Green Lake is the perfect summer town. Beautiful weather, a charming downtown, a big lake to jump in when the temperature creeps up a little too much, and great events spread out throughout the whole summer. There’s something to keep everyone happy and cool all summer long in Green Lake. Here are some of our favorite summer events that are just too good to miss.
July 4 – Fourth of July Celebration
Fireworks over a lake!? Who could ask for a better 4th of July? But the fun doesn’t start with the fireworks at the end of the night. Deacon Mills Park is the place to be for the day with live music, food and beverages galore (keep an eye out for cotton candy) and kids entertainment around every corner. While at the park make sure to see the boat parade, check out the craft & vendor fair, and enjoy the duck races before heading over to downtown to watch the parade. The night ends with fireworks over Dartford Bay which would be lovely to view from Deacon Mills Park or our lawn at Greenway House B&B. With our lush gardens, wrap-around porch, and proximity to Dartford Bay, relaxing while enjoying a nice glass of wine and watching the fireworks would be the perfect way to end your Fourth of July.
July 21 – Boat Jam
Where would Green Lake be without the annual Boat Jam? The largest and most anticipated lake event in Green Lake is the place to be in Wisconsin on the 21st of July. Riding Shotgun will be supplying the ‘Jam’ of the Boat Jam. Their set, which includes a variety of Rock, Pop, and Country hits spanning several decades, is the soundtrack to keep you dancing all day. If you’ve got a boat bring it, and if you don’t there is still plenty to enjoy from the shore and in the water. Festivities start at 1:00 pm at Norweigian Bay for cookouts, jamming, music, boating, and just sun soaking!
August 1-4 – Country Fair
This family-oriented event is a weekend jam-packed with fun the whole family will enjoy. Youth and adults from all over Green Lake County will compete for blue ribbons in a wide variety of categories. Check out the animal shows, woodworking, photography, botany, and (our favorite) pie baking! There will also be live music all day, tractor pulls, a demolition derby, and a carnival on the grounds to keep you entertained from sun-up to sun-down. This event is also FREE to attend! That’s right! There’s no admission to get in and no parking fees. That frees up some change to enjoy some country fair treats from the vendors on grounds. Come see why Green Lake County Fair is known as “the best little fair around”!
Aug 10-11 – Art Show
Green Lake’s Annual Fine Art Show is truly inspiring! Hosted at the Playground Park along the Mill Pond, there is beauty to behold around every corner. Stroll through the vendors and see beautiful paintings, hypnotizing sculptures, delicate bowls and glass pieces, and masterfully-crafted jewelry. The show runs from 10am-5pm on Saturday the 10th and 10am-4pm on Sunday the 11th. There will also be live music and food on site both days so you can enjoy everything this art show has to offer. Free to attend, this art show exhibits everything that makes Wisconsin so special.
Sept 29-30 – Harvest Fest
It’s the event everyone has been waiting for, Green Lake’s Harvest Fest! This two-day celebration transforms downtown Green Lake into a fall haven. Keep an eye out for the craft fair, food vendors, the harvest parade, a car show, farmers market, and live entertainment. That is really just the tip of the excitement as there are activities all over the town that are fun for the whole family. Stop by the playground park for face painting and Sink the Bismarck, swing by the Goose Blind from 10-12 on Saturday to play in the cornhole tournament, play bingo in the town square, and enjoy live music by Wisconsin’s best performers all over town. Eat, play, and prepare for Wisconsin’s wonderful autumn season!
Every Wednesday – Concerts in the Park
Every Wednesday at 6:30 pm throughout the summer at Deacon Mills Park, bands will take to the stage for the summer concert series. Bring a blanket, some lawn chairs, and some dancing shoes for a unique evening by the lake. Always free, and always a good time, you can listen to folk, blues, classic rock, or 60’s throwback hits for a whole night. Bring your own picnic or grab some goodies from the local vendors and snack out under the stars.
Green Lake is beautiful year-round, but these summer events make Green Lake almost irresistible. Any trip here can be met with sunny days, live music all over town, great restaurants, and local happenings, but these 5 events turn Green Lake into the summer destination everyone craves.
Planning to enjoy some of Green Lake’s awesome events? Book a stay at the Greenway House Bed & Breakfast, a historic retreat in the heart of beautiful Green Lake.
