Fitchburg, WI Special Events & Permits: Park Event Permits (2026)

Section 54-26 defines a large scale festival event narrowly, and every element has to be present for the rule to apply: the event is in a city park, open to the public, requires a sound permit, serves alcohol under an alcohol license, and is not sponsored in whole or in part by the city. No such event may be held in a city park unless the public safety and human services committee and the park commission approve it. The application goes to the city clerk at least 60 days before the event date, on the clerk's forms, and must include at minimum a site plan for the event, a schedule of events, a security plan, and proof of insurance.

The committee may condition its approval on a security deposit in an amount not exceeding what it deems sufficient to cover the city services the event will require, and approval under this section does not excuse the organizer from separately obtaining a park shelter reservation, alcohol license, or sound permit. Section 54-26(e) adds a financial backstop: the organizer must pay all city-incurred costs not required up front, including security or damage costs, within 60 days of being invoiced, and failure to pay in full within that window makes the event or its applicants ineligible for a large scale festival event permit the following year.