Activities and Attractions

While you are staying with us during your Wisconsin vacation, there are plenty of things to do and see. Throughout the year, our area is host to a number of special events such as the Iola Car Show, Waupaca’s Strawberry Fest, and the EAA Fly-In at Oshkosh.

A night out on the town might include a casual dinner in a local pub or a romantic table for 2 with a lakeside view. Whatever you are craving, see what our local restaurants have to offer.

Waupaca has something to offer everyone, no matter what your hobby: ice fishing, shopping, biking, hiking, dinning, antiquing, or just relaxing. Just outside The Apple Tree Lane’s front door is the Crystal River that flows from the Chain O Lakes. Take a canoe trip down the river, fish in the lakes, or take a part in any number of water sports from boating to swimming. Enjoy winter skiing at the Granite Peak Ski Area, or visit during any season to experience the Ice Age Trail. This national scenic trail provides a number of activities throughout the year.

The local Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce has many listings for upcoming activities.

Scroll through to view all local events in the Waupaca area.

Summer Events Fall Events Winter Events Spring Events

• Hutchinson House Museum, Waupaca - At South Park; Open Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays, 1 - 4pm or by appointment, 715-256-9980.

• Chapel on the Lakes, King - 1 hour Chief Waupaca cruise with church service every Thursday at 6pm. Cty Road QQ in King on the Chain O' Lakes

• Band Concerts on the City Square, Waupaca - Every Friday evening at 7pm located at the gazebo in front of City Hall, downtown Waupaca.

• Webfooters Water Ski Shows, Fremont - on the Wolf River: Every Sunday and Wednesday at 6:00pm.

• Chain Skiers Water Ski Shows, Waupaca -In front of Wisconsin Veterans Home on Rainbow Lake; Saturdays @ 6:30PM (Junior Show @ 6pm)

JUNE

• Strawberry Fest, Waupaca - June 16, 2012 - Held annually on the third Saturday in June, Strawberry Fest is a family festival that features a large downtown art/craft fair, strawberry shortcake, a children's costume contest, live entertainment, great food and more, providing a great way to celebrate the beginning of summer! 

• Waupaca Model Railroad Show, June 16-17, 2012 - Fun for the whole family at this annual show that includes railroad layout, food and fun.  

• Lions Fly-In/Drive-In Pancake Breakfast, Waupaca - June 17, 2012- A chance to eat a hearty breakfast while visiting with pilots and viewing airplanes at the Waupaca Municipal Airport, east of the city on Hwy. 10. (715) 445-2710

• Waupaca Area Garden Walk & Art Stroll, Waupaca - June 23, 2012 9am-5:00pm-A rare chance to stroll some of the area's most scenic gardens while viewing work by area artists. (715) 258-3289 or (715) 256-4145

• Badger State Summer Games -- June, 2012, www.badgerstategames.org

• Annual Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair, Amherst - June 15-16, 2012 - The Midwest Renewable Energy Association organizes this "Energy Fair", the world's largest venue for learning about renewable energy and sustainable living technologies, in Amherst, WI. The fair features hundreds of workshops, demonstrations, and exhibits. www.the-mrea.org

JULY

• Manawa's Midwestern Rodeo, June 29- July 1, 2012 - Along with the action of pro rodeo, are free dances, Chicken BBQ, steer wrestling, The Stampede-a 5K/10K fun run walk and a huge parade.   www.manawarodeo.org

• Hometown Celebration, Waupaca - July 4, 2012 - The annual Waupaca July 4th celebration, features a  parade on downtown Main Street, food stands at South Park, a 6:30 p.m. Chain Skiers Show at the Veterans Home, and a 9:30 p.m. fireworks display over Shadow Lake. www.WaupacaAreaChamber.com, 715-258-7343

• Iola Old Car Show & Swap Meet, Iola - July 12-15, 2012 - Midwest's largest old car show held the 2nd weekend of July. 2,500+ show cars, 4,428 swap meet spaces, old cars for sale, great food and more. www.iolaoldcarshow.com

• Chain of Lakes Antique & Classic Wooden Boat Show & Parade, Waupaca, TBA, 2012,  Clear Water Harbor (715) 258-3414

• Waupaca's Fireman Dance, July 2012 - This annual shindig takes place in Waupaca's Swan Park from 8 pm-midnight. Come & enjoy the music!

