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, which will be updated as more information gets published:
| Events | Dates | Status/Of note |
| Syttende Mai (Stoughton) | May 16-18 | This Norwegian celebration kicks off the summer slate of community events. The former 20-mile run from Madison to Stoughton is now a half-marathon in 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 Lounge Lizards, State Line Play Boys. |
| Festa Italia (Fitchburg) | May 31-June 1 | This year, this de facto Fitchburg community event finally avoided being scheduled during the same weekend as Verona Hometown Days. Take part in the pasta eating contest, compete in the bocce tournament, watch the cooking demos and catch the Flags of Italy parade. Main bands: VO5, The Jimmys. |
| Verona Hometown Days | June 6-8 | 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 |
| Fireman’s Festival (Cottage Grove) | June 12-15 | 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 car show, a kids’ tractor pull and a half-marathon/5K called Hot 2 Trot. Main bands: The Ramble, Breaking Cadence |
| Oregon Summer Fest | June 20-22 | As usual, organizers are slow to announce the schedule of events. In the past, this festival has featured fireworks on Saturday and ribs and BBQ chicken at the Oregon-Brooklyn Lions Club “Thrilla on the Grilla” on Sunday. Plus, a cornhole tournament, a pickleball tournament and a parade. Main bands: TBA |
| Monona Community Festival | July 3-4 | After years of dwindling volunteer help and funds, event organizers announced the 2024 event would be the last, and that finally got the community to pitch in. This festival hosts the annual Wisconsin Wife Carry Championship, plus a car show, an art fair, fireworks and my favorite event, the $5,000 hole-in-one challenge. Also of note is a cigar tent. Main bands: SuperTuesday, Granny Shot |
| DeForest Area 4th of July Celebration | July 3-4 | For some reason, this event doesn’t have its own website, but at least this year, the schedule was published early. The festival has fewer events than other festivals but has the requisite parade, car show and the most crowded beer tent of all beer tents, plus pony rides and bingo. Main bands: Cherry Pie, SuperTuesday |
| Waunafest | July 24-27 | 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, as well as a parade, arts and crafts fair, a race and a huge grass volleyball tournament called WaunaSpike. Be warned that parking can be difficult, and Centennial Park is under construction with the building of the new splash park. Main bands: The Retrospecz, Best Practice |
| Sweet Corn Festival (Sun Prairie) | Aug. 13-17 | 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: unlike the other festivals, there is a charge for admission and parking. Main bands: SuperTuesday, The Jimmys |
| Middleton Good Neighbor Festival | Aug. 22-24 | 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: TBA |
| McFarland Family Festival | Sept. 26-28 | This festival has a different feel, since it’s not located in a park; rather, it’s scattered throughout downtown. Typically, 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: TBA |
| WindsorFest | Sept. 27 | This one-day festival includes family-friendly activities, food and live music. Main band: TBA |
RIP: Cross Plains World Fair, Fitchburg Days
Tags: Cottage Grove, DeForest, Fitchburg, McFarland, Middleton, Monona, Oregon, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee
