Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/72324
play around town Get Outta Town Pirate Fest June 1-3, Port Washington Don your fi nest pirate stripes and practice your "argh matey!" for a lakeside festival like none other. Board a pirate ship, enjoy live music and comedy shows, and shop a marketplace packed with booty before the cannons launch a fi reworks show. Visit portpiratefestival.com. Monroe Balloon Rally June 15-16, Monroe What other festival can you enjoy both from the air and on the ground? Take to the skies for a ride of your own, or keep your feet fi rmly on the ground to view the daz- zling display of hot air balloons while en- joying festival-style food, fun and games. Visit monroeballoonrally.com. Horse and Carriage Festival June 16-17, Columbus Hitch a ride back in time to this horse- themed event boasting historic reenact- ments, period costuming, a regal carriage competition and a mouth-watering as- sortment of tasty eats. Visit columbuscarriagefestival.org. Cheese Curd Fest June 22-24, Ellsworth Th e variety of cheese curds is enough to make this cheesy festival worth the drive, but add in family friendly activities such as train rides, a petting zoo, parade and live entertainment and you've got a tasty weekend ahead. Visit ellsworthchamber.com. A Musical Month Dance your way out of June with the Garden Music Festival. Featuring local stars such as Beth Kille (pictured), the musical event at Madison's Froth House will make for a jammin' day of rock music, folk tunes and much more! June 23, 12-9 p.m. The Froth House, Madison; frothhouse.com Head Out: Saddle up for summer fun on horseback Doby Stables Dodgeville Enjoy a jaunt through Governor Dodge State Park in a new way with guided trail tours and rides around the Doby Stables grounds. Reservations required. (608) 935-5205 66 BRAVA Magazine Hickory Knoll Fitchburg Offering a variety of lessons for novice or advanced riders in horsemanship, Hickory Knoll's bed and breakfast also makes it a romantic spot for an in-town staycation. hickoryknoll.net June 2012 HyLee Farm Mount Horeb Book a one-time lesson for a group of all ages or return for regular riding classes on your own around this farm's scenic Mount Horeb property. hyleefarm.com Liberty Stables Verona Make it an off-beat locale for an adventurous date night or book yourself a chance to learn the ropes through ongoing adult lessons. libertystables.us UW Hoofer Riding Club Belleville Enjoy a journey through the countryside as either a member or guest of the club while perfecting your riding skills along the way. hooferridingclub.org Jazz up a Weekend The Isthmus Jazz Fest returns on June 1 and 2, promising two days of free performances. Don't miss headliner Mary Stallings, an exceptional vocalist who once worked with jazz greats such as Dizzy Gil- lespie and Count Bassie, and whose talent remains as great today. Visit isthmusjazzfestival.com. As summer commences, festivals afar promise days of quirky fun Photo by David Watkins