Normally at this time of year, I’d put together a round-up of the Madison-area community festivals (featuring beer tents, live music and carnivals). Unfortunately, several most all have been canceled. Let’s take a look at the status of each event, and I’ll keep this list updated:
| Events | Dates | Status/Of note |
| Syttende Mai (Stoughton) | May 15-17 | CANCELED ON MARCH 24. The Norwegian celebration features a 20-mile run from downtown Madison to Stoughton. In addition, check out the strongman competition called the “Viking Games.” |
| Festa Italia | May 29-31 | CANCELED ON APRIL 3. (This is not Fitchburg’s community festival, but since Fitchburg Days had its final event in 2018, Festa Italia is taking its place in this list.) Take part in the pasta eating contest, play some bocce ball and catch the Flags of Italy parade. |
| Verona Hometown Days | June 5-7 | CANCELED ON JULY 20. Hometown Days is back to being three days long after a one-year return to being four days long. Mainstay Cherry Pie plays on Saturday, and the big parade takes place on Sunday. |
| Fireman’s Festival (Cottage Grove) | June 18-21 | CANCELED ON MAY 6. 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 26-28 | CANCELED ON APRIL 21. 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 | CANCELED ON MAY 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 | CANCELED ON MAY 20. 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 bingo. |
| Waunafest | July 22-26 | CANCELED ON MAY 7. Waunakee has such strong community spirit, which is why this event is five-days long and 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. 20-23 | CANCELED ON JUNE 1. 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. As of July 15, will have drive-thru service. |
| Middleton Good Neighbor Festival | Aug. 28-30 | CANCELED ON JUNE 9. Here we are at the end of the summer festival schedule. Check out the huge craft fair and the parade on University Avenue. New this year is an open-campus concept, allowing you to drink throughout the grounds. |
Note: I didn’t include the McFarland Family Festival since it takes place in the fall.
Tags: Cottage Grove, DeForest, Fitchburg, Middleton, Monona, Oregon, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee
