Historic image of a Festival IGA storefront

Festival Foods:

Over 75 Years of Family, Fun & Food

For more than 75 years, Festival Foods has fueled a culture of excellence — from positively impacting communities to ensuring quality products and an exceptional experience. It's a place where customers are guests and associates are family. It's a place where family, fun and food come together. It's a place where the successes of the last 75 years fuel an ongoing passion for the next 75. Take a look:

Timeline

2022

Today

Today

Today

As a family- and employee-owned company, Festival Foods operates 39 grocery stores with a commitment to provide exceptional food and an extraordinary experience for years to come.

2022

2021

2021

Skogen’s Festival Foods Purchases Store in New London, Wisconsin.

2022

Summer 2021

Summer 2021

2021

Festival Foods opens a new store location in Greenfield, Wisconsin on July 16.

2022

2021

2021

2021

Festival Foods opens a new location in West Allis, Wisconsin.

2022

2019

2019

2019

Festival Foods opens two new stores in Verona and Hales Corners.

2022

2018

2018

2018

Festival Foods acquires a new location in Mauston.

2022

2017

2017

2017

Festival Foods opens in Portage and Baraboo and acquires two new locations in Eau Claire.

2022

2016

2016

2016

Festival Foods opens the Green Bay – University Ave location.

2022

2016

2016

2016

Festival Foods opens in Somers, Wisconsin.

2022

2016

2016

2016

Festival Foods opens in Madison, Wisconsin.

2022

2016

2016

2016

Festival Foods opens in Menasha, Wisconsin.

2022

2015

2015

2015

Festival Foods opens in Janesville, Wisconsin.

2022

2014

2014

2014

The Festival Foods team grew to over 5,000 associates — and counting.

2022

2014

2014

2014

Festival Foods opens in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.

2022

2014

2014

2014

Festival Foods opens in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.

2022

2013

2013

2013

Festival Foods opens in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

2022

2012

2012

2012

Festival Foods opens in Neenah, Wisconsin.

2022

2011

2011

2011

Festival Foods opens La Crosse Village location in Wisconsin.

2022

2011

2011

2011

Festival Foods opens in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

2022

2010

2010

2010

Festival Foods opens in Suamico, Wisconsin.

2022

2007

2007

2007

Festival Foods held the first annual Turkey Trot – a Thanksgiving Day tradition for runners, walkers and dogs of all ages. Benefiting the local YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs, this community event is the perfect guilt-free solution for eating your weight in mashed potatoes.

2022

2008

2008

2008

Festival Foods opens in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

2022

2007

2007

Festival Foods opens in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

2022

2007

2007

2007

Festival Foods opens Appleton Northland location in Wisconsin.

2022

2006

2006

2006

Festival Foods opens Appleton Darboy location in Wisconsin.

2022

2006

2006

2006

Festival Foods opens La Crosse Copeland location in Wisconsin.

2022

2006

2006

2006

Dave’s son Mark Skogen — a third generation family member — became CEO. Mark continues to serve as Festival Foods President and CEO.

2022

2005

2005

Mark Skogen received the Wisconsin Grocer of the Year award from the Wisconsin Grocers Association.

2022

2005

2005

2005

Festival Foods converts the Skogen’s IGA location in Holmen, Wisconsin to a Festival Foods.

2022

2003

2003

2003

Festival’s Boomerang Principle was born — every business decision made at Festival Foods is based on the question, ‘Will it bring the guest back?’

2022

2003

2003

2003

Festival Foods opens in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

2022

2002

2002

Festival Foods opens in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

2022

2001

2001

2001

Festival Foods opens in De Pere, Wisconsin.

2022

1999

1999

1999

Festival became a Servant Leadership Company. What does that mean? It means associates and management alike work ‘side by side’ to ensure each individual has everything they need to succeed within their position.

2022

1999

1999

1999

The Festival ‘Big Cart’ — the largest shopping cart in the world, standing 12.5 feet high and 18 feet long — made its first appearance.

2022

1998

1998

Festival Foods opens Green Bay East location.

2022

1997

1997

1997

Festival Foods sponsors annual fireworks shows across the state. Today, Festival Foods sponsors an annual fireworks show in 18 cities in Wisconsin.

2022

1995

1995

1995

Festival Foods opens a location on the west side of Green Bay.

2022

1993

1993

1993

Festival Foods introduced Ribs on a Stick — a favorite for tailgate-goers and family dinner alike. Made out of boneless center cut pork loins, they’re split and skewered in plain or marinated varieties and are great on a grill or in the oven.

2022

1993

1993

Festival Foods opens in Marshfield, Wisconsin.

2022

1990

1990

1990

The Skogen family identified a shifting trend in consumer buying habits and decided a change of store format was best for the company’s future. The first Skogen-owned Festival Foods grocery store was opened in Onalaska.

2022

1989

1989

1989

Dave Skogen was named the national IGA Retailer of the Year award.

2022

1987

1987

1987

Adding to a growing number of signature items, the Skogen family created a premium quality blend of lean meats and savory spices researched from the Old World recipes of German sausage makers. This meaty recipe was proudly named Oktoberfest Brats. Smothered with tangy kraut and spicy mustard or sizzling solo in a river of red ketchup – this quickly emerged a brat lover’s brat!

2022

1974-82

1974-82

1974-82

The company grew to seven Skogen’s IGA stores in Wisconsin and Dave Skogen was named president of the company.

2022

1975

1975

1975

The very first Skogen’s Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) opened in Onalaska’s Center 90 shopping center. Paul’s son, Dave, joined the family business and was committed to operating with a hands-on philosophy.

2022

1946

1946

1946

With only $500 of borrowed money and a lot of enthusiasm, Paul and Jane Skogen opened a 3,000 square foot grocery store that was attached to their house in Onalaska, Wisconsin.