Beloit Heritage Days: September 8-10, 2023

The Beloit Heritage Days Passport will guide you on your history-hunting trek throughout Beloit as you explore over 15 free events & historic sites over the three day celebration. This year’s theme is “Saluting Our Patriotic Past”. 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. You can also receive $1 off the purchase of a record.

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!

Also, Bites of Beloit is happening during Beloit Heritage Days! After exploring the history of Beloit, enjoy prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at a variety of downtown eateries.

Make sure to check out our calendar for all of the events taking place throughout the weekend.

click here to download your passport

List of events accurate as of 8/31/2023

Friday, Sept. 8

Discover Beloit and Beyond at one of the state’s busiest Welcome Centers, Friday, Sept. 8, 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. 

Fridays in the Park, Fri., Sept.8, 11:30am-1:30pm, State St & Grand Ave, Downtown Beloit. Enjoy lunch and music in the heart of historic downtown Beloit. $8 for lunch/drink by Coco’s Tamales, music by Jestin Jay Trio.

“Finding Nemo” Movie on the Big Lawn, Fri., Sept. 8 (Rain date Sun., Sept. 10), South end of Riverside Park near the Jones Pavilion. Activities and Vendors at 6:00 p.m., Movie shown at dusk. Bring chairs and blankets. Get stamped at the Friends Of Riverfront table. Take a walk on the Beloit Heritage Walkway at the Harry C. Moore Pavilion. friendsofriverfront.com

Lt. Ray Dickop WWI Hero Memorial Display, Sept. 8-11, Nature At The Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit. Dickop Street is named for Lieutenant Ray Dickop, named one of the 15 greatest heroes of World War I. He was killed in action at Fismes, France on August 4, 1918. Before he signed up, he lived in a small home overlooking Turtle Creek where the memorial display will be available for viewing Sept 8-10. Come any time between dusk and dawn. Passport stamps are not available.

Saturday, Sept. 9

Lt. Ray Dickop WWI Hero Memorial Display, See description for Sept 8. Open between dusk and dawn at Nature At The Confluence.

Downtown Beloit Farmer’s Market, Sat. Sept.9 , 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 and Beyond at one of the state’s busiest Welcome Centers, Sat., Sept. 9, 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

Cemetery Walk at Oakwood Cemetery, Sat., Sept. 10:00am, 1221 Clary St, Beloit. The City of Beloit Parks and Recreation Division along with the Beloit Historical Society invite you to join John Kalkirtz and John Sabaka for a walking tour of Beloit’s historical Oakwood Cemetery. Meet at the front steps of the Chapel. To reserve your spot call: 608-364-2890 by September 6.

Heritage Days Quilt Show, Sat. Sept. 9, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., First Congregational Church, 801 Bushnell Street. Come view heirloom and hand-stitched quilts from area artisans and private collections. The public are invited to bring your quilts on Friday morning, Sept. 8 to add to the display. Contact Pat at 608-362-4821 or 214-686-0601. History Note: The First Congregational Church was organized on December 30, 1838 in Caleb & Chloe Blodgett’s kitchen who were the first settlers in what was to become Beloit.

Walsh Family Farm Open House, Sat., Sept. 9, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 1505 E State Line Rd, Beloit. Learn about Beloit’s oldest continually operating family farm, the Walsh Family Farm, which is a 6th generation family farm located on State Line Road. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the family, see the animals and learn about the farm’s history and find out about the modern changes and upgrades made at the farm.

Beloit Historical Society Open House, Sat., Sept. 9, 10:00 am. – 4:00 p.m., Lincoln Center, 845 Hackett, Beloit. Civil War reenactors will offer an interactive encampment experience. Take your picture in a reproduction uniform, explore the camp, play games the soldiers played, and participate in a scavenger hunt! See our new exhibit, “Their Stories: A Historic Timeline of Beloit’s Veterans” which tells the stories of Beloiters who served in the Civil War, the Spanish American War, and World War One. At 2:00 p.m. Jeff Kannel, author of “Make Way for Liberty: Wisconsin African Americans in the Civil War“, will give a presentation.

“If This Land Could Talk” History Walk, Sat., Sept. 9, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Nature At The Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit. As we walk along a short trail you’ll learn about the people who lived at the confluence of Turtle Creek and the Rock River… the Ho-Chunk, the Métis, Fur Traders, Irish settlers, one of the greatest heroes of World War I, plus a few surprise visitors. Walk is less than 3/4 mile on even ground. In case of rain it will be held indoors as a sit-down presentation. natureattheconfluence.com, 815-200-6910.

Beloit Heritage Photographer’s Gathering at Oakwood Cemetery, 1221 Clary Street Sat., Sept. 9 at 4:00 p.m. Photographers are invited to gather at Oakwood Cemetery, which is Beloit’s oldest cemetery built in 1840. We’ll walk together to see and photograph historic monuments, statues and mausoleums which offer many interesting subjects to shoot. Event hosts Mark Prueschl and Therese Oldenburg will meet you at the steps of the chapel. All ages and skill levels and phone cameras are welcome. Photographers will be invited to share their favorite photos to an online album that can be viewed by the public.

Sunday, Sept. 10

Bushnell Wheeler House Open House, Sun., Sept. 10, 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. bushnellwheelerhome.com.

Mounds Tour at Beloit College, Sun. Sept 10, 1:00-2:00 p.m, Meet at the Logan Museum at corner of Bushnell St. & College St., During this guided tour, you’ll learn about the history and stewardship of the 20 conical, linear, and animal effigy mounds (AD 400-1200) preserved on Beloit College Campus.

Big Hill Explorations with Welty Environment Center, Sun., Sept. 10, 2:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m., 1201 Big Hill Ct., Beloit. Learn more about the lives of rocks, including the glacial outwash that created Big Hill. We will hike down to the old quarry and explore the sediment layers. We will also learn about the people who lived in Big Hill Park and built the Model-T retaining wall of one of Big Hill’s more traveled paths. Crack a geode for $5. Pre-register at weltycenter.org.

Lt. Ray Dickop WWI Hero Memorial Display, See description for Sept 8. Open between dusk and dawn at Nature At The Confluence.

Heritage Sunday At Beckman Mill, Sunday, Sept. 10, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 11600 S County Rd H, Beloit. Historic trade demonstrations, soldiers representing different eras of war, live music, tours of the 1858 Beckman Mill and Cooperage. Food will be available for purchase. beckmanmill.org, 608-751-1551.

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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