Ripon Summer Concert Series brings Road Trip to stage July 26: Your latest news in brief

FOND DU LAC – Road Trip, one of Wisconsin’s most popular bands, will perform July 26 as part of the Horicon Bank Ripon Summer Concert Series. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Village Green in downtown Ripon.

Road Trip has been nominated in various categories at the annual Wisconsin Area Music Industry Awards, having won numerous awards over the years for Best Cover Band, along with Best Female and Male Vocalist.

Performances are packed with hits from musicians such as Pink, Lady Gaga, Maroon 5, Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, Cole Swindell, Blink-182, Bon Jovi, and Ozzy Osbourne. The band frequently updates its set lists with new videos and music.

Concertgoers should take lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Carry-ins are not allowed in the park, as beverages will be available to purchase.

For more information, visit facebook.com/riponsummerconcerts.

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Fond du Lac library to show documentary 'Right to Read'

A child’s successful future relies on the ability to read and many cannot read at a basic level. Learn more about this topic through sowings of the award-winning documentary, “The Right to Read.”

Showings will be at noon July 24 and 6 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Fond du Lac Public Library, 32 Sheboygan St. Both sessions are open to the public and include an opportunity for discussion. Registration is not required.

Executive produced by LeVar Burton, “The Right to Read” shares the stories of an NAACP activist, a teacher, and two families who fight to provide America’s youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of life-long success: the ability to read, according to a news release. The documentary has been selected nationally at multiple film festivals, including the 2023 Milwaukee Film Festival.

37% of fourth-graders in the United States read “below basic,” according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. As defined by the NAEP, the term “below basic” denotes performance that falls below the lowest performance level. For more information, visit nationsreportcard.gov.

Ripon library offers ‘travel’ program, Fairy Garden craft

With Friends of the Library support, the Ripon Public Library continues to offer free programming. Registration is not required unless noted.

The July 22 Armchair Travel session will feature Karl Stewart talking about his travels to Patagonia. The program starts at noon, so take a lunch or snack. Cookies and beverages will be provided. Suitable for ages 10 and older. The program also can be viewed through Zoom.

The adult book club will discuss “The House in the Pines” by Ana Reyes at 6:30 p.m. July 22. To join via Zoom, visit the library website.

All ages are invited to create a Fairy Garden between 4 and 6 p.m. July 24. Teapots, coffee cups, planters and other unique containers for housing each garden will be provided. Participants also may take a container of their own. Decorate with dried plants, whimsical miniature figures, stick figures, gems, miniature lawn ornaments, stones and more.

Wear painting clothes for the Family Fun Art Adventure, set for 10 a.m. July 25. Kids and their families are invited to paint whimsical cardboard houses. Paint smocks available.

Finger-style guitarist and vocalist Bill Hill will provide entertainment with jazz standards from the 1920s to the 1960s at 1 p.m. July 26. All ages are welcome to this program, held at the Ripon Senior Activity Center, 338 Murray Park Drive.

The Ripon Public Library is at 120 Jefferson St. For more information, visit riponlibrary.org or call 920-748-6160.

Ken Lonnquist performance benefits Friends of the Kettle Moraine

The Friends of the Kettle Moraine will host Dinner and a Show with Ken Lonnquist July 27. The event will be 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Mauthe Lake Recreation Area Picnic Shelter of the Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit, at N1490 County GGG.

A Wisconsin State Park System vehicle admission sticker is required for parking, and can be purchased upon entering. The event will move inside the picnic shelter if weather is bad.

The concession stand will open at 5:30 p.m. for meal purchases. The Friends also will host a bake sale.

Lonnquist, an award-winning songwriter and entertainer from Madison, will take the stage along with his pal Kenny Aigen, at 7 p.m. He brings laughter and song to audiences of all ages, exploring themes of nature, human culture, current events and topical humor in an array of musical styles.

The cost is a recommended donation of $5 per person. Attendees should take lawn chairs or blankets for seating.

For more information, contact the Ice Age Visitor Center at 920-533-8322 or friendsofthekettlemoraine@gmail.com.

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Contact Mara Wegner at mwegner@gannett.com or 920-996-7241.