FightingBobFestNorth 2012 -- May 19, 2012.  Watch this space for further announcements.  Another exciting possibility - a Netroots Wisconsin workshop day on May 20 - come to Chippewa Falls for a day of speeches and a day of workshops!

Still, the crowd at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair grounds in Chippewa Falls was not taking it sitting down. They brought the energy of recent political protests in Madison and recall petition drives with them.

If there were a theme for this Fighting BobFest, it would be the ongoing battle of the common people, as the progressives see them, against the interests of corporations and the wealthy.

Speaker after speaker, and display table after display table, touched on some element of the issue.

I'm finally recovered from FightingBobFestNorth -It was a great day.  We'll be bringing you some video from the event, as well as some pictures over the next few days.  This is the first video, of Tony Schultz, activist and farmer in Wisconsin.  He's speaking about progressivism and agriculture here.

There's a carpool coming up from Madison.  My lovely radio cohost Carol has set this up, and is looking for Madisonians who want to pool resources to come to Chippewa Falls.  Details at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=124701974276770

There've been quite a few questions coming in on the Facebook page, and via email - I'm going to try to answer some of them here -

Will Bobfest happen if it rains? -- Yes, this is a rain or shine event.  Most of it may have to move indoors if it rains hard, but we've got a contingency plan for that.  But outside would be roomier and more fun.

Is the venue handicapped accessible? - Yes --- the entire grounds is accessible to everyone.  You should be able to get in to everything and the site is pretty darn flat.  If you need help with something, just grab one of the volunteers.  We'll help you get around.

Is there Internet access on site?  - Nope, sorry to say, there is not (unless you have Internet access through your cell phone). 

Will the event be live-streamed?  - No it won't -- Mostly because there is no Interent access.  There will probably be some limited live streaming on Uppity Wisconsin, and probably there will be some live audio on the Cinchcast widget on Solidarity Wisconsin.  We will be videotaping during the day, and you can look for some of that video here a few weeks after the event.  Also look for some updates on various progressive blogs.

Will there be food? - Yup -- lots of good local Wisconsin food and good local Wisconsin beer.

Water? - There will be water available in coolers.  You might want to bring a water bottle for convenience.  Some of the food vendors will be selling bottled water, but we know that a lot of you don't want to go that way, and we're trying to make it easy for you.

Breakout Sessions?  - There will be multiple breakout sessions.  The way they work will vary a little based on how the organizers see them.  Look for informative speakers and a lot of great discussion.

Can you tell me exactly when the speakers will be on? - Not really.  It's a fairly free-form event.  We'll make an attempt to keep things moving along, but it's a little hard to have a firm timetable.  We promise to make room for lunch, the breakouts, and some partying down, music, and beer. 

We will have continuing updates on anything you will need to know both here and on the Facebook page.

FightingBobFestNorth offers a great selection of food to stoke up you fighting progressives all day long:

• Jamaican Kitchens -- you've eaten their food at the Baraboo BobFest -- now enjoy it up north!
• Dancing Goat Coffee House - An Eau Claire Favorite, with coffee and Ice Cream
• Crescent Meats - Great sandwiches and more -- another local vendor
• Sitha Indian Kitchen - Break up your day with Indian Food

We're pleased to announce the breakout sessions for FightingBobFestNorth 2011

• What to Do About Citizens United? - Outdoor Life Building, led by Kaja Rabane, Mike McCabe, and John Bonifaz
• The Attack on Labor is an Attack on Everyone - Fine Arts Building, led by Dave Branson and Jerry Jackson
• Extreme Mining: Gogebic Taconite's Proposed Open Pit Mine - RCU Education Building, led by Al Gedicks
• Growing the Movement - Gordy's Stage, led by John Kinville and Casey Green

FightingBobFestNorth

Planning Committee

   
 

    

Updated Schedule for May 21 --- Note the addition of Tammy Baldwin in the morning speakers

• 9:00 AM -- Welcome to Bobfest
• Mike McCabe
• Ruth Conniff
• Dave Obey
• Larry Heagle
• John Bonifaz
• Tammy Baldwin
  
•  - Lunch Break
• 1:00-2:00 Breakout Sessions
• Tony Schultz
• Stan Gruszynski
• GreggMoorian Chanters
• Kathleen Vinehout
• John Nichols
• Closing Speech - Ed Garvey
• Social Hour

Vendor and community booths open throughout the day!

Music by Left Wing Bourbon

Left Wing  Bourbon will be the featured band at FightingBobFestNorth 2011.  They will entertain when we're not having a speaker or a breakout session, We will also feature the GreggMoorian Chanters as musical entertainment.  Here's a video of Left Wing Bourbon performing at Blues on the Chippewa.