La Fete du Marquette (or just “fete” if you’re a local) is an annual neighborhood festival. It’s free and open to the public, and is the major fundraiser for the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center. Loosely tied to Wisconsin explorer* Father Jacque Marquette, the festival focuses on French and French-adjacent music and culture. This includes Cajun, Zydeco, French-Canadian and anything else slightly French-ish. There are numerous food stands from local restaurants, though sadly none of them ever seem to serve French or Cajun Food. However, there is plenty of beer, Chocolate Shoppe ice cream, and fried things on sticks. Plan to park at least a few blocks away and walk, as there is no lot for McPike Park. A chair, or blanket for sprawling on the ground to listen, is also recommended. If your kids aren’t big music fans, there are children’s plenty of activities for them, plus horse and carriage rides and other carnival games.

La Fete du Marquette
McPike Park
202 S Ingersoll St
Madison, WI 53703

*for a given value of white dude “finding” “unexplored” land