This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Highlights
Wednesday, August 10-Sunday, August 14
If you want an introduction to Cornish food, check out the Taste of Mineral Point, an annual outdoor feast held alongside the town's Cornish Festival. This five day figgyhobbin, which looks to be a cross between a dessert pasty and a brown sugar-cinnamon Pop Tart, served with caramel sauce and whipped cream. Hello, Hwy. 18-151. Great Taste of the Midwest on Saturday, an event so popular you can't even go to it without intensely, intensively, planning ahead. Olin-Turville Park, 1156 Olin-Turville Court, 1-6 p.m., originally $50 and now whatever resale price one can find. If you are the sort of person who did not plan ahead, you can still take in some awesome beer events with the many pre-parties and tastings around town on the Thursday and Friday evenings before the festival. Amen. All around Madison, happy hour-bar time.
Saturday, August 13
In an odd disconnect with the vaunted Midwestern Nordic work ethic, Norwegian-inflected Stoughton happens to be, or believes itself to be, the founder of the coffee break. The Stoughton Coffee Break Festival includes some fun stuff perhaps ancillary to actual coffee breaks, like an antique car show and a fun run, but will also have a coffee brew-off, where folks can sample coffee from area coffee roasters and vote for their favorites. Mandt Park, 321 S. Fourth St., Stoughton, 8:30 a.m.- 7 p.m., free. Call 873-7912 for more info.
More events this week
Wednesday, August 10
Cobb Corn Roast, an annual five-day community Melting Pot, 6816 Odana Rd., 5:30-8:30 p.m., $39. Call 833-5676 for more info.
Thursday, August 11
Science Thursdays, a weekly exploration of the Lake Wingra watershed and its ecosystem that culminates with a fishing clinic for kids. Wingra Boats, 824 Knickerbocker St., 6-7 p.m., free. Call 233-5332 for more info.
Kids in the Kitchen: Sushi and Summer Roll Extravaganza class for kids 7-15, with instructor Lily Klifoy demonstrating the basics of preparing sushi using nori seaweed, rice paper, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Willy Street Co-op East, 1221 Williamson St., 4-5:30 p.m., $6 owners and $16 all others. Call 251-6776 for more info.
Carl Corey reading, with the author discussing his new book Tavern League: Portraits of Wisconsin Bars and barroom culture across the Badger State. Mickey's Tavern, 1524 Williamson St., 6-8 p.m., free. Call 251-9964 for more info.
Cooking it All: Menu Planning & Techniques for a High Vegetable Diet, a workshop hosted by the Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ, 1501 Gilbert Rd, 6 p.m., $15. Call 226-0300 for more info.
Friday, August 12
Covered Bridge Days, an annual three-day community festival, featuring food vendors, a flea market and sidewalk sale, softball and volleyball tournaments, car and tractor shows and pulls, history tours and demonstrations, live music, children's activities, and more. Black Earth Field Days, an annual three-day community festival, featuring food vendors and a beer tent, kickball and dodgeball tournaments, a parade, and more. Veterans Memorial Park, 1215 Mills St., Black Earth, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-midnight Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Call 608-767-2563 for more info.
Saturday, August 13
Summer Art Classic, an annual juried festival put on by the Sauk County Courthouse, 515 Oak St., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 608-985-8076 for more info.
Food Allergy Awareness Walk, a 1.5 mile fundraiser walk hosted by the Warner Park, 2930 N. Sherman Ave., 10:30 a.m., donations encouraged. Call 575-9535 to RSVP and for more info.
Free community meal prepared by volunteers. Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St., 11:15 a.m., free. Call 257-4576 for more info.
Good Neighburgers, a burger barbecue benefit for Women Rise Up!, an empowerment group for low-income women. Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., Middleton, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., $5 per platter. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Culinary & Garden Tour, a walking tour of gardens, fields, and restored prairies and oak savannahs with a focus on Native American plant use and farming. Pope Farm Park, 7740 W. Old Sauk Rd., Middleton, 1:30-3:30 p.m., free. Call 264-4694 for more info.
Ride for Pets, a motorcycle ride fundraiser for the Quaker Steak & Lube in Middleton for a buffet and live music. Pancake breakfast, a monthly fundraiser for Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St., 8:30-11 a.m., $8.50 adults and kids free. Call 259-9050 for more info.
Vintage Celebration, an annual benefit for the in Barneveld, featuring a juried display of vintage cars, wine tastings and service, a picnic, and live music. Botham Vineyards, 8180 Langberry Rd., Barneveld, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., $10. Call 888-478-9463 for more info.
Savory Sunday, with volunteers need to prepare and serve a fresh, hot meal for the hungry. Lutheran Campus Center, 325 N. Mills St., 11 a.m. Call 233-6967 for more info.
Monday, August 15
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 6-7:30 p.m., $25. Call 233-9566 for more info.
