The best small-town festivals in Wisconsin mean a lot to us. Maybe it's because we only get so many warmer months; but here in the Badger State, we sure love just about any reason to have fun. We'll celebrate anything if it gives us a chance to be outside. Sure, Milwaukee is known as the City of Festivals, but you don't have to head there to find some great food, fun, and friends this year. Here are some of the best small-town events held in Wisconsin. Put on your stretchy pants and get ready to enjoy the best we have to offer.
1. Taylor County Lions and Lioness Maple Fest, Medford: April 27, 2024
For more than a decade, this one-day festival starts off with a delicious pancake breakfast. Maple syrup judging, cooking and baking contests, demonstrations, and how to tap a tree are on the schedule. Discover more on the Taylor County Lions Maple Fest website.
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2. Muscoda Morel Mushroom Festival, Muscoda: May 18, 2024
Eat more than your fair share of this delicacy, whether fried or in a brat, at the 43rd annual festival celebrating mushrooms. An antique and farm tractor pull, a flea market, a horseshoes tournament, bounce houses, and a chili cookoff highlight the schedule. Further details are listed on the Muscoda Morel Mushroom Festival Facebook page.
It only makes sense that America's Dairyland celebrates butter going on 40 years. Help honor one of our best products with a parade, royalty, rides, a softball tournament, a cornhole contest and so much more at one of the best small-town festivals. For further information, visit the Sparta Butterfest website.
This fisherman's paradise festival features contests for everyone, bingo, three different live music stages, and all the walleye you could ever want. Find the schedule on the Walleye Weekend website.
This small-town carnival and celebration of the lovely rhubarb plant kicks off with a scrumptious pancake breakfast. It also features train rides, a duckathon, a movie night, a bake-off, and more. Read all about it on the Osceola Rhubarb Fest Facebook page.
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6. Beer, Bacon, and Cheese Festival, New Glarus: June 8, 2024
Three of the best things in the world combine in one of the most quaint towns in Wisconsin in June. A limited number of wristbands get you all the samples you could ever want and access to the Polka Tent. Find more details on the Beer, Bacon, and Cheese Festival website.
7. Frederic Family Days, Frederic: June 13-16, 2024
This summer festival offers fun for the entire family with good eats, beverage vendors, a classic car show, and a fantastic fireworks display. For more information, visit the Frederic Family Days web page.
8. Czech-Slovak Festival, Phillips: June 14-15, 2024
The event begins on Friday evening with a Military Honor Guard and special music at the Phillips First Baptist Church. The festival opens on Saturday at Elk Lake Park where you'll find such authentic treats as kolache, jaternice, Czech sausage, and sauerkraut.
Ellsworth is the Cheese Curd Capital of the World and this festival celebrates Wisconsin's favorite squeaky snack. Live music, cooking demos, a sweet dessert curd and more await you at this delicious festival. Same some 30+ craft beers, ciders, and local wines; see a car show, and shop the vendor marketplace. Learn more on the Cheese Curd Festival website.
This artful celebration transforms the 400 block sidewalks into an epic display of drawings. Since 2004, this annual art festival has highlighted artists of all ages while impressing the observers. Watch the creation process and be amazed by the end result.
Take part in the silent auctions, the Mighty Meat Sweepstakes, the Grand Prize Sweepstakes, a rummage sale, and live entertainment. For further details, visit the St. Lucy's Festival web page.
12. Venetian Festival: Lake Geneva: Aug. 14-18, 2024
Lake Geneva takes advantage of its lake property with a boat parade, a water ski show, live music and a beer tent, a carnival, a boat parade, scrumptious eats, and fireworks at this 62nd annual festival. See what's in store on the Venetian Festival website.
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13. Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw & Festival, Prairie du Sac: Aug. 30-31, 2024
In 1975, the Sauk Prairie Jaycees recognized the Sauk Prairie area as the Cow Chip Capital of Wisconsin and organized the first State Cow Chip Throw. Over the years, this light-hearted tradition has grown into a huge event. Participate in the Town of Chips Parade, dance to the live music, enjoy a Cow Chip Breakfast, shop the Arts and Crafts Fair, and bring your kids, because plenty of fun is offered for them too. Find out more on the Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw & Festival website.
Celebrate with us Italian-style at one of the best small-town events with tons of great food, a craft fair, live music, and tournaments. Follow the Festivale Italiano web page for updates.
