Embracing Wisconsin's Swiss Heritage: Polkafest and Beer, Bacon & Cheese Festival

As the holiday season draws near, the picturesque town of New Glarus, Wisconsin, transforms into a winter wonderland, welcoming locals and visitors alike to immerse themselves in the joyous spirit of the holidays at the New Glarus Christkindli Market. From December 1st through 3rd, 2023, this charming town will play host to a spectacular outdoor Christmas market and family activities which promises to be an enchanting experience for all. Nestled in downtown New Glarus, the Christkindli Market invites you to explore an array of local merchants within wooden on-street chalets adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations. Browse more than 30 vendors showcasing an assortment of locally made and sourced holiday gifts, decorations, and delectable foods. With a warm drink in hand, the market offers the perfect opportunity for you to find unique treasures for every person on your shopping list. From traditional, to a touch of Wisconsin charm, local vendors will dazzle you with their designs. Santa's Chalet presented by Smart Motors One of the highlights for families is the chance to meet Santa Claus in his cozy chalet, presented this year by Smart Motors. "Children can share their Christmas wishes and parents can capture timeless memories with the jolly old man himself," says Justin Jackson, General Sales Manager for Smart Motors. "It's such a fun time for kids, and we are thrilled to be able to do this," said Jackson. But the holiday magic doesn’t stop there—prepare for a unique encounter with Wisconsin's very own "reindeer." Yes, you read that right—they're none other than our beloved cows, all dressed up to bring joy and laughter to visitors of all ages. Wisconsin Reindeer Horse-drawn Wagon Rides For a touch of old-world charm, hop aboard a horse-drawn wagon ride and enjoy the scenic beauty of New Glarus. From traditional stone streets to the chalet style architecture of local shops and confectionaries, bask in the one of kind allure of Wisconsin's "little Switzerland". The rhythmic clip-clop of hooves against the streets will transport you to a bygone era, creating moments of pure enchantment. As you wander through the market, be serenaded by live outdoor music performances and entertainment scattered throughout the weekend. The air will be filled with melodies that add to the festive ambiance, creating an atmosphere brimming with joy and merriment. The best part? Admission to the Christkindli Market is free, allowing everyone to join in the holiday cheer without any barriers. Whether you're a local looking for a delightful weekend or a visitor seeking an authentic small-town holiday experience, you're warmly welcomed to be part of this magical celebration. New Glarus Brewing Unveils Unique Beer While the market offers plenty of family-friendly activities, adults can indulge in a unique and exclusive treat courtesy of the New Glarus Brewing Company. For a limited time during the Christkindli Market, the brewery will unveil Wassail, a specially crafted holiday stout tantalizingly infused with hints of chocolate, vanilla, and spice. The bierstacheln experience, where a hot metal rod is skillfully plunged into the beer, caramelizing it and creating a decadent foam—a delightful indulgence exclusively available for onsite consumption at the market. Don't miss this opportunity to savor this one-of-a-kind brew and elevate your holiday spirit with this special treat. Festival Hours The Christkindli Market will open on the streets of New Glarus on Friday, December 1st, starting at 3 PM and will continue its festivities until 7 PM. On Saturday, December 2nd, the market will be open from 10 AM to 6 PM, followed by the final day on Sunday, December 3rd, from 10 AM to 5 PM. Plan your visit accordingly to ensure you don't miss out on any of the enchanting experiences this market has to offer. This magical event is brought to life by the New Glarus Chamber of Commerce, a testament to the community's spirit and dedication to spreading joy during the holiday season. As the snow blankets the streets and the aromas of freshly baked treats and seasonal spices fill the air, the New Glarus Christkindli Market invites you to create cherished memories, bask in the warmth of the holidays, and embrace the true essence of the season. Join us in this celebration of tradition, warmth, and the magic of Christmas in the heart of Wisconsin.

