Pick of the Patch: Pumpkin Patches 2016

Charlie Brown may have found THE Great Pumpkin, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to find your perfect pick of the patch this autumn. The Lake Geneva area is home to multiple farms where you can pick your own pumpkin, or choose your favorite from available pre-picked pumpkins.  Many of the area patches are already open and ready for pumpkin season, with just a couple of the pick-your-own patches opening October 1st.

Here are a few quick pumpkin patch links:

Apple Barn Orchard & Winery

Pearce’s Farm Stand

Pesche’s Greenhouse & Gift Barn

Royal Oak Farm Orchard (Pick-Your-Own begins October 1st)

The Elegant Farmer (Pick-Your-Own begins October 1st)

For more fall fun in the Lake Geneva area, please go to VisitWalworthCounty.com.

Walworth County Fall Bucket List

Summer is quickly coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end. Walworth County offers a wide variety of fall-themed activities that deliver everything from apple and pumpkin picking to fall festivals to scenic tours on land, in the air, or on the water. Whether you’re looking for a family day out or a unique date for just the two of you, the Lake Geneva area has fall fun for everyone.

• Have a slice of apple or pumpkin pie at the Lake Geneva Pie Company
• Test your skill with corn mazes at Pearce’s Farm Stand and The Elegant Farmer
• Pick your own apples at the Apple Barn Orchard & Winery or The Elegant Farmer
• Drive the area Rustic Roads to see the brilliant fall foliage
• Try the apple flavored Estate Blanc wine at Staller Winery
• Visit the pumpkin patches at the Apple Barn Orchard & Winery, Pearce’s Farm Stand, Royal Oak Farm Orchard, or The Elegant Farmer
• Have hot apple cider and cider donuts at Royal Oak Farm Orchard
• Decorate with gourds, pumpkins, and mums from Pesche’s Greenhouse
• Dig into an Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag from The Elegant Farmer
• Spend a day at one of the many Fall Harvest Festivals in the area throughout the season
• Take in the fall scenery from the sky with air tours from Gypsy Air Tours, Lake Geneva Balloon Company, or MF Helicopters
• Soak up the autumn views around Geneva Lake with a Lake Walk on the Geneva Lake Shore Path and a cruise with the Lake Geneva Cruise Line
• Explore the Amaze ‘N Apples apple tree maze at Royal Oak Farm Orchard

To find additional information on these activities and more, please go to www.visitwalworthcounty.com or call 800-395-8687.

It’s Apple Time

Autumn hasn’t quite arrived yet, but it is definitely in the air around Walworth County. There are many fun fall activities around the Lake Geneva area throughout the season, and apple picking is generally one of the first, early fall activities each year. With so many local orchards to choose from, you’re certain to find exactly what you’re looking for. Whether you want a day of family fun, or simply want to go browse local apple varieties, there’s an orchard in the area for you. Here’s a quick reference to the Pick-Your-Own and Pre-Picked orchards in the county.

Follow these quick links for additional information on each orchard:

Apple Barn Orchard & Winery
W6384 Sugar Creek Road, Elkhorn

Little Miss Sweet Pea
431 E. Geneva Street, Elkhorn

Pearce’s Farm Stand
W5740 N. Walworth Road, Walworth

Quednow’s Heirloom Apple Orchard
W5098 County Road ES, Abell’s Corners/Elkhorn

Royal Oak Farm Orchard
15908 Hebron Road, Harvard

The Elegant Farmer
1545 Main Street, Mukwonago

Trick or Treat: Your Guide to trick-or-treating in Walworth County [2015]

Get ready kiddies…we’re into October, and that means that Halloween is just around the corner!  Every year, we put together a list of all of the Walworth County community trick or treat times – and this year, we’ve delivering earlier than ever.  You can also find the times (and details) on our Events Calendar. Many communities also host Halloween parties for the kids – check it all out here:

Remember to practice safe trick or treat habits; here’s a few tips:

• Trick or treat in groups – preferably with an adult
• Look both ways before crossing any street – and walk from house to house..don’t run
• Bring a flashlight, especially if your community is hosting an evening trick or treat time
• Examine all treats/candy for choking hazards, suspicious wrapping, or tampering before eating them
• Many communities ask the residents who are participating in trick or treating to turn their porch light on.  This will help you know which houses to go to and which to avoid!

For more tips, click here.

For other fun Halloween activities in the Lake Geneva area, check out our 31 Days of Halloween post and on Facebook!  If you’re looking for the area haunts, click here.  Happy Halloween!

31 Days of Halloween 2015

Happy October everyone!  Here at the Walworth County Visitors Bureau, we just LOVE fall (in case you couldn’t tell already) – especially Halloween.  Lucky for us, our beautiful area is full of Halloween activities…everything from adult wine parties and spooky haunts to kids’ celebrations and pumpkin races.  For all events & details, visit our Events Calendar.

