What’s Happening This Weekend in Walworth County | Nov. 15-17

Holiday Open House | Downtown Lake Geneva

Downtown Lake Geneva is celebrating shopping local and kicking off the holiday season with their annual Holiday Open House on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm. Plus, free parking starts on Friday. Also, this weekend is the official kick off for the Holiday Window Display Competition.

Pictures With Santa | Lakeland Animal Shelter | Delavan

Grab your pets and perhaps your family and head to Lakeland Animal Shelter on Saturday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm for a picture with Santa. For just $15, you can get two pictures on a disc before you leave the shelter. No appointment is necessary, and you can sip on some hot chocolate while you wait for the big man in red. All proceeds benefit the homeless animals. Plus, its perfect timing to snap a picture for those holiday cards.

Bonkerz Comedy Series: Marz Timms | Geneva Theater | Lake Geneva

After the shopping and the picture taking, you need to sit back and have a good laugh. Marz Timms will be performing at the Geneva Theater on Saturday at 8:30 pm. Tickets are only $10. Marz appeared in two seasons of the Netflix original series Easy, and created the hit comedy show Pimprov, and tours all over the world performing stand-up and improv comedy.

 

For more events, go to www.visitwalworthcounty.com

What’s Happening This Weekend in Walworth County | Nov. 1-3

 

1. Dine Around The Lakes | Walworth County

This weekend starts Walworth County’s Restaurant Week – Dine Around The Lakes. This is the sixth year and we have 20 restaurants participating.  This is your chance to try something new or find that new favorite restaurant.  Dine Around The Lakes runs November first through the tenth.  It features three-course lunches for ten or fifteen dollars and three course dinners for twenty or thirty dollars.  This is a fantastic opportunity to unleash the foodie in you!  Some of the restaurants are 240° West, Black Sheep, Boat House, Café Calamari, Crafted Americana, the new Fire 2 Fork, Flat Iron Tap, Frontier Restaurant, Ristorante Brissago, Grandview Restaurant, Hunt Club Steakhouse, PIER 290, Red Geranium, and more.

2. Bean to Brew | Delavan Lake Store | Delavan

Speaking of deliciousness – the Delavan Lake Store is having a Coffee Class & Tasting on Saturday from 11 am to noon.  Jeremiah Fox, owner and master roaster at Lake Geneva Coffee Roastery, will be joining us to educate on the origins of coffee the roasting and brewing processes, and, of course, tasting.

3. Let Your Light Shine | Lake Geneva Canopy Tours | Lake Geneva

If you’re looking for something different, Lake Geneva Canopy Tours is hosting the Let Your Light Shine Women’s Retreat on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.  At this women’s retreat you’ll refresh, reconnect, and recharge your mind, body, and spirit – including lunch, guided meditation, custom vision casting, a goodie bag, and ziplining!

For more events, visit our website at VisitWalworthCounty.com

What’s Happening This Weekend in Walworth County | Oct. 25-27

1. Spooky City | Downtown Burlington

Burlington’s Spooky City is Saturday from 9:30 am to 2 pm.  Free trick or treating in downtown Burlington with entertainment, movies, hayrides, and more.  Come dressed in your favorite costume – the businesses are handing out treats from 11 to noon – and there is a costume contest!

2. Kid’s Halloween Party | Town Hall | Village of Bloomfield

The Village of Bloomfield is having their Kid’s Halloween Party on Saturday from 11:30 am to 1 pm in the Town Hall.  Loads of Halloween fun with games, treats, pumpkins, costume contest, and more.  And, the police department will be serving lunch!

3. Elkhorn Scare | Jackson Elementary School | Elkhorn

The Elkhorn Scare is Saturday from 2 to 4 pm at Jackson Elementary School.  Enjoy an indoor festival of pumpkin decorating, games, candy, bounce houses, and fun kid activities – and another costume contest.

