The Belgian Days Festival returned to Brussels, Wisconsin, bringing together residents and visitors for a weekend of traditional food, family activities, and cultural celebrations. Now in its 65th year, the annual event honors the village’s Belgian roots and highlights the community’s long-standing traditions.
Brussels, Wisconsin, is recognized as the largest Belgian settlement outside Europe. Each year, the festival attracts people interested in experiencing authentic Belgian cuisine, local history, and community spirit.
The celebration began on Friday and continues through Sunday, featuring games, entertainment, cultural activities, and a variety of traditional Belgian dishes prepared by local volunteers.
One of the festival’s biggest attractions is its homemade Belgian pie. Volunteers spend days preparing favorite recipes that have been passed down through generations.
Sue Marchant, a longtime volunteer, has participated in Belgian Days since the festival first began during the 1960s. Every year, she helps bake apple, prune, rice, and cherry pies using a family recipe that has remained unchanged for decades.
Marchant said volunteering is an important part of the event because it allows community members to preserve local traditions while supporting charitable causes. She and her husband are members of the local Lions Club, which organizes much of the food service during the festival.
The Lions Club uses the event to raise funds for community projects while serving visitors some of the region’s most well-known Belgian dishes. Volunteers prepare large quantities of traditional meals throughout the weekend.
Among the featured foods is potato jutt, a classic Belgian-style dish made with mashed potatoes, spinach, butter, and seasonings. Visitors can also enjoy chicken booyah, a hearty regional soup that has become a longtime favorite at community gatherings.
Another popular specialty is Belgian trippe, a pork sausage mixed with cabbage and traditional spices. Festival volunteers say it remains one of the most requested menu items each year.
Rebecca Charles, a Brussels native and longtime volunteer, said the festival has always been an important part of her life. She has attended Belgian Days every year and enjoys helping introduce visitors to the area’s unique Belgian heritage.
According to Charles, the strongest part of the celebration is the sense of community. Families, friends, and visitors come together to celebrate shared traditions while welcoming newcomers who want to learn more about Belgian culture.
Beyond the food, the festival offers activities for all ages. Guests can take part in games, enjoy live entertainment, and learn about the history of Belgian immigration to northeastern Wisconsin.
Local organizers say preserving cultural traditions remains one of the festival’s primary goals. Many recipes, customs, and family stories continue to be shared across generations, helping younger residents stay connected to their heritage.
Community members also see the event as an opportunity to promote local tourism. Visitors travel from across Wisconsin and neighboring states to experience the festival’s unique atmosphere and authentic Belgian traditions.
The annual gathering has grown steadily over the decades while maintaining its focus on family, heritage, and volunteer service. Organizers say the continued support from local residents has helped keep the festival successful for more than six decades.
As the Belgian Days Festival continues through the weekend, organizers hope visitors leave with a greater appreciation for Brussels’ rich cultural history, traditional cuisine, and welcoming community spirit. The event remains one of Wisconsin’s best-known celebrations of Belgian heritage and continues to strengthen connections between generations while preserving traditions for the future.
