When we think of Wisconsin, oftentimes cheese comes to mind. And while cheese is a staple in this state, Wisconsin finds plenty of other foods to dedicate weekend-long celebrations to. From classic to quirky, here are a few of Wisconsin’s unique food festivals.
Bacon Bash – River Falls
A festival celebrating all. things. bacon. Sign me up. This two-day event offers pig-themed activities (like pig calling!), live music, eating contests, local beer and delicious dishes, such as pig wings, bacon cheesecake and bacon mac n’ cheese.
Johnsonville Brat Days – Sheboygan
Everyone knows Sheboygan is the Bratwurst Capital of the World, so it’s only appropriate that the Lake Michigan city hosts an annual event dedicated to the culinary legend we know as the brat. Sample it in many ways, including a brat taco, brat pizza, brat egg rolls, brat jambalaya and corndog brats. Take in live music, a parade, a petting zoo, and the celebrated Brat Trot run.
Rhubarb Fest – Osceola
Rhubarb is a summer highlight in the back yards of many Wisconsin homes. Rhubarb Fest in this Northwest Wisconsin city celebrates the vegetable (yes, technically a vegetable) with homemade rhubarb goodies and a rhubarb baking competition, plus live music, crafts, and movies under the stars!
Warrens Cranberry Festival – Warrens
This is the world’s largest cranberry festival, and it’s kind of a gigantic deal. Warrens is in the heart of cranberry country (did you know Wisconsin harvests more than 60 percent of the country’s cranberries?), and the festival draws in more than 120,000 visitors each year. You’ll find everything from cranberry marsh tours to cranberry cream puffs, plus plenty of shopping!
Sweet Corn Festival – Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie knows that fresh sweet corn is something to look forward to each and every summer, and this August festival is home to steamed sweet corn, a beer tent, carnival, live music, mini golf, helicopter rides, bingo and bean bag tournaments.
Bayfield Apple Festival – Bayfield
Celebrating the area’s agricultural heritage and autumn harvest, this fall festival was named one of the 10 Best Fall Harvest Festivals in the nation by USA Today. The Lake Superior town celebrates the season with orchard and winery tours, fine arts and crafts, local foods, live music, and an apple peeling contest.
Wine & Harvest Festival – Cedarburg
This festival rings in the electrifying season of crisp air and changing leaves by featuring the award-winning wines of Cedar Creek Winery, plus an abundance of homegrown foods, a farmers’ market, live music, hayrides, and a giant pumpkin contest.
Taste of Madison – Madison
When it comes to food festivals, it doesn’t get much bigger than Taste of Madison. Stroll around the Capitol Square and sample foods from more than 80 local restaurants while enjoying live music, craft beer and local wine.
Hungry for more? Check out these summer and fall food fests around Wisconsin, or browse our events directory for more fun near you!
