Weston tourism commission approves grants for Allison Dairland, Wings Over Wasa, fireworks, Bluesfest and Badger State Games

The Weston Tourism Commission on an evening meeting approved a series of 2026 event grants intended to support tourism and hotel‑room nights in the village.

Jenny Rudolph, co‑chair of the Marathon County steering committee for Allison Dairland, asked the commission to contribute from the “meetings mean business” fund to help host the 79th Allison Dairland series, saying the committee has raised about $59,000 but still needs roughly $19,000 to cover candidate housing, meals and production costs. “So far to date, we’ve raised $59,000,” Rudolph said, adding that organizers expect to house six candidates for the multi‑day events and are seeking a $3,500–$4,500 sponsorship level.

Commissioners moved to approve a $4,500 grant from the meetings‑fund for the Allison Dairland events; the motion carried.

Ally Ederhols, executive director of WASA Events, described Wings Over Wasa as a two‑day airshow that brought military and national acts and said the event used wristbanded attendance this year to produce a trackable attendance figure. Members noted a $10,000 per‑application cap and voted to award the full $10,000 request to Wings Over Wasa.

Organizers of the Fourth of July fireworks said the event grew in scope last year with vendors, a beer tent and a live band and that costs have increased for the U.S. 250th anniversary. The organizers estimated historic in‑person attendance above 8,000 and requested $5,000 to help cover fireworks and marketing; the commission approved $5,000.

Events organizers also requested $5,000 for Bluesfest, a multi‑day music event that typically draws 2,500–3,000 attendees and which organizers said will broaden its lineup to attract younger audiences and coordinate hotel blocks across three municipalities; the commission approved the $5,000 grant.

Michelle Goss, president of the Timberline Figure Skating Club, requested support for the 2026 Badger State Games figure‑skating competition to be held in Weston, telling commissioners the event expects about 500 athletes and 700–900 family members and spectators and could generate an estimated $250,000–$300,000 in direct local spending. Goss said organizers have already reserved officials’ room blocks and that grant funds would help cover ice costs estimated at about $6,000. The commission approved a $6,000 grant.

Members acknowledged event reports for the Splash Tournament and the Wisconsin Valley Fair and heard several informational items, including a reminder about a bike‑and‑pedestrian plan survey and a change in container pickup contractor early next year. The commission set its next regular meeting for Jan. 19 (time TBA) and adjourned.

The approved grants were processed from existing tourism and meetings‑fund allocations; members noted caps on per‑application awards and said remaining details about hotel‑night tracking and inter‑municipal coordination will be handled by event organizers and staff in follow‑up communications.