As we turn the calendar to May and warmer weather, the start of the season for Madison-area community festivals begins. That means beer tents, live music and carnivals (plus carnival food). Here’s a guide to all the local community festivals:
| Events | Dates | Status/Of note |
| Syttende Mai (Stoughton) | May 17-19 | 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,” Norwegian dancers, the canoe race down the Yahara River and the quilt show. Main bands: The Ramble, Rusty Hearts. |
| Verona Hometown Days | May 31-June 2 | 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: The Zac Matthews Band, Cherry Pie, The Elizabeth Mary Band |
| Festa Italia (Fitchburg) | June 1-2 | This defacto Fitchburg community event, once held in May, now takes place in June on the same weekend as Verona Hometown Days, and down from three days to two. Take part in the pasta eating contest, compete in the Fitchburg City Bocce Challenge, watch the cooking demos and catch the Flags of Italy parade. Main bands: Purple Veins, VO5. |
| Fireman’s Festival (Cottage Grove) | June 13-16 | Unlike the other festivals that have lopped off a day, this one remains at four days. It includes a parade on Saturday, Home Talent League baseball, a kids’ tractor pull and a half-marathon/5K called Hot 2 Trot. Main bands: Shotgun Jane, Breaking Cadence |
| Oregon Summer Fest | June 21-23 | The all-decades car show is gone this year, but you can still watch the fireworks on Saturday and enjoy ribs and BBQ chicken at the Oregon-Brooklyn Lions Club “Thrilla on the Grilla” on Sunday. Plus, take part in the cornhole tournament and the new pickleball tournament. Main bands: Cherry Pie, Madison County |
| Monona Community Festival | July 3-4 | Formerly a three-day event, this festival hosts the annual Wisconsin Wife Carry Championship, plus a strongman competition, an art & craft fair, fireworks and my favorite event, the $5,000 hole-in-one challenge. Also of note is a wine and cigar tasting on July 3. Main bands: still TBD |
| DeForest Area 4th of July Celebration | July 3-4 | For some reason, this event doesn’t have its own website or even a Facebook event. 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 25-28 | 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 has 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, Boogie and the Yo-Yoz, Road Trip |
| Sweet Corn Festival (Sun Prairie) | Aug. 14-18 | 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: SuperTuesday, The Jimmys |
| Middleton Good Neighbor Festival | Aug. 23-25 | Check out the huge art fair, dog show, 5K run/walk, bingo and the parade on University Avenue. In 2021, the festival switched to an open-campus concept, allowing you to drink throughout most of the grounds instead of only inside the beer tent. Main bands: still TBD |
| McFarland Family Festival | Sept. 27-29 | A week later than normal, this festival has a different feel, since it’s not located in a park. You can attend a car show, vendor fair and a Homecoming parade, and you can watch a prominent local figure kiss a pig. Main bands: Lights Out!, Six-Thirty Sharp |
| WindsorFest (still waiting for 2024 link) | TBA in Sept. | This one-day festival includes family-friendly activities, food and live music. Main band: still TBD |
RIP: Cross Plains World Fair, Fitchburg Days
Tags: Cottage Grove, DeForest, Fitchburg, McFarland, Middleton, Monona, Oregon, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee
