Time again for my annual round-up of Madison-area community festivals, which begin this weekend. It’s going to be another fun summer of carnivals, beer tents and live music!
| Events | Dates | Of note |
| Syttende Mai (Stoughton) | May 13-15 | Is a marathon just a bit too long for you? Try the annual 20-mile run from downtown Madison to Stoughton. Also check out the strongman competition called the “Viking Games.” |
| Fitchburg Days | May 20-22 | A week later this year, Fitchburg Days allows us to celebrate our Irish heritage in Fitchburg. That means annual performances by both Pat McCurdy and The Kissers. |
| Verona Hometown Days | June 2-5 | Hometown Days always books great bands, and this year in no exception with local favorites Madison County and Cherry Pie. The big parade takes place on Sunday. |
| Fireman’s Festival (Cottage Grove) | June 16-19 | This festival has a little bit of everything, from a rodeo to craft beer tasting to the Smokin’ Hot BBQ contest to a rugby tournament. Doesn’t have the music lineup of Hometown Days, though. |
| Oregon Summer Fest | June 23-26 | See cars from all decades in the annual car show, and enjoy ribs, ribs and more ribs at the Oregon-Brooklyn Lions Club “Thrilla on the Grilla.” |
| Cross Plains Worlds Fair | June 25-26 | A short, two-day affair. The highlight is the ROAR! Motorcycle Show on Saturday, and Human Foosball and Fireworks on Sunday. |
| Monona Community Festival | July 3-4 | I’ve always enjoyed the hole-in-one challenge, which seems to be won with some frequency. And believe it or not, the festival hosts the annual Wisconsin Wife Carry Championship. |
| DeForest Area 4th of July Celebration | July 3-4 | Definitely the worst website of all the communities. Features a well-attended parade. Lots of free events, including a Kings of Radio concert and pony rides. |
| Waunafest | July 28-31 | Waunakee has such strong community spirit, which is why this event has the largest attendance … and also the largest beer tent. Be warned that parking can be difficult. |
| Sweet Corn Festival (Sun Prairie) | Aug. 18-21 | As the name implies, you can’t attend this event without eating some of the 75 tons of sweet corn. Since the event is at Angell Park, there will be midget car racing and a tractor pull. |
| Middleton Good Neighbor Festival | Aug. 26-28 | Here we are at the end of the summer festival schedule. Check out the huge craft fair and the kiddie parade. Still WAY TOO FEW porta-potties by the beer tent. |
Note: I didn’t include the McFarland Family Festival, since it takes place in the fall.
Thanksgiving Eve, aka 
