October 2025
Climate Action Recognition
For a fifth year in a row, the City of Sun Prairie has been recognized as a Climate Champion. This recognition, presented by Dane County Executive Melissa Agard and the Office of Energy and Climate Change, highlights our commitment to advance sustainability for our state and our city through significant efforts in reducing carbon emissions.
Learn more about this achievement in the interview below!
Interview with Rose Daily, Sustainability Manager
National Housing Supply Accelerator Program
Interview with Becky Binz, Housing & Equitable Development Planner
Sun Prairie Fire and EMS Open House
The 2025 Sun Prairie Fire & EMS Open House takes place on Sunday, October 12th from 8-1pm. It's a day filled with activities, demonstrations, fire truck rides, and a FREE pancake breakfast!
Learn more about the annual event and fire safety month by clicking the interview link below!
Interview with Natalie Courtier, Community Risk Reduction Officer
Fall Fun! Fest
Get outside before the cold weather starts biting! Sun Prairie boasts a harvest of activities during October, including the Fall Fun! festival. Learn more about this event and more in the interview below!
Interview with Mary D'Amico, Business Improvement District (BID) Manager
Trunk-or-Treat
Looking for a safe, fun, and economical way to trick-or-treat this year? Check out the annual Sun Prairie Trunk-or-Treat event happening on October Saturday, October 25 at 910 S Bird Street! Click the link below to learn more about the day's events.
Interview with Jade Pekol, Community Events and Development Manager
Administration
Last call to give your input! Surveys due today!
This spring, the city released a report detailing the need for additional funding to maintain services and invest in key departments to improve services. And in September, each household in Sun Prairie received a survey in the mail asking for your input on priority areas of investment.
Today – Monday, October 6 – is the last day we’ll be accepting survey responses! Please use the QR code on your survey to fill it out online by 11:59 pm. If you do not have a survey and/or want to request an additional digital code for another adult in your household, please call 608-825-1193 or email refteam@cityofsunprairie.com. Your feedback will help shape the future of Sun Prairie.
To learn more about the survey and need for additional funding, please visit www.cityofsunprairie.com/fundingsolutions.
City Clerk
Celebrating Elena Hilby
Celebrating Elena Hilby’s Leadership and Service
The City of Sun Prairie proudly recognizes Elena Hilby, our dedicated City Clerk since 2017, for her outstanding contributions to the municipal clerk profession. Elena was elected President of the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association (WMCA) for the 2024–2025 term, where she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision. Following the conclusion of her term as president last month, she was honored with a proclamation from Mayor Stocker recognizing her outstanding contributions.
With a career spanning over 15 years, Elena has earned numerous professional certifications, including Master Municipal Clerk (MMC), and has served on state and national committees advocating for clerks across Wisconsin. Her presidential theme, "From Roots to Renaissance," reflected her commitment to building a sustainable, collaborative, and innovative future for the profession.
Throughout a pivotal transition in WMCA leadership, Elena went above and beyond to ensure continuity and support for members—often working nights and weekends out of sheer dedication. She continues to represent Sun Prairie with integrity, professionalism, and pride.
Please join us in congratulating Elena on this well-deserved recognition and thanking her for her exemplary service to our community and the clerks profession.
PROJECT SCHEDULE: June 9, 2025 - September 15, 2025
Community Development
Downtown Sun Prairie October Events 2025
Parks, Recreation and Forestry
Trunk-or-Treat
Fall Recreation Highlights
Public Safety
Sun Prairie Fire & EMS Open House
Sun Prairie Historical Library & Museum
The Museum is open to the public Wednesdays through Saturdays 11:00am - 4:00pm and by appointment for research and events. To learn more, visit www.cityofsunprairie.com/museum.
Staff can be reached by phone at (608) 825-0837 or by email at museum@cityofsunprairie.com.
The Historical Library and Museum is located at 115 East Main St. Sun Prairie with parking behind the building. Admission is always free.
Announcements:
Fall at the Sun Prairie Historical Library & Museum
Get ready for a season full of family fun and festive cheer! Join us this fall for an exciting lineup of events you won’t want to miss.
Kick off the change of seasons during the Fall Fun Fest on October 18th, where the downtown bursts with fall colors and activities. On October 30th, bring your little ghosts and goblins for Spooktacular trick-or-treating, providing a safe celebration full of candy and costumes. November 22nd will bring the opportunity to hear from local artist Patricia Hable Zastrow, whose series of silk vests are currently on display. Finally, ring in the holiday spirit with during Santa Saturday on November 29th, where kids can meet Santa, create crafts, and explore a picturesque downtown.
