May 18, 2026 – Boltonville, Wi – Neighbors planning to attend this weekend’s Boltonville Rain Days can breathe a little easier. While construction on State Highway 144 has raised concerns about access to the longtime community festival, organizers and local officials say the event will remain accessible.
The annual Boltonville Fire Department picnic runs May 22 through May 24, drawing visitors from across Washington, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan counties. Complicating matters is the Wisconsin Department of Transportation roadwork project on STH 144, which shifted to the northern segment of the highway Monday, May 18.
Washington County Sheriff Martin Schulteis said discussions have already taken place with local leaders and project stakeholders to make sure visitors can still reach Boltonville throughout the weekend.
“I spoke with the town chairman last week about this issue,” Schulteis said. “He was going to be attending a regularly scheduled conference call for the STH 144 project.”
According to Schulteis, the construction zone is expected to be marked either “No Thru Traffic” or “Local Traffic Only,” which will still allow access into the community.
“This will allow individuals to get to Boltonville,” he said.
Eventually there will be a complete closure near the north county line for removal of a culvert and cattle pass, but officials believe that work will not fully impact the picnic weekend.
The sheriff said his department has already briefed road supervisors and will continue monitoring the signage this week.
Boltonville Rain Days organizer Dennis Fechter said communication with WisDOT officials has been strong and he does not expect the construction to significantly interfere with the festival.
Fechter said he spoke directly with WisDOT project leader Travis Gable regarding the work schedule and accommodations being made for the event.
“They’re closing the road Monday and they’ve got this cattle pass on the north end of town, right by Sheboygan County line,” Fechter said. “The DOT said if everything goes right, they’re gonna have it done by noon on Friday.”
Once that work is completed, Fechter said the road is expected to reopen for festival traffic.
Digital message boards are also expected to be placed on both sides of the construction zone directing motorists to the event.
Even if weather delays the culvert removal project, Fechter said access from the east, west, and south will remain open.
“If the weather’s bad and they don’t get that cattle pass closed off by Friday, then it’ll be closed from the gas station north,” he said. “Anybody coming from the east, west, and south will have access to the fire department’s fundraiser.”
Fechter also emphasized that the larger STH 144 reconstruction work, including road grinding and paving operations, has intentionally been delayed until after the holiday weekend.
