Spring Valley Wisconsin Dam Days Festival and Attractions

Exploring the Annual Spring Valley Dam Days Festival

Nestled in the rolling hills of western Wisconsin lies the small town of Spring Valley, home to just over 1,300 residents. Though small in size, this close-knit farming community comes alive each summer during its beloved annual tradition, the Spring Valley Dam Days festival.

The History Behind Spring Valley Dam Days

The Spring Valley Dam Days festival originated in the 1930s as a way for the local community to celebrate the completion of the Spring Valley Dam, a WPA project created by the Works Progress Administration under Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal Administration. This dam, completed in 1936, was instrumental in preventing flooding in the region.

As construction on the dam finished, Spring Valley residents came together to hold the first festival recognizing the dam's completion. This inaugural event was such a success with locals that it soon turned into an annual tradition, now known as the Spring Valley Dam Days.

When Festivities Take Place

Today, the Spring Valley Dam Days festival takes place every summer, typically in mid-July. The multi-day event usually kicks off on a Wednesday evening and runs through Sunday afternoon, spanning four days total. The consistent timing allows past attendees to anticipate and plan for upcoming Dam Days celebrations.

Signature Attractions and Activities

One of the hallmarks of the Spring Valley Dam Days festival is its wide range of entertainment, attractions, and activities appealing to all ages within this small Wisconsin community. Some festival highlights over the years have included:

• Live music performances by local and regional bands
• Carnival rides and games lining the downtown streets
• Parades featuring colorful floats created by community groups
• Art and craft vendor booths showcasing local artists and creators
• Beauty pageants for every age from tiny tots to senior citizens
• Lip sync battles where residents theatrically act out popular songs
• Fireworks shows over the Spring Valley Dam lighting up the sky
• Softball, volleyball, and bean bag toss tournaments hosted at Riverside Park
• The famous Dam Days turtle races in which participants sponsor racing turtles
• Raffles and fundraising for local charities and community organizations

The Spring Valley Spillway Bar

No trip to Spring Valley Dam Days is complete without a visit to the iconic Spillway Bar downtown. This beloved establishment has been serving up cold drinks and hot food to festival-goers since its opening in 1972. Visitors instantly recognize the Spillway thanks to the giant fiberglass trout sculpture leaping from its roof.

Delicious Pub Grub Menu

The Spillway prides itself on its menu filled with pub classics perfect for sharing. Their hot and crispy cheese curds offer a uniquely Wisconsin taste. Giant 1⁄3 pound Spillway burgers sizzling hot off the grill hit the spot. And their 2-for-1 Friday fish fry sees lines extending out the door!

Domestic Beers on Tap

To wash down its tasty food, the Spillway Bar offers ice-cold domestic beers, including long-time bestsellers like Busch Light and Miller High Life. Locals flock to grab an outdoor picnic table with friends, enjoy a few cold ones, and endlessly people watch passerbys along the parade route. Happy hour from 4-6pm makes for some great pre-festival deals.

Prime Parade Viewing

Thanks to the Spillway Bar's downtown location along the parade route, its outside beer garden provides primo viewing for the annual Dam Days parade. Visitors nab their ideal parade spot well in advance - the earlier the better! Kids love catching the endless candy thrown by parade participants. And adults have fun toasting to another great year in Spring Valley.

Lodging and Camping Options for Visitors

Spring Valley Dam Days attracts both locals and tourists traveling from all around Wisconsin. Weary travelers can choose from these convenient places to rest their heads at night:

Spruce Haven Campground

RV enthusiasts staying through the festival often book sites at the Spruce Haven Campground located only 2 miles outside of downtown. Amenities catering to campers include full hook-up sites, free wireless Internet, clean bathrooms and showers, as well as nightly bonfires for guests to socialize at.

Harmon's Riverside Motel

For visitors preferring roomier accommodations, Harmon's Riverside Motel is a family-owned lodging staple open year-round on the banks of the Spring Valley Dam. Their pet-friendly rooms provide pleasant views of the water along with free breakfast each morning.

The Spring Valley Inn

Travelers desiring downtown walkability choose The Spring Valley Inn, located just one block off Main Street. Their updated rooms offer nice touches like free WiFi, microwaves, mini-fridges and flatscreen cable TVs. Be sure to inquire about rooms overlooking the parade route for front-row seating to the festival.

No matter where festival-goers lay their heads at night, the small-town charm of Spring Valley shines through during the beloved annual tradition of Dam Days. Join hundreds of visitors each July to see what keeps them coming back year after year.

FAQs

When are the Spring Valley Dam Days usually held?

The Spring Valley Dam Days are usually held every summer in mid-July, typically spanning four days from Wednesday evening through Sunday afternoon.

Where is the festival located?

The Spring Valley Dam Days festival takes place in the small town of Spring Valley, Wisconsin located in the western part of the state.

What kind of entertainment and activities happen during the festival?

Signature entertainment and activities include live music performances, carnival rides and games, parades, vendor booths, beauty pageants, lip sync battles, fireworks shows, recreational tournaments, turtle races, raffles, and more.

Where can visitors stay during the festival?

Lodging and camping options include Spruce Haven Campground for RVs, Harmon's Riverside Motel for a family-owned vibe, and the Spring Valley Inn located downtown just a block from festivities.