In the mid-60’s- 70’s , Monona’s American Legion Post had a festival they called “Monona Fun Days”. It was held in a large field behind Ken’s Meat Market on Monona Drive. It was held there Memorial Day and featured a carnival & fireworks. But unfortunately sometime in the late 70’s – 80’s the legion post dissolved. So Monona Fun Days were taken over by a group of Monona citizens led by Dick & MariAnn Lichtfeld, Bob Schaeffer, Kathy Thomas, Zona Appel & Ernie Morchohauser. They continued to ran Monona Fun Days and changed the date to July 4th & moved the event to Winnequah Park. They eventually changed the name to Monona Community Festival and ran it for a number of years and the Monona Community Festival Committee Inc. was formed in 1985.

What started out as just a festival serving the community of Monona, has quickly become a regional destination for the 4th of July. The Monona Community Festival is one of the largest and longest running July 4th celebrations in southern Wisconsin. This two day event held in beautiful Winnequah Park includes a variety of events, music, food and fun for the whole family. Featuring the finest in regional musical entertainment, food, drink & fireworks. Many different activities highlight this event including the Wisconsin Wife Carry Championship, Food Carts in the Park featuring numerous Madison area restaurants & food carts, a family-friendly carnival, magician, kids show, $5000 Hole-in-One Contest, and our famous Art Fair in the Park. And no Independence Day festival is complete without fireworks and our gala show has been rated as one of the best in the state!