Top Five Food Festivals in Walworth County

From street snacks to crafted dishes, the food festivals in Walworth County will make your taste buds jump for joy. Savor culinary delights and sample local bites while enjoying the simple joys of our piece of paradise. Taste your way through the Lake Geneva Area and beyond throughout 2021 at our top five food festivals:

Maple Fest – Lake Geneva
April 18th, 2021
A stack of hot cakes is just not
complete without a layer of maple syrup over the top! Every spring, Covenant Harbor Bible Camp welcomes guests to Maple Fest. This year, guests are invited to snack their way through the Breakfast Market. Or take your Maple Fest Experience to-go with a Breakfast Kit which features Oatmeal Pancake Mix, Breakfast Sausage, Maple Cookie Dough, and Coffee wrapped up in a Covenant Harbor Tote Bag.

Ribfest – Elkhorn
July 15th-18th, 2021
Head on over to the beautiful Walworth
County Fairgrounds for four days of unbelievably delicious finger-lickin’ barbecue at Ribfest 2021. Chow down on award-winning BBQ from pit-masters from around the country. Once you’ve have had your fill, kick-back and enjoy some live music and a cold beer or two.

Darien Corn Fest – Darien
September 11th-12th, 2021
Always held the first weekend after Labor Day, Darien Corn Fest celebrates all things corn! Featuring free roasted sweet corn, softball, volleyball, and horseshoe tournaments and earth-shaking tractor pulls, Corn Fest is the quintessential Midwest summer celebration you won’t want to miss. Stick around for the fireworks on Sunday evening.

Brew Fest – East Troy
Dates To Be Announced
Roll out the barrel for Brew Fest in
East Troy! Brew Fest offers unlimited samples from local and regional breweries. Be sure to pair your pours with some delicious food from food trucks and local restaurants.

Autumn Food Festival – Fontana
October 9th, 2021
Experience the flavors of fall in a weekend celebration of the local culinary highlights of the season. The Abbey Resort partners with
local chefs and restaurateurs to showcase their culinary talent and the seasonal flavors of the area.

Next time you’re planning a Walworth County getaway, consider hitting up one of our flavorful food festivals; your taste buds will certainly thank us. Visit our website for the most up-to-date information regarding festival dates and offerings. For more flavorful fun, check out our Event Calendar at VisitWalworthCounty.com.

Pedal to Paddle: Explore Walworth County by Land and Water

Dust off those paddles and grease up your bike chains, its finally time to enjoy the great outdoors! Luckily, Walworth County is packed with great biking trails and kayaking spots where you can not only be active but spend some time in the fresh air. Read on to learn about some of our favorite spots to explore Walworth County by land or water:

Pedal

Adventure Center at Grand Geneva Resort
Spend an afternoon in the great outdoors at the Adventure Center Grand Geneva. With trail distances ranging from .5 to 5 miles, these trails are perfect for every level of cyclist.
Trail Distance: .5 – 5 miles

Alpine Valley Mountain Bike Trail
Even the most seasoned cyclists will be challenged by the Mountain Bike Trail at Alpine Valley Resort! From the start, the trail is an ascending, leg-burning climb in the trees up the side of the ski hill. After you go around the excavation pit, miles of twists, turns, punchy climbs, and fast descents await.
Trail Distance: 8.1 miles

Big Foot Beach State Park
Featuring six gentle trails, Big Foot Beach State Park offers a variety of scenery through open meadow, forest, and stream. State Park Vehicle Admission Sticker or Trail Pass required.
Trail Distance: .5 – 6.5 miles

Fontana-Sharon Cycling Loop
Starting off in Sharon, explore Walworth County by bike along the Fontana Cycling Loop. This 23.3 mile stretch of highway riding will take you past country farms and the glimmering lake shore.
Trail Distance: 23.3 miles

Bike Trails at Lake Geneva Ziplines & Adventures
Pick up the pace on miles mountain biking of trails offering beginner, intermediate and expert levels. The trails wind through the forest and feature obstacles on the intermediate and expert level routes include ladder bridges, jumps and switchbacks that make it a regional favorite.
Trail Distance: .9 – 3.25 miles

