After a rainy 25th anniversary of the event in 2025, the association’s members wanted to come back even stronger. Visitors from all over the Midwest attend the event and many of them asked for the addition of the second day, said Ray Kumapayi, President of the African Association of Madison.
The 26th annual Africa Fest is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m The festival is held at McPike Park, 203 S. Ingersoll St. in Madison. Hosted by The African Association of Madison, Africa Fest will feature a number of family-friendly, educational booths and events. The cost of attendance is free, while vendors sell food and crafts.
The celebration will kick off with a ‘Strides for Africa Run/Walk’ at 10 a.m. The official opening takes place at 1 pm, featuring a speech by Kumapayi, a traditional libation by a Chief from the Royal Family of the Benin Kingdom, and remarks by invited elected officials. The official opening will end with the famous “Parade of Nations”.
Performances by local African groups follow the parades. Finally, live music from various bands takes place from 7-10 p.m. Sunday follows an abbre
A part of the association since its founding in 1993, Kumapayiguides his members to another year of African culture celebration in Madison. Members of the association worked hard to make this two-day event possible through volunteer and donation efforts. Funding for the event also comes from community sponsors and grants.
Maintaining tradition and teaching the next generation culture that may otherwise dissipate is paramount to the association, said Kumapayi. Africa Fest, in part, is to teach youth about their culture in a memorable way.
“Some of (the youth) may not be completely aware of everything about their culture since there is no way for them to learn about their cultural heritage. (Africa Fest) is so they too can be proud and be part of it,” said Kumapayi.
Each year, excitement builds around the “Parade of Nations,” which features a flag from each of Africa’s 54 countries. The parade shows the greater Madison community the various African cultures represented within it, said Kumapayi. It also brings Africans around Madison together, said Kumapayi.
“It’s a beautiful thing to see,” Kampayi said. “So that’s one thing for those of us who have been here to showcase ourselves to the Madison community. Then the other thing too is it keeps us in touch too, because you know we don’t want to forget our culture,” said Kumapayi.”
The African Village Tent, hosted by the African Women’s Association, is themed ‘The Fabric of Africa’ for 2026. The tent is incredibly educational and an important part of the festival to attend, Kumapayi said.
Sharing and spreading culture is of utmost importance, said Kumapayi. The festival is for anyone and everyone to come, learn and take part in various African cultures, said Kumapayi.
“We are open to, we always say, friends of Africa. That means if you want to be part of anything, whether you’re white, you’re Black, you’re Hispanic or you’re Asian. We’re open. That’s the one great thing about that,” said Kumapayi.
