Downtown Sun Prairie Artful Wine Walk Set for May 16th (Sun Prairie Business Improvement District)

Blogger's Note:  I swear it will be warmer weather on May 16th, so plan on stopping Downtown and have some fun.

Our View: Shop Locally (Sun Prairie Star)

Some participants in the Business Improvement District's Ladies Night Out going out of their way to shop locally at Prairie Flowers & Gifts in Sun Prairie. (Photo by Neil Stechschulte)

Our View: Shop Locally

Link to Full Editorial: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=9034

Blogger's Note: Shoppers who go out of their way to balance their spending with targeted purchases locally help keep our local economy moving in the right direction.  Sounds like all the shoppers from the Downtown Business Improvement District's annual Ladies Night Out did their part last night!

Remember to Shop Small, Shop Local This Holiday Season (City of Sun Prairie Office of Economic Development)

While there will be a lot of folks braving the national retail chains for Black Friday and even more burning up bandwidth while they shop online, don't forget to shop at your local, small retailers too.  Here are a few great resources on the advantages and reasons to shop close to home:

Small Business Saturday - November 26th

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday

Website:  http://www.smallbusinesssaturday.com/

Dane County Buy Local

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/danebuylocal

Website: http://www.danebuylocal.com/

The 3/50 Project

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/The350Project

Website: http://www.the350project.net/home.html

Downtown Sun Prairie

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/180231094567/

Website: http://www.downtownsunprairie.com/

Downtown Sun Prairie Art Fest - Sat. Sept. 10th (Sun Prairie Tourism Commission)

The Downtown Sun Prairie Art Fest is Saturday Sept. 10th from 10:00 am - 4:00 p.m. on the 100 & 200 Blocks on E. Main Street. Over 30 artists will set up on Main Street to sell their creations in the shadows of Downtown Sun Prairie's historic buildings. In addition to the fine art presented for purchase there will be a variety of entertainment throughout the day, food and beverages offered by local restaurants and a special area where kids can create their own art! The Sun Prairie Historical Library and Museum will feature a special exhibit during the Art Fest.

What's New at the Farmers Market (Sun Prairie Star)

What's New at the Market?

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=50&ArticleID=7997

Click here for more information on the Sun Prairie Farmers Market.

Blogger's Note: The Star is running this in its online version only this week -- let us know what you think by e-mailing managing editor Chris Mertes at spedit@hometownnewsgroup.com and tell him if you want it every week online for the rest of the market season!

Thank You To Everybody Who Helped Make the Taste of Sun Prairie a Success Again This Year! (City of Sun Prairie Office of Economic Development)

Some quick thanks to Rebecca Kettleson from the Dream Park, Bill Taft and all the gang from the Sun Prairie Lions Club, all the members of the BID who helped out today, all the vendors and restaurants, the bands, the entertainment, and all the others who took the time to set up a tent. I also want to thank Larry Herman and the Public Works Department, Dennis Allen and Building Inspection, Rem Brandt and Linda Anderson and the Police Department, and Diane-Herrmann Brown and the City Clerk's Office for all their help making sure we got this event off like it was supposed to go. Lastly, thanks to Travis for his work with the electrical system and plumbing out in Cannery Square. AND...the square looked pretty good when we all cleared out of there. This is a great event, and as soon as I cool down and rehydrate--I'm going to start looking toward the next one.

Blogger's Note: I think John would have been proud.

Sun Prairie Star Highlights "Super Saturday" (Sun Prairie Star)

Our View: Super Saturday - Enjoy StrawberryFest, Block Party June 18

Link to Full Article: http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=7677&TM=69204

Blogger's Note: If you're bored this weekend, its your own fault. Come on down!

