3 Springtime Community Activities for May

Spring Community Activities

We’ve made it to nicer temperatures, finally!

Spring is my absolute favorite time of year because we’re coming out of the cold Wisconsin abyss known as ‘winter’, and because the communities come alive with activities and people sightings. I love the jammed-packed bike paths, the yardwork being done and of course, the smell of grill!

May is sort of that “kick-off” month for many community wellness events, and plenty of those events are held outdoors. As an avid runner and “self-proclaimed farmers market connoisseur”, I get abnormally excited knowing that there are many opportunities to be active within the nearby communities.

Farmers Markets

Many local outdoor farmers markets kick off in May, and this is such a wonderful opportunity to get your weekly produce, cheese, meat and flowers at the peak of freshness, and at an inexpensive rate while meeting the farmers who are behind the magic. Some of the local month dates and times include:

Fort Atkinson

Saturdays 8a-12p at th Milwaukee Avenue municipal parking lots

Jefferson

Thursdays 11a-6p at East Racine and S. Center Ave

Whitewater

Tuesdays 3:30p-7:30p at Cravath Lakefront Park

Lake Mills

Wednesdays 2p-6:30pm at the Downtown Commons Park

A great resource for finding additional information on farmers markets can be found at FarmersMarket

Gardening

My parents have a garden that they share with my sister and her husband, and myself and my fiancé with the agreement that we all help with planting, weeding, picking and eating (not hard to do!). It’s a great opportunity to spend time together and to gain an appreciation for the work it takes to grow and care for a garden.

May has two wonderful garden-related opportunities that are free for the community and promise to be a good time.

Jefferson County School Garden Summit

This event, which will be held on Tuesday May 10^th at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds from 9:00am-2:00pm, will help to “connect people, knowledge, and resources surrounding farm to school efforts”.  This is a great FREE opportunity to hear of community efforts to bring healthy foods to schools, and to meet other individuals in the community with similar goals. More information can be found at Locally-Grown-Foods

Lake Mills Elementary School Garden Day

This family-friendly event, put on by the Lake Mills Wellness Coalition, will take place on Saturday May 14^th from 9a-12p at the Lake Mills Elementary School, and it will consist of helping to construct raised garden beds and a shed for the Elementary School Garden. There will also be other garden-related activities and refreshments—win, win!

Run/Walks/Hiking

May is a great month to engage in a community run/walk/hike because of the beautiful weather, and the sights with blooming trees and flowers. Some local events that are taking place include:

Hope with Every Step

This event will take place on Saturday May 14^th from 8am-11:30a and is a family-fun day that  boasts of a fun 5k run/walk,  a family mile walk and quite possibly the cutest thing I have ever read—a “Toddler Trot”.  This event raises funding and awareness for a rare genetic disease called “Ataxia-telangiesctasia” which attacks children and causes loss of muscle control, immune system problems and a high rate of cancer. More information about this event can be found at  HopeStepFort

Furry Friends 5k

This family-and-Fido-friendly event will take place on May 21^st from 9a-12p and is a run/walk that supports homeless pets at the Jefferson County Humane Society. This event will take place at the Jefferson County Fair Park. Additional information can be found at: FurryFriends5k

Walk a Mile: PADA event

This is a 1-mile walk that will take place at the Fort Atkinson High School campus that is not timed, but rather is for awareness for safe and healthy homes for all. Typically, participants in this event wear a pair of shoes that they normally wouldn’t wear as an opportunity for participants to reflect on “walking in another person’s shoes”. This event will take place on Saturday May 21^st from 9a-11a and more information can be found at Walk-A-Mile

Free Family Hike

Join the Jefferson and Fort Community Coalitions on Sunday May 22^nd at Dorothy Carnes County Park in Fort Atkinson from 2p-4p on a family-friendly day that will include a hike, a nature scavenger hunt, seed planting and a snack at the end of the hike.

As you can see, there are a TON of opportunities for yourself and/or your family to be active the month of May. Make it a goal to get outside, enjoy the beautiful Wisconsin weather, and to treat yourself to health.

Until next time!