Mark your calendars—these events are the perfect way to make unforgettable seasonal memories together!
Sun Prairie Media Center
SPHS Football Coverage Continues on KSUN
There are several Sun Prairie football games in October, and KSUN will broadcast the remaining home games for both the Cardinals and the Wolves.
Games broadcast on KSUN Now (Spectrum cable channel 983, TDS channels 983/1983), and stream on sunprairiemediacenter.com, on the SPMC Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV channels, and on the free-to-download Sun Prairie Media Center app. Home games also air live on 103.5 FM The Sun Community Radio. Following live coverage, games will re-air on both KSUN Now and Life (TDS channel 985) channels for additional viewing.
None of this is possible without the SPMC volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to help bring these broadcasts to life.
Additionally, Sun Prairie Media Center would like to thank their sponsors, Interiors by JW and Bank of Sun Prairie, for their support of these productions.
For a current schedule of football coverage and other programming, please go to SPHS Football Broadcast Schedule. This schedule is subject to change.
Sun Prairie Public Library
Library Renovation Updates & Renovation Project
October 2025
Library Expansion and Renovation Updates
You may have previously seen an announcement that the library would be closed for a Parking Lot renovation project this fall. The parking lot project has been postponed until Spring 2026.
The library will be closed mid-November for up to two weeks (more details coming soon). During this closure, collections and work spaces that were in temporary locations will be moved into newly renovated spaces. When we reopen the following areas that were closed during Phase 2 will now be available:
Renk Room (reading room with fireplace)
Centrally-located Welcome Desk
Updated study and discussion rooms (after December 1st)
New Local History Room
Redesigned seating
Well-lit, expanded holds pickup area
Phase 3 of our Expansion and Renovation Project is the shortest phase, at just two months, and will include renovations to the former Youth Services area and the former Storytime Room. Access to the Teen and Youth spaces will always remain open, but patrons will need to walk through a narrow path to access the spaces during this time. The Adult Services collection will continue to be condensed during this time, with some items in storage.
Thank you for your support, patience, and understanding during our Expansion and Renovation project. For more information, visit https://www.sunprairiepubliclibrary.org/library_expansion
*Dates are subject to change
Children’s & Teen Services
Mondays, September 15 – November 10 10:15 and 11:15 a.m., Youth Program Room
Itsy Bitsy Lapsits (formerly Small Fry) are 20-25 minutes long and are filled with 1-2 short books, songs, action rhymes and more! Some songs, stories and rhymes are repeated each week and new ones are gradually introduced. Geared For: Ages 0-2 but all ages are welcome at any Storytime.
Tuesdays, September 16 – November 11 10:15 a.m,, Youth Program Room
Little Kid Storytimes are 25-30 minutes long and are filled with short books, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, puppets and more – a different variety each week. Geared For: Ages 1-3 but all ages are welcome at any Storytime.
Tuesdays, September 16 – November 11 11:15 a.m,, Youth Program Room
Big Kid Storytimes are 30-35 minutes long and are filled with longer books, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, puppets and more – a different variety each week. This Storytime is geared for children who are ready for stories that are a bit longer. Geared For: Ages 3-5 but all ages are welcome at any Storytime.
Cuentos Infantiles (Spanish Storytime)
Wednesdays, September 17 – November 11 4 p.m., Youth Program Room
Orientado para las: Edades 3-5. Pero todas las edades son bienvenidos para todos los cuentos infantiles.
Geared For: Ages 3-5 but all ages are welcome at any Storytime.
Hablantes nativos hasta principiantes bienvenidos
Native speakers to beginners welcome!
Thursday, October 16, 2:00 p.m., Youth Program Room
Build with the library’s LEGO® collection! Bring your creativity, but leave your LEGO®s at home! For school-age children only (Kindergarten - 5th grade). Children can be left with the librarian as long as they are registered. Registration is required.
Monday, October 20 4:00 p.m., Youth Program Room
Only for ages 4-8. Children can be dropped off for this program. Each month we learn about different animals and habitats. Registration is required, register on the Events Calendar.
Flicks & Bricks: How to Train Your Dragon
Thursday, October 30 2:00 p.m., Youth Program Room
We'll provide the movie and the LEGO®, you bring yourself and maybe a blanket to sit on! All ages are welcome, this is a family program. Stay and play together! The doors will open a little early that way we can start the movie on time!