4. Trick-or-Treating | Multiple Locations

Get your pillow cases ready – trick or treating in the Town of Lyons is Saturday from 3 to 5 pm, and on Sunday – Lake Geneva from noon to 4 pm, the Town of Delavan from noon to 3 pm, the Town of Geneva from 1 to 4 pm, and you can Trick or Treat on the Geneva Lake Museum’s Main Street from 12 to 1 pm.

 

For some Halloween fun for the adults – visit our website at visitwalworthcounty.com – like the Rocky Horror Picture Show on Saturday night!  For a complete list of community Trick or Treat times, go to our website or our Facebook page – Visit Walworth County.

What’s Happening This Weekend in Walworth County | Oct. 11-13

1. Family Fall Festival | Lake Lawn Resort | Delavan

Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan is hosting its annual Family Fall Festival from Friday through Sunday. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the fun. The weekend includes movies, hayrides, pumpkin painting, scarecrow building, pumpkin bowling, live music, and so much more! If you’re looking for a fall getaway, they are also offering packages.

 

2. Lake Geneva Oktoberfest | Broad St. & Flat Iron Park | Lake Geneva

Do you want more fall fun? Lake Geneva’s Oktoberfest is this Saturday and Sunday. The downtown is closed off and filled with bounce houses, pony rides, live music, beer tent, and the FREE pumpkin giveaway. Knockerball will be in Flat Iron Park. Don’t forget about all of the delicious fall food on hand – brats, cider donuts, apples, cider, and more!

 

3. Walk Of Terror | East Troy Municipal Parking Lot | East Troy

For those who love all things spooky, it’s the best time of the year – haunt season! Head to East Troy on Friday or Saturday for their Walk Of Terror.  Located in the Municipal Parking Lot, it runs from 6:30 until 11 pm. A shocking maze of fears and frights that make your hair stand on end. New terrifying surprises wait for you this year. The cost is only $15 per person and combines community service with holiday fright.

 

For more upcoming events in Walworth County, go to www.visitwalworthcounty.com/events

13 Fantastic Fall Festivals in Walworth County

With Labor Day unofficially kicking off fall, there are plenty of fun festivals just around the corner here in Walworth County!

1. Darien Cornfest

Sept. 6 – 8, 7 am – 11 pm | West Park, Darien

The small town of Darien celebrates corn and community in a BIG way. Yes, there is FREE CORN on Saturday & Sunday of this festival, but that’s not all! Enjoy carnival rides, fireworks, a parade, tractor pulls, bingo, tournaments, live music, and more! Did we mention free corn?

2. East Troy Bluegrass Festival

Sept. 7 – 8, 10 am – 5:30 pm | East Troy Village Square

The sweet sounds of bluegrass and banjos will once again fill East Troy’s village square. Something of a musician yourself? Participate in banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin contests! Get a weekend wristband for only $10 and enjoy two full days of bluegrass music, great food, and marketplace vendors.

3. Scarecrow Fest

Sept. 14, 10 am – 4 pm | Downtown Delavan

The 19th annual Scarecrow Fest is a community-wide, family-oriented event that will feature scarecrows on parade and free activities throughout historic downtown Delavan! With pumpkin decorating, a petting zoo, mural tours, food trucks, scarecrow building, live music, and more, there’s a little something for everyone!

4. Wise Fest

Sept. 14, 12 pm – 11 pm | Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn

If you’re looking to expand your musical horizons, this one is for you! The Wise Fest lineup is carefully curated to include original music, a variety of genres, and incredible talent. Take in the great music of these diamonds in the rough while supporting the biggest county fair in Wisconsin!

5. Geneva Lakes Antique & Classic Boat Show

Sept. 27 – 29 | The Abbey Resort, Fontana

This annual event is returning to the harbor at The Abbey Resort! Over 100 antique and classic boats from all over will be featured along with a boatload of activities, live music, and BBQ.

6. Antique Flea Market

Sept. 29, 7 am – 3 pm | Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn

Elkhorn’s flea market boasts OVER 500 vendors inside and outside! Don’t miss the last one of the year — these dealers will offer everything from furniture to pottery to dolls to linens and everything else in between. The walkways are paved, the food is delicious, admission is only $5, and the parking is free!

7. Family Fall Festival

Oct. 11 – 13 | Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan

Lake Lawn Resort has a jam-packed weekend of fall fun! Attendees can enjoy events such as unlimited mini golf, pumpkin decorating, doughnut making, hayrides, movie nights, and more. Still hungry for more? Feast on the Fall Harvest Buffet on Sunday or even enter the pie-eating contest! Activities will be open to resort guests and the public.

8. Lake Geneva Oktoberfest

Oct. 12 – 13, 11 am – 5 pm | Downtown Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva’s annual Oktoberfest celebration is back! Enjoy fest classics such as brats, cider doughnuts, pony rides, bounce houses, a craft fair, and Oktoberfest beer tent. Don’t forget the FREE pumpkin giveaway! Stop by Flat Iron Park to play Knockerball which is fun for all ages and hilarious to watch.

9. Elkhorn Oktoberfest

Oct. 19, 9 am – 5 pm | Downtown Elkhorn

There’s fun for all at Elkhorn’s Annual Oktoberfest celebration! Stroll through the square downtown to see over 100 crafters and vendors showcasing handcrafted items, antiques, produce and plants, and more. Stop by the Oktoberfest Car Show at government center or warm up with some chili over at the Chili Cook-Off! There will be plenty of kids activities such as games, pumpkin decorating, slides, and a bounce house. For the adults, there will be a Beer & Wine Tasting at Pocket Park!

10. Delavan Oktoberfest

Oct. 19, 3:30 pm – 9 pm | Community Park, Town of Delavan

Calling all lovers of polka and German food! Delavan’s Oktoberfest kicks off with the Dank Folk Dancers followed by an Alphorn demonstration. Enjoy beer, wine, and traditional German fare all evening. Bring your dancing shoes and polka away with the Steve Meisner Band!

11. Halloween Brew Walk

Oct. 25, 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm | Downtown Delavan

Sip, stroll, and shop through the historic brick streets of Delavan while tasting a variety of craft brews! All attendees will receive a souvenir glass and tasting passport which can be stamped at over a dozen downtown locations. Costumes are welcome and encouraged!

12. Boos & Brews Halloween Bash

Oct. 25 – 26, 5 pm – 11 pm | Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan

Celebrate Halloween with Lake Lawn Resort! Have a smashing good time with live music, spooky spirits, and wicked brews under the large beer tent. Costumes are optional, but encouraged (and necessary to enter their Halloween costume contest)! Enjoy seasonal concessions such as white chicken chili, turkey sliders, stadium nachos, and more!

13. Beer & Spirits Festival

Nov. 16, 1 pm – 5 pm | The Ridge Hotel

This one is for lovers of craft beers and spirits! Your ticket to the Beer & Spirits Festival gets you UNLIMITED tastings from over 35 craft breweries and distilleries. The fun continues with a dance party, photo booth, and more! A commemorative tasting glass is included with admission and early admission tickets are available that include three exclusive beer tastings.

 

To discover more events in Walworth County, visit our event calendar at www.visitwalworthcounty.com/events!

 

Featured Organization: GLAS Education

GLAS Education (Geneva Lake Astrophysics and STEAM) was formed by former Yerkes Observatory staff after the University of Chicago closed the observatory last fall with the goal of keeping the education and outreach in the Geneva Lake area. Walworth County is lucky to be home to such a unique, educational gem and we’re excited to share what we learned through our interview with GLAS!

 

What kind of programs does GLAS offer?

GLAS offers Star Parties, planetarium shows, drone programs, and educational programs for students. While most of their specific programs are geared towards children and young adults, their Star Parties are very much for people of all ages!

The McQuown Scholars program is one that was carried over from Yerkes where students can join programs like the LENSS project designing a light pollution sensor. Students can also join the SEO observing group where they use a remote telescope in California to collect data and images.

Where are you located?

