Carriage Classic

media release: Friday, Sep. 6 – Sunday, Sep. 8 | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Single Day Cost: Adult (18-64): $18; Teen (13-17): $18; Senior (65+): $18; Child (5-12): $10; Child Under 5: Free

Weekend Cost : Adult (18-64): $28; Teen (13-17): $28; Senior (65+): $28; Child (5-12): $15; Child Under 5: Free

Society members receive a 10% discount

More than 100 carriage driving teams will compete in the nation’s largest carriage driving event at Villa Louis’s 43^rd annual Carriage Classic, held Sept. 6 to 8 on the grounds of this National Historic Landmark. Set against the scenic Mississippi River, the event features elegantly dressed drivers, complete with hats and gloves, skillfully maneuvering their horse-drawn carriages through a series of competitions to win the coveted blue ribbon.

The stunning setting comes to life as beautiful antique, modern and restored horse-drawn carriages, driven by elegantly attired riders, head to the ring to be judged in arena and obstacle competitions. Other crowd-pleasing competitions include picnic class where carriage teams display their finest picnic setups, and dog class, where participants are joined by their canine companions in the carriage.

“Villa Louis has a strong connection to the equestrian world, as the Artesian Stock Farm, considered one of the finest in the Midwest, once resided on this property,” says Susan Caya-Slusser, Wisconsin Historical Society's Director of Southwest Regional Sites. “Watching this event unfold is like stepping into another time and place where beauty, elegance and pageantry reign. It’s a wonderful way to spend a day and a great opportunity to visit this historic home.”

Admission includes access to daily carriage driving competitions as well as a tour of the 1871 Italianate-style Villa Louis mansion. Concessions will be available for sale. The event will take place rain or shine, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekend admission is $28 for adults and $15 for children. The single-day cost is $18 for adults, $10 for children, and children under the age of five are admitted for free. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive a 10 percent discount on admission.

About Villa Louis

Villa Louis is one the of Wisconsin Historical Society’s 12 historic sites and museums. A National Historic Landmark located in Prairie du Chien, the historic Villa Louis mansion is the centerpiece of a grand Victorian estate built by the family of Hercules Dousman, a frontier entrepreneur who amassed a fortune in the fur trade and other frontier investments. The mansion received a top-to-bottom restoration that has returned the home to the splendor of its 1890s heyday, using British Arts and Crafts interior designs inspired by famed designer William Morris. Visit villalouis.org or call (608) 326-2721 for more information and a list of upcoming events. Wisconsin Historical Society members receive free admission to this site during regular operating hours.