Harvest Fest, Green Lake, WI

Photograph by Crea Stellmacher

As Wisconsin welcomes a bountiful harvest each fall, festivals celebrating the state’s rich farming heritage also sprout up throughout the area. Locally, one of the largest is Green Lake’s Harvest Fest, organized by the Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and supported by local organizations and businesses.

by Alyssa Paulsen

The 32nd annual festival is an actionpacked, two-day spectacular with activities for all ages, taking place Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27. After more than 30 years, the event coordinators certainly know how to keep the tradition alive.

Both days will feature the annual art and craft fair in Deacon Mills and Playground Park, as well as on Town Square’s lawn. The fair features nearly 100 local and regional vendors with their wares—perfect for finding something special for yourself or undertaking an early Christmas shopping extravaganza. Children’s activities, such as a petting farm, will keep young ones (and the young-at-heart) entertained.

A farmer’s market on Water Street showcases the reason for the season with vegetables, fruits, jarred foods, flowers, pumpkins, baked goods, and much more. The Taste of Green Lake food vendors will be selling lunch and more throughout both days. Saturday will feature booths set up by local organizations, while area restaurants will show off their greatest dishes on Sunday.

Musical entertainment will be on hand both days as live bands jam out at Deacon Mills Park as well as on the corner of Mill and Hill Streets.

On Saturday at 4:00 p.m. sharp, the much-anticipated Harvest Fest Parade will head down Mill Street as floats coast by, music fills the air, and smiles will be seen on every face. Local organizations, such as the Boy and Girl Scouts, American Legion, and more, take part in this can’t-miss event. Floats go all out with color, creativity, and

Photograph by Barbara Wilson

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Photograph by Barbara Wilson

wonder. And the Green Lake Junior High and High School bands stand tall as they march by, playing well-known cadences and songs. Many other local and area organizations, businesses, and individuals make the parade one to remember.

Sunday’s main event is the Jack Taylor Memorial Car Show, which is perfect for fans of antique and classic vehicles. Hundreds will take over Hill Street and the fairgrounds as one of the area’s largest fall car shows showcases auto ingenuity from bygone eras.

Harvest Fest is definitely an event the whole family can enjoy for hours on end. For more information, please go to visitgreenlake.org.