Join the live culture convergence!

Fermentation Fest: Spirits Edition will be a weekend jam-packed with events in a beautiful rural setting that celebrate live culture in all its forms and the significance of rural places. The keynote—a reading by ethnobotanist Gary Paul Nabhan from his new book Agave Spirits: The Past, Present, and Future of Mezcals—will explore distilled spirits and their plant origins. Plus a variety of “kindred spirits:"

- Great local things to eat and drink
- Artworks that engage with wetlands and a Native Art Marketplace
- Presentations by historians, farmers, and fermenters
- Live music and delicious tasting events
- Artist-made zines, educational activities & more!
- While most of this "live culture convergence" will be free, a few special demos and classes will require tickets.

Artworks

We're inviting artists to share works that respond to the land including wetlands and the ecology of Witwen Park, situated on the banks of Honey Creek.

Sarah Kavage
Living Willow & Braided Reed Canary Grass

Little Eagle Arts Foundation (LEAF)
Native Art Marketplace & Demos

Tory Tepp
Wetlands Habitat, Vortex, Canoe

Serena JV Elson
Mushroom Furniture

Keynote Presentations

Unique presentations and panel discussions will be held inside Witwen’s tabernacle. Topics will explore connections between agri/culture, community, and the land and examine their intertwined futures. Featured speakers include Gary Paul Nabhan, Erica Ruggiero, and Ruth Conniff.

Gary Paul Nabhan
Ethnobotanist, Author & Agrarian Activist
Gary will give a reading from his new book, Agave Spirits: The Past, Present, and Future of Mezcals followed by a talkback with Savanna Institute Director, Keefe Keeley.

Erica Ruggiero
Historic Preservation Specialist
Erica Ruggerio will present on the religious history of The Second Great Awakening, and its connections to the tabernacle movement and Witwen Park.

Ruth Conniff
Journalist & Editor Of Wisconsin Examiner
Ruth will read from Milked: How an American Crisis Brought Together Midwestern Dairy Farmers and Mexican Workers, followed by discussion with Puentes/Bridges.

Music

Enjoy free live music in the gazebo by regional musicians, ranging from classic guitar to world and folk music.

October 7, 2023

12:00 pm-12:45 pm: Prairie Spies
Join Prairie Spies for down-to-earth folk music. Free

2:30 pm-3:15 pm: Shawndell Marks
Ethereal vocals with electric keyboard. Free

3:30 pm-4:15 pm: Christo's Novelty Combo
A mix of the Vaudeville era, novelty, and jazz-infused steel guitar & ukulele. Free

October 8, 2023

11:00 am-11:45 pm: Teddy Davenport
Start your Sunday morning with raw, captivating Americana music. Free

12:00 pm-12:45 pm: Felix B Sainz, Jr.
The American Songbook performed in a lyrical fusion of Samba and Jazz. Free

2:30 pm-3:15 pm: Tsuzamen
Self-described world music band with a Jewish vibe. Free

Classes & Demos

Tickets are now available for special classes and demos focused on fermentation and the abundance & transformation of the harvest season.

October 7, 2023

11:00 am-11:45 pm: Elderberry 101
Learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about this native Wisconsin fruit! Free

11:15 am-12:45 pm: Pizza making with Anarchy Acres
Make sourdough pizza using historic wheat flours from Wisconsin. $35

2:30 pm-3:30 pm: Indian Pickle with Manmohan Singh
Create a take-home Indian pickle fusion. $20 proceeds donated to the Sikh Society of WI.

3:30 pm-5:00 pm: Elixirs with Laura Poe Mathes
Enjoy shrubs, bitters and elixirs paired with chocolate truffles. $40

October 8, 2023

11:15 am-12:30 pm: Psychic You
Learn to access your intuition through games & fun activities with artist Rebecca Brown. $25

11:30 am-1:00 pm: Kernza!
Enjoy Kernza (perennial wheatgrass) baked goods from a unique Cobb oven. Free

2:15 pm-3:30 pm: Everything Mushroom
Learn about mushrooms and inoculate a log to grow your own shiitake at home. $25

Local Food & Drink

Anchored by artist-made roadside culture stands, fresh and fermented concoctions will be offered by culinary artists and brewers from across Wisconsin's rural-urban continuum including:
- Ferments by Fizzeology Foods
- Teas & tinctures by Four Elements Organic Herbals
- Taco & Tamale Tent with Hispanic Knights of Columbus
- Baked goods by Echo Valley Farms
- Local brews and more!

Date: October 7-8, 2023

Location:
Witwen Park,
S9855 County Road East,
Sauk City, WI 53583.

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