Featured Articles

Dodgeville Farmers Appreciation Days

Since 1986, The community of Dodgeville and surrounding Iowa County have coordinated a special celebration honoring some of our greatest American heroes–our farmers. Recognizing the importance of agriculture to this largely rural area, the citizens developed Iowa County Farmers Appreciation Day held in Dodgeville on the second weekend of July each year. It has become the biggest event on the summer calendar. The fun begins on Saturday with downtown merchants offering special promotions and activities. Fireworks will be held that evening at Harris Park.

On Sunday morning, a huge parade travels through Dodgeville’s historic downtown. School bands are joined by local dignitaries, community floats, horses and the latest in farm and fire fighting equipment. The parade route ends at Harris Park on the east side of town where activities continue throughout the afternoon. There’s a children’s petting zoo, draft horse show, sheep herding demonstration, farm toy show and booths for various agribusiness and community organizations as well as free live music, a craft fair and antique tractor pull.

If you’re hungry, the Dodgeville Kiwanis Club serves up a delicious pork and beef barbecue lunch and the 4H sponsors various refreshment stands. One of the most note-worthy events is the Hog and Cow Calling Contest which is open to both children and adults. Participants are given the opportunity to holler their best “Moo Bossy!” Please be our guest at this year’s Farmers Appreciation Days celebration.

Ride the Ridge - The Military Ridge State Trail

As the natural divide between the Wisconsin River and the Pecatonica River Watersheds, the Military Ridge has been a preferred overland route across this region of what is now Wisconsin for hundreds of years. Bison, French explorers, and American soldiers during the Blackhawk War have all used the naturally level and obstacle-free pathway.

Wind Turbines

Stretching along the south side of Highway 18 between Cobb and Montfort are 20 wind turbine generators. This is the largest wind farm in Wisconsin.

Take A Troll Stroll

There was a time when waters were clean and forests were untouched, when ancient lands spoke of guardians of the Earth. In Scandinavian lands, these mysterious creatures were called trolls, and were known to guard what was left of the earth’s natural treasures by burying precious metals and minerals underground. Because they were rarely seen, people believed trolls no longer existed. Today, these nearly forgotten creatures are once again in our midst.

Dodgeville Information Center

In 2002, Dodgeville opened its new Visitor Information Center. Now visitors to the community that’s at the heart of Iowa County and beautiful Southwest Wisconsin have a resource to help them learn more about the area.