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Community Events

Prairie du Chien is always bustling with exciting community wide events that span the entire calendar year. Residents and visitors from all over come together to participate in a wide variety of activities, whether to celebrate music, holidays or history.

The popular St. Feriole Island is home to a number of much-anticipated annual events in Prairie du Chien. Summertime kicks off with the Annual Prairie Villa Rendezvous. Recognized as the largest reenactment in the Midwest, this four-day event is held the third weekend in June and features a re-creation of life as it was back in the 1840s.

Three events happen in July; the first of which is the Chamber of Commerce Fireworks. Next up is the historic War of 1812 in Wisconsin: The Battle of Prairie du Chien at the Villa Louis Historic Site. On July 17, 1814, the current-day grounds of Villa Louis served as the site of a clash between U.S. and British-Canadian soldiers during the War of 1812. The two-day affair interprets the historic event through a living history camp and a narrated battle.

Following the historic celebration is the exciting Prairie Dog Blues Festival, where guests from all over the U.S. come to enjoy the sounds of regional, national and international blues bands. Two stages are set up in a park-like setting at the event, which features plenty of food and beverages, unique handmade crafts and on-site camping.

Mid-September brings about one of the largest carriage driving competitions in the U.S. The Villa Louis Carriage Classic commemorates the Dousman family’s once famous trotting horse operation. The competition features more than 100 carriage drivers and includes tours of the Dousman family estate.

The first Friday in December kicks off the Prairie du Chien holiday tradition as the Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce hosts their annual Holiday Parade.

Capping off the events on St. Feriole Island is the widely popular New Year’s Eve Droppin’ of the Carp, an annual event that got its start in 2001, when a Mississippi River carp by the name of “Lucky” was lowered onto a throne at the entrance to St. Feriole Island (Blackhawk Avenue) at midnight. The tradition lives on today and is accompanied by a bonfire and live entertainment.

Other Prairie du Chien community events include the Annual Taste of Prairie du Chien, held in mid-January, beckoning guests to sample an assortment of beverages and food items produced by local businesses. Bald Eagle Appreciation Day takes place the following month, celebrating America’s National Emblem through various programs and exhibits, discussions with birding experts, outdoor viewing activities and more.

Join the residents of Prairie du Chien and the thousands of visitors who participate in the Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration.

Prairie du Chien Downtown Revitalization, Inc. (PDRI) plays hosts to Blackhawk Avenue’s PrairieFest, as two stages of live music, outdoor foods and refreshments come alive in downtown Prairie du Chien. There are restaurant specials, retail shopping sales and high crafts and fine arts by regional artisans.

“Cannons at the Fort: Life in Early Prairie du Chien”, a mid-September event, exhibits life during the time of the War of 1812. Located at the Fort Crawford Museum, the living history reenactment features more than 20 historic stations, including an American camp, candle making, bowl carving, lead pouring, cannon firing and more.

Prairie du Chien also hosts holiday parades, craft shows, river tours, trade shows, a home and garden show, a town-wide garage sale, a flea market and much, much more. Check out the Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce’s Web site, www.prairieduchien.org, for a complete listing of events.