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Cicadapalooza is coming to Lake Geneva.
Lake Geneva has plans to make the best of the noisy visitors with “Cicadapalooza”. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said the first confirmed emergence of 17-year Brood XIII cicadas in the state happened in Lake Geneva. The free event will run from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. There will be “cicadalicious” desserts prepared by Executive Chef Ken Hnilo of Pier 290.

While the “Magicicada Buzz” nut brown ale comes from Topsy Turvy Brewery brewed with dehydrated, ground cicadas. Cicadapalooza will include a presentation from the director of the Wisconsin Insect Research Collection at Library Park and a walking tour of a historic cemetery, which organizers said is “loaded with cicadas.” The 45-minute walking tours, led by UW faculty and staff, will leave at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m., covering approximately one mile of level terrain. Sign up upon arrival at the library. PJ Liesch will be joined by Dr. Dan Young, UW-Madison professor, and director of the Wisconsin Insect Research Collection, for a presentation at 3:30 p.m. at Library Park, covering cicada basics and an up-close look at periodical cicadas and the effect of their visits.

Visitors can also browse a specially curated display of books and other resource materials on cicadas inside the Lake Geneva Public Library. There will be cicada-themed merchandise on sale, too. According to the University of Wisconsin Entomology Department, there is an abundance of periodical cicada records on Walworth County dating back to 1854 and, of all the locations in Wisconsin, the Lake Geneva area has perhaps the longest history and best records of periodical cicada activity. Since Lake Geneva is considered the Wisconsin hotbed for cicada emergence this is sure to be a fun event for the whole family.

Place of the Week

he mobile library can be found around town and at different events. Look for them at the Farmer’s Market every week also.