• Union Thresheree and Tractor Pull, July 22-29, 2012, Symco-Feature tractors:  Massey Ferguson, Massey Harris and Wallace, live music, exhibitions, flea market and more.  www.symcoutc.com, 920-757-6995

• Annual EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Fly-In at Oshkosh - July 23-29, 2012 - Whether you are interested in building, buying or owning an airplane; seeing the world's greatest air show performers; meeting aviation personalities; or just enjoy being around airplanes. Less than 40 miles from Waupaca. Held annually and draws 3/4 million spectators and participants from around the world. www.airventure.org

AUGUST

• Scandinavia Corn Roast, Scandinavia -August 3-5, 2012 - Held the 1st weekend of August, lots of live music and entertainment, carnival rides, tractor pull, pie social, baseball games, roasted sweet corn (Free corn on Sunday only), and much more fun. www.scandinaviaboosterclub.com

• Ride Waupaca, August, 2012--One of the most scenic Century Rides in the Midwest, 12,20,50,62,70, and 100 mile routes.  Sag supported, well-stocked rest stops, rolling country roads.  Event details and registration at www.321goevents.com.

• Iola Vintage Military & Gun Show with Vintage Tractors & Equipment, Iola - August 11-12, 2012 - Held annually the 2nd weekend in August, this event has military vehicles & equipment, tractors, machines and a professional vehicle exhibit, re-enactor encampments, WWII and Vietnam era battle re-enactments and pyrotechnics, swap meet, speakers, entertainmnet and parades of vehicles.  www.iolavms.com

• Kid's Mini Triathlon, August 17, 2012 - Special event for children ages 10 and under.  Distances will vary according to age groups. South Park. www.WaupacaAreaTriathlon.com, 715-258-7343

• Waupaca Area Triathlon, Waupaca - August 18, 2012 - Waupaca's annual triathlon, a 1/2 mile swim, 20-mile bike ride and 5K run, will start at 7 a.m. on beautiful Shadow Lake. Short course also.  Registration forms available at the Chamber. Online registration available from event website. www.waupacaareatriathlon.com.  Art on the Square described below takes place the same weekend.

• Art on the Square, August 17-18, 2012 - A juried fine arts festival and multidimensional celebration of the arts. This event takes place on the downtown Waupaca in the city square.  Includes art workshops, expanded farmers market, entertainment stages, street performers, food & fun! This is a participatory festival, visitors can view and create their own art.

• Waupaca County Fair, Fairgrounds in Weyauwega - August 22-26, 2012 -Waupaca County holds its county fair at grounds in Weyauwega. This traditional rural fair offers animal exhibits, home making exhibits, races, grandstand shows, a midway, and all the other things you associate with this great slice of Americana. Grandstand show tickets available after May 1. 920-867-3395.

• Amish Quilt, Craft & Furniture Auction, August, 2012 - This popular quilt and consignment auction features traditional hand-made Amish quilts, furniture, baked goods and more.  Location:  Portage county Fairgrounds, Amherst, WI 

• Waupaca Rod & Classic Car Show - August 25, 2012 - A rod and classic car show with all the summer amenities of Waupaca's South Park. Information: (715) 281-7932. www.WaupacaAreaChamber.com

Fall Events

SEPTEMBER

• 51th Annual Horse and Buggy Days Weyauwega - September 15, 2012 -The clock is turned back for this event to celebrate days gone by.  Lots of food, games, live music, gala parade, and horse and buggies create a fun atmosphere. For more information call 920-867-2500.

• Fall Frenzy, Clintonville, September 15, 2012- Battle of the band, crafters, food and beverage vendors, farmer's market, Amish goods and other activities.  On Main Street.  (715) 823-4606.

OCTOBER

• Hidden Studio's Art Tour-Along the Ice Age Trail, October 5-6, 2012 - See fine art in the making when these working artists' studios open their doors to the public for tours, demonstrations, and the opportunity to purchase original art.  www.hiddenstudioarttour.com

• Autumn Harvest Days- King/Waupaca, TBA, 2012- Come enjoy Waupaca's fall colors and special shopping, crafts, food, entertainment, pumpkins and apples to name just a few things at this wonderful fall event.

