Holiday Craft Fair Near Westby WI B&B

50th Annual Holiday Fair in La Crosse Wisconsin

Get Set...Ready.....SHOP!!!..... this annual Holiday Fair in downtown La Crosse is on November 21-24, 2013.  This huge event is the most spectacular craft show of the season. The La Crosse  Center is decorated with a holiday theme and holiday music through out the Center. Rudolph will make appearances and pictures with Santa Claus go on daily. Door prizes are given each hour every day.  This is family event or a girl's getaway!  Hours are Thursday & Friday; Noon- 9pm,  Saturday; 9am -5pm, Sunday; 10am -3pm. You will need some rest after the Fair with a overnight stay at the Westby House Inn!
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Rhubarb Juice Popular at Westby House Inn Bed and Breakfast

Rhubarb Juice is a Hit at the Westby House Breakfast Table

My friend Danika brought me a large grocery bag of just harvested rhubarb.  Now, I love rhubarb in any fashion or form, but as a juice, that's new to me. So here is recipe as posted on our Recipe page of the web site. Easy and very enjoyable!

 Rhubarb Juice
This recipe comes from the cookbook  Marathon County Back to Basics Cookbook. Marathon County is located in the center of Wisconsin and is Marie's hometown County.  Rhubarb was always plentiful on the farm where rhubarb crisps, pies, coffee cake, jelly and jam were made. You name it my Mom put it in everything.  Now, Juice is something she did not think of making with rhubarb!   This pretty pink beverage can be a base for punch or slush too.    Can be canned or frozen for enjoyment  throughout  the seasons.

2 lbs. Rhubarb, about 9-12 ribs  - cut into 4-5 inch lengths
5 cups water
Bring to low boil, cook until rhubarb are tender. Strain to remove all pulp. Discard pulp.

Add to the juice:
1/4 cup sugar per cup of juice (you can adjust the sweetness as you see fit.)  Spendia can be used also.
Bring to boil to dissolve sugar.
Cool juice, then refrigerate. 

For Punch- add 3/4 cup fruit juice (lemon, grapefruit, etc ) to each cup of sweetened juice. Just before serving add 1 quart of gingerale or white soda.
For Slush- To 2 quarts of Heated sweetened juice add 3oz. package of strawberry gelatin and  dissolve. Let cool. Add 2 cups vodka. Pour into freezer containers and freeze stirring occasionally until well chilled.  To serve- 1/4 cup slush in glass, fill glass  with 7-up.

New Winery Opens Near Westby House Inn

Branches Winery Opens just Minutes from Westby House Inn

Branches Winery has opened up off Highway 14/61 and just minutes from the Westby House Inn in Westby.
The rural Westby winery is offering four wines made from their grown grapes.  Complimentary wine tastings and winery tours are available Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 
The wines are their Explorer made from Marquette grapes, Coulee Crisp -La Crescent Grapes, Vine Dance a sweet wine from Edelweiss grapes and the fourth wine is Flying Geese made with Frontenac Gris grapes.  Gene and Therese Bergholz, owners of the winery, chose the local favorite Cranberry to highlight in their Celebration Berry wine. 
A must visit during any stay at the Westby House Inn.
Here is an article on the winery that ran in the La Crosse Tribune .

Norwegian Syttende Mai Events Center Around Westby B&B

 Westby House Bed and Breakfast Inn is Center Stage during Syttende Mai!  

Viking Ship

Car Show on Saturday

Sunday's Parade

Whenever you hear or read about Norwegian history, Syttende Mai is a topic most visited.  Ever wonder how to pronounce it...??? It's simple, just say  "Soot in my eye!!  Now that you can say it, here is some history on Westby's annual festival. The 2013 weekend dates are May 17,18,19, 2013.

Westby's Annual Syttende Mai Festival commemorates Norway's Independence Day. In December 1813, Denmark ceded Norway to Sweden. Therefore ending a 434 years of union between Norway and Denmark. The Norwegian Constitution was signed on May 16, 1814 and was ratified by Christian Frederik on May 17th.  To this day, May 17th is celebrated as the Norwegian national day. Thus Syttende Mai - 17th of May.  The day Norway achieved independence for Denmark. However, on July 27, 1814, the Swedes attacked and Norway was forced to surrender. The union was formally dissolved in June 7, 1905, when Norway declared itself independent of Sweden.

The Norwegian immigrants brought the tradition of celebrating Syttende Mai with them to America and the first Westby festival was officially organized and celebrated in1969. To this day the three-day celebration features Norwegian traditions, heritage and good old fashion ethic food. A bicycle tour, 5 k walk/run, arts & crafts, kiddie parades and children's games, are just part of the fun.  Arts, Crafts and Vintage Commercial Tents are ongoing Saturday and Sunday. Church meatball dinners, rommegrot, and lefsa are in abundance during the weekend; along with great local entertainment and Saturday's outstanding car and bike show and huge parade on Sunday! 

Visit the festival web site at www.westbysyttendemai.com for a complete list of activities and more information on events and the Saturday entertainment of  "Tina & Lena" Singers with Zingers! 

The Inn is the perfect location to overnight stays when you attend the festival. Arrive and park your car on Friday and don't need to get back in the car until you depart!    Dates of Festival - May 17 -18-19, 2013

"Mange takk min ven, ha en behagelig reise" - Many thanks my friend, have a pleasant journey!

Viist

Westby House Inn Can Cure Your Spring Fever

Victorianne Room

Atrium Room

Westby Room

Spring Fever got you going crazy?  Then come to the Westby House Inn for the cure! As one guest experienced, "the B&B is the unique blending of a tastefully decorated grand historic home, lovingly restored and maintained, with the comforting kindness of hosts who treat you like family and nourish you with delectable meals. It's a must-stay whether you happen to be in the beautiful southwest Wisconsin region, or make it a destination."  To help plan your time here the DriftlessWisconsin.com visitor's site has things to do and places to explore along with great dining ideas. If  fly-fishing is a way of relaxing we have over 200 miles of Class A trout streams just minutes from the inn. Hike Wildcat Mountain or the trails through the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Spring brings Farmers Markets in Viroqua and the Amish start to gear up for sales of the crafts they worked on over the winter.  For the foodie folks, check out the many artisan cheese shops, the organic food co-op and Driftless Organic Cafe.
With so many things to do and explore you better start planning a are return trip in the summer and fall!  You can always check for room availability on our web site with just a click on the Check Availability button. Think Spring and you maybe here before you know it!!

Enjoy Late Summer or Fall Hikes in Wildcat Mountain State Park near Westby Wisconsin

Many of the Westby House Inn guests plan a hike, or two, in Wildcat Mountain State Park located just outside of Ontario, Wisconsin. The 23-minute drive in itself from the inn is worth the trac. Four trails are marked throughout the park which consists of high ridges and deep valleys with vistas of the Kickapoo River, prairies, and eroded sandstone formations. The Old Settlers' Trail is a 2.5-mile long trail once used by early settlers of the area. Along its course, the trail crosses a footbridge, passes through three separate pine plantations and wild creatures that call this 3,500-acre park their home. Wildflowers are abundant in the rich humus of the wooded slopes on the bluffs of the Hemlock Nature Trail. This 1.3-mile trail begins beside the Kickapoo River with markers to call attention to the special life forms of this ancient valley.

For a short, level hike at a leisurely pace be sure to take in the Prairie Trail and observe seasonal changes in the prairie. Big bluestem grass and wildflowers surround you while standing in the prairie with breathtaking vistas of the Kickapoo Valley . The woodchip path from the prairie through the woods is a more adventurous hike to the Observation Point. Just off County Road F, south of Highway 33,is the Ice Cave Picnic Area. This small, quiet picnic area includes a short hiking trail leading to a rock formation. The eroded sandstone formation appears to be a cave with approaching. But upon closer inspection you will find a shallow depression with a spring running over the upper edge. In the winter, the spring freezes into a giant icicle. Lush green vegetation and colorful wildflowers are a delight along the trail. For a enjoyable hike, bring along a camera, binoculars and a field guidebook if you can. Dress appropriately in sturdy, comfortable clothing and footwear.

Annual Coon Creek Trout Fest Near Westby House Inn

Coon Valley, Wisconsin will host the annual Coon Creek Trout Fest on Saturday, June 16, 2012. Though this is only the Second Annual, it will be a show stopper. More vendors, more entertainment and more fly-fishing fun! Here are just a few:  Classic Car Show, Bobber Race at 6:00,  Kids games, kids trout derby, feature films on the Driftless Area and the Watershed.  Fly-fishing and fly-tying lessons from 11 am to 4 pm, Bean Bag Tournament, and live music from 1 until 11pm. Enjoy the sounds of John Ward, The Freezers and Sellout at different times throughout the day. This is a FREE event with gates opening at 10:00 am. Visit their web site at www.cooncreektroutfest.com for a detailed schedule of the event.

Spend a great day in a quaint valley and the famous Coon Creek, than respite up on the ridge in Westby at the Inn! Perfect treat for Father's Day weekend.