Travel Spotlight: Madison Wisconsin
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Madison, Wisconsin conjures up different images for different people. Those who remember the Vietnam War will think of the town as a hippie Mecca with anti war protests and at least one fatal bombing. Current college students routinely mark their calendars and try to make the trek to the annual Halloween Bash on State Street. Sports fans are well aware of the Badger’s ability to dominate in more than one discipline. And outdoor enthusiasts are well versed in the many lakes, parks and nature areas that thrive in this eco-friendly community. Unbelievably, all of these views of Madison, Wisconsin are accurate.
Sterling Hall Bombing. On August 24, 1970 UW-Madison’s Sterling Hall was the scene of an anti-war protest. Unfortunately, a university physics researcher, Robert Fassnacht, was killed and four others in the building were severely injured. Three of the four bombers were captured and served their time in prison. Leo Burt, the fourth bomber, disappeared and has never faced charges for his part in this crime.
State Street Halloween Bash. Every October 31st (or the weekend before) the freaks pour onto State Street for the annual Halloween Bash. This event has been a favorite among college students for decades but the last few years have seen riots at the end of the night when only the drunkest partiers remain. Recently the police department in conjunction with several student groups have implemented a $5 admission and mounted patrols, which have eliminated the violence and boosted the support for this entertaining event.
Badgers. The Badger football team has played in 18 different bowl games since 1952, winning ten of these match ups. The basketball team put up an excellent 2006-07 season and was announced with a #2 seed in the Midwest Bracket for the NCAA Tournament. Hockey in this sometimes frozen tundra is not surprisingly a hit with men and women and in 2006 the Badgers made history as both men’s and women’s teams were NCAA Division I National Champions.
The Lakes. Downtown Madison is actually an isthmus, situated between Lake Monona and Lake Mendota, which affords many beautiful scenic views throughout the downtown area. The entire city is surrounded by 15,429 acres of lakes and has more than 6,600 acres of parkland. The 260 parks are used for large concert events, small private receptions, family fun activities, biking, cross country skiing, skating, and just about any activity you can imagine.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, there’s also Rhythm and Booms, Monona Terrace, the Farmer’s Market, Art Fair on the Square, the Overture Center, Ironman competitions, and the Taste of Madison. The Madison, Wisconsin area truly has a little bit of something for everyone.