Teen Creativity Club
Tuesday, October 7 and 20 4:00-6:00 p.m., Youth Program Room
Join Melissa for Creativity Club. Projects we'll be doing: Paint Night, knitting and crocheting, beading, and more. Registration is recommended and available on our events calendar at www.sunlib.org. For teens in 6th - 12th grade.
Teen Anime Club
Sunday, October 19 2:00-4:30 p.m., Youth Program Room
Join us to watch some anime! Learn about the manga that inspires it. We’ll try out some drawing and crafting anime style! We will be led on our journey by manga-lover and scholar Katarina. For teens in 6th-12th grade.
Teen Writers and Readers
Saturday, October 18 2:00-4:00 p.m., Youth Program Room
Creative writers, poets, songwriters, and new writers welcome! We work together to make our writing even better. Give input and receive tips on your own work. We also talk about books and writers who inspire us! For teens in 6th -12th grade.
Adult Services
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
If you love arts and crafts AND spooky season, then we have a contest for you! Join us in our first ever Pumpkin Decorating Contest!
This contest is open to all ages. Pumpkins can be decorated in any way or carved, and must be appropriate for all ages to view. Pumpkins must be submitted by Wednesday, October 29th at 9pm to the library Welcome Desk. An entry form must be submitted with each pumpkin. Business Spooktacular Trick-or-Treaters will cast their votes for the winners, and the top 3 pumpkins will get a prize! Entry forms are available at the Welcome Desk.
After the contest, please pick up your pumpkins by Sunday, November 2nd, otherwise they will be disposed of.
Wednesday, October 8 1:30 p.m., Youth Program Room
The Afternoon Book Club, facilitated by a staff member, is a group of seasoned readers who enjoy a variety of genres and engaging discussions.
The Afternoon Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 1:30pm. All adults are welcome! Copies of each month's selected book are available for participants at the library, and digital versions may be available via Overdrive.
October's selection is Melissa by Alex Gino.
Wednesday, October 15 7:00 p.m.
The Eclectic Book Club explores the imaginations of interesting authors across numerous genres.
The Eclectic Book Club meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 7pm. All adults are welcome! Copies of each month's selected book are available at the library, and digital versions may be available via Overdrive.
October's selection is Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora.
Tuesday, October 28 7:00 p.m.
The Evening Book Club is a welcoming group of fervent readers who love to discuss all genres of books, particularly multicultural & literary fiction and human issues related nonfiction
The Evening Book Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7pm. All adults are welcome! Copies of each month's selected book are available for participants at the Information Desk.
October's selection is The God of the Woods by Liz Moore.
Sun Prairie Utilities
Sun Prairie Utilities celebrates Public Power Week
Sun Prairie Utilities is planning several community events in celebration of Public Power Week, Oct. 5 - 11, 2025!
SPU is a Public Power utility because it’s non-profit and owned by the community. This means it serves and strives to provide reliable and low-cost electric and water service.
- SPU is hosting a grade K-5 Coloring Contest to win a ride to school in a bucket truck. The contest runs from September 2 to October 3, with the winning design announced during Public Power Week.
- Staff are volunteering during an SPU-sponsored night at Sunshine Supper.
- SPU employees will be reading If I Were A Lineworker and bringing a bucket truck for a touch-a-truck event at the Sun Prairie Public Library.
- SPU sponsors a football game on October 17 at the Bank of Sun Prairie Stadium at Ashley Field.
- SPU is a Sunrise Sun Prairie sponsor.
Follow SPU's social media accounts and check its website to stay up-to-date! Go to sunprairieutilities.com, click Community Benefits, and select Public Power Week.
About City of Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie is a vibrant and thriving community located in northeastern Dane County, just east of the City of Madison. The City of Sun Prairie has experienced strong population growth since its incorporation from a village to a city in 1958, undergoing a transformation from a relatively small community of less than 4,000 to an estimated 39,419 today.
About Sun Prairie Utilities
Serving the community since 1910, Sun Prairie Utilities (SPU) is a not-for-profit, locally-owned municipal electric and water utility that provides safe, reliable, and cost-competitive services to residents and businesses, mostly within the city limits of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Local representation and control allow all citizens to have a voice in how our utility can best meet the community’s needs. As a co-owner of WPPI Energy, a nonprofit, Sun Prairie-based power company, we purchase cost-competitive electricity for our community and take advantage of the latest technologies to better serve our customers.
City Services Guide
Have you ever wanted to learn more about the City's departments and the services they provide? Check out the new city services guide that will get you connected! Print copies will be made available in city buildings such as City Hall and the Westside Community Services Building. Click the graphic below to access the online version.
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