Looks like the Madison Downtown Development Commission (DDC) has done it once again! They have set the stage for yet another fun filled Bottle Hill Day this Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. in downtown Madison. Great music, delicious food, unique crafts, and fun rides will all be part of this early autumn day. 

DDC member and Bottle Hill Day Committee Chair Lisa Ellis said that planning for Bottle Hill Day typically begins right after the previous one has ended. The summer, however, is when the DDC really starts to sweat the details. And, a look at Saturday's events suggests its efforts will pay off well for the thousands expected to visit Madison that day.  

The DDC , along with Bottle Hill Day sponsors Investors Savings Bank, RXR, Pfizer, Drew University, Madison Arts and Cultural Alliance, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports, The Original Music School, and Madison Jaguar, has put together a Bottle Hill Day that's sure to please all ages and interests. As with most annual celebrations, there will be a mix of the familiar and the new. Some returning highlights include:

• Inflatable rides: Youngsters will be happy to see the return of these rides at the "Moonwalk Family Fun Park," located near Central Avenue School and in the Provident Bank parking lot.
• Rock Climbing Wall: Blue Mountain Sports will offer all a chance to reach new heights with a rock climbing wall outside its store on Green Village Road.
• Car Show: Car enthusiasts will want to check out the annual Chamber of Commerce Car Show in the Maple Ave Parking Lot.
• Vendors: Shoppers will be busy visiting the more than 200 vendors and display (Check out the Patch table at the corner of Waverly Place and Main Street).
• Food, glorious food: No one will walk away hungry from this festival! The Food Court will be located, appropriately enough, on Cook Street.  

There will also be a couple of noticeable changes to Bottle Hill Day this year.  One big change will be the closing of both Elmer and Cook Streets to thru car traffic. The parking lots on these streets will be accessible. However, cars will not be able to cross from one street to the other via Central Avenue. In the past, traffic cops were needed to monitor the intersection of these streets with Central Avenue to ensure pedestrian safety.

"It's a very good thing," said Ellis of this new traffic pattern.

She thinks the change will bring a safer environment for pedestrians and will make the street-lined festival flow smoother.

Another change for the day: more music!

The DDC has added another stage for musical performances this year.

Ellis said, "We are trying to raise the bar. Originally we started with one stage and now we're up to four!" 

The four stages will be located throughout the festival. Musicians will perform in the following locations:

• Green Village Road in front of the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts on the MACA/DDC "Unplugged" Stage.

• Waverly Place on the Investors Savings Bank Main Stage.

• Central Ave on the MACA/DDC "Rock" Stage.

•  Elmer Street on the Original School of Rock Music Stage.

The music performed will span a variety of genres. Many of the scheduled performers are homegrown, including the band High Mileage and musicians Bob Rocco and Colin Lee. Other performers for the day will include Rosewood Unplugged, Ginnie Johnston and Mosaic, No Shame, Bill Jayne and Friends, Daniel Callan and Dan Crisci Jazz Trio. Madison school students will get some play time, too, as they are slated to perform on the Main Stage from 10 a.m. -11:30 a.m.

Community and non profit groups will also take part in the day. Some of the organizations setting up booths are Alex's Lemonade Stand, Special Olympics Swim Team Area 3, Cause 4 Paws, Interfaith Council for Homeless Families, Madison Shade Tree, the American Red Cross and Rose City Runners Club. 

Bottle Hill Day will be celebrated rain or shine. So, pack both your umbrella and your sunscreen and get ready to enjoy this great Madison tradition!