Most of the Madison-area community festivals came back last year after being canceled in 2020. This year, the full slate is back.
I can’t wait for beer tents, live music and carnivals (plus carnival food). Here’s a summary of all the community festivals:
| Events | Dates | Status/Of note |
| Syttende Mai (Stoughton) | May 13-15 | The Norwegian celebration features a 20-mile run from downtown Madison to Stoughton. In addition, check out the strongman competition called the “Viking Games” and the Norse costume show. |
| Festa Italia | June 3-5 | After not being held in 2021, this defacto Fitchburg community event returns and moves from May to June. Take part in the pasta eating contest, play some bocce ball and catch the Flags of Italy parade. |
| Verona Hometown Days | June 3-5 | Hometown Days was moved to Labor Day weekend last year but returns to its normal month. A twilight run and fireworks take place on Friday, Cherry Pie is on Saturday and the big parade is on Sunday. |
| Fireman’s Festival (Cottage Grove) | June 16-19 | 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, a giant horse pull on Sunday morning and PILOT on Saturday night. |
| Oregon Summer Fest | June 23-26 | It’s back after not being held for the past two years. 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 softball and cornhole tournaments. |
| DeForest Area 4th of July Celebration | July 2-4 | 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, pony rides and bingo. |
| 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 and an art & craft fair. |
| Waunafest | July 28-31 | Last year, this festival was shortened from the original five days down to four. It’s still 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. |
| Sweet Corn Festival (Sun Prairie) | Aug. 17-21 | As the name implies, you can’t attend this event without eating some of the 75 tons of sweet corn (sold only on Saturday and Sunday). Since the event is at Angell Park, you will see midget car racing and a tractor pull. Starts one day earlier this year. |
| Middleton Good Neighbor Festival | Aug. 26-28 | Check out the huge craft fair, dog show and the parade on University Avenue. New as of last year is an open-campus concept, allowing you to drink throughout most of the grounds. |
| McFarland Family Festival | Sept. 22-25 | Here we are at the end of the summer festival schedule. This festival is being held for the first time in a few years and includes a car show, vendor fair and a parade. |
RIP: Cross Plains World Fair, Fitchburg Days
Tags: DeForest, Fitchburg, McFarland, Middleton, Monona, Oregon, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee
