With crisp air and crunchy leaves, apple trees and pumpkin patches, hayrides and corn mazes, fall in Wisconsin is a time worth celebrating. And celebrate, we do. Here are just a few of our favorite fall festivals coming up this season:
Al & Al's Oktoberfest
Oct. 6-7, Sheboygan
If any state knows how to polka, it's Wisconsin. Get out your beer stein, put on your lederhosen, enjoy some traditional German food, and polka your hintern off. Sheboygan does Oktoberfest big.
Eagle River Cranberry Fest
Oct.7-8, Eagle River
Did you know that Wisconsin produces more than 60 percent of the world's cranberries? With peak cranberry season in late September and early October, there's no better way to celebrate autumn in Wisconsin than with Cranberry Fest. The festival offers everything from fresh cranberries, craisins, delicious foods, pastries, and warm autumn drinks, to homemade goods, arts and crafts, clothing and music.
Fall Fun Fest and Cider Pressing Party
Oct. 7-8, Washington Island
Washington Island is a favorite summer getaway, but its beauty doesn't fade in the fall. Bring your own apples on the trip, or buy a bucket there, and press them into a gallon of cider. Its wagon rides, caramel apples, brats, chili, hot and cold fresh pressed cider and old-fashioned games make it a fabulous fall getaway.
Sister Bay Fall Fest
Oct. 13-15, Sister Bay
Door County's summer season comes to a close with Sister Bay Fall Fest, which celebrates with a parade, live music throughout the town, street food, an arts and crafts fair, 50/50 raffle, classic auto show and children's activities.
Enchanted Forest and Hollywood Hayride
Oct. 18-21, Janesville
If you're up for celebrating Halloween but looking to avoid the spooky spots, this is for you. The Enchanted Forest and Hollywood Hayride is a non-scary event for families with young children, and features The Enchanted Forest candlelit walk, with scenes from famous nursery rhymes and fairytales with live actors, beautifully constructed sets, costumes and props.
Madeline Island Fall Fest
Oct. 21, La Pointe
Fall is what many locals believe to be the best time on Madeline Island, and to top it off, the third weekend in October is always Fall Fest. Come take in the vivid fall colors and enjoy pumpkin decorating, a costume parade, face painting, tasty treats, crafts and more.
Jack O' Lantern Days
Oct. 27-29, Fish Creek
Jack O' Lantern Days puts the "eek" in Fish Creek. This family-friendly Halloween celebration offers mask making for kids, pumpkin carving, a Halloween parade, trick-or-treating (2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday), and costume parties for both kids and adults.
Spooky City in Downtown Burlington
Oct. 28, Burlington
Halloween on a school night is no fun, so Burlington (or should I say Boolington?) celebrates a few days early. With trick-or-treating, spooky crafts, free hayrides, a costume parade, a family movie and more, this is the place to be.
Great River Road Holiday - Harvest and Wine Food Trail
Nov. 11-12, Pepin
With November comes the transition from autumn festivals to celebrations of the holidays. Taste your favorite foods and wines of the holiday season, all while taking in the Great River Road and the gorgeous scenery that comes with it.
Homespun Holidays
Nov. 11-12, Markesan
While many Wisconsin husbands are on the hunt for their big buck, Wisconsin wives will be enjoying Homespun Holidays. Hosted by the Markesan Chamber of Commerce, this event features the always-popular Hunters Widows Craft Fair, featuring over 50 area crafters and vendors, a silent auction and plenty of kids' activities.
While summers seem to go by faster each year, we're lucky to be greeted by such a beautiful fall season here in Wisconsin. What's your favorite way to take in the fall season? Share with us on social media using #DiscoverWisconsin.
- Kristen Finstad is a crew-member of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." The column is published Tuesday on the Life page in the Times.
Al & Al's Oktoberfest
Oct. 6-7, Sheboygan
If any state knows how to polka, it's Wisconsin. Get out your beer stein, put on your lederhosen, enjoy some traditional German food, and polka your hintern off. Sheboygan does Oktoberfest big.
Eagle River Cranberry Fest
Oct.7-8, Eagle River
Did you know that Wisconsin produces more than 60 percent of the world's cranberries? With peak cranberry season in late September and early October, there's no better way to celebrate autumn in Wisconsin than with Cranberry Fest. The festival offers everything from fresh cranberries, craisins, delicious foods, pastries, and warm autumn drinks, to homemade goods, arts and crafts, clothing and music.
Fall Fun Fest and Cider Pressing Party
Oct. 7-8, Washington Island
Washington Island is a favorite summer getaway, but its beauty doesn't fade in the fall. Bring your own apples on the trip, or buy a bucket there, and press them into a gallon of cider. Its wagon rides, caramel apples, brats, chili, hot and cold fresh pressed cider and old-fashioned games make it a fabulous fall getaway.
Sister Bay Fall Fest
Oct. 13-15, Sister Bay
Door County's summer season comes to a close with Sister Bay Fall Fest, which celebrates with a parade, live music throughout the town, street food, an arts and crafts fair, 50/50 raffle, classic auto show and children's activities.
Enchanted Forest and Hollywood Hayride
Oct. 18-21, Janesville
If you're up for celebrating Halloween but looking to avoid the spooky spots, this is for you. The Enchanted Forest and Hollywood Hayride is a non-scary event for families with young children, and features The Enchanted Forest candlelit walk, with scenes from famous nursery rhymes and fairytales with live actors, beautifully constructed sets, costumes and props.
Madeline Island Fall Fest
Oct. 21, La Pointe
Fall is what many locals believe to be the best time on Madeline Island, and to top it off, the third weekend in October is always Fall Fest. Come take in the vivid fall colors and enjoy pumpkin decorating, a costume parade, face painting, tasty treats, crafts and more.
Jack O' Lantern Days
Oct. 27-29, Fish Creek
Jack O' Lantern Days puts the "eek" in Fish Creek. This family-friendly Halloween celebration offers mask making for kids, pumpkin carving, a Halloween parade, trick-or-treating (2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday), and costume parties for both kids and adults.
Spooky City in Downtown Burlington
Oct. 28, Burlington
Halloween on a school night is no fun, so Burlington (or should I say Boolington?) celebrates a few days early. With trick-or-treating, spooky crafts, free hayrides, a costume parade, a family movie and more, this is the place to be.
Great River Road Holiday - Harvest and Wine Food Trail
Nov. 11-12, Pepin
With November comes the transition from autumn festivals to celebrations of the holidays. Taste your favorite foods and wines of the holiday season, all while taking in the Great River Road and the gorgeous scenery that comes with it.
Homespun Holidays
Nov. 11-12, Markesan
While many Wisconsin husbands are on the hunt for their big buck, Wisconsin wives will be enjoying Homespun Holidays. Hosted by the Markesan Chamber of Commerce, this event features the always-popular Hunters Widows Craft Fair, featuring over 50 area crafters and vendors, a silent auction and plenty of kids' activities.
While summers seem to go by faster each year, we're lucky to be greeted by such a beautiful fall season here in Wisconsin. What's your favorite way to take in the fall season? Share with us on social media using #DiscoverWisconsin.
- Kristen Finstad is a crew-member of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." The column is published Tuesday on the Life page in the Times.