Five Festivals Painting the Northwoods Red This Weekend

This weekend (October 5–6, 2019), you’ll be seeing red just about everywhere you go in northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula. But make no mistake. We don’t mean you’ll angry—far from it! We are talking about five festivals happening Up North this weekend that are adding ruby shades to the already brilliantly colored landscape.

Manitowish Waters Cran-A-Rama

Manitowish Waters Cran-A-Rama is happening 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Manitowish Waters Community Center. Stop by to enjoy the Lioness bake sale, an arts and crafts fair, and cranberry sales. And stay for the self-guided fall foliage tour, free pontoon cruises, and cranberry marsh tours!

Eagle River Cranberry Fest

Eagle River Cranberry Fest is happening today and tomorrow at the Vilas County Fairgrounds. Join a cranberry marsh tours or come for the huge arts and crafts fair, cranberry food sales, entertainment, wine and beer garden, and the 5K Bog Jog.

Bayfield Apple Festival

Bayfield Apple Festival, a massive festival taking place all weekend, celebrates the autumn harvest and Bayfield’s agricultural heritage with orchard and winery tours, fine art and local food vendors, live music, a carnival. The festival culminates with the Grand Parade, featuring a huge band playing “On Wisconsin” while marching down historic Rittenhouse Avenue to Lake Superior. 

Stone Lake Cranberry Festival

Stone Lake Cranberry Festival is happening today! There’s an arts, crafts, and flea market; cranberries, craisins, and festival apparel sales; cranberry marsh tours (starting under the water tower); a cranberry pancake breakfast; and a cranberry baking contest—and more fun that you just don’t want to miss.

If you happened to be in Ironwood, Marquette, or a number of other Upper Peninsula towns yesterday, you were seeing red in a different medium than fruits and fall foliage. We’re talking about the red and black of buffalo plaid flannel! The first Friday of October is known as Plaidurday, a celebration of flannel that many Yoopers enthusiastically take part in. Plaidurday coincided with the City of Ironwood’s First Friday, a monthly event when downtown businesses stay open late, and the town becomes alive with live music, special film showings, and more. Yesterday’s event had a special plaid theme and discounts for those donning plaid, but plan to come to Ironwood next First Friday for other great deals and unique culinary and artistic offerings.

Be sure to check Up North Action’s Events page often to discover more exciting events happening all year long Up North!