Beloit Heritage Days: September 6-8, 2024
The Beloit Heritage Days Passport will guide you on your history-hunting trek throughout Beloit as you explore 12 free events & historic sites over the three day celebration. This year’s theme is “What Beloit made, Made Beloit”. Come delve into the rich and fascinating history of the people who made this beautiful place along the Rock River their home. Beloit area organizations are offering an exciting weekend of learning, hands on activities, tours, and other fun activities for the whole family.
Take the Beloit Heritage Days Passport to get it stamped at 4 events to earn a FREE Turtle Sundae compliments of Culver’s of Beloit!
To receive your Turtle Sundae coupon, take your stamped passport to Tin Dog Records, enter from Mill Street Parking Lot across from the post office, Mon-Thu-Fri 12-5pm and Sun, 12-5pm.
History Note: Beloit’s founders Chloe & Caleb Blodgett built their first home by the Rock River at a location behind Tin Dog Records in the Mill Street Parking lot. Go check out this historic spot while you’re there!
Make sure to check out our calendar for all of the events taking place throughout the weekend.
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List of events accurate as of 8/7/2024
Friday, Sept. 6
Discover Beloit & Beyond at the Wisconsin Welcome Center – Beloit, Friday, Sept. 6, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Beloit Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center, I-39/I-90 WB/NB-Rest Area 22, Beloit. *** visitbeloit.com.
- The Welcome Center will tell you all about Wisconsin and will have “fresh from the factory” Frito-Lay snacks for free for guests.
Ironworks Campus Walking Tour, Friday, Sept. 6, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Irontek, 645 3rd St, Beloit.
- Join Irontek staff for a walking tour to see how this historic property has been fully reimagined into attractive office and creative spaces, and learn about new developments in the works. Pre-registration is required, sign up here.
Fridays in the Park, Friday, Sept. 6, 11:30am-1:30pm, State St & Grand Ave, Downtown Beloit.
- Enjoy lunch and music in the heart of historic downtown Beloit. Bring your own lunch this week and enjoy music by Vandwellers.
Saturday, Sept. 7
Downtown Beloit Farmer’s Market, Saturday, Sept. 7 , 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Downtown Beloit, State St. and E. Grand Ave.
- The Beloit Farmers Market is one of the oldest and largest farmers markets in Wisconsin and is located in historic downtown Beloit. Get your stamp at the Downtown Beloit Association’s booth located at the intersection of State and Grand.
Discover Beloit & Beyond at the Wisconsin Welcome Center – Beloit, Saturday, Sept. 7, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Beloit Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center, I-39/I-90 WB/NB-Rest Area 22, Beloit. *** visitbeloit.com.
- The Welcome Center will tell you all about Wisconsin and will have “fresh from the factory” Frito-Lay snacks for free for guests.
Fairbanks Morse Defense Tour, Saturday, Sept. 7, 10:00 a.m – 12:00 p.m., 701 White Ave, Beloit
- During this tour led by Fairbanks Morse Defense employees you’ll learn about the history of this company and the innovations of today. Pre-registration is required, sign up here.
Cemetery Walk at Oakwood Cemetery, Saturday, Sept. 7, 10:00am, 1221 Clary St, Beloit.
- The City of Beloit has partnered with local volunteers to host a historic walking tour through Oakwood Cemetery. Oakwood Cemetery is the final resting place of numerous historical figures from Beloit. Call 608-364-2890 to reserve your place!
Bushnell Wheeler Historic House Open House, Saturday, Sept. 7, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 542 Wheeler St., South Beloit, IL.
- Come tour this beautifully restored home which also has wonderful displays of Stateline history. The new Barn addition will be open for the first time! Handmade crafts and Beloit history books will be for sale, including “One More Look Back” by John Patrick.
Native American Story Telling, Saturday, Sept. 7, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., 306 Dickop St., South Beloit, IL
- Gerald’s formal native name is Ho-Chunk Ska Ga (White Winnebago) and is a tribal elder with the Ho-Chunk Nation. He will briefly discuss the reintroduction of his family into the Illinois and who he is and how he came to be. This is a free, family friendly event and indoor space is limited, so please RSVP.
Rasey House Tours, Saturday, Sept. 7, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., 517 Prospect St., Beloit
- During this tour, learn about the story of how Beloit’s first citizens completed this remarkable house.
Honor in the Heartland: The Story of the USS Beloit – Free Film Screening, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Blvd, Beloit.
- The free screening is presented by Beloit International Film Festival, Beloit Public Library and Fairbanks Morse Defense for Beloit Heritage Days. This film is especially exciting because the USS Beloit Commissioning Committee has begun its work to celebrate the commissioning of the USS Beloit, anticipated to be later this fall.
Sunday, Sept. 8
Discover Beloit & Beyond at the Wisconsin Welcome Center – Beloit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Beloit Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center, I-39/I-90 WB/NB-Rest Area 22, Beloit. *** visitbeloit.com.
- The Welcome Center will tell you all about Wisconsin and will have “fresh from the factory” Frito-Lay snacks for free for guests.
Beckman Mill Heritage Sunday, Sunday, Sept. 8, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 11600 S County Rd H, Beloit.
- Grinding and Blacksmith Demonstrations, historic trade demonstrators, soldiers representing different eras of war, music, and classic cars will be displayed. Also, tours of the 1858 Beckman Mill and Cooperage/Museum. The gift shop will be open and food will be available for purchase in the shelter.
Heritage Sunday features a variety of demonstrations including: broom making, blacksmithing, wood carving, basket weaving, and more.
In addition to demonstrations, there is live music such as, concertina, violin, and banjo playing.
The museum and gift shop will be open, and there are special activities for kids including: butter making, digging for potatoes, blacksmithing, and corn shelling. Attendees can also enjoy horse drawn wagon rides and interacting with Civil War soldiers. There are also WWII and Vietnam living history displays, collector show cars, and other attractions.
Food and beverages will be for sale including, soda, water, and desserts. There is no admission charge, but donations are appreciated to help the Friends of Beckman Mill to continue their 30 year endeavor to maintain the buildings and educate about bygone times.
History of Beckman Mill
The showpiece of the park is the Beckman Mill, the restoration of which was completed in 1997 by the Friends of Beckman Mill’s volunteer work crew. It is operational with power being supplied by its original 1860s water driven Leffel turbine. In the event alternate power is needed, the mill can be operated by its vintage two-cylinder gasoline engine.
Tours are available Saturdays and Sundays May through September.
Beckman Mill Park
11450 S. Cty. Hwy. H, Beloit
P: (608) 757-5451
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