Every year on the first weekend of October, the city of Bayfield, Wisconsin, comes alive with one of the best fall festivals in the state. There is no better way to experience it than from Old Rittenhouse Inn, just steps from all the action. Pick apples at local orchards, feast on fall treats, listen to live music, shop from local craft vendors and more all weekend long. Read on for a look at everything that makes the Bayfield Apple Festival worth the trip.
Things to Do During the Bayfield Apple Festival
The Bayfield Apple Festival is a three-day harvest celebration that has drawn visitors for more than 60 years. Events fill downtown Bayfield along Manypenny Avenue, Rittenhouse Avenue, Memorial Park and the Lakeside Pavilion. Check out this year’s schedule of events and join us for these signature activities.
Spectrum Carnival
Downtown Bayfield buzzes with energy during the Apple Festival, and the Spectrum Carnival is at the heart of it. Enjoy classic carnival rides, games and treats along Manypenny Avenue, where the carnival runs daily throughout the weekend.
Food and Craft Vendors Downtown
Dozens of craft and food vendors line the streets downtown, and the Bayfield Farmers Market adds even more local flavor on Friday and Saturday. Browse for fresh produce, seasonal fall treats and handmade gifts.
Live Music
Music fills the town all weekend long. Catch Big Top Chautauqua’s Blue Canvas Orchestra at the Grandstand Stage, or settle in for Concerts by the Lake at the Memorial Park Gazebo. Down at Port Superior Marina, you can also take in a rousing performance by the Pipes and Drums of Thunder Bay.
Special Events
Test your skills at the apple peeling contest and vie for the champion’s title, support local first responders at the annual Firemen’s Fish Fry with beer and live music, and cheer on the Grand Parade as it makes its way down historic Rittenhouse Avenue on Sunday. You can watch the parade roll by right from Old Rittenhouse Inn.
Orchard Tours & Events
The Apple Festival is the perfect time to explore Bayfield’s family-run orchards. Visit one of the area’s orchards to pick your own apples and join in the seasonal festivities happening throughout the weekend.
Book Your Bayfield Fall Getaway
Book your fall escape in Bayfield and join us for the annual Apple Festival downtown this October. Old Rittenhouse Inn sits within easy walking distance of the celebration, making it the perfect home base for a weekend of orchards, music and autumn color on the shores of Lake Superior. Browse our accommodation options in Bayfield and book with us today!