 NOVEMBER

• Classic Christmas, Waupaca, TBA, 2012.  A Christmas shopping experience to remember including an out-door holiday decorating contest.

• Veterans Day Program, King - Celebrated Annually on November 11 - Program starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Wisconsin Veterans Home Marden Center.

Winter Events

DECEMBER

• Annual Festival of Lights, Iola - Annually held the first weekend in December. For more information please call: (715) 445-4000

• Iola Lioness Christmas Parade, Iola - Annually held the first weekend in December. For more information please call: (715) 445-4000

JANUARY

• Waupaca Polar Bear Plunge, January 1, 2012 - Quite a crowd gathers for this annual event on the shores of Limekiln Lake, Cty. Q, at Becker Marine. A pre-party begins at 10 a.m. at the Wheel House Restaurant and the plunge into the lake takes place at 1 p.m. The event is open to all. (715) 258-8289.

• Candlelight Ski, Waupaca, January 28, 2012 - An annual event at Hartman Creek State Park, weather permitting. One and one-third mile tracked cross-country ski trail, plus one mile hiking trail lighted with candles. Willow sticks for roasting snacks, charcoal grills and concessions provided. 5-9 p.m. (715) 258-2372.

• Norseman Challenge XC Ski Race, Iola - Annually held the last Sunday in January. Here you'll find some of the best cross-country trails in the state. They are groomed for skating and classical skiing, with 20 kilometers of cross-country trails (4 miles under the lights!) For more information please call: (715) 445-3411.

FEBRUARY

• Iola Winter Carnival, Iola, February 4-5, 2012 - Come see a Scandinavian winter carnival complete with ski jumping contests, ice sculpting, ice fishing, lutefisk dinner and indoor craft fair, in Iola, 15 miles north of Waupaca on Hwy. 49. (715) 445-4005.

• Spring Events

MARCH

• St. Patrick's Day Grand Parade and Irish Fest, New London, March 12-17, 2012 - Wisconsin's largest St. Patrick's Day Parade with marching and bagpipe bands (over 100 units in total!) Festivities begin when the Leprechauns change the town's name to "New Dublin" for the week.  Irish caroling, music, food, entertainment and spirits! Bring the family for this week long celebration of New London's strong Irish heritage. For more information please call: (715) 982-5822 or www.newdublin.com

APRIL

• Old Colonel Run, Iola - Annual event held at the Iola-Scandinavia Fitness and Aquatic Center. A 5K walk/run through the beautiful streets of Iola. Contact Jon Novak at 715-445-2411 ext. 214 (day)

• Big Whopper Weekend, April 20-22, 2012, New London - Try your luck fishing the Wolf River during the annual Walleye run.  There are contest prizes in many fishing categories and a huge raffle.  Come and also enjoy Buffalo burgers, concessions and music all under the heated big top tent!  920-779-6346, www.newlondontourism.com

• Waupaca's Art Show, April 29-May 3, 2012- Artists from the upper Midwest, Wisconsin and the local area take part in this juried show at the Waupaca EXPO, near the intersection of Hwy. 10 and 54 on the west side of Waupaca.

• Weyauwega City Wide Rummage Sale, Weyauwega, May 12, 2012 - Also Flea Market & Craft Sale

• WI Veterans Home Open House and Old Car Show, King, May 20, 2012 - a full day of activities: old car show, military vehicles, tours, excursions on the Chain O' Lakes, band concerts, food & refreshments.

• Memorial Day, King - Memorial Day Observance at WI Veterans Home in King. Annual observance is one of two in Waupaca. Lakeside service begins at 9:30 a.m. Cemetery program follows at 10 a.m. Volunteers arrive at 6 a.m. to set flags on over 5,000 graves.

• Memorial Day, Waupaca - Parade & Ceremony downtown Waupaca. VFW observance begins with water ceremony on Waupaca River at the State Street Bridge at 9 a.m., followed by a parade to the city bandstand, where a traditional program starts at about 9:30 a.m.