You can find the GLAS office at 186 Elkhorn Rd. in Williams Bay! Star Parties are held at The Riviera in Lake Geneva.

What is the importance of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) education?

Exposure to STEAM allows students to develop problem-solving, analytical, and creative thinking. These are skills that can be applied during everyday life. STEAM education can also allow students to pursue challenging and fulfilling careers!

What is the most unique thing about GLAS?

GLAS Education is renowned for their work in making astronomy accessible to the blind/visually impaired and the deaf/hard of hearing communities! GLAS is part of the IDATA (Innovators Developing Accessible Tools for Astronomy) Project, which is a National Science Foundation funded project intended to design accessible tools for astronomy.

Are there any upcoming events at GLAS?

Yes! There is one final Star Party at the Riviera Ballroom in downtown Lake Geneva on August 29th.

What does GLAS like the most about being located in Walworth County?

Walworth County is a great place to be located because there is a strong sense of community here!

Fun Fact: GLAS has a large yellow telescope that they have nicknamed Big Bird! The tube of this telescope is almost 9 feet long and the mirror is 2 feet in diameter! 

Learn more about GLAS Education at www.glaseducation.org!

 

7 Can’t-Miss Markets in Walworth County

One thing Wisconsinites know well is how to cherish summer while it lasts. Between spending time at the lake, going to the county fair and enjoying concerts in the park, we tend to keep busy! One thing you’ll want to make time for, if you haven’t already, is scooping up some fresh produce and locally-made goods from a farmers market near you. Lucky for us, we have plenty of great markets right here in Walworth County!

1. Whitewater City Market

Located at the historic Train Depot, Whitewater City Market brings together local farmers, artisans, food cards, craft beer and local music every Tuesday from 4 – 7 pm. The market’s goal is to not only create a unique shopping experience, but also celebrate all things local. This marker offer free music, kids’ activities and boasts over 50 vendors!

2. Farmers Market – Lake Geneva

 

Enjoy a huge variety of local produce, beautiful flowers and all sorts of goods from farmers and local vendors every Thursday at Horticultural Hall in downtown Lake Geneva. This market takes place from 8 am – 1 pm and runs May 2 – October 24.

3. Burlington Farmers Market

Farm tables at this market are loaded with the region’s freshest, in-season fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey, ciders, cheeses, pasture-raised meats and poultry, jams, preserves, cut flowers and nursery stock. Local food artisans bring fresh bread, prepared foods and other goodies. Burlington hosts its market every Thursday from 3 pm – 7 pm at Wehmhoff Square.

 

4. Delavan’s Fresh Market

Delavan Fresh Market has fresh produce, local food vendors and artisan craftsmen. The market is located under the trees in downtown and right on Hwy 11. The Fresh Market is open on Thursday afternoons from 3 – 7 pm, June – September.

 

5. East Troy Farmers Market

The East Troy Farmers Market is currently celebrating its 11th year! This market features vendors selling staples like homegrown produce and flowers, but you can also find meats, honey, cheese, crafts and more. Note that the East Troy Farmers Market is held only on the first and third Friday of the month, June 7 – October 4. Click here to view their exciting schedule of events for the remainder of the 2019 season.

 

6. Saturdays on the Square – Elkhorn

Saturdays in Elkhorn are for Saturdays on the Square! Here, you can find a variety of vendors offering everything from handmade products to fresh, local produce. Every week, a different event, organization or activity is featured. Market-goers can attend every Saturday from 9 am – 1 pm at Veterans Park in downtown Elkhorn.

 

7. Whitewater Farmers Market

The Whitewater Farmers Market has been serving up fresh produce in the community for over 25 years! Open 8 am – 12 pm on Saturdays, this market features vendors with locally grown seasonal produce, baked goods, preserves, hand-crafted items and more. This market runs from the first Saturday in May until the first Saturday in November and is located at the Winchester True Value.

 

For more information about events happening in Walworth County, go to www.visitwalworthcounty.com/events