As summer comes to an end, join us at Septemberfest for one last “perfect summer day,” where we will have a retro themed blast from the past. This event returns to downtown Ripon, Saturday, September 16th, as a full day of family fun. Thank you to our Title Sponsors: Alliance Laundry Systems, SSM Health, and Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Special Properties. Septemberfest will kick off Friday night with Retro Ripon Prom, sponsored by Pericles Financial Services. This is a ticketed event for 18 and older from 7-10pm at the American Legion. Tickets are available online at Eventbrite and include delicious appetizers and desserts, a DJ playing all the best throwback songs, a photo booth and retro cocktails from our team of mixologists. Get ready to dance the night away! Saturday will feature the Annual Watson Street Classic Car Show from 9am-2pm. This is a meet and greet, judge free show. In lieu of a registration fee, a free-will donation will be taken to support the various organizations and programs of our local United Way. Door prizes will be announced at 2pm. The Ripon Noon Kiwanis will hold their Annual Pancake Breakfast from 8-11:00am, at the Village Green followed by a Mascot Dance Party at 11:30. Activities for all ages will take place from 10am-4pm including kids carnival games, face painting, photo booth, rock wall, bounce houses, stone lift challenge, ax throwing and a petting zoo. Chalk artists will be creating works of art based on their assigned decade on Watson Street along with a display of Vintage Bicycles provided by Schwark Vintage Wheels. Stop at one of the outdoor drink stations and take a stroll down the street with your beverage. Be sure to check out our great shopping opportunities and dining options. The food trucks, located in Rotary Square, will include the Lions Club, Chick Fil A, Detlors Delights and Sweet n Saulty Ice Cream Truck. There will be live entertainment from Copper Box from 11-2pm and the Zac Matthews Band from 3:30-6:30pm. The second annual Bike Stroll, hosted by Green Lake Greenways, will leave from the Ripon Senior Activity Center at 3:30pm, head to Vines and Rushes and return before dusk. Septemberfest will conclude with an outdoor movie screening at 7:00 of “Grease” (Sing-Along) on the Village Green, hosted by the Ripon Noon Kiwanis. “Septemberfest has something for everyone,” said Mandy Kimes, the Executive Director of the Ripon Chamber of Commerce, “it’s a jammed packed day and our downtown is the perfect place to travel back in time and enjoy all the classic festival activities and entertainment.” For a full schedule of Septemberfest activities, please visit www.ripon-wi.com or Facebook page, Septemberfest 2023. A variety of beverages will be available for purchase. NO CARRY-INs are allowed because beverage sales help cover event expenses.
