Our Guide to Fall Fun
Compiled by Northwoods News Staff
Fall is in the air and that means it is time to enjoy local cranberries, pumpkins, crisp apples and more! If you’re planning your weekend getaway to coincide with the changing leaves, make sure you bookmark the Travel Wisconsin Fall Color Report to get the most up to date information from around the state.
In October, you can find several haunted houses in the Northwoods. According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin lore boasts that our state contains more ghosts per square mile than any other.
Whether you are flying solo or bringing the whole family, you are sure to find a unique adventure to enjoy with our guide to fall fun in the Northwoods.
Have an event that you want us to add to this list? Send an email with event details to news@northwoodsnews.com.
Boulder Junction:
Downtown
Boulder Junction, Wisconsin
October 9, 2021
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Local businesses will participate in a Scarecrow Decorating Contest. The winner will be decided by the public. Shop the Haystack will take place at Peeple’s Park. Granny Autumn will lead fun for the kids, ranging from a story hour to pumpkin decorating. Kids are encouraged to come in costume and participate in the Harvest Hunt and in-store games. Enjoy baked goods, hand-dipped caramel apples and chili dogs. The day isn’t complete without checking out the Boulder Junction Public Library’s Halloween Book Walk.
Eagle River:
Lake Nokomis Cranberries: Guided Marsh Tours
6041 County Road D
Eagle River, Wisconsin
September 15, 2021 through October 16, 2021
11:00 am to 2:45 pm
Guided harvest tours are offered Monday through Saturday at 11:00 am, 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm. Experience a fun, free and informative tour of the cranberry marsh. Tours run approximately 45 minutes. The bus has limited seating and tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not accepted.
511 West Pine Street
Eagle River, Wisconsin
October 2, 2021, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
October 3, 2021, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
More than 40,000 people are expected to attend this annual festival to enjoy cranberry marsh tours, food and drink sampling, arts and crafts vendors, farmer’s market and a live auction. More than 8,000 pounds of cranberries will be sold during the festival. Be sure to stop by the Cranberry Wine and Beer Garden for a refreshing beverage.
Evil Falls: House of Tormented Souls
215 S. Railroad Street
Eagle River, Wisconsin
Every Friday and Saturday from October 1, 2021
And Halloween, October 31, 2021
7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Be a part of a terrifying Northwoods tradition. Evil Falls offers scares, gore and more with all proceeds benefitting local high school students. All tickets need to be purchased on site. This is an indoor event with an outside covered waiting area and concession stand. Evil Falls is best experienced in groups of four people or less. Group size will be determined upon entry. Watch for our upcoming video interview!
Downtown
Eagle River, Wisconsin
October 30, 2021
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
The Eagle River Business Association and Vilas Cinema sponsor this afternoon of ghoulish fun for ages 15 and under. Dress up to participate in the costume contest and enjoy a treasure hunt and Halloween-themed movie, complete with soda and popcorn.
Downtown
Eagle River, Wisconsin
November 20, 2021
12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Event sponsored by the Eagle River Business Association and the Eagle River Main Street Program. Taste up to 15 specialty wines while visiting local businesses with great deals. All participants receive an event wine glass, bundle of shopping coupons and are entered for a chance to win gift certificates.
Land O’ Lakes:
6th Annual Zombie Crawl Weekend
Various locations
Land O’Lakes, Wisconsin
October 28 through 31, 2021
Thursday, October 28, 5:00 to 8:00 pm: Free Wine and Beer Tasting with appetizers at the Twilight Supper Club
Friday, October 29, 4:00 pm to 12:00 am: Ghost Hunt at Gateway Lodge with the Discovery Channel’s Brad and Barry Klinge from Ghost Lab, the Mystic Sisters, and Aron Houdini
Friday, October 29, 5:00 to 10:00 pm: Readings by the Mystic Sisters at Gateway Lodge
October 30, 2021, 3:00 to 6:00 pm: Zombie Makeup with pre-Zombie Crawl party
October 30, 2021: Pub Crawl with local bars and restaurants featuring a special drink
Merrill:
N1189 Quarter Rd
Merrill, Wisconsin
Saturday, September 4 through October 31, 2021
Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Enjoy picking your own Cortland, Honeycrisp, Macintosh, RiverBelle and Zestar apples at Helene’s Hilltop Orchard. Pre-picked apples are also available inside the Farm Store, which features cider, tasty pies and quiches, and craft wines, beer and liquors from area producers. Drive-thru orders may be placed on the weekends. The Pumpkin Patch opens September 25th. Call 715-351-1207 for the most up to date information. Pets are not allowed on the farm.
Grace and Sophie’s Pumpkin Patch
N785 Range Line Rd
Merrill, Wisconsin
Opens September 18, 2021
Enjoy 12 acres of pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks, ornamental corn, straw bales and craft metal items. This family owned and operated business supports Grace and Sophie’s education.
N2613 Norwegian Road
Merrill, Wisconsin
Every Friday and Saturday, September 18 through October 10, 2021
Grampa’s Farm provides outdoor fun and educational experiences. Celebrate 100 years of rural living and learn about farm life. Activities include a corn trail, petting zoo, tire playground, cow milking and a pumpkin patch. Enjoy ice cream and apple cider demonstrations, explore the one-room schoolhouse, dress up in old fashioned clothes and use the big slingshot to fling apples and potatoes at a wooden buck. Pack your own lunch or bring cash for the fresh donuts, corn dogs, homemade French fries, hot meat sandwiches, caramel apples, popcorn and cotton candy at the Broke Spoke Cafe and the Red Shed.
11th Annual Haunted Sawmill: “Abandoned”
700 Hendricks Street
Merrill, Wisconsin
Every Friday and Saturday from October 8, 2021
And Halloween October 31, 2021
6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Enjoy special events like “Clown Takeover Night,” “Night of the Sawmill Dead,” “Blackout Night” and “Vincent’s Birthday”. Tickets are available in advance online at hauntedsawmill.org or at the ticket window on the nights of shows. A portion of all ticket sales will go directly to local charities including the Merrill Food Pantry and and for local scholarships.
Phelps:
4069 Volkman Road
Phelps, WI
September 22, 2021, 3:00 to 5:00 pm
September 23, 2021, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Call 920-419-1238 or message on Facebook for other picking times.
Presque Isle:
Pipke Park, Hwy W
Presque Isle, Wisconsin
October 31, 2021
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
St. Rita’s Church, the Presque Isle Lions and the Presque Isle Fire/EMS Department collaborate to host this event. This year’s event will be all outdoors. Trunk-or-Treat around the pond and drop by the Haunted Ice Shanties (if you dare!). Food and drinks will be provided.
Rhinelander:
Hanson’s Garden Village Scarecrow Contest
October 1, 2021, through October16, 2021
2660 County Highway G
Rhinelander, Wisconsin
View the official Scarecrow Contest rules and registration.
Hanson’s Garden Village Fall Fest
October 16, 2021
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
2660 County Highway G
Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Fall Fest is Hanson’s Garden Village’s last big event before they close down for the winter months. Fall Fest was created to give the local community an opportunity to do fun, fall activities as a family. Proceeds from Fall Fest benefit the many community and school groups that help run the event. These groups include: the Rhinelander High School Music Department, Rhinelander High School FBLA/DECA Chapter and Girl Scouts.
Activities include Kraft’s Kuddly Kritters Petting Zoo, Kiddie Corn Maze with Scavenger Hunt, tractor hayrides to see Scottish Highland Cattle, children’s straw bale maze, Scarecrow Contest, face painting, Hanson’s Pumpkin Patch, meet the Hodag and a full indoor concession stand with warm food and drinks operated by the RHS Band Parent Organization.
Sprecksel Slaughterhouse Presents: DISTURBIA: A Haunted House for All Ages
422 Abner Street
Rhinelander Wisconsin
October 30, 2021
4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
**Children are encouraged to attend before dark**
After nightfall, this house begins to transform into your nightmares and is intended for teens and adults. This event is not recommended to those with physical ailments. There are stairs, hills, steps, flashing lights, uneven ground and you may be compelled to RUN. Enter at your own risk. Social distancing is recommended. Groups of up to five will be permitted to enter the house together. Please do not line up into the street.
James Williams Middle School
Rhinelander, Wisconsin
November 20, 2021
8:30 am to 3:00 pm
This marks the 37th year of this completely handmade craft show, which features over 100 booths. The Rhinelander Lions Club provides food, and the Oneida County Humane Society is hosting a bake sale to raise money for the homeless pets in the community. Email notrag@charter.net for information about vendor set up.
St. Germain:
Straw Bales, Corn Stalks, Indian Corn and Squash
7141 State Hwy 70 East
St. Germain, Wisconsin
There are signs out by the road. It is asked that customers bring cash only, please.
St. Germain Community Center
545 Hwy 155
St. Germain, Wisconsin
November 13, 2021
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Get into the Holiday Spirit early at the November Christmas Bazaar. The craft show features fresh wreaths and garlands, cookies sold by the pound, children’s activities, raffles and a visit from Jolly Old St. Nick. Proceeds from the Bazaar benefit local youth programs.
Three Lakes:
October 9, 2021
9:30 am to 3:00 pm
Three Lakes High School
This is an indoor Craft Show with quality crafters, homemade soups and bakery items, famous cinnamon rolls, and a crowd favorite, the Pumpkin Fest clothing. This event is the primary fundraiser of the Three Lakes Fire Department Auxiliary. Money raised is used to purchase equipment for the Three Lakes Fire Department. Donations are made to the local community as well.
Three Lakes Lions Club Halloween Party
Three Lakes High School
6930 West School Road
Three Lakes, Wisconsin
October 31, 2021
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
The Costume Contest takes place at the Three Lakes School Commons. Prizes will be awarded for the scariest, prettiest, funniest and coolest costumes. Entries in the Pumpkin Carving Contest must have their have carved/decorated pumpkin(s) at the Three Lakes School Commons by 5:45 pm.