FAQs

FAQs2019-02-26T18:30:41-06:00
What Events are on July 3rd?2026-06-17T16:10:15-05:00

Taste of Monona in the Park 1p – 10p

Music Tent  3p – 12a

Art & Craft Fair 3p – 8:30p

Team Trivia 3p – 5p

$5,000 Hole in One Contest 3p – 8p

LIVE MUSIC:

Charm School Rejects 5:30 – 7:30p

Foo Foo Dolls 8:30 – midnight

Kid’s Zone Events:

Climbing wall & Bungee trampoline 3p – 8p

Carnival 2p – 9p

What Events are on July 4th?2026-06-17T16:25:57-05:00

Art & Craft Fair 10a – 5p

Music Tent  11a – midnight

Taste of Monona in the Park 11a – 11p

$5,000 Hole in One Contest 11a – 8p

Drag Queen Bingo 11a – 1p

K9 Operations Demo 3:45p – 4p

Wife Carry Championship 4p – 5p

Fireworks 9:20 (Dusk)

July 4th is K9 Night – All tips garnered at the Music Tent will be donated to Recon

LIVE MUSIC:

Funkee JBeez 2 – 4p

The Whiskey Fund 5 – 7p

Granny Shot  8 – midnight

Kid’s Zone Events:

Most events are near the Dream Park Shelter unless otherwise noted.

Face Painting 10a – 4p

Climbing wall & Bungee trampoline 11a – 8p (near the Music Tent)

Carnival 11a – 8:30p

Children’s Bike Parade (Starts at Winnequah School Upper Parking Lot) 11a

Glitter Tattoos & Hair Tinsel 11a – 3p

Kids’ Water Fights & Fire Truck Display (Tennis Ct Lot by Pool) 11:30a – 1p

Balloon Twists 1p-3p

Magic Shows 12:30 – 2p

Children’s Musicians 2p-4p

Monona Library Book Bike 11a – 2p

 

What is the music schedule?2026-06-17T16:07:13-05:00

2026 Music Lineup in the Music Tent:

July 3rd

Charm School Rejects 5:30 – 7:30 PM

Foo Foo Dolls 8:30 – Midnight

July 4th

Funkee JBeez 2.- 4 PM

The Whiskey Fund 5 – 7 PM

Granny Shot 8 – Midnight

 

Kids’ Zone Music in the Dream Park Shelter

July 4th

Children’s Musicians by Casey & Greg 2 – 4 PM

 

For the Music Lineup: Music

For Family Fun Events: Kids’ Zone

For a full Schedule of Events: Events

Where are things located?2026-06-17T16:11:52-05:00
Are any roads closed to public traffic?2026-06-17T16:24:32-05:00

We recommend arriving early to snag a spot in the street. Even better – ride a bike, take the City of Madison 38 bus, or walk to the festival and avoid parking issues. Accessible parking will be available at the Monona Community Center parking lot.

  • No road closures on July 3rd!

  • Healy Ln will be closed on the 4th

  • Nichols Rd from Schluter Rd to Winnequah Rd will be closed on the 4th

  • For safety and security on July 4th City of Monona institutes single side parking only on all streets around the Festival grounds and throughout the surrounding streets.

  • Parking will be available close by at the Fireman’s Park Shelter Lot, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Monona United Methodist Church, and the Monona Grove School District parking lots.

  • Winnequah School Lower Level Lot is mostly reserved for Art Fair Vendors and all vehicles must exit that lot by 7p on July 4th due to fireworks debris. Any vehicle in the Winnequah School Lower Level Parking Lot after 7p July 4th will be towed.

Roads highlighted in yellow on the map below will have single side parking on July 4th.

For Parking information: Location & Parking

What food options will be available?2026-06-17T16:37:44-05:00

We have some incredible food vendors this year for our Taste of Monona in the Park:

 

  • Toast

  • SoHo

  • Sandwich Hub

  • Los Cowboys

  • Jolly Frog

  • Cafe Costa Rica

  • Bob’s BBQ Emporium

  • Cinn City Smash

  • Kona Shaved Ice

  • Salvatore’s

  • Rocky’s Pizza

  • Chocolate Shoppe

  • Ernie’s Kettle Korn

  • True Coffee

  • Take Two Bakery

Where does the money from the festival go?2026-06-17T16:18:30-05:00

New in 2025 the Monona Community Festival Giving Back Initiative was instituted where MCF board was able to choose local organizations to donate funds. Other than the operating budget, all the profits go back into the community in many ways. Over the years the Monona Festival Committee has donated significant funds to various sources, including:

    • Monona Volunteer Fire Department
    • Monona Police
    • Monona Farmers Market
    • Monona Public Library Building Fund
    • Monona Dream Park, Winnequah Park Gazebo 
    • Construction of the Children’s Pool at the Monona Public Pool
    • Annual scholarship to Monona Grove High School & donations to area high school booster clubs
    • Monona Senior Center
    • McFarland Police Explorers
    • Monona Swim & Dive Club
    • Monona Public Works
    • City of Monona
    • Monona Parks & Recreation Department
    • Monona Grove Education Foundation
    • Monona Forestry Fund
    • Monona Grove DECA Club
    • Monona Grove Lacrosse Club
    • Monona Grove McFarland Wrestling Club
    • Dan Johnson Scholarship
    • The Penguin Project of SPCT
    • Social Justice Center
    • Friends of San Damiano
    • East Madison Ice Collective
    • St. Stephen’s Food Pantry
    • ArtWorking
    • Achieveabilities
    • Norah’s Giving Heart Inc.
    • Dane County Humane Society

All Tips garnered at the bar on the 3rd of July will be donated to the Monona Fire Department Association.

