addition to The Grass Roots, featured The Buckinghams, Gary Puckett, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, and The Turtles. Unfortunately for Grass Roots fans, the band will not be represented for the 2013 Happy Together Tour. Asked if there was any one particular moment, show, or venue that really stood out in his mind during this year’s tour, it was tough for Mark to answer. “We had a lot of fun! Choosing one favorite moment is very difficult. That being said though, the Minnesota State Fair does stand out for some reason. The fans are insane up there! They were just so loud and fired up about the show. It was a blast.” And, of course, performing in his hometown of Orlando stands out. “We performed at The Plaza Theatre. A big highlight, my hometown. Less than a 1,000 people in the place, and so many people knew me!”

Asked if he was keeping an eye on anyone in particular as far as up-and-coming talent, Mark was quick to point out a band called The Dunwells, made up of five guys out of England. He noted that The Grass Roots played a show in Rochester, New York, and The Dunwells was the opening act. “They were like Crosby, Stills, and Nash, only more modern, more electric guitar,” he said. “They were awesome. I ended up buying their CD. One night, I turned the TV on, and they were on the Jay Leno show! Excellent songwriters and performers.” He also enjoys the work of The Decemberists, the indie group out of Portland, Oregon.

Source: http://www.nj.com

Mark’s advice for aspiring musicians: “Always make sure you do something because you love it. My father always gave me that advice. He’d often tell me, ‘Be sure to love what you do.’ And be in touch with your audience. Know what you’re playing for them, and make them happy. If you do that, the fans will respond. They’ll come to your shows. They’ll buy your CDs. They’ll tell others about you.”

I was curious to know if there were any musicians that Mark hasn’t performed or recorded with that he would love to. “Chris Isaak,” he said. “He’s just the nicest, most-likeable guy. All that stuff I said about connecting to your fans, he does it!”

And what kind of interview would I be delivering to my readers without a Milwaukee spin? Mark shared some great memories of performing in the Milwaukee area. “I always enjoy playing Summerfest,” he said, adding, “It’s always so well-run, and the talent lineup is great.” He recalls seeing our very own BoDeans playing at Summerfest in what he thinks was 1984. “I was just so impressed with them! A lot of talent there.” And he fondly remembers a performance by Styx in the early ’80s at Summerfest. “I was friends with Tommy Shaw. Tommy was sick and worried he’d have to be hospitalized. A doctor came along, gave him some adrenaline, and he ended up taking the stage that night afterall, and he sang great! You would have never known what had just taken place backstage.” And let’s not forget about that other big summertime festival, the Wisconsin State Fair. One thing that stands out in Mark’s mind is a performance The Grass Roots gave at State Fair a number of years back. “We played with Three Dog Night. It was raining pretty heavy that night, and no one got out of their seats to leave. That was awesome. We really appreciated that.”

And don’t forget to check out the view from the bass. Mark launched a Web site called the “Bass Eye View” - an ongoing collection of photos he takes from the stages of the venues he performs at, with his bass in the shots, of course. As Mark explains, “I’ve played some pretty cool venues. I just love old theaters, just love them. One night, I’m standing in front of the stage of a theater, taking pictures. Then I got the bass in a pic. Our stage manager, Jason Craig, said, ‘Cool bass eye view.’ And that’s how it started.”

For this self-described punk kid with Chicago roots, it’s been a heck of a fun journey, the kind of journey that dreams are made of. The adventures continue, and he invites you to tag along with him.

On the Web:

• Mark Dawson
• The Grass Roots
• Mark Dawson's "Bass Eye View" site
• A general search of The Grass Roots on YouTube
• Mark Dawson's Facebook fan page
• The Bass Eye View on Twitter 

Things to do Around Milwaukee This Summer

If you're looking for fun things to do this summer around the Milwaukee area, you came to the right place! Visit this link and browse around that page. There, you'll find info about area festivals, farmers markets, walking tours, exhibits, and a lot more! So check it out. More listings to come!

Celebrate Milwaukee’s Italian Heritage at Festa Italiana

Be prepared to celebrate Milwaukee’s Italian heritage and culture from July 19th to July 22nd, 2012 at the 35th annual Festa Italiana. For just $10 in advance or $13 at the gate, you can enjoy the sights, tastes, and sounds of Italy on the Summerfest Grounds at 200 North Harbor Drive. Festival hours run from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Thursday and from 11:30 a.m. to midnight from Friday to Sunday, during which time you will be able to enjoy food from over 30 vendors and be entertained by the acts performing on the festival’s six stages.

The list of this year’s entertainers comes complete with several singers including opera, jazz, and cabaret-style vocalists, tribute bands, an accordion virtuoso, and an escape artist. Also on the grounds each evening at 5:30 p.m. will be the Grand Parade celebrating family, community, and Italian culture. Parade entertainers include musicians, dancers, jugglers, clowns, and baton twirlers amongst others.

Other special Festa Italiana events for 2012 are:

Wheels & Heels Rush on Festa – Thursday, July 19th at 7:00 p.m.

Held rain or shine, the Wheels & Heels Rush on Festa includes a 5K Wheelchair/ Hand Cycle Race, a 5K Run, and a 1-mile Fun Walk/ Casual Wheelchair event. Prizes will be given out to the top three finishers in a number of categories during the award ceremony that will take place at 8:00 p.m. following the event. Registration is required for those wishing to take part, but the cost (which varies depending on the category you are participating in – independent, family, or corporate) includes admission to Festa following the race for anyone wearing their new Rush on Festa race t-shirt.

Festa Italiana Sunday Mass – Sunday, July 22nd at 11:00 a.m.

Gates will open at 10:00 a.m. for an 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass at Marcus Amphitheatre with Officiant Father John Belmonte. Hunger Task Force will be on location to accept non-perishable food donations as you arrive. Following the Festa Italiana Sunday Mass, attendees will be granted free admission to Festa.

Spiked Island Launch Party – Sunday, July 22nd at 7:30 p.m.

Spiked Island will be launching their new Adult Lemonade flavors during a special Festa Italiana event on Sunday. For $3.00 a bottle you will be able to taste the exciting new flavors while enjoying an exclusive concert by a surprise Nashville recording artist. Can’t wait to find out who the surprise guest will be? Tune in to FM 106.1 WMIL on Monday, July 19th at 8:30 a.m. for a hint. Opening the show at 7:30 p.m. will be fellow country act, Old Dominion.

This year Festa Italiana will also be hosting their first Tutta Italiana Raffle – a 50/50 cash raffle with a minimum prize of $5000. Raffle tickets cost $10 a piece and can be bought on the Festa Italiana website. The draw will take place at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 22nd at the Miller Lite Oasis Stage on the Summerfest Grounds. The winning ticket holder doesn’t need to be present to claim the prize.

Over the past 35 years, Festa Italiana has grown into one of America’s leading Italian festivals. If you want to celebrate Milwaukee’s Italian heritage, then be sure to visit the Summerfest Grounds between July 19th and July 22nd, 2012 to enjoy the sights, tastes, and sounds of Italy. You’ll be glad you did.

Gardens of the Future with Melinda Myers

Ever wonder about what the future of Wisconsin gardening is going to look like? Well, wonder no longer! Boerner Botanical Gardens is offering you the chance to find out exactly which kinds of plants you might see popping up in future Wisconsin gardens during their Gardens of the Future walk with Melinda Myers.

The event will be held rain or shine on Wednesday July 25th, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Boerner Botanical Gardens (9400 Boerner Drive in Southwest Milwaukee) by gardening expert and TV/radio host Melinda Myers. Myers is also the author of several garden-related books including The Garden Book for Wisconsin (2005) and Month-by-Month Gardening in Wisconsin (2007).

During the walk you’ll be invited to visit an All American Trial Garden – one of only 43 in the United States – where you’ll be able to see some of the plants that are currently being tested for possible inclusion in Wisconsin gardens. You’ll also receive a tour of Boerner Botanical Gardens’ other test plots.

As this event is a part of the Melinda Myers series of garden walks, admission prices are set a little higher than their other events, at $20 for members and $25 for anyone else who wishes to participate. Proceeds from the event help to support the Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens’ children’s plant science and environmental education program.

** Please note that attendance to the Gardens of the Future walk with Melinda Myers is limited, so you are advised to register early by calling 414-525-5659 or emailing mjeske@fbbg.org.

Wildlife Wonders at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum

Have you been planning on taking the kids to the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, but haven’t decided on a day to go? Why not set the date for Wednesday July 11th, 2012 so your kids can connect with nature while learning about the wonders of Lake Michigan’s wildlife? This July 11th, the museum will be hosting Wildlife Wonders – a special event for children age three and older.

The special Wildlife Wonders event is scheduled to occur between 2:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. during which time educators from Lakeshore State Park will be on hand to teach your little ones about the various kinds of plants and animals that call Lake Michigan home. As Wildlife Wonders is a half hour event, you are encouraged to come by early and stick around afterwards to explore the rest of the children’s museum. The museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the day of the event.

Filled with fun learning activities aimed at kids age 10 and under, the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is located in downtown Milwaukee at 929 E. Wisconsin Avenue. The event is being offered for free with regular admission to the children’s museum, which costs $7.50 for adults and children or $6.50 for seniors age 55 and older. Those currently holding a membership to the museum will be admitted free of charge.

Can’t make it on July 11th? Not to worry. There will be another opportunity for your kids to participate in the Wildlife Wonders program this August. The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum will once again be running this special event on Wednesday August 8th, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Are You Ready to Storm the Bastille?

That’s right – Bastille Days are quickly approaching and on the opening night of the festival (July 12th, 2012 at 9 p.m.) BMO Harris Bank will be hosting the annual Storm of the Bastille. Participation of the event is expected to reach over 5000 runners and walkers who will take to the streets of Downtown Milwaukee in honor of the 18th century attack on Paris’ Bastille prison.

This year’s event includes a 5-K run or 2-mile walk starting on North Jefferson Street, adjacent to Cathedral Square Park. Participants will then be taken throughout scenic downtown Milwaukee and the Historic Third Ward. Following the event, participants are encouraged to explore the festival grounds and enjoy the Bastille Days’ entertainment.

All registered participants will receive a race packet with some goodies including their race number, as well as a commemorative long-sleeved Storm the Bastille t-shirt. Race packets will be available for early pick-up at the East Town Association offices from July 9th to July 11th or on race day at the Deloitte booth at the corner of Jefferson & Wells. It is asked that you visit the booth at least one hour prior to the start of the race to receive your race packet.

Registration costs $20 in advance or $25 on race day. There are various ways to register in advance including registering online, by mail, or in person at the East Town Association offices. If instead you plan to register on race day, you are asked to visit the Deloitte booth at the intersection of Jefferson & Wells between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. to register for the event and receive your race packet.

Bastille Days runs from July 12th to July 15th in downtown Milwaukee’s Cathedral Square Park and is one of America’s largest French-themed festivals. The popular four day event is expected to attract over 250,000 visitors with its live music, international marketplace, roaming buskers, and tasty French cuisine.

Public Art Viewing in Milwaukee – Commemorating Historical Figures

Being the largest city in the state of Wisconsin, it comes as no surprise that Milwaukee is home to a wide variety of public art. An important subset of this art has been erected in commemoration of historical figures and events. If you happen to be a history buff or simply just want to see some of Milwaukee’s best commemorative art, then you might enjoy viewing some of the city’s most notable statues which have been sculpted in the likeness of historical figures. A few of the more popular statues have been listed below to help get you started on your public art viewing tour.

Abraham Lincoln by Gaetano Cecere

Sculpted in 1934 by American artist Gaetano Cecere, this bronze statue commemorates the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Standing 10’6” tall, the statue depicts a young and beardless Lincoln in contrast to the more often seen bearded image that later became his trademark. The statue stands atop a red granite pedestal on the Lincoln Memorial Drive bridge.

General Douglas MacArthur by Robert L. Dean

Originally built in 1977, this sculpture by American artist Robert L. Dean was later dedicated in 1979 for the 80th anniversary of General Douglas MacArthur’s entering of the United States Military Academy at West Point. The bronze statue, which stands on a marble base, is 9’6” tall and honors the general for his leadership during World War II. It can be found at MacArthur Square in the Milwaukee Civic Center Plaza.

George Washington by Richard Henry Park

Also known as the Washington Monument, George Washington is a 10’6” bronze statue that stands atop a tall granite pedestal. It was sculpted by American artist Richard Henry Park in 1885. At the base of the pedestal are two additional statues - one of a woman pointing toward the monument and a second of a child whose gaze looks upward at the first president of the United States. It was Milwaukee’s first civic statue and can be found on the Court of Honor located near Marquette University.

Milwaukee is a city filled with many wonderful examples of public art, many of which commemorate historical figures. Unfortunately, if you don’t know what to look for or where to start searching, you may never see some of these impressive works of art. Hopefully this list will help point you in the right direction so that you can visit some of the city’s best commemorative art.

Milwaukee Firkin Craft Beer Festival – July 21, 2012

If you plan to be in the Milwaukee area on Saturday July 21st and enjoy sampling the many tastes of craft beer, then be sure to check out the third annual Milwaukee Firkin Craft Beer Festival. This yearly festival will be held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cathedral Square Park (825 N. Jefferson Street) in downtown Milwaukee in celebration of the city’s rich brewing history.

While enjoying the festival you will be able to sample from 110 different beers, including over 20 cask-conditioned ales. Though Milwaukee breweries are the primary focus during the tasting, several guest beers from around the United States will also be available for sampling. While at the festival, you are encouraged to visit the onsite food vendors and listen to live music from Milwaukee’s own Upside Groove Coalition and The Squeezettes.

As for the type of tickets that are available, you have a choice of purchasing VIP tickets, General Admission tickets, and Designated Driver tickets. VIP tickets, which are available for $70, not only grant you early 3 p.m. access to the festival, but they also allow you to meet the brewers in person and enjoy unlimited sampling. Complementary food is provided for VIP guests, as well as a festival t-shirt and a souvenir pint glass.

If the VIP experience isn’t quite what you are looking for, then you can always opt for the General Admission tickets instead. These tickets, which are being sold for $40 each, include unlimited sampling and a complementary souvenir pint glass. Access to the festival is granted at 4 p.m. for anyone holding a General Admission ticket.

The final type of ticket being offered at the Milwaukee Firkin Craft Beer Festival is the Designated Driver ticket. These tickets, which only cost $15, include a souvenir pint glass, festival t-shirt, and complementary soda, bottled water, and pretzels from the Designated Driver booth. As the designated driver is to remain sober, this type of ticket does not include any sampling of the various beers.

Because a maximum of 2500 tickets will be sold for this event, it is recommended that you purchase tickets for the Milwaukee Firkin Craft Beer Festival beforehand. It is also worth noting that the advanced tickets are a little cheaper than the “at the gate” prices of $75 for VIP and $45 for General Admission. Keep in mind that tickets will only be available at the gate if the event isn’t already sold out.

So, if you think you’d enjoy the taste of craft beer and the outdoor atmosphere of a beer sampling festival, then why not head on over to Cathedral Square Park for the 2012 Milwaukee Firkin Craft Beer Festival on July 21st. With 110 different beers ready to sample and live music on the grounds to get you in a festive mood, the event will surely be one worth attending.

$5 Wisconsin State Fair Tickets Until 6/30/12

Don't forget, you only have until the end of June to get your Wisconsin State Fair general admission tickets for just $5 each! You save $4 per ticket by ordering them by 6/30/12.

Through the Wisconsin State Fair Web site, you can either order them by mail delivery, or print them at home. There are very small processing fees associated with both options, and you can have up to 8 tickets per order (you can always return to the site to order more!).

Also through the site, you can purchase Potawatomi Bingo Casino Main Stage concert tickets, the Fair Deals Bargain Book, vouchers for cream puffs and amusement ride tickets, and more!

For more information, and to place an order, visit this link on the Wisconsin State Fair site: http://www.wistatefair.com/maxtixweb/landing.html

Of course, you also have the option of taking a ride down to the Wisconsin State Fair ticket sales booth and picking these items up directly, but the Web site makes it so much simpler.

UPDATE: A friend just pointed out that you can get a free ticket by signing up to give blood on Tuesday, June 26 at Wisconsin State Fair Park! As she said, it's a great way to be a hero and enjoy the fair in August!

Things to Do at Milwaukee’s Summerfest

Good, Amazing, Beautiful Place: This is the hidden truth behind the name Milwaukee. This is extremely true of Milwaukee, a beautiful place in the region of Wisconsin.

People looking for fun-filled activities in Milwaukee during the summer time 2012 will love the number of events happening nearly every weekend. The most well known festival organized there every year is Summerfest, a musical event (held for 11 days) that attracts more than 700 bands.

Presenting some of the leading names in music, in conjunction with a lot of the local performers, this festival attracts one million people each year and offers a wide variety of food and beverage suppliers, marketplaces and enjoyable exhibits set around the Lake Michigan and downtown backdrops, making a holiday experience like hardly any other.

There are various events happening concurrently among the 12 stages, which include family-friendly recreation throughout the day. (For your information: Summerfest Milwaukee is not a good place to bring small children at night.) Read on to find more about things to do at Milwaukee’s Summerfest in 2012.

• Support local music daily at the Cascio Music Groove Yard. Also, see your much-loved radio DJ broadcaster live and tip the community artists. Enjoy the new performers series daily and then elect your much-loved band.
• Try the local drinks from Water Street Brewery and Lakefront Brewery.
• See sports demos from the Milwaukee Admirals, Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Wave and various athletes at the Sentry Sports Zone.
• As a modern, recreational sit-down restaurant that includes waitress service, Saz’s Dockside BBQ will offer favorites including chopped brisket, baby back ribs, pulled pork, sour cream and chive chips, battered fried fish and a lot more along with top quality wine and beer choices. For a sugar high or head freeze enjoy a large Hawaiian Shave Ice.
• Summerfest Milwaukee provides many different private party locations for to organize a corporate outing, gathering, birthday celebration or annual celebration.

