Annual festival in Wauwatosa continues to grow



WAUWATOSA (WITI) -- Tosafest 2014 continues Wauwatosa's 38 year tradition of music, food, and family fun to celebrate the historic village and community spirit on September 5th through the 6th.

There is something for everyone at this year's Tosafest -- and every year it grows.

"We have a much larger kids area with lots of rides and activities, and we put the stage all the way at the far end of a large parking lot so it gives the people the sense of space, I think it's a great addition," said Wauwatosa Mayor, Kathy Ehley.

But tradition has kept this fest going.

"This has been a long standing tradition for the last 38 years," said Taste of Tosa Organizer, John Raisler.

The Taste of Tosa is a cupcake and chilli tasting competition.

"This year, we're looking at 14 cupcakes across the whole bar and about 7 chilli's this year. We ask family, children, restaurant competes this year, so we try to get a mix of community to participate," said Raisler.

Judges from the community taste each and every delicious and decorated treat before feasting on the hearty homemade chilli.

"At the end of the day, we take our cupcakes to the food court area and we sell them. The chilli, we like to combine them and make whapatola chilli and sell it, and those monies go to charities as well," Raisler said.

The Tosafest has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities.

"A lot of those groups benefit from those net proceeds help with the volunteering form setting up, the wrestling teams, the pom pom squads, the cheerleaders, the bands, the police, the fire, they all get donations," Ehley said.

It's a family atmosphere that promises a good time.

"It's an annual reunion that is really fun. That's what it feels like, a community annual reunion," said Ehley.