Weishar, Stechschulte Highlight Development at BID Meeting (Sun Prairie Star)

Weishar, Stechschulte Highlight Development at Annual BID Meeting

http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&subsectionID=52&articleID=6994

Buy Local Programs and Resources Online (Various)

March Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Workshops (UW Extension Agricultural Innovation Center)

Growers and local food businesses interested in learning more about selling to institutional markets are encouraged to register now for one of the following Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin 2011 Regional Workshop Roadshows. The “Selling to Institutions” workshops will be held in March 2011 in Rice Lake, East Troy, and Viroqua.

For more information, go to:

http://fyi.uwex.edu/aic/2011/02/20/march-buy-local-buy-wisconsin-workshops/

Dane County Buy Local

Dane Buy Local is a coalition of local independent businesses, organizations, and citizens in and around Dane County, Wisconsin, acting in alliance to keep our communities prosperous and sustainable.

For more information, go to: http://www.danebuylocal.com/

Badger Barter

Badger Barter is Madison's (located in Sun Prairie) only locally owned barter and trade exchange. Our Mission is to establish a business-to-business network for trading goods and services.

Badger Barter is a clearinghouse for trading your inventory, goods and services into something you want or need. Badger Barter acts as a sales agent for its members creating exponential growth from business to business.

For more information, go to: http://www.badgerbarter.com/

Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce

Sun Prairie Chamber Mission Statement: To foster, promote and protect the business interest of our members and to create a positive economic, political, educational and social climate in Sun Prairie.

For more information, go to: http://www.sunprairiechamber.com/

Sun Prairie Business Improvement District

The Sun Prairie BID allows local businesses to join together with the municipality to organize, finance, and carry out physical improvement to the downtown area, to promote economic development and to market Downtown Sun Prairie.

For more information, go to: http://www.downtownsunprairie.com/

Sun Prairie Business Improvement District to Help Farmers Market Celebrate 25 Years (Sun Prairie Star)

BID to help Farmers Market celebrate 25 years

http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=52&ArticleID=6885

Click here for more information on Sun Prairie's Downtown Business Improvement District.

Click here for more information on the Sun Prairie Farmers Market.

Blogger's Note: Is is Spring yet?

This is the Weekend to Eat Out and Shop in Sun Prairie!

What: Taste of Sun Prairie
Where: Cannery Square Plaza
When: Saturday, July 26th - Noon to 7:00 PM. (Food served until 6:00 PM)

All portions will be $5 or less, enabling diners to sample a variety of items.

Participating eateries include:

• Atlantis Taverna
• Beans 'n Cream Coffeehouse
• Cousins Subs
• Culver's
• Panda Garden
• What's Brewin'
• Pietro's
• Beef O' Brady's
• Market Street Diner
• Subway

All participating restaurants will donate a portion of their proceeds to the Firemen's Park in the Prairie Dream Park for maintenance and improvements. Activities will include face painting, miniature golf, a jumping castle, Giggles the Clown and a 50/50 cash raffle. Music will be provided by the Double Shirley Poppy Band and Angela Smith & Friends. The Sun Prairie Lions Club will host the beer garden throughout the day. The beer will be served and the bands will play until 7 p.m.

Sun Prairie Sales Days

In addition, You'll find bargains galore on Friday and Saturday at a variety of local businesses participating Sun Prairie Sales Days, an event sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Events include a flea market at the Prairie Square Shopping Center on McCoy Road. A number of booths sponsored by local businesses will also be set up at this location.

Sales Day participants include:

• Affordable 35 mm Slide Scanning
• Prairie Square Shopping Center
• Arbonne International
• B's Jewelers, 1280 W. Main St. Suite 119
• City Hall Pet Gifts, 100 E. Main St.
• Engraving & Trophy Specialists, 15 N. Bird St.
• Forever Yours Jewelry, 211 E. Main St.
  Market Street Diner, 110 Market St.
• McGovern Enterprises, 820 W. Main St.
• Meant to Bead, 1264 W. Main St.
• Sacred Hearts Catholic Church
• Sherwin-Williams, 120 N. Thompson Road
• Snap Fitness, 365 Linnerud Dr.
• What's Brew'n, 3140 Edmonton Dr. Suite 100