Time again for my annual round-up of Madison-area community festivals (beer tents, live music and carnivals), which begin this coming weekend. A few years ago we lost the Cross Plains World Fair, and now this year Fitchburg Days has been canceled.
| Events | Dates | Of note |
| Syttende Mai (Stoughton) | May 17-19 | The Norwegian celebration features a 20-mile run from downtown Madison to Stoughton. In addition, check out the strongman competition called the “Viking Games.” |
| Verona Hometown Days | May 30-June 2 | Hometown Days is back to being four days long after it was shortened last year. New this year is the electric laser light show on Thursday. Mainstay Cherry Pie plays on Saturday, and the big parade takes place on Sunday. |
| Fireman’s Festival (Cottage Grove) | June 13-16 | This festival has a little bit of everything, from the Smokin’ Hot BBQ contest to a horse pull. Plus, Legion and Home Talent League baseball games take place all weekend, and Madison County performs on Saturday. |
| Oregon Summer Fest | June 20-23 | See cars from all decades in the annual car show, and enjoy ribs and BBQ chicken at the Oregon-Brooklyn Lions Club “Thrilla on the Grilla.” Plus, take part in the volleyball, softball and cornhole tournaments. |
| Monona Community Festival | July 3-4 | I’ve always enjoyed the 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 an art and craft fair. |
| DeForest Area 4th of July Celebration | July 3-4 | Definitely the worst website of all the communities. The parade is the central event; others include live music (with the most crowded beer tent of all beer tents), a car show and pony rides. |
| Waunafest | July 25-28 | 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. The Lions Club hosts a huge grass volleyball tournament called WaunaSpike. |
| Sweet Corn Festival (Sun Prairie) | Aug. 15-18 | 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, you will see midget car racing and a tractor pull. |
| Middleton Good Neighbor Festival | Aug. 23-25 | Here we are at the end of the summer festival schedule. Check out the huge craft fair and the parade on University Avenue (former UW Band Director Mike Leckrone is the grand marshal). Don’t drink too much, as there are only like five porta-potties, sadly. |
Note: I didn’t include the McFarland Family Festival since it takes place in the fall.
Tags: Cottage Grove, DeForest, Middleton, Monona, Oregon, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee
