As the weather begins to cool in October, Wisconsinites savor every opportunity to get outside and celebrate. From food and brews to family fun, here’s to making memories in October.
Celebrate cranberries in Eagle River (Vilas County)
Wisconsin wears the crown when it comes to cranberries. We are the world’s leading producer, supplying nearly 60% of the country’s cranberries. And when harvest season rolls around in the fall, we know how to celebrate cranberries, too!
Head to Eagle River on October 7 and 8 for a weekend of cran-tastic revelry. The Eagle River Cranberry Fest puts the fruit on center stage. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to appreciate — and taste — Wisconsin’s state fruit.Many activities are happening at the Vilas County Fairgrounds. These include a cranberry bake sale, entertainment for the family, food vendors selling creative cranberry dishes, and an arts and crafts fair.Taste the versatility of the fruit in the cranberry soup or a cranberry bratwurst.
You need to see where it all comes from. The Eagle River Cranberry Fest offers tours of a local cranberry farm. You’ll be wowed by the floating sea of red on top of the marshes, which are flooded for harvest season.Reservations are strongly recommended for the marsh tours.
Find the fun in fermentation in Sauk County
Wisconsin throws festivals for all kinds of food and beverages. This weekend, though, one festival takes a step back and celebrates a very particular process of making food and beverages.
Head to Sauk City for Fermentation Fest on October 7 and 8! The event honors the ancient technique of fermentation through demonstrations, samples of fermented food and drinks, educational presentations, artwork, music and more. The free-to-attend festival is organized by the Wormfarm Institute and happens at Sauk City’s Witwen Park.
Consider purchasing tickets to one of the classes Fermentation Fest offers. You’ll learn how to transform food by fermentation, such as making sourdough pizza crusts or a fermented Indian pickle.
Sip, sample and savor regional brews at Dells on Tap
Sample and savor Wisconsin’s brewing heritage during Dells on Tap. Wisconsin Dells is hosting a pair of craft beer-focused events the weekend of October 13 and 14.
On Friday, October 13, enjoy the crisp fall weather in downtown Dells for the Craft Beer Walk. Sample a large selection of artisan brews at various participating bars and restaurants in the area. A ticket will also get you deals on food and tap selections for the evening.
On Saturday, October 14, the Dells on Tap beer festival attracts premier Wisconsin and Midwestern breweries to town. Visitors will sample a full spectrum of brews, and you’ll also be able to meet the brewers behind the craft beverages. Last year, the event had 75 breweries participate!
Loads of family fun at Egg Harbor’s Pumpkin Patch (Door County)
Put some pumpkin festivities into your fall schedule with a visit to Door County this weekend. Egg Harbor’s Pumpkin Patch festival invites folks to make autumn memories in a picturesque lakeside setting.
Travel to Egg Harbor on October 7 and 8 for the family-friendly festival, which is free to attend.Activities include carnival rides and games for the kids, arts and craft vendors to peruse, and live bands performing at Harbor View Park.Pumpkin and scarecrow displays scattered about the festival add seasonal charm to the event.
Start your fall getaway at TravelWisconsin.com