Summer fun will be in full motion July 9-11 at the Fitchburg Festival of Speed, a family-friendly event in the heart of Fitchburg. The festival includes fun activities for spectators and participants alike, including bike and running races, live music, food carts and local beer, as well as kids’ activities like inflatables, face painting, a balloon artist and a Fitchburg fire truck on display. Here’s a rundown on some of the weekend’s highlights and what you can explore and enjoy while you’re in town.
Friday
Arrive in Fitchburg, check into one of the community’s comfortable hotels and check out the dining scene. Relax and fuel up—you’ve got a full weekend ahead!
Saturday
Pump up your bike tires! The Fitchburg Family Pharmacy 25-Mile Ride gets the weekend rolling at 7:30am. The ride starts and finishes at Agora Pavilion, and the course takes riders through some beautiful countryside south of Fitchburg. Register for the ride here.
If you’d rather get moving on your feet, sign up for the Donor Dash 5K, a run/walk that starts at 8am at Agora Pavilion. The course takes participants into the scenic Capital Springs State Recreation Area before returning to Agora Pavilion. Register for the Donor Dash here.
Small feet also have a chance to run fast in Fitchburg. A Kids’ Fun Run takes place at 2:40pm for racers age 9 and under. Get registration details here.
Grab a spot by the fence and prepare to see some fast riders: this year’s Festival of Speed is also home to the Wisconsin Cycling Association Wisconsin State Championships, and throughout the day, experienced riders will battle for $5,000 in cash prizes as they reach speeds upwards of 30 miles per hour on a closed-loop course near the Agora Pavilion. The first riders start at 10:30am, and the last race will finish at 8:15pm. If you’re an experienced racer interested in signing up, you can register for the championships here.
Sunday
Fitchburg is a biking paradise, with trails and routes that connect to nearby Madison while also taking riders into the beautiful surrounding countryside. A classic Sunday ride that’s the perfect way to end a weekend at the Festival of Speed is a trip on the Capital City State Trail, a 17-mile paved recreational route that connects to the Military Ridge State Trail and the Badger State Trail. Start by riding the stretch that travels through the Capital Springs State Recreation Area—you’ll likely encounter plenty of friendly bikers, walkers and runners enjoying this route.
See a map of the Capital City State Trail here.
Finish your ride where the Capital City State Trail hits Fish Hatchery Road. Near the crossing, you’ll find restaurants like Liliana’s Restaurant, Laredo’s Fitchburg and Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. Fitchburg. Park your bike and enjoy a great meal—after a weekend of speed, these restaurants are the perfect spots to slow down.
