North Woods to celebrate fall with Colorama, seasonal festivals

Colorama celebrates fall in the North Woods, when leaves turn from green to red, orange, yellow, and other vibrant hues. Every September and October, it draws residents and visitors alike to enjoy the season at its peak.

Communities in Vilas and Oneida counties host a variety of events to mark the occasion. The following list of upcoming festivities was compiled from area chamber of commerce websites and other sources.

Sept. 13, Colorama Arts and Crafts Fair — 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Boulder Junction. This annual fair features arts and craft vendors, fall decor, live music, food and craft beer, and a Friends of the Library used book sale. Phone: 715-385-2400.

Sept. 13, Scarecrow Fest — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., downtown Phelps. The 16th annual Phelps Scarecrow Fest features crafts, food, music, a car show, raffles, and family activities, with free admission and proceeds supporting local community projects and charities. Phone: 715-522-0535.

Sept. 13, Oktoberfest — 4-10 p.m., The Snowflake Ice Rink, 6492 Town Hall Road, Land O’ Lakes. Live music (including polka), traditional German foods, a stein-holding competition, and a best-dressed contest. Admission is free this year thanks to a sponsorship from Revolution Brewery. Phone: 715-547-3432.

Sept. 20, Colorama 2025 — 9 a.m.-3 p.m., St. Germain Community Park. This 67th annual Colorama features crafters, a farmers market, a mum sale, kids’ pumpkin painting, food from the St. Germain Northwoods Lions Club, live music, booths from local not-for-profits, plus Pints in the Park and the Fall Cruisin’ Car and Truck Show. Phone: 715-477-2205.

Sept. 20, LOLA Art Harvest — 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Land O’ Lakes Community Garden and VFW grounds. Land O’ Lakes Arts will hold a free, family-friendly arts festival and day of seasonal celebration, featuring art vendors, food demonstrations, live music, walks through the garden, and pumpkin painting. Phone: 715-547-3950.

Sept. 20, Colorama Dinner — 6-8 p.m., Camp Manito-wish YMCA, 5650 Camp Manito-wish Lane, Boulder Junction. The Boulder Junction Lions Club hosts this plated dinner with entertainment and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit 18 different area youth programs and scholarships. Tickets are being sold in tables of 10. Doors open at 5 p.m. Phone: 414- 345-0826 (Steve Weber) or 703-967-2954 (Ian Brown).

Sept. 20, Harvest Festival — 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Koller Park, Manitowish Waters. The Manitowish Waters Harvest Festival is an outdoor event showcasing a variety of local vendors, food, and drinks as a kick-off to the fall season and the start of the cranberry harvest in the area. Phone: 715-543-8488.

Sept. 20, Oktoberfest — 11 a.m.-4 p.m., downtown Three Lakes. Three Lakes Oktoberfest will offer a variety of food, entertainment, and vendors on both Superior Street and W. School Street, including German fare and beer, a pig roast, the Pommersche Danz Gruppe performing German folk dances in authentic costumes, and Jim Pekol and his band playing polka tunes. Phone: 715-546-3344.

Sept. 26-28, Colorama Weekend — Sayner. Enjoy fall festivities at the downtown shops Friday through Sunday, and seasonal, family-friendly activities on Sunday. Also on Sunday, The Friends of the Plum Lake Library will host a Colorama Craft Show and Bake Sale at the Sayner Community Building from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Phone: 715-204-9336.

Sept. 27, Beef-a-Rama — 9 a.m.-7 p.m., downtown Minocqua. The 60th annual Beef-a-Rama will feature beef sandwiches, a beef-eating contest, live music, a Cow Pie Plop contest, kids’ activities, beer gardens, and more. There’s also a Rump Roast Run and the Prime Choice Craft Show at Torpy Park, with more than 75 exhibitors offering a wide variety of unique handcrafted items. Phone: 715-356-5266.

Sept. 27, Fall Fest — 9 a.m.-6 p.m., St. Germain Community Center. The St. Germain ATV Club hosts their annual Fall Fest, including a scavenger hunt, skills games, raffles, and a party at Murmuring Waters. Phone: 623-337-3307.

Oct. 4-5, Cranberry Fest — 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday, Eagle River. The 45th annual Cranberry Fest offers a fun-filled weekend with activities throughout the Eagle River community, including more than 200 arts and crafts booths, fresh locally-grown cranberries and craisins, cranberry beer and wine, marsh tours and wine tasting, an antique and vintage show and sale, farmer’s market, musical entertainment, and more. Phone: 715-479-6400.

Oct. 11, Pumpkin Fest — 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Three Lakes High School. Three Lakes Auxiliary will host its annual Pumpkin Fest with many vendors along with a food court, cinnamon rolls and other baked goods, hot soup, and more. Free parking and admission. Proceeds support the Three Lakes Fire Department and community. Phone: 715-546-3626.

Oct. 20, Harvest Dinner — 4-7 p.m., Sayner-Star Lake Community Building. The Plum Lake Lions Club’s annual event features a pie raffle and other raffles. The cost is $25; there is no bar service, it’s BYOB. Take out is available. Get tickets at Cre-ate or call Mitzi at 715-542-3996.