COVID-19 Resources
Our Covid-19 page offers a comprehensive link to COVID-19 updates and resource information. Grant County Economic Development Corp has a link at the bottom of our site. This the site we recommend has the latest information posted including dining options throughout the region. The homepage also offers links to the City, Mayor and Chamber Facebook posts. Check regularly as new information is added often.
We all want you to succeed and know by working together we will weather this storm. We are happy to serve as resource and information source during these times. Linda Parrish can be contacted by phone 608-822-6462 or promo@fennimore.com
Fennimore and the Great Outdoors
As Fennimore businesses and residents wait out the virus quarantine, board members of the Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce feel the Fennimore area should look at this as our glass being more than half full. Each day we are one day closer to putting this behind us so that we can once again get on with our businesses and lives.
One of Fennimore’s greatest assets is our great outdoors. Wide open spaces popular for hunting, fishing, walking; the list goes on. Our area easily allows social distancing and hopefully very soon area dining and the non-essential businesses can open once again to serve their customers both inside and curbside to meet customers needs. In the past six week’s I’ve participated in a number of webinars, phone conferences and Zoom meetings. Finally, this week I feel we are closer to having some guide lines almost in place to re-start our businesses in a healthy and safe manner.
Once Wisconsin is officially open for business FACC stands ready to begin promotions to market Fennimore as a great place to live, shop and enjoy the great outdoors. As a member of the Grant County Tourism Council we are applying for a grant to promote Grant County and Southwest Wisconsin and invite tourists back to our region.
First and foremost FACC wants to take into consideration everyone’s health and not take chances to spread the virus. Watch for more information to come on this topic. Until then we thank you for adhering to health and safety guidelines and special thanks for your patience and understanding as we navigate these waters together.
Fennimore High School Graduation
While the official date for the FHS graduation ceremony is still pending, the school has announced plans to hold a parade to honor Fennimore’s graduates on Saturday, May 23.
Each student and a parent or guardian will have one vehicle on the parade, the graduate will sit in the passenger’s seat. Lineup begins at 9:15 a.m. at the Fennimore business park. The parade route will be lead by a school bus with the route passing the high school where a video will be made to share on Eagle TV. The parade will then follow an established parade route through many of the streets within Fennimore. The parade route will pass by many of the graduates homes. Family, friends and Fennimore residents are encouraged to cheer the students on as they pass your homes or cars.
We must follow state-mandated Safer at Home guidelines. To ensure the safety of everyone, please help FHS make this a successful celebration for the Class of 2020 by maintaining social distancing and remaining next to your own vehicle or on your own property to watch the parade. The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce and FIEDC organizations send out special congratulations to all area graduates. We are so very proud of all of you and offer best wishes for all of your future plans!
FACC YouTube Video
Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce (FACC) coordinated a “Fennimore Strong YouTube video” of FACC chamber member businesses and what owners and your staff are doing during COVID-19. A request was sent out to businesses to send in a photo by May 4; we thank all of you for some great photos; we couldn’t have done this without YOU.
Many of you will remember Grace Faulkner, a UW Platteville student, who assisted at the City offices last summer. Grace is working on building her portfolio for school and she is volunteering her services to assist with this project. I truly appreciate Grace sharing her time and talents.
The video proudly shows we are all in this together, Fennimore has a proud tradition and examples of how by working together as a team there really is MORE in Fennimore. I like to think everyday we are one day closer to the end of this crisis. By working together we will make it through this and be back to vising our favorite diner, making CARE (Chamber Associates Recognizing Each other) calls and ribbon cuttings soon.
Shop Small – Shop Local
The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce encourages you to shop small and shop local. Our community businesses are the backbone of our community. They’ve been there for all of us with our fundraisers and donations toward so many causes.
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, FACC continues to suggest you consider gift certificates from Fennimore area businesses for gift giving for your mother or those special women in your life, those in need or just because. Some Mother’s Day gift giving ideas to check out some of the options available right here in Fennimore for your gift giving. From plants and hanging baskets to a variety of gift cards options there are many things to consider. Our food establishments may not be open to serve inside but many are offering curbside options. Why not treat Mom and those special women in your life with a day off at the kitchen.
Lincoln Avenue Flower Planting
The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce will once again fund the Lincoln Avenue flowers for Main Street planters. The newly formed beautification committee has taken over the coordination of this project. This year committee members will each plant four of the planters each to abide by Governor’s social distancing guidelines. The tentative date to plant this year’s flowers are Tuesday, May 19 to get the plants established prior to the Memorial Day weekend.
We are also seeking a few volunteers to adopt a planter(s) maintenance for the 2020 season. FACC will supply the fertilizer; volunteers would be responsible to take care of watering of the flowers for the season. Please contact me (promo@fenniore.com) or Margaret Sprague (gsprague@tds.net ) if you are able to help. Thank you in advance for helping to make Lincoln Avenue full of beautiful flower planters throughout our community.
Fennimore Pumpkin Growers Registration
Just a reminder it’s time to sign up to participate in the 2020 Giant Pumpkin Growers contest.
The cost to participate is $25; Lloyd Tarrell does have a limited supply of pumpkin seeds for those who want to participate. The registration form can now be found online, Registration Form.
Fennimore American Legion NON Spaghetti Supper
Generally, this time of year I am promoting the Fennimore American Legion Spaghetti Supper and asking you to make plans to attend with family and friends. Every year the members hold their one and only fundraiser the first Thursday in May. Funds raised help the Legion with their expenses for the year. Due to the Governor’s Safe at Home order the Legion have cancelled this year’s spaghetti supper.
However; this year I going to put a little twist into a different type of fundraiser for our local veterans. I’m suggesting a non-event where those of us who would have attended will make a $10 donation (the normal ticket cost of the meal). When I ran my idea past some of the Legion officer’s they decided to let me go for it. Just think of the pasta-abilities this Non-Spaghetti supper could do to support our local Legion and Veterans and help them stay afloat until this crisis is over.
If you would like to make a donation for the NON-Spaghetti Supper send a check made payable to Fennimore American Legion in care of Commander Curt Cole, 1280 Monroe Street, Fennimore, WI 53809.
Purchase American Flags from Legion
A couple other updates from the American Legion. Every spring they give area residents the opportunity to purchase American made American flags for our homes or business place. If you would like to order a flag please contact Commander Cole by phone 608-822-6449 or simply send $20 to the same address listed above indicating you want to purchase a flag. The Legion doesn’t make a lot of profit on the flags; rather they receive credits and tokens used for awards day at the Fennimore High School. This is the City of Fennimore’s resource for the flags flown along Lincoln Avenue.
Legion members will announce shortly what the alternative plans will be for this years Memorial Day service.
National Tourism Week May 3 – 9, 2020
The first week of May is National Tourism week across our nation. Preliminary economic impact data coming in indicates that Wisconsin and Grant County reports another record breaking year in 2019. Grant County’s numbers are up 1.3% with tourism related sales coming in at $97.4 Million with total statewide tourism sales of $22.2 billion.
Watch for additional information coming out from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.
