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Recreation, Arts and Entertainment

The last glimmer of sunshine has disappeared into the pinks and purples that fill the sky beyond the hills on the horizon. Now’s the time to relax and soak in the beauty of the day and the calm of the night. As you lay back in the plush, green grass of a quiet summer night, you see the stars overhead…almost as if for the first time. Suddenly there are more stars than you’ve ever been aware of before; they’re so much brighter and the sky is so much clearer from here…that’s the night sky in Southwest Wisconsin.

You’ll find yourself connecting with an inner sense of peace when your surroundings are calm and the air is clean and fresh. That’s Richland County. But we’re not all quiet relaxation…we’re not just cows, cheese and football either. Visitors soon discover that creativity and originality are part of what rural Wisconsin is all about. From live music to hiking, biking and rodeo riding, and from quilting and crafting to art and theater…things are always happening in and around Richland Center.

For Your Entertainment!

We love our music…and we invite you to join us for more “star gazing” all year long at music festivals and events that come here to entertain us!

Star Spangled Celebration

Nowhere else can you see a line up of Nashville stars like the one we have here every June! It’s a three-day concert featuring popular Country & Western artists such as Sara Evans, Billy Ray Cyrus, Neal McCoy, Phil Vassar, Sawyer Brown, Terri Clark and many more. Check out the whole line up at www.starspangled.com

Country in the Country

Head up Highway 130 to Bear Valley for a three-day concert in June featuring 25 to 30 bands each year. It’s fun for the whole family and gives you a look at our regions best Country Music bands…and it’s only $10 for the whole weekend! Can’t beat that! www.citcountry.tripod.com

Treasure’s Music

Richland Center’s hottest Friday night spot blends live music and fine ethnic dinners cooked to perfection the first Friday of every month. 608-647-7358

Richland Concert Association

If you enjoy classical music…Richland Concert Association hosts concerts throughout the year featuring nationally and internationally acclaimed artists. Contact 608-647-2702 or 608-647-6477 for concert information and tickets.

More Concerts

Richland County Performing Arts Council is spearheading the restoration of the first municipal auditorium in the State of Wisconsin, which will soon become the home of Richland Center’s

Performing Arts Center. We’re anticipating many plays and performances by Richland Community Players as well as many other groups.

• University of Wisconsin-Richland hosts community plays as well as choral, band and orchestra concerts that demonstrate the wide range of talent we have here.
• Enjoy music at the Brass-R-Us Lawn Concert in August.
• Hear performances at the Richland County Fair in September.
• Listen to local talent on the courthouse lawn at Center Color Fiesta in October.
• Plus lots of other events and performances throughout the year
• Our calendar of events gives you the year at a glance…
…and you thought this was just a quiet rural community!

We take great pride in our community for its creativity and unique talent.

The Red Door Gallery - Located in downtown Richland Center, is a showplace for original art, fine crafts and extraordinary gifts by local artisans. It’s an extra special treat when you happen upon a demonstration of watercolors, oils, pastels, jewelry crafting or other media by one of the same artists whose work you’ll find in the gallery. www.reddoor gallery.org

The Creative Outlet - also located downtown, offers arts and crafts of all kinds in a beautifully decorated craft consignment shop. You’ll be delighted with the one-of-a-kind quilts, wooden and ceramic crafts, woven baskets, hand crafted jewelry and many other handmade items to choose from at The Creative Outlet.

You’ll agree that this is truly an example of local culture demonstrated in unique art forms as you browse the store. This is a “can’t miss” stop on your travels in and around Richland Center.

Ready for a Tour?

For a real taste of what down home, Wisconsin hill country is all about, you may want a personalized tour by Imagine Travel & Tourism. You won’t miss out on anything when you have a “local” guiding you to the sites you want to see. Whether it’s a dairy farm, orchard, winery, sheep farm, historic downtown, Amish farm or one of our many natural rock formations, if you want to see it on your visit to Richland Center, Imagine Travel & Tourism will create your own personal itinerary for a self-guided tour that takes you where you want to go.