Swan Creek Trail
This graveled pedestrian and bike path current connects Lange Arboretum, Veteran’s Park, Terrace Park, Rudy Lange Sledding Hill, Lower Springs Park and Upper Springs Park.
Trail Distance: 1 mile  

Kettle Moraine State Forrest – Southern Unit
From the youngest beginner to the most avid professional, 30 miles of trail offers some of the best off-road biking in the Midwest. State Park Trail Pass required.
Trail Distance: .4 miles – 12 miles

White River State Trail
This 19-mile trail follows a former rail corridor as it travels between Elkhorn in Walworth County and Dover in Racine County, with a short gap in Burlington. The level grade and smooth limestone surface make this 19-mile trail suitable for bicyclists, walkers and joggers. State Park Trail Pass required.
Trail Distance: 19 miles

Paddle

Big Foot Beach State Park
With direct access to the crystal clear waters of Geneva Lake, Big Foot Beach State Park is a very popular paddling spot. Visitors can also paddle the Ceylon Lagoon within the State Park boundaries. Visitors must have State Park Admission Pass.

Booth Lake – East Troy
Spend a day on the water at Booth Lake in East Troy. Situated just a few minutes off of Highway 43, you’ll find a kayker’s oasis on this secluded lake.

Edgewater Park – Williams Bay
Nothing beats paddling the shores of the Bay! With kayak and canoe launches located in Edgewater Park, lake access is a breeze. While you’re out on the water, enjoy the scenic shoreline featuring iconic Walworth County institutions including the Yerkes Observatory and George Williams College!

Honey Creek Streambank Protection Area
Just south of East Troy, Honey Creek Streambank Protection Area runs through northeastern Walworth County.

Lake Comus – Delavan
Lake Comus is a hidden gem for kayakers and canoers alike! This 114 acre lake, on Delavan’s North Side, is a popular place for fishing and floating.

Turtle Creek Wildlife Area
If you’re a fan of rare wildlife and gently rolling creeks, Turtle Creek Wildlife Area is a great spot for paddling. Here you’ll paddle under covered bridges, through Wisconsin farmland, and historic forrests.

White River
Meandering, twisty, narrow, fast, rocky, and remote; these are commonly used words when describing the float down the White River. Running between Elkhorn and Burlington, This is a fantastic stretch of waterway is perfect for whitewater enthusiasts. Most of the final seven miles are nearly continuous riffles, class 1 and class 2 rapids.

Whitewater Lake
The hidden gem of Walworth County, Whitewater Lake offers kayakers the opportunity to paddle into the great Wisconsin Wilderness. Whitewater Lake is part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit

For more information on Sports and Recreation areas in Walworth County, head over
to our website at VisitWalworthCounty.com. Happy exploring!

**State Trail Passes are available for purchase at the Travel Information Center in Delavan, Monday through Friday 8:30am-4:30pm.

What’s Happening This Weekend in Walworth County | April 9-11

Spring Break Specials at Lake Geneva Clue Room

Spring Breaking in the Lake Geneva Area and looking for an experience for the whole family? Book an escape room with Lake Geneva Clue Room! Being in the room together, puts those screens away, and puts your family face to face.  You spend time working together, developing skills, and making memories together.  Everyone in your family is unique and they all have something to bring to the table in an escape room! Get $5 off your Escape Room experience at Lake Geneva Clue Room with code “BREAK21” at check out. Good luck!

Early Season Geneva Lake Tours

With the temperatures on the rise, Lake Geneva Cruise Line is jumping into the 2021 season with Early Season Tours! Departing from their headquarters in William’s Bay, Lake Geneva Cruise Line is setting sail on Saturdays and Sundays throughout April for spring tours. Booking is limited, and advanced reservations are recommended. Book now by visiting www.cruiselakegeneva.com.

Taste of Greece

Opa! Take your tastebuds on a trip to the Greek Islands at The Grandview Restaurant throught the month of April. Chef Chad Visger has created this special menu to usher in the fresh spring flavors and add some greek flair to the shores of Lake Geneva. Enjoy traditional greek dishes including flaming Saganaki, Souvlaki, Giovesti, and of course, Baklava! Reservations are always encouraged for limited menu events and can be made by visiting www.thegrandviewrestaurant.com.

For information on these events and more, go to VisitWalworthCounty.com/Events. Enjoy your weekend here in Walworth County.