This fun-filled event that's all about the melon has taken place on the first Saturday after Labor Day since 1968. Home to the U. S. Watermelon Speed-Eating and Seed-Spitting Championships, Inc., you know where you should be on Sept. 7 - in beautiful Chandler Park. For further details, visit the Pardeeville Watermelon Festival website.
They call this two-day festival "pork-tacular" and they aren't kidding. Eat all the bacon-flavored things you'd never even imagined, including bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers, bacon-infused mac and cheese, and maple-bacon donuts. Enjoy pig races, the pet costume parade, kid's eating, pig wing eating, pig calling/impersonation contests, the quirky official Pig Pardon, "When Pigs Fly" (plush pigs are flung from the rooftops), and "When Pigs Float" (plastic pigs float down the Kinnickinnic River). Watch for 2024 updates on the Bacon Bash web page.
Part beef cookoff, part wonderful and silly small-town festival, this one's for you every last Saturday in September. Be one of the 12,000 people who attend this celebration of meat in the streets of downtown Minocqua. Watch the parade, participate in the 5- and 10K Rump Roast Runs, listen to the live music, and of course, eat all of the roast beef sandwiches you can get down your gullet. For more details, visit the Beef-A-Rama website.
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18. Bayfield Apple Festival, Bayfield: Oct. 4-6, 2024
Welcome fall with this 62nd annual festival, featuring an apple peeling contest, a parade down historic Rittenhouse Avenue on Sunday, a fish fry, live music, a beer garden, more than 60 orchards, and a farmers market. It's been called one of the best fall festivals in the country! See the schedule on the Bayfield Apple Festival website.
Best small-town festivals in Wisconsin are worth adding to your activities. Have you been to any on the list? Which one was your favorite? Please let us know in the comments below.
The Remote Town in Wisconsin We Simply Can’t Get Enough of
Nestled along Lake Superior, this charming town offers scenic trails, kayaking, and breathtaking views. It also boasts cozy dining spots with local flavors, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and foodies alike.
There’s a place in Wisconsin, nestled on the shores of a rather famous lake, where you’re more likely to spot an eagle than a Starbucks. It's the kind of town where a "commute" means dodging a couple of deer on the way to pick up fresh bagels - not from a chain, mind you, but from that bakery everyone knows. Welcome to Washburn, a small, remote town tucked along Lake Superior’s shore, far enough from the big city buzz to make you feel like you’ve hit Reset.
Washburn isn’t your average Wisconsin small town. With just around 2,000 people, it’s got a quirky character and a low-key arts scene that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled onto a hidden gem. Here, creativity thrives - maybe it’s the lake views, or maybe it’s the slow pace.
The Washburn Cultural Center, housed in an old bank, is the heart of the arts here, with galleries, local history exhibits, and more. And if you’re in town for one of this Wisconsin town's annual arts festivals (there are a few!), get ready to experience something special - this town loves to celebrate local talent.
You might think a town this remote wouldn’t have much going on in the way of dining, but Washburn defies expectations here, too. Somehow, everything in this adorable Wisconsin town tastes a little fresher, a little more homemade. Take, for example, The Good Thyme Restaurant & Catering, a delicious local spot best known for its creative comfort food.
There's even a candy store, Harbour House Sweets, that serves up handmade chocolates, cookies, and other specialty desserts. Sounds like a sweet stop, for sure.
And the nature? Oh, let’s just say Washburn is like a Northwoods dreamscape that Mother Nature herself might visit for a little “me-time.” This town sits right by the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, a stunning cluster of islands that seem to float out of the lake like they’re auditioning for a calendar. Here, hiking trails wind through dense forests and open up to lake views that’ll have you fumbling for your camera - or wishing you’d brought a painter along.
If you’re up for kayaking, picture this: you, paddling around rocky coastlines, dipping in and out of caves that look like secret hideouts from an old adventure novel. And the air? It’s like Lake Superior has a perfume line - notes of pine, a hint of wildflowers, and that cool, crisp bite that’ll make you feel like you’ve inhaled a deep breath of relaxation. Or maybe you’ll head out to the nearby Chequamegon National Forest, where cross-country skiing in winter and hiking in summer bring you as close to pure Wisconsin wilderness as you can get.
And if you’re here in winter, ice fishing is practically a rite of passage - locals gather on frozen Lake Superior, cozy in their shanties, reeling in fresh fish and swapping stories as if it’s the most normal thing in the world to hang out on a giant slab of ice.
