A weekly column written by the staff of Discover Wisconsin highlights things to do and see throughout the State of Wisconsin, and is made available for publication to members of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. The column is accompanied by photos for use in print and online. The Discover Wisconsin logo can be downloaded here.
As August settles in, there’s a special energy in Wisconsin—the kind that promises good company, unbeatable food, and the sort of memories that last a lifetime. If you’re ready to make the most of summer’s grand finale, you’ve got a wealth of late-summer fairs and festivals to choose from!
County & Regional Fairs
Late summer is the season when Wisconsin’s long-standing county and regional fairs take center stage! Up in Eagle River, the Vilas County Fair (August 7–10, 2025) pulls together everything you’d want from a Northwoods celebration—rides spinning under tall pines, local food trucks, and more.
A little farther south, Marshfield hosts the Central Wisconsin State Fair (August 19–24), which brings together 4-H exhibits, thrilling rides, grandstand concerts, and even pig races! If you lean toward the small-town experience, don’t skip the Portage County Fair in Rosholt (August 30–September 2). Livestock shows, cake auctions, and chainsaw carvings, to name a few, fill Labor Day weekend with all the local spirit you could dream of.
For high-octane fun, the Shawano County Fair (August 27–September 1) is packed with energy: rodeo nights, demolition derbies, animal showcases, and, of course, midway rides. Oconto County Fair in Gillett (August 21–24) brings its own Northwoods flair with a classic auction, AG Olympics, plenty of magic shows, and carnival games for the kids. Over in Weyauwega, the Waupaca County Fair (August 20–24) is a beloved favorite, from tractor pulls to live music.
And for those in Southern Wisconsin, the Dodge County Fair (August 13–17) signals the season’s start with drawcard concerts, horse and tractor pulls, and a midway that’s always buzzing.
Unique & Quirky Wisconsin Festivals
But county fairs are just part of how Wisconsin says goodbye to summer—you’ll find many offbeat festivals to round out your calendar, too!
In Prairie du Sac, the Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw & Festival (August 29–30) is pure “only in Wisconsin” fun, with a legendary cow chip-tossing contest, community parades, fun runs, craft vendors, and live music.
If you’re craving peak-summer flavor, the Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival (August 13–17) is your ticket to parades, carnival rides, family games, live music, and—of course—a heaping helping of sweet corn, crisp and piping hot.
Meanwhile, Burger Fest in Seymour (August 8–9)—the self-proclaimed “Home of the Hamburger”—delivers on the burger front: you’ll find a homegrown parade, eating contests, and a balloon glow that lights up the night sky.
Along the shores of Lake Geneva, the Venetian Festival (August 13–17) brings more than six decades of tradition to life, with a lakeside carnival, live concerts, crafts, fireworks, and a magical boat parade sparkling across the water after sundown.
However you spend these final weeks of summer, Wisconsin’s festivals and fairs make it impossible not to catch a little extra happiness—and maybe even find a new tradition or two to carry forward.
Hailey Rose, third-generation and granddaughter of Dick Rose, writes for the nation’s longest-running tourism TV show, Discover Wisconsin. Watch the show online at DiscoverWisconsin.com. Follow Discover Wisconsin on Facebook (facebook.com/discoverwisconsin), Instagram (instagram.com/discoverwisconsin), and TikTok (tiktok.com/discoverwisconsin).