A true partnership. A decade of support Since 2012, Smart Motors has financially supported Children’s Theater of Madison (CTM) and their local initiatives. Whether you’re a seasoned stage performer or looking to take to the stage for the very first time for a singing, acting or dance class, Smart’s annual financial contributions helped subsidize tuition for the youth in Dane County. Today, CTM can now transport youth from throughout the city to the new Madison Youth Arts (MYArts) Center with their brand new 2022 Toyota Sienna hybrid – donated by Smart. Children's Theater of Madison 2021 Septacular Wish Event | Smart Motors presenting sponsor Timing of Smart’s gift could not have come at a better time. This month CTM moved into their new space within the new MYArts Center at 1055 E Mifflin Street. To celebrate this momentous occasion, CTM hosted their spectacular Septacular Wish event. The event featured on-stage performances from CTM’s talented youth performers, plus recognition of businesses and community members who helped make “the Wish” possible, food and beverages provided by Great Dane Pub & Brewing, special cocktail hour music performed by The Tony Castaneda Band, and of course, the unveiling of Smart Motors’ gift ~ a 2022 Toyota Sienna hybrid mini-van. “It is a game changer for us,” said CTM’s Executive Director Allen Ebert. “One of the largest barriers Youth in our community face is access to the arts. Today, thanks to this gift from Smart Motors, we can provide the much-needed safe transportation of Youth to our new home in the MYArts Center and do so absolutely free of charge.” CTM's Executive Director Allen Ebert & Artistic Director Roseann Sheridan Much like an in-person CTM performance you’d experience on-stage, this new Toyota Sienna hybrid mini-van is jaw-dropping. Fully wrapped by Madison Top Company, the design is whimsical and colorful, eye-catching, and will certainly grab attention on the streets of Madison. It’s a moving reminder of how inspirational, fun and creative our Youth, and Adults, can be when they explore the performing arts. The 2022 Toyota Sienna is the perfect people mover. Stylish on the outside and functional on the inside, CTM will be able to transport 7-passengers at a time in comfort and convenience. This mini-van features dual power sliding side doors and Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0; which includes pre-collision and pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, automatic high beams and dynamic radar cruise control. Oh, an in case you missed it, this mini-van is a hybrid; getting a show-stopping 35 miles per gallon. “We could not be more proud of our decade long partnership with our friends at CTM,” said J.R. Smart, President/CEO of Smart Motors. “And just look at that Sienna – wow! Madison Top and the creative team at CTM truly did a phenomenal job capturing the spirit of CTM in the wrap design. I cannot wait to see all the smiles on the faces of kids loading up and jumping out of the Sienna on their way to classes and performances.” CTM Performers amaze attendees with their incredible talent CTM’s mission to create vibrant theater experiences that engage, educate, and inspire young people and their communities has been their guiding light. Founded in 1965, CTM is a Madison institution providing exceptional theatre production for family audiences. By casting adult and child actors in professionally produced plays, they have occupied a unique niche, for decades, as Madison’s premier theater for all ages. The Overture Center, and its predecessor the Madison Civic Center, had been their home for over 30 years, and today CTM is one of two main tenants in the newly constructed MYArts Center on Madison’s near Eastside. Smart Motors was founded in 1908 by O.D. Smart and is one of the nation’s oldest automotive dealerships, is the mid-west’s largest hybrid vehicle dealer and one of Wisconsin’s largest volume dealers. Smart Motors is Wisconsin’s only two-time President’s Cabinet Award recipient from Toyota Motors Sales for superior customer service and sales volume. Learn more about Smart’s history here. The newly constructed MYArts Center provides opportunities for young people to express themselves, discover the arts, and create connections, while at the same time, serves as the home for CTM and Madison Youth Choirs.

Turning daylight into green power June 20 this year was the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year in terms of daylight. Normally, this annual event - when the sun makes its highest arching path across the sky - would be treated like any other day, except at Smart Toyota. This year marked the fourth summer solstice the automotive dealership has had solar panels installed, and their team is excited to find out just how much of the sun’s energy can be harvested in a single day. In October of 2017, Smart Toyota began installing solar panels on the rooftop of their facility at 5901 Odana Road in Madison in order to use solar energy to help power their operations. The installation was completed in November 2017, certified in December 2017, and is the largest solar panel system installed by an automotive dealership in Wisconsin. Smart Toyota | Madison, WI | Rooftop Solar Panels Smart’s system is comprised of 940 SolarWorld panels and is a 325 kilowatt DC (direct current) rated structure generating approximately 429,154 kilowatt hours per year. The rate of energy production will diminish by about 1 percent per year over its estimated 25-year lifespan, meaning in that quarter-century, the solar energy gathering system will yield about 9,655,417 kilowatt hours.  Since its installation, the solar panel system generates about 37 percent of the energy needed to run the building annually. During the summer months though the system can generate up to 50 percent of the power needed for their operation. As of June 10th, 2021, the dealership already reaped 1.17 GWh of solar energy. Here are a few fun facts about solar energy: ● More energy from the sun lands on the face of the earth in one hour than the entire global population uses in one year. ● In 2003, the U.S. Department of Energy estimated that 90 percent of the electricity used by the U.S. could be generated from solar panels installed in abandoned industrial sites in our nation’s cities. ● Elon Musk and the International Energy Agency predict that solar energy will become the world’s largest energy source by the year 2031. ● Costs for utility-scale solar panels have dropped by 85 percent since 2009, becoming an increasingly financially viable option for average Americans across the country. ● The solar industry was responsible for creating one in every 50 jobs added in the U.S. during 2016. ● In 2016, an average of 31,000 solar panels were installed every hour worldwide, with 1.3 million in the U.S. alone. ● The US Energy Information Administration states that, unlike fossil fuels, solar energy “(does) not produce air pollutants or carbon dioxide.” The National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) notes that auto dealerships face close to $2 billion in energy costs annually, their third highest operating expense. Many dealerships and auto manufacturers like Toyota are investing in a variety of energy upgrades like solar energy, efficient LED lighting, and electric vehicle charging stations, all of which are being implemented by Smart Toyota. Unless you are 35 feet in the or higher, the panels are virtually invisible.