All tips garnered at the bar on the 4th will be donated to Monona Police Department Facility Service Dog Program. See K9 Night

Is there a cover charge to enter the music tent?2026-06-17T16:13:26-05:00

No, there is no cover charge to see the bands and enjoy the events.

Free: Music! Team Trivia! Drag Bingo! Fireworks!

Free & especially for Kids: Face Painting, Bike Parade, Water Fights, Fire Truck Display, Balloon Twists, Magic Shows, Children’s Musicians and more!

What you might want to bring money for:  Taste of Monona, Beer & Wine, Art & Craft Fair with over 40 vendors, $5,000 Hole-in-One Contest, Wife Carry Championship, Climbing Wall & Bungee Trampolines, & the Carnival.

 

What are the entrances to the Music Tent?2026-06-16T16:39:35-05:00

The daytime entrance closes at 8 PM to allow families to enjoy the Music Tent, trivia, and other events that take place together. After 8 PM adults over 21 can enter the main entrance on Nichols Rd.

What happens if there is a Tornado or Severe Storm?2026-06-16T16:43:21-05:00

In the case of severe weather, the festival grounds will be evacuated and all attendees will be directed to seek shelter in the lower level of Winnequah School, Maywood School, Monona Community Center, and the Monona Library. Police, Security, and Festival staff will direct attendees if the need for an evacuation is determined.

Do I need tickets to purchase food and beverage?2026-06-16T16:59:08-05:00
In order to purchase beer or wine, you will need to visit our ticket tent. Beer is 1 ticket each. Food carts will accept cash and debit/credit without the need for tickets.
Is there a lost and found?2026-06-16T17:06:47-05:00
If you lost items during the festival, please inquire at the at the main bar of the music tent and provide a description of the lost items. After the festival, items are turned over to the Monona Police Department. You can call (608) 222-0463 after the festival to see if your items have been found.
Where is the festival?2026-06-16T17:37:22-05:00

All events are held at Winnequah Park, 1055 Nichols Rd, Monona, WI 53716

More Information Here

What happens if it rains?2019-07-04T09:18:37-05:00

The festival goes on rain or shine, but if severe storms approach the fireworks or other events may be cancelled. Check out our Facebook page for up to date information.

When do the fireworks start?2026-06-16T17:51:11-05:00

Dusk – Around 9:20pm on July 4th.

See Fireworks for recommended viewing areas.

Can I bring my pet?2026-06-16T17:51:33-05:00

Only certified service animals are permitted in the park, please leave your pets at home.

How long do the fireworks last and where do they take place?2026-06-16T17:52:03-05:00

The fireworks are launched near the baseball diamonds, just north of the Monona Community Pool. The show lasts approximately 25 minutes.

See Fireworks for recommended viewing areas.
How do I volunteer for the festival?2026-06-16T18:06:31-05:00

Please visit our volunteer page to learn more about becoming a volunteer.

What is the best way to get there?2023-06-29T10:10:24-05:00

For more information visit the Transport Information Page.

Is there accessible parking?2026-06-16T18:10:16-05:00

Accessible parking is available in the Monona Community Center Parking Lot. We also have a shuttle from the parking lot to the festival entrance.

 

See Maps for more information.

Is there Wi-Fi at the park?2026-06-16T18:10:55-05:00

There is no Wi-Fi in the park.

What does the festival do to minimize it’s enviromental impact?2026-06-16T18:12:48-05:00

All of the fireworks materials, golf balls, trash and recycling are picked up after each festival, and we try to leave the park better than we found it! In fact, we partner with local organizations to leave no trace behind!

Are debit or credit cards accepted?2026-06-16T18:14:24-05:00

Yes! The Music Tent, Hole-In-One, Trampoline & Bungee, and many of the Art Fair vendors take credit cards.

When is the festival?2026-06-16T18:16:25-05:00

The Monona Community Festival is officially open July 3rd & 4th each year.

Where can I park?2026-06-17T16:44:13-05:00
  • For safety and security on July 4th City of Monona institutes single side parking only on all streets around the Festival grounds and throughout the surrounding streets.

  • Parking will be available close by at the Fireman’s Park Shelter Lot, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Monona United Methodist Church, and the Monona Grove School District parking lots.

  • Winnequah School Lower Level Lot is mostly reserved for Art Fair Vendors and all vehicles must exit that lot by 7p on July 4th due to fireworks debris. Any vehicle in the Winnequah School Lower Level Parking Lot after 7p July 4th will be towed.

 

 

Roads highlighted in yellow on the map below will have single side parking on July 4th.

For Parking information: Location & Parking

Does is cost to park?2018-12-12T23:01:36-06:00

All parking is free street parking, or in a public lot.

Can I bring my own chairs?2026-06-17T16:10:56-05:00

Yes, you can bring your own chairs.

Have a question?

Let us know if you have a question that is not answered in our FAQs.

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