Saturday Night Socials

Saturday Night Socials harken back to the early days of Folklore Village, when Jane Farwell organized evenings at her farm featuring folk dance and music, games, food, and fellowship, all put on by volunteer power. We continue to host a few Socials a year, some in Farwell Hall and some in the historic Wakefield Schoolhouse where Jane started her Socials back in the 1960s. Join us for our 2023 Saturday Night Socials.

Maypole Social
May 6, 2023

Welcome spring with this colorful English tradition! The evening begins with a potluck at 6:00pm; bring a dish to share. Afterwards, folks of all ages will have fun as we learn maypole dances and weave patterns with the maypole ribbons. The young and young-at-heart are encouraged to bring fresh flowers to help decorate the maypole. Musicians are welcome and encouraged to join the informal, volunteer Folklore Village Band.

Admission is $10 adults, $8 seniors and teens, and $5 kids aged 5-12. Family admission is capped at $25. Kids under 5 are admitted free.

Schoolhouse Social
June 17, 2023

Celebrate the summer solstice with a Saturday Night Social in the Wakefield Schoolhouse! Join us for favorite Folklore Village dances and games, a la Jane Farwell. All are welcome–whether you remember attending socials back in the “Schoolhouse Days,” or whether you have yet to experience a schoolhouse event. Musicians are encouraged to join the informal, volunteer Folklore Village Band.

The social starts with a potluck at 6:00 PM. Bring a potluck dish to share and your own tableware to enjoy the meal; the Schoolhouse does not have running water so you can help us out by packing out your own used dishes, cups, and silverware. 

Admission is $10 adults, $8 seniors and teens, and $5 kids aged 5-12. Family admission is capped at $25. Kids under 5 are admitted free.

 
Ice Cream Social
August 12, 2023

Bring your favorite toppings and enjoy a bowl of homemade ice cream. You’ll even get the chance to try out Folklore Village’s old-fashioned, hand-cranked ice cream machine!

This event starts with a potluck at 6:00pm; bring a dish to share. After the potluck, we’ll enjoy family-friendly dances that are fun for all ages and skill levels. Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments and join the informal, volunteer Folklore Village Band. After dancing we’ll enjoy our homemade ice cream—remember to bring your toppings!

Admission is $10 adults, $8 seniors and teens, and $5 kids aged 5-12. Family admission is capped at $25. Kids under 5 are admitted free.

Fall Schoolhouse Social
September 30, 2023

Enjoy an old-style Saturday Night Social in the Wakefield Schoolhouse! Help us make this a Saturday Night to remember ~ whether the Schoolhouse is where you first fell in love with Folklore Village, or whether you’ve yet to experience it. Join us for favorite Folklore Village dances and games, a la Jane Farwell. Musicians are welcome and encouraged to come and join the informal, volunteer Folklore Village Band.

Potluck starts at 6:00 PM. Bring a potluck dish to share and your own tableware to enjoy the meal; the Schoolhouse does not have running water so you can help us out by packing out your own used dishes, cups, and silverware. 

Admission is $10 adults, $8 seniors and teens, and $5 kids aged 5-12. Family admission is capped at $25. Kids under 5 are admitted free.

Sankta Lucia Social
December 9, 2023

Children and adults alike are invited out to this special day of wintertime wonder! The event starts at 3 PM with workshops for kids. Our fantastic volunteers will be hard at work making lussekatter, the saffron buns traditionally served on this day. Children are invited to help shape the buns before baking. Children will also enjoy crafts and learning the traditional Lucia songs.

The evening potluck starts at 6:00 PM and is followed by the Sankta Lucia procession. Boys and girls who want to participate in the procession must attend the workshops earlier in the day in order to learn the songs for the evening procession. After the procession, enjoy a few family-friendly dances. Musicians are encouraged to join the volunteer Folklore Village Band.

Workshops & Evening Admission: $15 adults, $12 seniors and teens, and $10 kids aged 5-12.
Evening Admission Only: $10 adults, $8 seniors and teens, and $5 kids aged 5-12.
Kids under 5 are admitted free.

German Tree Lighting
December 16, 2023

This is one of our most eagerly anticipated socials of the year where, in the German tradition, we light real candles on a freshly-cut 14-foot evergreen tree. 

Bring a dish for the potluck at 6:00 PM and then stay to enjoy the beauty of the season with a harmony-filled carol sing and joyful, family-friendly dancing around the tree. Musicians are welcome and encouraged to join in the informal, volunteer Folklore Village orchestra.

This is a popular event and may fill. Tickets will be available online and by calling (608) 924-4000. 

Admission is $10 adults, $8 seniors and teens, and $5 kids aged 5-12. Kids under 5 are admitted free.


Our Saturday Night Socials are funded in part by a grant from the Green Bay Packers Foundation.