Fighting Bob Fests I-XI have been graced with many heroes. The late Senator Paul Simon, RFK Jr., Russ Feingold, Amy Goodman, Phil Donahue, Cindy Sheehan, Doris "Granny D" Haddock; Congress members Gwen Moore, Tom Harkin, Bernie Sanders, Tammy Baldwin, John Conyers, Dennis Kucinich and David Obey; Green Party presidential candidates Cynthia McKinney and David Cobb, Ralph Nader; and, what would a Wisconsin Chautauqua be without Stan Gruszynski, John Nichols, Bob McChesney, Mike McCabe and the nation’s favorite populist, Jim Hightower?

Some 1,200 attended our first Fest; year two saw 2,500, year three more than 4,000, and so on. In 2008 around 10,000 jammed the fairgrounds. People are inspired by great speakers and from the knowledge that, as they look around, they are not alone in fighting the good fight. While some say we preach to the choir, we say the choir needs inspiration as well. And we have fun!

My role? I keep the program rolling on time. So, come, enjoy, participate, raise hell, and take words into action. See you in Madison.

Ed Garvey
Editor and Publisher of FightingBob.com

Jun 13, 2013
Come to the 12th Annual Fighting Bob Fest!

Saturday, September 7th, in Madison, Wisconsin
Join 5,000-10,000 activists in the biggest annual gathering of progressives in the country!

Speakers include:
Sen. Tammy Baldwin
Sen. Bernie Sanders (invited)
Jim Hightower
Rep. Gwen Moore
Rep. Mark Pocan
Will Durst
Ruth Conniff
John Nichols
Ed Garvey

8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. at the Alliant Center
Fighting Bob Fest, founded by Ed Garvey, is co-sponsored by
The Progressive magazine and the Madison Capital Times.

Phil Donahue and Norm Solomon will headline the Fighting Bob Fest kick off event this Friday night, September 14. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the event will begin at 6 p.m.

Seating is very limited. In order to secure a spot, get there early! There is no admission fee. Per usual, we will ask for donations to help offset the costs. The Goodman Center is located on the East-Side of Madison at 149 Waubesa Street. Jim Hightower, Greg Palast and Ruth Conniff will take to the podium to excite the crowd for another great Bob Fest weekend. Norm Solomon will show a brief segment of his film War Made Easy, narrated by Sean Penn. Phil Donahue will introduce his film Body of War.  We also have a suprise guest!

And, if you haven't already, register now for Saturday's Fighting Bob Fest.

Dear Fellow Progressives,

Ed Garvey and organizers at Fighting Bob Fest along with the BobFest North committee are proud to add Dave Obey to our May 21st program. The former Congressman adds his name to an already impressive list of BobFest North speakers. The public servant who banged the gavel on Health Care reform will be banging his fist on the BobFest Podium in Chippewa Falls this month. The theme Money and Democracy, and Dave Obey will be an important guest to add his thoughts on the subject.

In other recent news: Fab 14 Member Kathleen Vinehout has also has agreed to speak at BobFest North. Tony Schultz committed to speak on May 21st as well. The musical styling of Left Wing Bourbon will play throughout the day and night. Left Wing Bourbon is an excellent blues band known for their regular appearances at Durand Blues Festival and Blues on the Chippewa. See full list of speakers below.

BobFest North has been over two years in the making. It all started when Ed Garvey visited the Chippewa Valley two years ago to meet with local community activists. He challenged a committed few with a simple idea: That idea was one Paul Wellstone had before he died. Wellstone wanted to see a BobFest closer to the Twin Cities. This simple idea will come alive in less than two weeks. Come and be able to say you were there for the first BobFest North.

We hope to see you there. Please spread the word to any and all interested progressives. Help us build the crowd and build the movement.

"The people of this country, not special interest big money, should be the source of all political power." - Paul Wellstone

Updates on speakers, performers, vendor and booth opportunities as well as driving directions, maps, and accommodation can be found online at www.fightingbobfestnorth.org and on our Facebook group

Fighting Bob Fest is an annual Chautauqua featuring progressive speakers, networking opportunities, and entertainment. Fighting Bob Fest carries on the tradition of Robert “Fighting Bob” La Follette by providing a forum for progressive ideas on issues facing Wisconsin and the nation.

Freedom and justice are defended through education, and the exchange of ideas promotes solidarity among progressives. To this end, Fighting Bob Fest strives to provide citizens with a forum for democratic participation where frustrations with current policies can be constructively molded into calls to action.