This Weekend in Walworth County: September 25-27

Wow – there is a lot to do this weekend!  Whether you want to get out of the house with your kids, enjoy typical fall activities, explore local farmers markets, or listen to live music…there’s plenty for you to choose from.  We’ve pulled just a “few” of the area events – for the full list of events, visit our Events Calendar.  Now get out there & have a great weekend!

If you’re looking for kid-friendly…

• Touch A Truck (Delavan)
  Saturday, 10 am – 12 pm
  
  
• Kids Day Out (Pell Lake/Bloomfield)
  Saturday, 11 am – 4 pm
  
  
• Milwaukee Day at East Troy Electric Railroad (East Troy)
  Saturday, 11 am – 4 pm
  

If you’re into antiques…

• Antique & Classic Boat Show (Fontana)
  Friday-Sunday
  
  
• Fall Swap Meet & Car Show (Jefferson)
  Friday, 10 am – 7 pm; Saturday, 6 am – 4 pm; Sunday, 6 am – 3 pm
  
  
• Hawk’s View Flea Market (Lake Geneva)
  Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm
  
  
• Classic Car Show at Pearce’s Farm Stand (Walworth)
  Sunday, 12 – 3 pm
  
• Antique Flea Market (Elkhorn)
  Sunday, 7 am – 4pm
  

If you’re looking for classic fall fun…

• AppleFest at Apple Barn Orchard & Winery (Elkhorn)
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm
  
  
• Fall Fest (Mukwonago)
  Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm
  
  
• Autumn Adventures at Busy Barns Adventure Farm (Fort Atkinson)
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm
  
  
• Autumn Harvest Fest at The Elegant Farmer (Mukwonago)
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm
  
• Autumn on the Farms at Old World Wisconsin (Eagle)
  Friday-Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm
  
• Estate of Terror Haunted Mansion & Hayride (Walworth)
  Friday & Saturday, 7 – 10:30 pm
  

 

Looking for more fall fun?  Check out our website, updated daily with new events & activities happening throughout Walworth County.

Haunted Walworth County 2015

Ahhh – fall.  The air’s a little chillier in Walworth County – and it’s not just because of the temperature.  Creepy crawly things go *bump* in the night – do you dare to find out what?

Our area is home to some great haunts – plan a weekend & check them all out, or come back throughout October to go to your favorite again and again!  For other Halloween activities, check out our Events Calendar, Facebook page & our 31 Days of Halloween (coming soon).

Estate of Terror Haunted Mansion & Hayride (Pearce’s Farm Stand, Walworth)
A full terrifying evening, two attractions in one Location, A Haunted Victorian Mansion and a horrifying Hayride through Witchwood Forest. Offering campfires, concessions and music. Plan on spending the entire evening with friends.  The Estate of Terror opens for the season on September 25 and runs every Friday and Saturday night until October 31st.  Prices are $15 for The Estate of Terror, $15 for the Haunted Hayride, and $22 for both.  Visit their website or call (262) 949-4992 for details.

Haunted Hayride (Dan Patch Stables, Lake Geneva)
The Haunted Hayride is back for another year at Dan Patch Stables!  Running from October 2 to October 31, the hayride will run every Friday and Saturday night 6:00 pm – midnight.  In addition, the hayride will run on Sunday, October 11 (6:00 pm – midnight).  The first hayride each night (6:00 – 6:45 pm) will be a special “family friendly” hayride.  Prices are $15 for adults and $6 for kids (6 and under).  Visit their website or call (262) 215-5303 for details.

Haunted Trail (Scenic Ridge Campground, Whitewater)
This spooky haunted trail is open for campers on October 3, 10, & 17.  It is open to the public on October 17 ONLY. For questions and details regarding the trail, please call (608) 883-2920.

Haunted Trail (Wildwood Park, Darien)
The annual haunted trail at Wildwood Park, hosted by Darien EMS, will be open Saturday, October 24 from 4:00 – 9:00 pm. The first two hours will be kid-friendly, with 7:00 – 9:00 pm being the “haunted trail.” Admission is $5/adults (12 and older) and $3/kids.  Children 2 and under are free.

Shockwave Haunts (The Fuzzy Pig, Whitewater)
Shockwave returns another year to scare and terrorize those willing to withstand the horror. Southern Wisconsin’s premier place for a haunted attraction. Four haunts in one place! Shockwave Haunts opens October 3rd and will be open every Friday & Saturday night through Halloween.  Prices are $10 for one haunt, $18 for three haunts, and $20 for all four haunts.  Visit their website or call (262) 473-4574 for more details.

Twisted Realms Haunted House (Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn)
Twisted Realms will begin its debut season on Saturday, October 3rd, 2015 at the Walworth County Fair Grounds in Elkhorn, Wisconsin and runs through Halloween.  This haunted house is going to be like none other you’ve ever experienced.  At Twisted Realms, it’s up to you to find your way through the maze and escape the terror.  General admission is $15, with VIP add-ons available.  Join them on Sundays from 2:00 – 5:00 pm for a special Family House event (no actors) – just $10.