In 1976, Hugh and Jody Deery had established themselves as greats in Midwest short track race promoting. With their large plot of land in Loves Park, just miles north of Rockford already housing Rockford Speedway, they asked themselves what's missing? The answer was affordable quality banquet space! Thus the idea for the Forest Hills Banquet was born. Construction began in 1977 and was completed in 1978. The annual Rockford Speedway Banquet was one of the first events held in the newly constructed "Lodge" and we are proud to have played a part in many wonderful celebrations in the years which have followed.

The Funderburg House is a unique and historic venue that allows you to completely immersive. This 3-story, 1906 mansion is sure to keep your guests talking. It is a romantic spot that is perfect for any happy couple to celebrate their big day!

The Grand Gallery sits next to the Museum’s exhibitions for easy access to our historical spaces. The Gallery holds up to 100 seated guests! It provides a presentation center, surround sound, and a bar space. It is a great location for anyone looking for a unique space to hold their special event.

We welcome you to Pheasant Valley Barn! The barn is nestled in a scenic valley in the middle of our farm. The Byrne family started dairy farming in Wisconsin after emigrating from Ireland in the 1870's. In 2003, we decided to renovate our 1890's barn. We added a new metal roof and restored the interior of the barn. To celebrate, we had a barn dance for Duane's parents' 40th anniversary. Thus began "The Party Barn". In the fall of 2018, our son Cory married his fiance, Jenny. It confirmed our idea of starting a barn venue and sharing our barn and farm with others. We have been asked many times, "Why don't you rent out this barn?" We have decided the time is right to diversify our farm and start this event business. We are so happy that we restored our barn. As more and more barns and farms are lost, our barn is preserved and now can be shared with others to create a memorable and special day for your event!

The Ellwood House Museum is an historic estate that offers three unique rental spaces on ten acres of gardens and grounds. These include the first floor and terraces of elegant Ellcourt, an historic Tudar Revival house built in 1899. It is available from March through mid-November and is our only venue where alcohol service is permissible. Ellcourt has an hourly rate of $350. The grounds also offer a choice of three garden spaces for wedding ceremonies. Garden rentals are available mid-May to mid-October and include an inclement weather backup location in the Hearthside Room of the Visitor Center. The rental rate is a flat fee of $500. The third venue is our more casual space, the Hearthside Room, which includes access to the galleries. It is available March through mid-November, and the rental rate is $75 per hour. All venues are limited to 80 people, and both indoor venues have full kitchens.

A barn is where hard work happens. It is where good times and bad happen. It is where families come together. To work. To play. To connect. To grow. And to make memories. It weathers storms, the elements and anything else you can possibly throw at it. Can you think of a better metaphor for marriage? Can you think of a better place to start one? We can’t either. That’s why we put so much heart into The Barn here at Allen Acres. To create a place where someone’s there to bring the vision of your day to life. Why we fought for it. Why we worked ourselves into the ground for it. Spent money we didn’t have on it. And put every ounce of energy into the four walls you’ll see before you. Labor of love? It was an undying test of our wills, our bank accounts and our sanity. But that’s what you do for something and someone you’re passionate about. It’s how you start your dream. It’s how we started ours. And how we’d like to start yours.

The Story of Palestrina Named for the ancient Italian city that the goddess Fortuna Primigenia's temple calls home, Palestrina is destined to bring luck and success to your event. Opened in Fall 2021, Palestrina brings a mid-modern industrial feel to the charming town of Verona, Wisconsin. Located in Liberty Business Park, Palestrina is only a 15-minute drive from downtown Madison and is within walking distance of three highly rated restaurants and Wisconsin Brewing Company. For your out-of-town guests, there is a high-end 136-room Hyatt Place across the street. Our picturesque event venue offers the perfect backdrop for a memorable experience for you and your guests. Designed to showcase your personal style, Palestrina plays host a variety of events. From weddings to corporate lunches, the space can do it all!

Holiday Home Camp (HHC) is more than a ‘day of’ wedding venue. Instead, it is a magical space that caters to families as they come together to celebrate what being a family, new or old, truly means. HHC is truly a unique property with so many options to make your guests' experience a memorable one that will be talked about for generations. We believe in “comfortable elegance” which isn’t simply a tagline, but instead a standard throughout all that we offer. Comfort to us means a stress free experience for you and your guests from planning, to the day of your wedding and even afterwards. Holiday Home Camp was founded in 1887 and is America's oldest acredited children's camp. Our grounds include 26 wooded acres overlooking Lake Geneva. We are run by the Lake Geneva Fresh Air Association and are accredited by the American Camp Association. Our grounds are welcoming to all guests and potential couples.

Whispering Woods is an exclusive scenic property, nestled just south of beautiful Lake Geneva, perfect for any event. The three ponds, along with 40 acres of native forest, offers a picturesque setting for all occasions. Whispering Woods is a stunning backdrop for your event.

Located 10 minutes from downtown Madison, our stunning venue offers the perfect space for your wedding. Our beautiful, lodge-style facility is surrounded by 500 acres of natural areas and features a large banquet hall, an open air solar shelter, spacious lobby with fireplace, a balcony overlooking the prairie, fire circle, 300 year old oak tree and a rustic barn exterior. The natural setting and walking trails offer plenty of opportunities for unique wedding photography.