Here come the farmers markets.
They begin May 1 with the West Allis, Brookfield, Delafield, New Berlin, Waukesha and Oconomowoc farmers markets. Then they start opening fast and furious, more than three dozen of them in and around Milwaukee. The last debuts come in July.
Not all the markets will be back yet, however. The Westown Farmers Market, for example, will be on hiatus again this year. Organizers cite reduced foot traffic downtown because of the pandemic, as many office workers continue to work from home.
Expect to still find precautions taken against COVID-19, although there is some easing of rules made last year as the pandemic gained its foothold. Some markets are resuming live music, for instance, or considering resuming music later in the season.
Paul Szwalkiewicz of Milwaukee works Saturday on his sculpture, entitled Modern Snowman, during the Wisconsin State Ice Carving Championship at the Burlington Ice Festival in Wehmhoff Square Park in Burlington. ADAM ROGAN,
BURLINGTON â Ice carvers sent messages of hope and rebirth Saturday with inspirational entries in the Wisconsin State Ice Carving Championship.
Seizing upon the COVID-19 pandemic and other themes of turmoil from 2020, the ice-carving competitors chose uplifting and even humorous approaches to the event.
The championship took place during the fifth annual Burlington Ice Festival, held at Wehmhoff Square Park.
Paul Laabs of Waukesha entitled his ice sculpture âMy Hope,â depicting a raised arm holding a cross in its fist, which he said was a statement about the COVID pandemic as well as racial strife and political protests.