Celebrating the Visual, Performing and Culinary Arts of the Driftless Area.
22nd Annual Driftless Area Art Festival
Sept 19 & 20, 2026
Festival Hours:
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location:
Beauford T. Anderson Park
101 Church St. Soldiers Grove, WI
Free Admission and Parking!
DAAF is a juried art festival held annually the 3rd weekend in September in Soldiers Grove, WI. Festival-goers can browse and purchase original works of painting, ceramics, wood, glass, jewelry, photography, fiber, and more, while enjoying live music, regional foods, and a vibrant sense of community. The free, family-friendly festival showcases visual artists, performing artists, culinary vendors, and an inspiring youth art tent- all set against the scenic backdrop of the Kickapoo Valley hills.
Sept 19 & 20, 2026
Festival Hours:
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location:
Beauford T. Anderson Park
101 Church St. Soldiers Grove, WI
Free Admission and Parking!
DAAF is a juried art festival held annually the 3rd weekend in September in Soldiers Grove, WI. Festival-goers can browse and purchase original works of painting, ceramics, wood, glass, jewelry, photography, fiber, and more, while enjoying live music, regional foods, and a vibrant sense of community. The free, family-friendly festival showcases visual artists, performing artists, culinary vendors, and an inspiring youth art tent- all set against the scenic backdrop of the Kickapoo Valley hills.
2026 Visual Artist Application
The application window is open from January 19 - March 13, 2026.
We welcome applications from artists who live or create in the Driftless region of Southwestern Wisconsin, Northeastern Iowa, Southeastern Minnesota, and Northwestern Illinois. Visit our Application & Guidelines page for more information about becoming an exhibiting artist. |
Please read all Application Package documents before applying.
Looking for information about our Youth Art program? Click Here
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Culinary & Performing Arts
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Food Vendors: We are now accepting applications for Culinary Arts Vendors. Please be sure to read through all of the vendor guidelines before applying. To be considered your business must be located within the Driftless Area. If you have any questions about the application, please contact us at [email protected]
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Musicians: Interested in performing at the festival? Send your EPK with live performance footage to Ed Anderson, Performing Arts Coordinator at [email protected]. To be considered you must reside within the Driftless area.
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Congratulations To Our 2025 Award Winners!
Best of Show: Jamie Heiden Photography (Booth #87)
Merit Award: Top Dot Creations- Natalie Gordon (Booth #8)
Merit Award: No Rules Jewelry- Maya Madden & Wayne Farra (Booth #30)
VIVA Gallery People's Choice Award: Jamie Heiden Photography (Booth #87)
Youth Art Winners:
Grades K-2
1st Place- Emory L., 1st Grade, De Soto
2nd Place- Zach V., 2nd Grade, Stoddard
3rd Place- Hallie S., 3rd Grade, Prairie View
Grades 3-5
1st Place- Cody K., 5th Grade, North Crawford
2nd Place- Stella W., 5th Grade, Prairie View
3rd Place- Banx S., 3rd Grade, Wauzeka/Steuben
Grades 6-8
1st Place- Peyton P., 7th Grade, DeSoto
2nd Place -Elizabeth D., 7th Grade, Longfellow
3rd Place- Kinley M., 8th Grade, La Farge
Teen Art
1st Place- Jocey A., 9th Grade, La Farge HS
2nd Place- Peyton S., 9th Grade, De Soto HS
3rd Place- Chelsey H., 11th Grade, La Farge HS
3D (one 1st place winner in each age category)
Ailleen Baker, 2nd Grade, Wauzeka/Steuben
Addalyn F., 3rd Grade, Stoddard
Nalani R., 8th Grade, De Soto HS
Brynn V., 9th Grade, De Soto HS
Most Promising
Dexton L., 8th Grade, De Soto HS
Merit Award: Top Dot Creations- Natalie Gordon (Booth #8)
Merit Award: No Rules Jewelry- Maya Madden & Wayne Farra (Booth #30)
VIVA Gallery People's Choice Award: Jamie Heiden Photography (Booth #87)
Youth Art Winners:
Grades K-2
1st Place- Emory L., 1st Grade, De Soto
2nd Place- Zach V., 2nd Grade, Stoddard
3rd Place- Hallie S., 3rd Grade, Prairie View
Grades 3-5
1st Place- Cody K., 5th Grade, North Crawford
2nd Place- Stella W., 5th Grade, Prairie View
3rd Place- Banx S., 3rd Grade, Wauzeka/Steuben
Grades 6-8
1st Place- Peyton P., 7th Grade, DeSoto
2nd Place -Elizabeth D., 7th Grade, Longfellow
3rd Place- Kinley M., 8th Grade, La Farge
Teen Art
1st Place- Jocey A., 9th Grade, La Farge HS
2nd Place- Peyton S., 9th Grade, De Soto HS
3rd Place- Chelsey H., 11th Grade, La Farge HS
3D (one 1st place winner in each age category)
Ailleen Baker, 2nd Grade, Wauzeka/Steuben
Addalyn F., 3rd Grade, Stoddard
Nalani R., 8th Grade, De Soto HS
Brynn V., 9th Grade, De Soto HS
Most Promising
Dexton L., 8th Grade, De Soto HS
Thank you to our sponsors, donor, friends, volunteers, artists, musicians and food vendors for making our 2025 event a success!
2025 Participants
2025 Festival Partners & Sponsors
Founding Partner
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Presenting Partner
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2025 Benefactors
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2025 Patrons
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2025 Supporters
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where do i park?
Parking is free. There are two lots, on the east and west side of the festival grounds as well street parking.
What Are the Festival Hours?
Saturday 10 a.m to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, well-behaved leashed dogs are allowed on the festival grounds, however not inside the tents.
Will there be wifi and an ATM?
Yes, Richland Grant Telephone Cooperative will provide wifi on the festival ground. Two ATMs will be available on-site.
Where is the festival located?
The festival is held at Beauford T. Anderson Park (101 Church St.) in Soldiers Grove, WI.
Is there an entrance fee?
No, the festival is a free to attend!
Contact- Festival Planning Committee
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Festival Coordinator
Kim Anderson 608.433.8543 [email protected] Visual Artists Registration [email protected] Performing Arts Coordinator Ed Anderson [email protected] |
Youth Art Coordinators
Cari Gonos [email protected] Michael DiPadova [email protected] Reception Sarah Tedeschi, Jamee Stanley Volunteer Coordinator Bridget Schill, Diane Craig, Theresa Yaeger 608.734.3471 [email protected] |
Culinary Arts Coordinator
Kay Campbell 608.734.3423 [email protected] Signage Kate Koziol Community Development Alternatives, INC 608.326.7333 Lori Bekkum, Kelli Boylen, Dale Klemme |
Become a festival volunteer:
Interested in helping plan our next festival?
Contact Kim Anderson at [email protected] or 608.433.8543
Contact Kim Anderson at [email protected] or 608.433.8543
Become a Friend of the Festival
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Contribution Levels
Friend $20.00 – $99.00 Good Friend $100.00 – $249.00 Best Friend $250.00 – $499.00 Best Friend Forever $500.00 or More Click here to download a paper donation form. DAAF is a program of Community Development Alternatives, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Under the IRS guidelines, your contribution is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. |
