Madison’s Town Park welcomed visitors from all over Lake Country and beyond on April 26 as the city held the 28th annual MadFest.
Since 1997, the City of Madison has celebrated the advent of spring with this free, family-friendly event featuring spring flowers, garden plants, handmade arts and crafts, regional food, creative crafting activities, and great live music.
The weather was near perfect this year, as it was for the 2024 iteration of the event. In fact, Madison has been blessed with excellent weather for all the outdoor events it held over the last three weeks.
According to the city’s website, this year’s MadFest showcased “distinctive, handmade work and wares from more than 75 local and regional crafters, artists and designers selling everything from pottery, woodwork, and jewelry, to handcrafted soaps, candles, preserves, leather goods and much more.”
Amici offered ice-cold beer on the Gazebo Terrace while other vendors set up on Second Street with a variety of tasty selections to be enjoyed while listening to music from Gridrocked, Kris Dewberry, Swing Theory, Leeroy Voodoo, The Squirrel Heads, and Pickled Holler.
Kids of all ages visited the Crafting Tent to create their own handmade masterpieces or have their faces painted.
The Madison Artists Guild hosted a one-day Plein Air Paint Out from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., and all of the artwork was brought to the Town Park Pavilion for judging and awards.
Once again, visitors got a chance to ponder the mysteries of the universe at the Charlie Elliott Astronomy tent and had a chance to look at the sun through safe solar viewing telescopes.
MadFest organizers are dedicated to supporting and encouraging makers and growers in the region, while simultaneously offering visitors a unique festival experience.