Weather Should Be Picture Perfect for Tosafest This Weekend

The community will come together this weekend to enjoy local fare and entertainment during the 32nd annual Tosafest.

The event, to be held Friday evening and all day Saturday, supports local community safety, education and neighborhood improvement projects.

"We are hoping that we are going to have a really good year because the weather is going to be great," said Ann Raisler, one of the organizers of the event.

"So many businesses this year were really good about sponsoring us that we are thinking that we are will be able to bring in a lot more money this year than in the past few years," Raisler added.

Tosafest also allows participating local businesses and non-profit organizations to market themselves to the Wauwatosa community, Raisler said.

"I tell them (the organizations) that this is a fundraising event, but more importantly this is a marketing event, so they are out selling their name," Raisler said.

The event features an array of local music, food and family fun options. 

Some of new food vendors include from Brookfield and SE Azn Cuizeine on Wheelz, both of which will be serving menu items from food trucks.

"They (Haute Taco) have really good tacos and burritos, and they are high-end stuff. We are excited to have them," Raisler said. "SE Azn Cuizine has some really good Asian food that we are expecting to be really good."

Musical acts consist of The Steelheads, Midnight Groove, Uptown Savages and Altered 5 on Friday night.

On Saturday, bands consisting of Under The Glass, Modern Giants, Spanglish and King Solomon on the Dave and Buster's State Street Stage. On the Maxie's Harwood Stage, musical acts such as The Bloodstones, Katz Sass, Southbound, Leroy Airmaster and Greg Koch will play.

"We brought back a lot of the popular bands that everyone really likes," Raisler said.

Also new this year is the Tosa Skateboarders United, which will be performing Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. The group also will set up ramps for bikers and skateboarders to show off their own skills.

Frisbee and soccer tournaments will also be held during the event and the Kids Korner will feature a fire juggling act, gymnastics, Bingo the Magical Clown and the Slippery Science Fun Station.

Saturday evening will be highlighted by the Badgerland Striders Run, a 5K run that begins at 5:30 p.m. 

And let's not forget the Tosafest Chili Cookoff, which starts at 2 p.m. Saturday. The event culminates with prizes and the "Wauwatosa Wapatuli," in which chili recipes are combined into three or four pots, creating a unique flavor.

"They come in flocks. They know exactly when the chili will come out," Raisler said. "It's one of the best deals of the fair, because they get this nice big bowl of chili."

Another highlight of the fest will be a 9/11 memorial ceremony featuring the Wauwatosa Fire Department honor guard at 5 p.m. Saturday. And throughout Tosafest, the for the first time.

Tosafest, which is held in the Village area of the city, runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. Complete information on Tosafest, including a complete schedule of activities, visit the festival's website.