So, if you’re looking to trade the everyday grind for something a bit more peaceful (and a whole lot more beautiful), Washburn, Wisconsin, might be the perfect spot.
It’s a town where nature takes center stage, the food tastes homemade, and strangers greet you like neighbors. You'll leave Washburn feeling recharged after a few days of lake breezes, trails with million-dollar views, and small-town kindness. Especially if you decide to stay the night at one of the area's adorable rental properties.
This isn’t just a visit - it’s the kind of escape that sticks with you long after you’re gone.
Best Travel Gifts of 2024, Hand-picked by Our Travel Experts
If you're looking for gifting ideas for the travelers in your life this holiday season, check out our list of our favorite, tried and true travel gifts.
Welcome to Hand-Picked, a curated series highlighting the travel gear and goods our staff truly love. From practical essentials to playful extras, these are the items that make travel fun—and shopping even better! Each pick is independently selected by our editors, and if you make a purchase through our links, Only In Your State may earn a commission.
There is nothing that makes me happier than picking out the perfect gift. Friends often ask me for ideas of what to gift to their family, children, partners, friends... the challenge of finding that special item (or experience) is my favorite kind of adrenaline rush. And because of this, the holiday season is like my version of sky diving.
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Our team of travel experts here at Only In Your State joined me in selecting our favorite travel gifts of the season. We've hand-picked 24 gifts that we own and love and would joyfully wrap up with a shiny bow for other travel lovers in our lives. We've chosen a variety of options, from candles to books, to the perfect travel shoes and bags. There is also a wide range of prices for any gifting budget. Pick out a few to gift this season and maybe even send some of these ideas to those who are shopping for you. It may be the holiday season, but it is also always travel season in our minds.
Why We Love Them: How fun is this candle? I love picking out meaningful gifts and this one is perfect for the woman in your life who can't help but plan another trip. Or, maybe this is you and this candle needs to make its way into your own stocking! The LEADO store on Amazon actually has several unique gifts and it's worth checking out. Where to Buy Them: Shop this candle and more on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 Bonus: Manager of Editorial Megan Shute swears by these rechargeable USB lighters – add one to your favorite candle lover's stocking, and they will not be disappointed.
Why We Love It: We've tried some pretty spiffy eye masks, but have you ever experienced an eye massager? The Bob & Brad EyeOasis 2 is as relaxing as it gets. With adjustable pressure & heat settings, this is a must-have if you want to tune out the world and treat yourself. It's the first thing we reach for when we feel a migraine coming on! Where To Buy It: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $59.99 (normally $74.99)
Why We Love Them: It's safe to say I am in my sneaker era and I know I'm not alone. When I discovered Kizik shoes, especially their sneakers, I felt like I discovered gold at the end of the rainbow. I love that the brand is size inclusive (I have big feet) and you literally just slip these on and go. Hands-free shoes! This makes them perfect for travel and the fact that these go with everything means no over-packing necessary. Where to Buy Them: Check out the Milan sneaker and several other styles (boots, too!) on the Kizik website. Price (at time of publication): $149
Why We Love Them: I discovered Frankie Jean while in Austin with my daughter and once I saw the Y'ALL Baseball Cap, I knew it would make the perfect souvenir -- and travel hat! I always travel with a baseball hat; they're handy for post-plane hair and offer protection from the elements. Frankie Jean has an array of adorable caps for non-y'allers, too, with all 50 states represented in the web store. Where to Buy It: Visit Frankie Jean online for this hat and many others! Price (at time of publication): $32
Why We Love Them: The Yoto Mini is an excellent gadget for kids on the go. Physical cards allow children to expand their imagination through audiobooks, music, activities, and educational audio. Manager of Editorial Megan Shute purchased the mini-player for her daughter's 4th birthday earlier this year ahead of an overseas move and has been endlessly impressed: "Not only did it replace her standard sound machine with its white noise options, but it has given us another portable screen-free entertainment option for at home and while traveling. The Yoto is also perfect for anyone who asks what your child wants for the holidays — cards for their new Yoto collection, please!" Where to Buy Them: Yoto is available on their website and Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $69.99 for player
Why We Love Them: The Vuori Performance Joggers might just be the most comfortable piece of clothing we own. The buttery-soft, stretchy material is the perfect weight, and the slim yet relaxed fit is one of the most universally flattering styles we've tried. Engagement Editor Meg Archer has gifted these to many people over the last few years: "I have yet to hear anything but rave reviews (and a bit of friendly shaming for spawning new obsessions). Don't be surprised if these just so happen to, umm... multiply... in your closet. I couldn't stop at just one pair." Bonus: The matching Vuori Halo Performance Hoodie is one of our favorite lightweight layers for all types of travel! Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From Vuori Price (at time of publication): $94
Why We Love Them: If you have a friend or family member who loves to travel and loves bags (who doesn't?), then this Calpak tote bag is the ultimate gift. When I say ultimate, I mean it, because this is the ultimate bag. My own tote bag is pictured above, when used on an overnight trip. I've also used it as a carry-on bag on flights, to tote sports equipment around for my kids, and for a weekend getaway. It is much larger than it looks in this photo and keeps everything organized. It also wipes clean! Where to Buy Them: Calpak has countless travel bags, but you can find this particular one on their website. Price (at time of publication): $131.75
Why We Love Them: I've purchased two of these portable hammocks with lightweight frames throughout the years — one as a gift for my father and one for myself after realizing how fantastic the hammock was. While it's not a travel product, per se, it has made my everyday life feel more like a vacation, something we could all use a bit more of these days. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $69.99
Why We Love Them: All of the staff at Only In Your State loves to represent their roots and Wear Your Roots allows you to do that in a fashionable - and comfortable - way. We love the wears from this Montana-based company and we happen to believe that these hoodies, shirts, hats, and more make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: Shop now on the Wear Your Roots website Price (at time of publication): Varies by Product
Why We Love It: It's taken several trips for me to figure out my perfect "weekender bag that's TSA approved," but I've found my perfect carry on with the TOBIQ Colorado 30L. An Instagram ad caught my eye during a late-night scroll session and I was intrigued by the colorful compartments and versatility of the bag, which can be carried as a duffle or as a backpack (I prefer the backpack for even weight distribution and airport navigation.) Made of durable, weather-resistant recycled materials, I've stashed this bag under my seat and in the overhead compartment; it's easy to maneuver and the top zip pocket is perfect for easy phone/ID access. Bonus: I loved this carry on bag so much, I purchased TOBIQ's Toiletry Bag; it fits perfectly inside one of the Colorado's four compartments and has a smart, intuitive design with the brand's signature "plethora of zippered pouches and pockets."
Where to Buy Them: Visit tobiqtravel.com to purchase the Colorado 30L and/or Toiletry Bag. Price (at time of publication): $199 (Colorado 30L)/$69 (Toiletry Bag)
Why We Love Them: The Zestt Dreamsoft Travel Scarf doubles as a blanket, making it the perfect travel accessory for year-round adventures – especially on airplanes! Made from organic cotton and easy to wash and care for, we have even used this piece as a makeshift picnic blanket while traveling. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $50
Why I Love It: This raincoat is absolutely perfect: it's light (12.4 ounces!) and super packable, "self stuffing" into one of its pockets in a Houdini-like feat. The hood is generously sized to fit over a hat and has a cord-and-hook design that keeps rain out (seriously -- this photo was taken after a trip to Portland, Oregon, where its water resistance was put to the test!). I purchased my Torrentshellfive years ago and it still looks brand new, the fabric has never snagged or ripped despite being put through the ringer! Bonus: The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket comes in men's sizes, too! Where to Buy It: Buy it now on REI. Price (at time of publication): $179 (both men's and women's)
Why We Love Them: I love gifting books. Maybe it's the writer in me or the nostalgia I feel every time I sit down and open up an actual book. Coffee table books make for great gifts and I absolutely love this collection of photography of New York City. Whether you know someone who loves NYC or has a wanderlust for the Big Apple, this gorgeous book just needs a bow on top and it's ready to gift. Where to Buy Them: Buy this book and others in the collection on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $19.78
Why We Love Them: A well-stocked first aid kit is essential for any traveler, and we love these small Welly kits. They're the perfect option to keep in your car, diaper bag, or carry-on for accidents on the go. Another excellent stocking stuffer for anyone in your life. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Walmart Price (at time of publication): $9.70
Why We Love Them: The OluKai Pehuea Lī Sneaker is lightweight and breathable, but also extremely comfortable and surprisingly supportive. It's our go-to shoe when we know we're going to be on our feet all day! We love that they can be worn as either sneakers or slides, so they're easy to slip off when going through TSA checks. Plus, the style goes with just about everything. Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From OluKai Price (at time of publication): $110
