Troll Capital Unveiled: On The Road Explores Mount Horeb

MOUNT HOREB, Wis. (WMTV) — This week, Kevin Corriveau and Mark McPherson traveled to the Village of Mount Horeb for the 58th annual Summer Frolic event.

Trolls, trolls, and even more trolls

The town of Mount Horeb is renowned for its troll sculptures, which can be found dispersed across the downtown district and along Main Street.

The custom began in the latter half of the 1970s when a Nordic-themed store called Open House Imports situated trolls on their front yard to draw more customers. These figurines, initially brought over from Norway, lured both tourists and drivers traveling via trucks. By the middle of the ’80s, a highway bypass linking Highways 18 and 151 was constructed near Mount Horeb. This led truck drivers to recognize Mount Horeb as “the place with the trolls,” significantly benefiting nearby enterprises.

58th Summer Frolic

Residents of Mount Horeb are marking the beginning of warmer weather by enjoying Summer Frolic at Grundwald Park.

From June 13th to 15th, visitors can experience carnival attractions, savor a warm pretzel, and soak up the summertime sunshine.

WMTV interviewed the president of the Mount Horeb Summer Frolic, Amy Mertz, who mentioned that this festival began in 1969. “This is the oldest ongoing event in our community,” stated Mertz.

She mentioned that each year, locals keep coming back to gather funds for various initiatives within the neighborhood.

Aside from conventional games such as bingo, the planners have introduced a Men’s Slow-Pitch Softball Tournament along with a Hometown Throwdown Cornhole Competition.

This year, the festival featured a Youth Night from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday. According to organizers, DJ Van Go kicked off the festivities for the teenagers and pre-teens who came along.

WMTV also had a conversation with Kurt Adler, who holds the position of vice president for the event.

Adler remarked, “This is quite a fantastic tradition. The sheer volume of participants always amazes me. It really is tremendously enjoyable.”

Cheese curds and pretzels, what delight!

Are you longing for some cheese curds or a pretzel beside your head? The Grumpy Troll is a beloved eatery known for its Swiss and Norwegian roots.

It’s wonderful serving as an ambassador for both Mount Horeb and Wisconsin,” stated Robin Pharow, proprietor of the restaurant. “We really embrace this role through our offerings. For instance, we must include a bratwurst on our menu, offer top-notch cheese curds, and emphasize locally sourced ingredients.

In 2019, Robin along with her spouse bought the restaurant.

Her spouse was an alumnus of Mount Horeb High School. Since he passed away last year, she views the restaurant as a part of his lasting heritage.

Megatone Studios

Mount Horeb currently hosts a professional music recording studio called Megatone Studios, which is run by producer, engineer, and guitarist Paul Schluter.

When he was 16 years old, he recorded for the first time with Butch Vig. Schluter is associated with the heavy metal group called Last Crack. He shares his life with his spouse, Elizabeth Mary, who is a country music artist known as both a songwriter and performer. They reside in a small village together. The previous spring, they opted to relocate their studio from Madison to Mount Horeb due to an open opportunity at this new location.

Sunniva Inn

If you’re seeking a brief escape from Madison, consider visiting the Sunniva Inn. This cozy bed and breakfast welcomed guests starting in 2019.

WMTV spoke with the owner, Robert Schutettpelz, who said he loves being a part of the community.

“Just the feeling of being able to make somebody’s weekend or special occasion or whatever,” said Schutettpelz. “Just the people and stories we hear is just great.”

He added that a couple from Denmark recently visited.

Cave of Mounds

Approximately five minutes away from Mount Horeb in the village of Blue Mounds lies Cave of Mounds, home to some of the most ancient cave structures in the Midwest.

It consists of natural limestone and was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1988.

In 1939, the cave was found unexpectedly during an explosion at the quarry on Brigham Farm. After becoming accessible to visitors in 1940, it turned into a favored spot for many people.

Created over millennia, the cave displays a variety of mineral structures.

Mountain Biking

Riding downhill on a street can be enjoyable, but why not try ascending a mountain instead? In Mount Horeb, there’s an initiative aimed at getting children interested in mountain biking. The Mount Horeb MTB program is affiliated with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association and operates teams across the nation.

The Mount Horeb Team welcomes students from grades six through twelve who are part of the Mount Horeb Barneveld School District.

Team Director and Head Coach Ambra Baldwin said this is a great opportunity for kids of all abilities.

It’s more than just the activity; it helps develop character and offers significant benefits through cycling,” Baldwin explained. “The cyclists form strong bonds, not just among themselves but also with competitors from rival teams across the state. Throughout the season, they establish objectives and strive to enhance themselves as individuals.