Weggy Winery - Touring the sites and rural culture of Richland County will naturally lead you to our very own winery on top of the ridge at County Highway O and Oak Ridge Drive. A ride on the tram at Oak Ridge Vineyard will take you through rows of 30 varieties of grape vines, through orchard trees of apples, peaches, Asian pears and cherries, and then back to the wine cellar to wet your palate with a sampling of Weggy Winery’s exclusive line of wines. www.weggywinery.com

Oakwood Fruit Farm - In the spring when the fragrant blossoms are abundant on fruit trees, and in the autumn when apples and cherries are ready to be picked, it’s the busiest time of the year at Oakwood Fruit Farm, just east of Richland Center. The store is packed with people in the fall, adding to the fun of shopping for apples, cider, honey, sorghum, jams, jellies, apple butter, popcorn and more. Create a memory, as well as a family tradition with a “pick your own” day in the apple and cherry orchards. www.oakwoodfruitfarm.com

The Way to Your Heart

If your stomach is truly the way to your heart, you’ll fall in love with the novel dining experiences that we have here for your enjoyment.

Café Fiesta Fe – A family owned and operated restaurant that serves Mexican and American entrees, great steaks and a large selection of specialty beers, as well as delicious Mexican appetizers and desserts. Enjoy the Southwest and the Midwest at Café Fiesta Fe! 130 S. Main St., 608-647-4732.

Mellem’s Fish House – The word “unique” best describes Mellem’s Fish House… from the building architecture to the condiments with your salad…originality rules. Of course their fish is excellent, but don’t sell the rest of the menu items short! They have wonderful Flounder Del Ray, as well as superb shrimp, steaks, ribs and clams. You’ll enjoy rubbing elbows with the locals and getting to know everyone. Calling ahead isn’t a bad idea; it’s always packed and quite often the line goes outside the building…a sure sign of good food! 1885 Allison Park Dr., 608-647-6557

O’Finley’s Pub & Grill – Whether you’re Irish…or Irish for just a day, you’ll love the Ruben sandwiches and Irish beer at O’Finley’s all year long. They’ve got great burgers… some say the best in town, outstanding chicken wings and Irish beer on tap (plus just about any other beer you could want). Catch all the televised sporting events on HDTV, shoot some pool or play darts. (Full liquor store) W. 1475 Hwy. 14 E., 608-647-6060

Pine River Market & Café – Enjoy soups, sandwiches and bakery treats made fresh daily. While you’re there, shop at the market for organic foods, range free eggs, grass fed lamb and beef, essential oils, homeopathic preparations, bulk foods and green products. You’ll find yourself inspired with great gift ideas to pamper your friends, your family and yourself! 196 W. Court St., 608-647-7299

The Press Box – For great homemade pizzas, daily lunch specials, plus regular menu items, The Press Box is a great place to eat while watching the big game with all of the sports fans in Richland Center! When looking for live entertainment, DJs, or comedy shows, check out what’s booked for the weekend at The Press Box—Your place for fun. 165 W. Court St., 608-647-4012

Let’s Get Physical!

Phoenix Bowling & Banquet Center – High energy fun, games and gatherings prevail at The Phoenix Center. Here both league and open bowling provide entertainment and exercise all week long. Meet friends and family, and have a good time. 100 S. Orange St., 608-649-7469

Symons Recreation Complex – Symons is the area's largest health and recreation facility, featuring a public indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna, two racquetball courts, exercise room with cardio and weight equipment, and water and land aerobic classes. 1250 US Hwy. 14 W., 608-647-8522

Pine River Recreation Trail – Fifteen miles of well-groomed trail connects Richland Center to Lone Rock with 15 bridges, access to Richland Center’s footbridge, rest areas and an assortment of ecosystems. The trail can be used for biking, hiking and snowmobiling, and provides safe, off-road recreation.

Richland Center Parks

In Richland Center we take great pride in our parks and grounds… and the whole community takes advantage of the many features that are offered here. With eight parks, the community center and the Arboretum, we’ve got all your interests covered year ‘round. Our largest park, Krouskop Park, has an outdoor swimming pool, tennis and volleyball courts, playgrounds, Frisby golf, ball fields, picnic areas, trails and shelters; all bordering on the quiet Pine River. Organized activities, camps and leagues keep both kids and adults active in every season. There are lots of amenities in all of the parks, but the thing that impresses everyone the most is how clean and well maintained the grounds are kept. You’ll feel like you’re right at home in your own back yard…but with lots more to do! 608-647-8108

Richland Community Forest

Experience the quiet and beauty of a country forest on 350 acres of public land. Ash Creek meanders through the valley, providing easy access to trout fishing for everyone, including handicap accessibility. Horses are welcomed on the multi-use trails, defined trails for hiking and biking, and hunting is permitted in season. Bring your binoculars along for some bird watching, or hunt for morel mushrooms in season. For recreation, conservation and education, you’ll enjoy your trek in Richland County’s community forest, located just three miles south of Richland Center on Highway 80. 608-647-6148