Making the sauna scene in southern Wisconsin: Sauna Synergy and a review of Madison's Saunaday
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| A round-up of saunas on wheels. Photo: Jack Steinmann, 2026 |
I found myself in the midst of a new kind of sauna adventure recently. I was so pleased to be asked to speak about sauna textiles at Sauna Synergy, the third annual event, which took place April 10 and 11 this year. I was joined by the talented Dori Graff who, in addition to representing Saunamekko as a vendor, spoke about sustainable sauna wear and the qualities of Merino wool, the unlikely hero of sauna fabric. We were accompanied by friends and fellow sauna pilgrims, photographer Jack Steinmann and Jen Veralle, founder of Sauna and Sobriety.
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| Rose Chapel. Photo: Jack Steinmann, 2026 |
Sauna Synergy took place at Jennings Holler, an event venue with plenty of grassy acres for camping and bringing in mobile saunas. It is near the small town of Palmyra, Wisconsin and within 50 miles of both Milwaukee and Madison. This area is part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, a landscape noted for its exotic sounding kettles, kames and eskers-- bogs, ponds, hills and ridges left behind by ancient glaciers. Jennings Holler is an eclectic collection of sort-of country western style buildings including a large barn, the main area for activities. There is a small, primitive chapel on the hill (used for weddings). That is where we gave our talk.
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| Chatting with Dori Graff of Saunamekko in the barn full of vendors and activities. Photo: Jack Steinmann, 2026 |
The event featured a friendly, peaceful vibe with plenty to see and do over 48 hours. The sauna interpretation here was combined with alternative healing and lifestyle. Outside of the barn were a half dozen mobile saunas gathered wagon train style. The entry price of a weekend pass, $155, gave participants access to these unique saunas, cold water tubs and adjacent lounging areas. Inside the barn there were vendors of products--the kind you might see at a folk festival--handcrafted items, jewelry, textiles, lotions and potions as well as crystals. Throughout each day, there were yoga sessions, musical performances and talks and demonstrations.
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Multi-talented Gloria Nash of Homestead Saunas not only curated and managed this sprawling event but also ran treatments in her own mobile sauna. Among the events I made sure to attend was her talk on Baltic and Slavic Bath Rituals. She partnered with Olena Levchenko in discussing the use of veniks, bundles of leafy branches, to circulate steam and provide massage and aromatherapy in the sauna.
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| Leslie Schroeder of Midwest Linen Revival. Photo: Jack Steinmann, 2026 |
I am so happy to see more textiles at events featuring saunas. These two things go together so naturally. Among the vendors, there were tie dyed, crocheted and wet-felted items and the popular bell-shaped woolen sauna hats--which are getting ever more creative and fun. Of course, saunamekko, my favorite maker of fashionably Nordic sauna wear was there. Highlights for me included a talk by "Flax Ma'am" and founder of Midwest Linen Revival, Leslie Schroeder. She is a crafter and farmer who is also a passionate advocate for the return of flax for fiber and a linen industry in the Midwest. The beautiful felted wool work of Janette H. Neal-Zopp who also explained to me the use of bark tannins rather than harsh chemicals in preparing her sheepskins. and the lovely earrings made by Thready Jenny who uses plant materials she forages herself for dying the colorful threads woven into her earrings. There was much more.
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After our residency at Sauna Synergy, we drove back to the Twin Cities with a stop in Madison to check out a new public sauna called Saunaday on Blount Street in downtown Madison. It opened last summer and is advertised as a "modern bathhouse." In contrast to Sauna Synergy, this is a bricks and mortar version of a public sauna with a prime location within view of Lake Monona. The venue, located in the corner suite of a modern building, was clean, sleek and friendly. I made a reservation that morning and when I arrived they were turning away walk-ins.
The concept seems carefully thought out and efficient. There are no gender separated locker rooms. There is an entry hallway with a number of individual bathrooms provided for changing before stashing things in a common locker area. One follows the posted instructions upon entering for a 2-hour self-guided "bathhouse ritual." It starts with a shower; bowls of cedar scented salt for scrubbing are provided. Then you are directed first to the steam room for about 15 minutes, rinse repeat with quarter hour experiences in the two sauna hot rooms, one paneled in cedar and the other in aspen. They were nicely hot and heated by electric stoves. There are private saunas for those who wish to pay more and an infrared room. There are also "Japanese-inspired" deep tubs for two. There was a cold plunge pool and a lounge area. Attendants were present squeegeeing the puddles from the tile floor and adding a professional presence.
While I was there for my two hour reservation, there were probably about 20 other guests making the circuit among the three hot rooms and spots for lounging or rinsing. At times, it seemed crowded. The steam room was the most popular space and it was clear that people came in social pairs or small groups--there was plenty of talking. This did not bother me but it is different from my usual meditative experience in the sauna. Plus, it made it a bit awkward for me to try the Hammam Package.
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In keeping with the DIY concept, a "self-guided experience in the tradition of Moroccan Hammams" can be purchased for $28 (in addition to the $55 for my two-hour visit). I received a plastic packet at check-in that contained a small tin of Black Soap and another of Rhassoul Clay plus a kessa mitt (a rough textured cloth). The instructions were to "massage the black soap into your entire body" and then scrub it off with the mitt. Rinse. Next, the clay requires mixing with a bit of water to make a paste for applying all over. Then rinse. Quite a complex and personal ablution when among others who are chatting and having a good time. Speaking of the rinsing, when I used the hand held shower head in the steam room, I accidentally sprayed a couple of folks -- thankfully they were good-natured about it. I would not recommend the Hammam Kit because there is not enough personal space for such a thing and, I thought, oily soap and pasty clay are not ideally applied when in a bathing suit.
The sauna scene is growing and so are the possibilities. Whether you are seeking an alternative experience such as Sauna Synergy or one that is more conventional like Saunaday, just make sure to find an opportunity to enjoy the heat in friendship and community.
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