Wauwatosa's central village is about to transform into a hub of music, food and fun when TosaFest returns for two days of festivities.
With a full lineup of concerts and other activities on Sept. 5 and 6, Tosa Village will look worlds apart from a month ago, when the Menomonee River rose and expanded to encompass much of the adjacent public space. Some of the worst damage was to Café Hollander's lower-level kitchen, which forced the restaurant, a centerpiece of the village business district, to close for repairs.
But Hollander won't be sitting out this TosaFest. It announced this week that its bar would reopen to patrons during the festival.
"Swing inside for your favorite drinks, then head out to the patio where Buckatabon will be serving up bites from their TosaFest menu," the restaurant posted on social media. "It’s all happening. See you at the fest!"
Festival attendance is free, though some scheduled events require paid tickets. Full details are on the Village of Wauwatosa website. If you are thinking about checking out this year's TosaFest, here's a sampling of what to expect.
When and where to go
TosaFest is presented this year by Refined & Co. The festival's advertised times are 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6. Interior village roads will close starting at 10 a.m. Friday.
Music will be featured on three stages, the State Street Stage near the Wauwatosa Avenue intersection, the Underwood Stage near the Harmonee Avenue intersection and the Root Common Stage in the park of the same name on Harwood Avenue. Food and vendors will be spread throughout the festival grounds.
Parking is available at most of the normal public parking lots, including all but one closed portion of the Hart Park lot, and on residential side streets.
Music lineups
State Street Stage
- Friday, 5 p.m., Soulercoaster
- 8 p.m., Radio Radio
- Saturday, noon, Betsy Ade and the Well-Known Strangers
- 2:30 p.m., Wire & Nail
- 5 p.m., Hot & Dirty Brass Band
- 8 p.m., Something to Do
Underwood Stage
- Friday, 5 p.m., Valley Fox
- 8 p.m., Landline
- Saturday, 1 p.m., Meadowers
- 2:30 p.m., Wildered
- 5 p.m., Wisconsin Space Program
- 8 p.m., Ben Mulwana and the Village
Root Common Stage
- Friday, 5:30 p.m., Blind Fiction
- 8 p.m., Old Sam & the Teardrops
- Saturday, 3 p.m., Kirk Tatnall Trio
- 5:30 p.m., Donna Woodall Group
- 8 p.m., Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound
Festival 'Experiences'
In addition to the music that is TosaFest's central draw, organizers have lined up 11 different ticketed "experiences," from a Friday Night Fish Fry with Le Rêve to the TosaFest Volleyball Tournament sponsored Riedel Sports. Some events have limited tickets or are already sold out, so check online in advance.
Highlights include the Third Annual Cheese Curd-Eating Contest with the Village Cheese Shop at noon Saturday and the Oktoberfest Stein-Holding Competition with Draft & Vessel starting at 4:30 p.m.
Kid Zone
TosaFest is designed to be fun for the whole family. The central attraction for younger attendees is Kids Zone from 11 to 7 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot on Wauwatosa Avenue near the Harmonee Avenue intersection. Admission is free.
Attractions include inflatables, carnival games and activity stations. There will also be a face-painting station for $3, with proceeds benefiting Tosa East High School.
