As we turn the calendar to May, the start of the season for Madison-area community festivals begins. I can’t wait for beer tents, live music and carnivals (plus carnival food). Here’s a guide to all the community festivals:
| Events | Dates | Status/Of note |
| Syttende Mai (Stoughton) | May 19-21 | This Norwegian celebration kicks off the summer slate of community events. It features a 20-mile run throughout Stoughton (no longer from Madison to Stoughton). In addition, check out the strongman competition called the “Viking Games,” the Norwegian delicacies, the canoe race down the Yahara River and the Norse costume show. Main bands: Roadhouse Chiefs, Rusty Hearts. |
| Festa Italia (Fitchburg) | June 2-4 | This defacto Fitchburg community event, once held in May, now takes place in June on the same weekend as Verona Hometown Days. Take part in the pasta eating contest, play some bocce ball, watch the cooking demos and catch the Flags of Italy parade. Main bands: Cherry Pie, Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press, V05 |
| Verona Hometown Days | June 2-4 | The once four-day event is now three but still crams in a ton of fun. Fireworks take place on Friday, the annual car show is on Saturday and the big parade is on Sunday, with live music and the famous Spin-the-Wheel each day. Main bands: Road Trip, Cherry Pie, The Jimmys |
| Fireman’s Festival (Cottage Grove) | June 15-18 | This festival has a little bit of everything, though it appears the Smokin’ Hot BBQ contest won’t be held. Still, there will be a parade on Saturday morning, Home Talent League baseball and a kids’ tractor pull. Main bands: PILOT, Breaking Cadence |
| Oregon Summer Fest | June 23-25 | See cars from all decades in the annual car show, watch the fireworks and enjoy ribs and BBQ chicken at the Oregon-Brooklyn Lions Club “Thrilla on the Grilla.” Plus, take part in the softball and cornhole tournaments. Main bands: SuperTuesday, Kyle Killgore |
| Monona Community Festival | July 2-4 | One of my favorite events is the $5,000 hole-in-one challenge, which seems to be won with some frequency (by others). And believe it or not, the festival hosts the annual Wisconsin Wife Carry Championship, in addition to a keg toss, a strongman competition, an art & craft fair and of course, fireworks. Main bands: Don’t Mess with Cupid, Granny Shot, DS Jukin’ |
| DeForest Area 4th of July Celebration | July 3-4 | Still not sure why this event doesn’t have its own website or even a webpage. The once three-day celebration has been shortened to two. The parade is the central feature; others include the most crowded beer tent of all beer tents, a car show, pony rides and bingo. Main bands: Cherry Pie, SuperTuesday |
| Waunafest | July 27-30 | Waunafest used to be a whopping five days long, but since 2021, it has been four days, which is still longer than almost every other festival. It’s got the largest beer tent, plus a parade, arts & crafts fair, a race and a huge grass volleyball tournament called WaunaSpike. Be warned that parking can be difficult. Main bands: The Retrospecz, Best Practice |
| Sweet Corn Festival (Sun Prairie) | Aug. 16-20 | As the name implies, you can’t attend this five-day event without eating some of the 75 tons of sweet corn, though for some reason it’s only sold on Saturday and Sunday. Since the festival is held at Angell Park, you will see midget car racing and a tractor pull. Note: there is a charge for admission and parking. Main bands: Super Tuesday, Kings of Radio |
| Middleton Good Neighbor Festival | Aug. 25-27 | Check out the huge art fair, dog show, 5K run/walk, bingo and the parade on University Avenue. New as of 2021 is an open-campus concept, allowing you to drink throughout most of the grounds. Main bands: TBA |
| McFarland Family Festival | Sept. 20-22 | Here we are at the end of the summer festival schedule. This festival has a different feel, since it’s not located in a park. You can attend a car show, vendor fair and a parade. Main bands: TBA |
RIP: Cross Plains World Fair, Fitchburg Days
Tags: Cottage Grove, DeForest, Fitchburg, McFarland, Middleton, Monona, Oregon, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee
