INFORMATION ABOUT MADISON

City of Madison
There are hundreds of exciting activities, attractions, and events taking place in and around the greater Madison area. Whether you're looking for a simple afternoon diversion, museums, theatre, live music, or sports of all types, you're sure to find them here. http://www.travelwisconsin.com/index.html

Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club
Madison's premier hotel, The Madison Concourse Hotel & Governor’s Club, is located in the heart of downtown, offering exceptional service and quality. Featuring the luxurious Governor's Club Executive Level serving continental breakfast, complimentary top shelf cocktails and hors d' oeuvres all set in an exclusive lounge overlooking the State Capitol.  http://www.concoursehotel.com/conventions_main.html

CowParade 2006
Joining the more than 1.2 million dairy cows that already reside throughout the state of Wisconsin, CowParade's bovines are on the move! The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc. (WMMB) is bringing CowParade, the world's largest public art event, to the State of Wisconsin from June 3 through October 13, 2006. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is hosting "Rosie" the cow http://rosemaler.blogspot.com/. Proceeds from CowParade 2006 will help build the new American Family Children's Hospital in Madison and also benefit other local non-profit organizations. http://wisconsin.cowparade.com/

Historic Downtown Stoughton and the Opera House
There's much to see and do in the City of Stoughton!  Our picturesque Main Street and neighborhoods are surrounded by natural wonders and a thriving downtown commercial center. http://www.ci.stoughton.wi.us/ The Stoughton Opera House first opened on February 22, 1901. It is one of the largest second story theaters in the Midwest. Over the last 20 years it has been fully restored.  Plaster, carpets, floor lights, dressing rooms, paint, handicapped accessibility and the latest in state-of-the-art equipment combine to make the Stoughton Opera House a wonderful mixture of Victorian and modern elements. The "crown jewel" of Stoughton has been restored and enhanced and is lovelier than ever.  http://www.stoughtonoperahouse.com/  

The Henry Vilas Zoo
Some of the zoo’s feature attractions are a Discovering Primates Complex, Discovery Center/Herpetarium, Big Cat Complex, North American Prairie Exhibit, Arctic Passage Exhibit, Tropical Rain Forest Aviary, Penguin Exhibit and a Visitor Center.  The Children’s Zoo has just been remodeled and added a Conservation Carousel, featuring endangered or threatened animals. http://www.vilaszoo.org/

The Fireside Dinner Theatre
Located in Fort Atkinson, the Fireside is  a favorite destination for couples, families and tour groups alike offers a variety of things to do.  Browse the unique gift shops, enjoy award-winning cuisine, and top off the evening with one of the best professional theatre experiences Wisconsin has to offer, featuring talent straight from Broadway and the regional stage.  Playing all of July is Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’ first major Broadway hit -- EVITA. It is a story of strength and courage, of intrigue and romance.
http://www.firesidetheatre.com/htm/welcome.htm

Overature Center for the Arts
The facility contains the fabulous Overture Hall, the intimate Playhouse, three black box multipurpose spaces, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, meeting rooms, four art galleries, a soaring glass lobby, and the Capitol Theater.
http://www.overturecenter.com/index.html

Madison Mallards vs LaCrosse Loggers
Minor league baseball at the Duck Pond

University Ridge
The University of Wisconsin Golf Course.  The front nine meanders over lush grasslands and the back nine is carved out of the densest of Wisconsin's woodlands. In addition to 18 of the prettiest and most challenging holes of Golf, University Ridge boasts an outstanding clubhouse with incredible golf course views from within and some of the most spectacular views from the 80-seat veranda.  Rated 4 1/2 Stars in "Places to Play" by Golf Digest". http://www.universityridge.com/page/204-6710.htm

Farmers' Market
The Dane County Farmers' Market on the Square is a Saturday and Wednesday tradition in Madison, Wisconsin where you'll find the season's best bounty of vegetables and homemade, home-grown Wisconsin products, from over 300 participants.  http://www.madfarmmkt.org/  

Governor’s Executive Residence
Governor Doyle is the 13th governor to live in the Executive Residence in Maple Bluff. His wife, Jessica, is a learning coordinator with the Madison Metropolitian School District. They have two children, Gus and Gabe. The house consists of 34 rooms, including 7 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms and 7 fireplaces and has 16,000 square feet of living space, not including the lower level. The home is extremely well built with walls 12 to 18 inches thick, and the wrought iron fence on the street side of the property originally surrounded the old State Capitol building.  http://jessicadoyle.wi.gov/residence_tour.asp

Wisconsin Dells
Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park with 37 water slides, 6 roller coasters, 8 go cart tracks, 2 endless rivers, 3 kiddy areas, bumper boats, mini golf & more! http://www.mtolympusthemepark.com/small/index_flash.html

New Glarus Swiss Hotel
Experience the historic New Glarus Hotel, in the center of America's "Little Switzerland!" Built by Swiss immigrants in 1853, the New Glarus Hotel has long been a landmark known for its fine Swiss cuisine, Swiss atmosphere and entertainment.  http://www.newglarushotel.com/group.html

Vitense Golf land
Vitense has a family vision of high quality, affordable, family golf & sports related entertainment. The facility includes a Top 100 Rated Golf Range in America, the first lighted golf course in the State of Wisconsin and the only lighted golf course in the area, the #1 rated miniature golf courses in Dane County, 8 state of the art baseball and softball batting cages, a 24' five station climbing wall, HiBall - the trampoline game, Water Wars - water balloon slingshot fun, "The Rock" - 24' climbing wall and concessions. http://www.vitense.com/generalinfo.asp

HOST CONTACT INFORMATION—
Wisconsin Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen
c/o Laurie Schammel, 608-224-4786, laurie.schammel@datcp.state.wi.us