Are you planning a graduation party in Jefferson County, Wisconsin soon?
There’s a lot that goes into planning a party. So we’re here to share this Graduation Party Planning Guide to share resources and local businesses that’ll come in handy because at Shine Realty, we’re not just real estate agents. We’re parents of young adults, college students, high schoolers, middle schoolers, and elementary students.
As a collective group, we’ve hosted and attended a lot of graduation parties.
Below you’ll find several tips to consider for having an awesome and low-stress graduation party.
Note: Many of the small businesses listed below are from Lake Mills as that’s where many of our Shine team lives!
1. Where Can You Get Tables, Chairs, and Tents?
Sigmund’s Rentals LLC – Lake Mills
From their Facebook page: “We have 204 chairs, 24 white 8′ banquet tables, 5 5×5 round wooden tables. We offer table linens for both and white chair coverings. We also just added 4 pop-up tents that are 10×30, 2 huge 120qt coolers that hold 188 cans, and a donut wall.”
General Party Rental – Watertown
From their website: “We rent Tents, Tables, Up Lighting, Chairs, Jump Houses, Wedding Decor, Linens, Archways, China & more!”
Visit their website or call 920-261-7770
Ace Hardware – Various Locations
Call your local Ace Hardware store(s) to see what they have available for party rentals.
Visit their website to find details about your local Ace.
Local churches – If you’re a member of a local church, you may be able to find some tables and chairs to use.
2. Who Can You Have Cater Your Meal?
Bon Ton Bakery, Catering & Deli – Jefferson
Visit their website or Facebook Page
Carla’s Catering– Fort Atkinson
Visit her website or Facebook Page
Cambridge Market – Cambridge
Visit their website or Facebook Page
Crawfish Junction – Johnson Creek/Milford
Visit their website or Facebook Page
Fort 88 Smokehouse – Fort Atkinson
Visit their website or Facebook Page
Glen’s Market & Catering – Watertown
Visit their website or Facebook Page
Jimmy John’s – Lake Mills, Fort Atkinson, Watertown, Cottage Grove
Visit their website or Facebook Page
Julie’s Real Mexican Food – Lake Mills
Qdoba – Johnson Creek, Whitewater, Oconomowoc
Visit their website or Facebook Page
Red Line BBQ and Catering – Jefferson
Stoddard’s Meat Market & Catering – Cottage Grove
Visit their website or Facebook Page
The Grist – Lake Mills
Visit their website or Facebook Page
Wicket Smoke BBQ & Catering – Fort Atkinson
Visit their website or Facebook Page
3. Who Can You Have Make Graduation Treats, Cakes, & Cookies?
Bon Ton Bakery, Catering & Deli – Jefferson
Visit their website or Facebook Page
Carla’s Catering– Fort Atkinson
Visit her website or Facebook Page
Frosted by Farah – Lake Mills
Visit her Instagram or Facebook Page
Kory’s Country Kitchen – Watertown
Visit their Facebook Page or call (920) 988-4703
Sassy Sweets Bakery – Watertown
Visit their website or Facebook Page
Sweet Pastries by Paige – Lake Mills
Visit her Facebook Page or call (920) 988-5806
Sweet Scoop A’ La Mode – Cambridge
Sweet Talkin’ Treats – Watertown
Visit their website or Facebook Page
The bakery department in your local grocery stores and Costco are additional options for graduation cakes and treats too.
4. Where Can You Get Graduation Decorations & Flowers?
Party Happier – Some items at the Vintage Flip and Lake Milled Crafts in Lake Mills
Visit their website or Facebook Page
Rustic Roots Flower Farm – Lake Mills/Cambridge
Sign Gypsies – Based out of Madison but delivers to Jefferson County
Visit their website or Facebook Page
Wine & Roses – Jefferson, WI
Visit their website or Facebook Page
Of course, stores like Dollar Tree and Walmart are good options for decorations too!
5. Where Can You Rent INDOOR Space to Hold a Graduation Party?
Community Center – Lake Mills
There are several large rooms and a kitchen available to rent at the Community Center in Lake Mills.
American Legion Post 166 – Fort Atkinson
The American Legion Post 166 has a spacious banquet hall with kitchen access along the Rock River in Fort Atkinson.
Fort Atkinson Club – Fort Atkinson
The Fort Atkinson Club has several event space options including kitchens, a 2-lane bowling alley, patio along Rock River, and more.
Visit their website or Facebook Page
Haumerson’s Pond – Fort Atkinson
The Haumerson’s Pond warming house with nice views is available for rent in Fort Atkinson.
Visit their website or Facebook Page
Humane Society of Jefferson County – Jefferson
The Humane Society has a Community Education Center space available for rent with a kitchen.
Visit their website or Facebook Page
McGrath’s Hall – Fort Atkinson
McGrath’s is a unique venue that combines a roller rink, a restaurant, a catering operation, and a large event space.
Visit their website or Facebook page
Rock Lake Activity Center – Lake Mills
6. Where Can You Rent OUTDOOR Space to Hold a Graduation Party?
Lake Mills City Parks
Sandy Beach Shelters – Large and Small Shelter available
Rotary Park Shelter
Wallace Park Shelter
Visit the City of Lake Mills website.
Jefferson County Parks
Korth Park Pavilion and Kitchen – Lake Mills
Rock Lake Park Shelters (upper and lower) – Lake Mills
Dorothy Carnes Park Shelter – Fort Atkinson
Rock River Park Shelter – Johnson Creek
Welcome Travelers Park Shelter – Whitewater
Pohlmann Park Shelter – Helenville
Rome Pond Park – Sullivan
Visit the Jefferson County Parks website.
If you’re not near Lake Mills and these County Parks are booked, check out your city parks or Facebook community page to see if there’s an outdoor space in your town.
7. Who Can You Have Take Care of Lawncare and Landscaping?
Big Green, LLC
- (920) 253-1700
- Watertown
- visit their Facebook page
Clean Cut Lawn Care, LLC
- (920) 222-9322
- Lake Mills
Cutting Edge Lawn Care & Landscaping
- (920) 253-6042
- Lake Mills
- visit their website
David Martinez’s Lawn Services
- (920) 222-2215
- Lake Mills
Fort Grass Kickin’
- (920) 723-9851
- Fort Atkinson
- visit their Facebook page
Ground Affects Landscaping
- (262) 593-8400
- Sullivan
- visit their website or Facebook Page
Graduation Party Planning
There are many more options out there, but these are a few we have experienced or heard good things about.
We hope this guide helps you with some of the major part-planning tasks, so you can host a stress-free graduation party in lovely Jefferson County, Wisconsin!
Best wishes to your graduate!
Looking for more service providers or vendors? We have an entire A to Z list of local contractors & suppliers we’ve used over here!