Of all Madison 's spirited shopping districts, there's probably no giddier combination of bargains, brats, people-watching and high fashion than Maxwell Street. The problem is, you won 't find Maxwell Street on a map -- unless it 's a pretty big map.

Like some sort of sales superhero, Maxwell Street is the secret identity of our own (relatively) mild-mannered State Street. Once a year, Downtown Madison turns itself inside-out, going to the streets with food, music and a massive sidewalk sale. Maxwell Street Days runs Friday through Sunday.

More than 100 stores, galleries and restaurants on State Street and the Capitol Square are taking part. More than 30,000 shoppers are expected to attend.

The event is an annual rite as Madison crests summer and begins the long, slow descent to autumn: card tables and counters, barbecue smoke, racks and racks of clothes; above it all, surveying it all, co-ed clerks atop stepladders, shepherding their stock.

This year even the Overture Center for the Arts is getting into the act, joining its neighbors outside with an entertainment stage sponsored with WMGN "Magic 98 " and the UW-Madison 's WSUM student radio. Another stage features performers organized by the Madison Folk Music Society and the Madison Songwriters Group.

"Where else can you bargain with shop owners for everything under the sun -- literally, " says organizer Mary Carbine, executive director of the Madison Central Business Improvement District. "Try on a winter coat or summer flip-flops on a hot July day, grab some ice cream, a brat and cool drink while shopping for fine art, fashions and jewelry. "

Most of the participating retailers are locally-owned and independent, such as the University Bookstore, 711 State St. Outside the store there will be deep discounts on clothing and collegiate gifts. "The nice thing about this year is that they 'll all be $5, " says store vice president Kevin Phelps.

"We always have a good time, " says Dino Christ, owner of historic Nick 's Restaurant, the "Home of Good Food ' ' at 226 State St. "It 's nice being outside and seeing all the people. " Nick 's will be offering brats, and "homemade spinach pie that my mom is hand-wrapping herself, " Christ adds. Both are priced at $3.50.

The three-day event is named for Chicago 's Maxwell Street. Late in the 19th century a permanent outdoor market was founded there by Jewish immigrants. The hot dog and Chicago 's distinctive jazz style are said to have originated on the melting pot avenue, and its market continues to evolve. It was pushed to nearby Canal Street in 1994, and today has taken on Hispanic flavoring. Madison 's imitative "Maxwell Street " sale began in 1975.

First-time participants at Madison 's outside sale will include the craft and paper retailer Anthology, and Goodwill Industries ' Downtown concept store. Other participating merchants range from boutiques and fashion shops such as Citrine, The Peacock, Sassafras, Karen and Company, Jazzman, Lands ' End Not Quite Perfect Store, Mango Boutique, Sacred Feather, Sedona, Tiger Lilly, Wintersilks and Urban Outfitters.

Other retailers include Community Pharmacy, Sacred Feather, Four Star Video Heaven, The Soap Opera, Jack 's Shoes, A Room of One 's Own, Mimosa Books and Gifts, Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative, Fontana Sports Specialties and Yellow Jersey.

Participating restaurants include Casa de Lara, Chin 's, Husnu 's, Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, Himal Chuli, State Street Brats and Tutto Pasta.

At Maxwell Street Days, even clean-up is an event. Wheeled volunteers will be provided by Mad Rollin ' Dolls, Madison 's female roller derby team.

About the only thing you won 't find are active construction workers; the bottom two blocks of State Street have been torn up for most of the summer. "The construction will indeed take a break for Maxwell Street Days -- it 's written into their contract, " says Carbine. "They 're working hard to get street pavement down and the area cleaned up and prepared for the sidewalk sale. "

IF YOU GO

What: Maxwell Street Days

When: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Details: For more information, including a complete list of participating businesses, visit www.maxwellstreetdays.org

Sponsor: Maxwell Street Days is organized by the Greater State Street Business Association with support from Madison's Central Business Improvement District

TAKING THE STAGE

The lineup of free entertainment at two stages:

Overture Center for the Arts stage

200 block of State Street

Friday

11 a.m. — Disc jockeys Dos Microfonos and Moody of WSUM radio

1 p.m. — Fedora Band, classic rock and blues

2:45 p.m. — Corey Hart, an eclectic blend of folk, rock and soul

Saturday

11 a.m. — The O'Bro's, a blend of rhythm and blues, rock, jazz and world beat

2:30 p.m. — Disc jockey Jeff Mann of WSUM

Folk and songwriters stage

Peace Park, 452 State St.

Friday

11 a.m. — Stephen Lee Rich

Noon — Macyn Taylor

1 p.m. — Andrea Potts

2 p.m. — Steve Schad

3 p.m. — Macyn Taylor

4 p.m. — Jim Schwall

Saturday

10 a.m. — Nancy Rost

11 a.m. — Curl/Kennedy

1 p.m. — Randall Williams

2 p.m. — Chico Schwall

3:30 p.m. — Erin O'Brien

4:30 p.m. — The Prince Myshkins

Sunday

Noon — Rich Baumann

1 p.m. — Dave Schindele

2 p.m. — Andrea Potts

3 p.m. — Sandy Andina

4 p.m. — Stephen Lee Rich