Going to Summerfest Milwaukee is normally half the battle. Do not expect to go right up to the entrance to grab the "rock star" parking (without paying 20 dollars). If you insist on the parking, don't be surprised to pay a lot for parking, or walk one mile or two for free parking. A much better choice is to use the shuttle service, or use one of the shuttles pedaling around the South Side, East Side and Wisconsin Avenue.

Things to Do at Wisconsin State Fair

Wisconsin State Fair is a location where people create memories that go beyond a long time. The Wisconsin State Fair comes about for 11 days each season. Wisconsin does offer a great range of pursuits for enthusiasts of the great outdoors. From fishing to biking, horse riding to playing golf, almost every activity is catered for. Continue reading to find more about things to do at Wisconsin State Fair in 2012.

A wide range of fresh, real Greek food is available, including gyros, saganaki, souvlaki, baklava, Greek chicken and loukoumades. If you want things deep fried, then you can call this venue a heaven. From deep-fried candy bars to deep fried beer, there is just a lot to try.

More than 200 food suppliers are spread throughout the area, featuring everything to amuse your palate from Asian, Americana and Greek to Italian, Polish and Mexican. The chocolate-filled bread is simply exceptional. Time your romantic holiday to correspond with one of the best festivals and you could enjoy the Wisconsin State Fair cream puffs (offered in both three and six packs), “strawberry”, or fine French dishes.

Wisconsin State Fair has a huge selection of imported and domestic beers, but in addition to brews, the festival offers multiple malt drinks, including Bacardi Lemonade, Mike's Hard Lemonade and Calypso and Smirnoff Ice.

All through the festival, visitors are amused by classic Greek music and grooving parties.

The shopping does not end at the expo center. Marketers from all over the state set up shops inside the Wisconsin Goods Pavilion. Expected names such as Usinger’s and Palermo’s are there, but you will also find a lot of smaller corporations that promote everything from honey to duck fajitas.

Every visit to the Wisconsin State Fair should finish with a trip on the huge slide. Activities and rides for kids of various age groups are offered, as well as Greek Market stuffed with imported products and artifacts!

Last but not least, Wisconsin State Fair is a home to one of the major Amish communities in the United States. If you've always wondered at their lifestyle you can take pleasure in a driving or riding trip through Amish region, stopping to see handmade furniture and buy handcrafted candy during the trip.

Wisconsin State Fair will certainly “Tilt Your World” with fascinating competitions, thrilling rides, exclusive games, fabulous meals, free amusement and fun for people of all age groups. Bring your loved ones and meet your buddies at the Fair because everybody will be there.

Harvest at the Homestead, Saturday, 6/16/12

Greetings from the Stahl-Conrad Homestead,

Our first market of the season is this Saturday June 16th.

NEW EXHIBIT: The Stahl-Conrad Homestead has put together a new exhibit this year, "Toys of Yesteryear", which will be open during all 2012 markets. This exhibit features treasured childhood mementos.

VENDORS: Most of our produce vendors from last year are returning, including Hack Farms, Ma V. Cha, Tshengzoo Lor, and Viola's Honey along with a new vendor 'Ruegsegger Farms' who in addition to produce and baked/canned items will have a variety of frozen Wisconsin produced meats. You can also pre-order from their website: www.naturalmeats.org

Sweet Somethings (baked goods), and the Friends of the Hales Corners Pool (fresh brewed coffee and one pound bags) should once again grace the market, along with baked goods from Gemma Rae's Cheesecake Cafe (located in Hales Corners).


Handmade Art and Craft vendors at the first market of the season include Curly Fleece Sheep Farm, Optimist Theater (flower garlands).

LIVE MUSIC will be provided this Saturday by Brenna Beecroft.


For a full listing of vendors and upcoming events, visit our website at: www.HarvestattheHomestead.org


PRODUCE THIS WEEK: I'm not up to speed yet on what specific produce will be available from our vendors this Saturday, but I expect to see:


Strawberries
Onions
Variety of lettuces and greens

Garlic
Peas
Herbs, such as cilantro, parsley, basil, dill, etc.
among other early crops such as asparagus and broccoli....


I'll try to compile a more complete list for future market email updates.

I myself will not be at the market this week, but find Bette Arey if you have any questions about the markets or the Homestead.

Sincerely,

Robert Stockinger
Market Manager for the Stahl-Conrad Homestead
robertstockinger@mac.com

Cell# 414-708-0584

www.HarvestattheHomestead.org