Why I Love It: Fact: Airplanes are notoriously dry, dry, dry. No matter how much water I drink both before and during the flight, I always find myself in a hydration deficit for days. My skin feels so tight and parched during flights, and while I've been known to slap on a sheet mask at 12,000 feet, my 11 year old's mortification on a recent trip had me rethinking this strategy. My solution? BioRepublic's Lost Baggage biocellulose eye masks. These mini moisturizers contain an uber-hydrating cocktail of peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalene, rose water, and vitamin E that feel oh-so-refreshing on parched skin. Bonus: Each of these little masks has enough moisture that I'm able to massage the excess into the rest of my face after my brief, in-flight spa moment. Where to Buy It: I have a BioRepublic Lost Baggage Under Eye Emergency Repair Mask Subscribe & Save order through Amazon -- you'll get a slight discount if you set this up! Price (at time of publication): 3/$15.00
Why I Love It: I am a dedicated Stanley girl, but when I travel, I like to keep things as light and portable as possible. A recent trip to Washington D.C. had me singing the praises of my Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle, especially after paying $6 for a tiny bottle of water the afternoon we arrived and embarked sans water. I love the bottle's muted color options (I have the Hydaway in Twilight), sturdy handle, and fuss-free cleaning; fully extended it holds 17 ounces of water, making this smart little number perfect for filling up on the go. Where to Buy Them: The Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle is available at several online merchants; I purchased through REI. Available here on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $27.95.
Why We Love Them: This is one of those things that we don't know how we traveled without them. Packing cubes keep things organized, save space in a suitcase, and take the pain out of the packing process. If you know and love someone who travels, this set would make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: There are so many options for packing cubes on Amazon, but we particularly LOVE this set. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 for 8 cubes
Why We Love Them: I've been a fan of Beis for years now, starting with the Weekender (it’s my absolute favorite travel bag for short car trips or flying and is surprisingly roomy). I recently purchased another Beis item — the backpack. With a padded interior sleeve, two water bottle pockets, and plenty of organization built-in — we’re talking zippered interior pockets, pen slots, a key leash, and more — this is the best backpack I’ve ever owned. It also has a full-zip opening, so it’s easy to pack, and the trolley pass-through makes it the perfect carry-on companion. This olive beauty is officially my new favorite personal item while traveling, and I’ve already brought it on several trips. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Beis Price (at time of publication): $88
Why We Love Them: We bought this set of two accessory organizers for a recent trip and think they would make a fun stocking stuffer filled with all sorts of small and useful travel goodies — chapstick, hair ties, mini lotions, bandaids, etc. The gift recipient can then use the organizers for travel. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $17.66
Why We Love It: The sleek style of the Away Everywhere Zip Backpack looks at home in just about any environment, making it a great transition bag if you need to hop right from a flight into a work meeting (or want to start exploring as soon as you land). It's water-resistant, has a padded laptop sleeve to keep your devices safe, and the full wrap-around zipper makes it incredibly easy to grab what you need in a cramped airplane seat. I love it! Where To Buy It:Buy Now From Away Price (at time of publication): $195
Why We Love It: Engagement Editor Meg Archer recently travel-testedthis high-end aluminum travel case, and it can only be described as the Lamborghini of Luggage: "The Sterling Pacific 40L Travel Case is hands down the best I've ever owned or reviewed. It's stunning inside and out, timelessly stylish, and rolls like a dream. Honestly, I didn't know luggage could move like this." It's undeniably a splurge, but if you're looking for a piece of eye-catching yet understated luxury-tier luggage, this is it. Where To Buy It: Buy Now From Sterling Pacific Price (at time of publication): $2,150
Why We Love It: Throw out all your assumptions about generators. The Anker Power Bank Portable Generator is all-electric (so it's totally silent), super compact, and has a massive 60,000 mAh capacity that can power multiple devices dozens of times on a single charge. It also retains an impressive 85% charge after a whole year of non-use, making it absolutely vital during emergencies. This bad boy kept us in touch with family during a multi-day blackout, but we also love it for camping trips and off-grid adventures. Where To Buy It:Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $149.99
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If you need anymore ideas for the best travel gifts of the season, we have you covered. Check out more of our travel-themed gift guides...
