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 Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, & Holidays, 1 - 5pm

• 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 6:30pm.

• 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 18-1, 2010 - 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 start of summer! 

• Waupaca Model Railroad Show, June 18-20, 2010 - Fun for the whole family at annual show includes railroad layout, food and fun.  

• Lions Fly-In/Drive-In Pancake Breakfast, Waupaca - June 20, 2010- 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 26, 2010 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 18-20, 2010 & June 24-27, 2010 www.badgerstategames.org

• Annual Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair, Amherst - June 18-20, 2010 - 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, July 2-4, 2010 - Cowboys and cowgirls, bronco riding, and steer wrestling are all a part of this annual rodeo, part of the professional rodeo circuit. There's even a special Sunday morning service. www.manawarodeo.org

• Hometown Celebration, Waupaca - July 4, 2010 - The annual Waupaca July 4th celebration, features a  parade on downtown Main Street, a chicken BBQ lunch and food stands at South Park, live music, beer tents and activities. There is also a 6:30 p.m. Chain Skiers Show at the Veterans Home, and a 9:30 p.m. fireworks display over Shadow Lake.

• Iola Old Car Show & Swap Meet, Iola - July 8-11, 2010 - 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, www.iolaoldcarshow.com

• Chain of Lakes Antique & Classic Wooden Boat Show & Parade, Waupaca, July 10, 2010, 12-3, parade at 3pm, Clear Water Harbor (715) 258-3414 or (715) 258-3414

• Waupaca's Fireman Dance, July 2010 - This annual shindig takes place in Waupaca's Swan Park from 8 pm-midnight. Come & enjoy the music!

• Annual EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Fly-In at Oshkosh - July 26-August 1, 2010 - 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 6-8, 2010 - Ellison Memorial Park in Scandinavia, WI is the site of this annual festival featuring carnival rides, tractor pull, pie social, baseball games, lots of live music and roasted sweet corn (Free corn on Sunday only). www.scandinaviaboosterclub.com

• Iola Vintage Military & Gun Show with Vintage Tractors & Equipment, Iola - August 14-15, 2010 - Held annually the 2nd weekend in August. Battlefield reenactments are only one of the activities at this Iola show, which features a vintage military vehicles exhibit, tractor and professional vehicle exhibit, swap meet, gun show, exhibits,  and vehicle parade.  www.iolavms.com

• Kid's Mini Triathlon, August 20, 2010 - Special event for children ages 4-10.  Distances will vary according to age groups.  6 pm South Park. www.WaupacaAreaTriathlon.com

• Waupaca Area Triathlon, Waupaca - August 21, 2010 - 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, August 20-21, 2010 - 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, 2010 -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 28, 2010 - 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 28, 2010 - A rod and classic car show with all the summer amenities of Waupaca's South Park. Information: (715) 256-1099. www.WaupacaAreaChamber.com

Fall Events

SEPTEMBER

• 50th Annual Horse and Buggy Days Weyauwega - September 17-18, 2010 -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 18, 2010- Battle of the band, crafters, food and beverage vendors, farmer's market, Amish goods and other activities.  On Main Street. 

OCTOBER

• Hidden Studio's Art Tour-Along the Ice Age Trail, October 1-3, 2010 - 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, October 1-3, 2010- 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.

• Pumpkin Festival, Fremont, October 16, 2010 - Celebrating the fall season with music, food, costumes, scarecrow and pumpkin decorating contests.  Join the fun of outhouse races, pumpkin races on the river and much more.

NOVEMBER

• Classic Christmas, Waupaca, November 19-21 and 26-28, 2010.  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, 2010 - 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.

• Shiver in the Shanty, Waupaca/Fremont-January 21-24, 2010- 1st annual Ice tournament & winter festival .  Entertainment, bands, poker run, ice bowling, coolest shanty contest, over $10,000 worth of prizes!  Call 888-417-4040 for more information or go to www.waupacamemories.com.

• Annual Gohl Memorial Speed Skating Classic, Waupaca - Held annually on the Olympic-sized speed skating oval on Shadow Lake, this long track (333 meters) speed skating event showcases some of the state's biggest talents. (Event is subject to ice conditions.)

• Candlelight Ski, Waupaca - 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 - 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.

• Badger State Winter Games, February 6, 2010-- Norseman Ski Hill, Iola.

Spring Events

MARCH

• St. Patrick's Day Grand Parade and Irish Fest, New London, March 20, 2010 - 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 16-18, 2010, New London - Contests and prizes located at Riverside Park in New London.

• Waupaca's Art Show, April 25-30, 2010- Sponsored by the Waupaca Fine Arts organization, this annual art show runs from the last Sunday in April through the following Thursday. 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 the city.

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

• Rock Your Wings, Waupaca - The Cessna & Piper Flyer Associations host this charity event to benefit the Humane Society of Waupaca County, Inc. With free airplane rides for 8-17 year olds from 8:30-11 a.m., the event runs from Noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 (free for children under 12). Highlights include Airplane displays and rides, concessions and beer, live classic rock, and a preview of the Human Society's new shelter. Rock Your Wings will be held at 2509 Commercial Drive in the Eastgate Industrial Park in Waupaca. For more information, call (715) 258-2800.

• Amish Quilt Auction, Amherst - May 15, 2010 - Held at the Fairgrounds in Amherst. Crafts, quilts, furniture, bake sale & more.

• WI Veterans Home Open House and Old Car Show, King - 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.