By Melanie Radzicki McManus | Photo: Wo-Zha-Wa Days, courtesy Wisconsin Dells VCB
One of the best ways to celebrate the sights, sounds and smells of autumn is by attending a fall festival. Here are several within easy driving distance.
Wauktoberfest, Waunakee
Sept. 14-17
This multifaceted festival, held at Endres Manufacturing, begins on Thursday night with some wine-tasting and live music. The Wauktoberfest grounds officially open on Friday, when you can grab some suds and enjoy music from various groups. Saturday features a pop-up market, beer-blessing and beer-keg race, where two-person teams battle to see who can roll a keg along the ground the fastest. There are even sauerkraut and limburger cheese-eating contests. The bash concludes on Sunday with more beer, music and fun. wauktoberfest.com
Wo-Zha-Wa Days Fall Festival, Wisconsin Dells
Sept. 15-17
One of the more popular fall events, Wo-Zha-Wa Days offers a wealth of diverse activities and events. There’s an antique flea market, arts and crafts fair, carnival rides and Maxwell Street Days bazaar. Live music is featured daily, and Saturday morning features a fun run. The festival wraps up on Sunday with a 100-unit parade. Activities are held throughout the downtown, including Bowman Park. wozhawa.com
Wine & Harvest Fest, Cedarburg
Sept. 16-17
Nosh on apple brats, cranberry turkey wraps, jambalaya or maybe “gator on a stick” at this autumnal fest, which is celebrating its 49th year. Specialty beers will be flowing in the Fermentorium Tap Tent, while the village’s Cedar Creek Winery will be selling a selection of tasty wines. Work off any calories consumed by taking part in the grape-stomping contest or the charity regatta, which involves paddling a 600-pound carved pumpkin boat. cedarburgfestival.org/wine-and-harvest-fest
Elktoberfest, Elkhart Lake
Sept. 29-Oct. 1
The second annual Elktoberfest kicks off Friday night with a stein social and live music throughout the walkable village. Saturday features a Root Beer Garten for the kids, where they can get their faces painted or create a pretzel necklace. Adults can walk or run in the Wine & Beer Run 5K, with participants receiving a wine glass and ticket for a glass of wine or craft beer afterwards. A community breakfast on Sunday closes out the event. elkhartlake.com/event/elktoberfest
Verona Fall Fest, Verona
Oct. 6-7
This family-friendly festival boasts plenty of games and crafts for the kids, plus a petting zoo and both train and hay rides. Grab dinner at Food Truck Alley, where there’s something to tempt everyone’s taste buds, then enjoy your meal al fresco while grooving to the live music. When the sun sets, warm yourself by the roaring bonfire or catch the outdoor flick. On Oct. 7, attend the fall tailgate party with tons of activities, live music and food galore. veronawi.com/events/verona-fall-fest
Monona Fall Festival, Monona
Oct. 14
Monona’s fall fest, held in Winnequah Park, kicks off with the Hoot Hoot Hustle, a run-walk event. A mix of paid and free attractions are available, including balloon sculptures, pony rides, pumpkin decorating (fee), disc golfing, arts and crafts and a cow-milking contest. The highlight of the event is the chili cook-off, where contestants vie to create the tastiest chili, which festival-goers can sample. mymonona.com/443/fall-festival
Halloween in Delafield, Delafield
Oct. 21
Get ready for Halloween by strolling through the streets of downtown Delafield, trick-or-treating at local businesses to the music of Ring Tunes, a popular Lake Country DJ. The finale comes at dusk, when the Grand Pumpkin Illumination takes place in Clock Tower Square. Dozens of grinning jack-o-lanterns are simultaneously set aglow, to the delight of all. delafieldchamber.com/halloween-in-delafield
