Summer is not finished until the last flurry of fairs and festivals usher in the start of fall harvest activities. So go fly a kite, eat your food outdoors, and take one last carnival ride before we say hello to autumn.
Oak Creek LionsFest:3 p.m. to midnight Aug. 30; 11 a.m. to midnight Aug. 31; 10:30 a.m. to midnight Sept. 1; noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 2. Craft beer garden, fish fry and sandwich food specials, carnival rides and games, bands performing on stages outdoors and indoors. 9327 S. Shepard Ave., Oak Creek.oakcreeklions.com
Saint Francis Days:6 p.m. Aug. 30; noon Aug. 31-Sept. 1. Daily carnival ride specials, a parade, multiple music stages, food and beverages. Milton Vretenar Memorial Park, 4230 S. Kirkwood Ave., St. Francis.stfrancisdays.org
Wisconsin Highland Games:5 to 10 p.m. Aug. 30; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 31; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 1. Explore the culture of the British Isles as athletes and artisans showcase their skills in the pipe and drum, crossbow, longbow, and other competitions. View highland dancing, sheep and duck herding, shop for a kilt, and try the pasties and meat pies on the menu. Waukesha Expo Center, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha.wisconsinscottish.org
Third Ward Art Festival:10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 31-Sept. 1. Labor Day weekend street festival with juried artwork for purchase, an interactive kids art tent, face painting, live music on two stages, food and drink. On Broadway from St. Paul to Menomonee.historicthirdward.org/annual-events
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
St. Martin’s Fair:8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 1; 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 2. The annual street fair has vendors selling a variety of merchandise, arts and crafts, prepared foods, a farmers market, and musical performances, all along St. Martins Road (County Highway MM) and Church St., Franklin.franklinwi.gov
Laborfest 2024:11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 2. Union membership gathers for the annual event with music for adults, children’s entertainment, bingo, wrestling and a classic car show. Free and open to the public. Maier Festival Grounds, 200 N. Harbor Drive.milwaukeelabor.org/laborfest
Art on the Plaza:5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 6. The city of West Allis invites the community to the City Hall Centennial Plaza for an evening of live music by Sweet Sheiks, art-making opportunities with artists onsite, craft beer, food trucks, and local art to purchase. 7525 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis. westalliswi.gov/411/Community-Events
St. Luke Fall Festival: 4 to 11 p.m. Sept. 6. The parish offers a fish fry or shrimp dinner, hot dogs, a bake sale, a marketplace with local crafters and home-based vendors, with carnival games and a bounce house for children, a flashlight candy hunt, and music by Eric Diamond, and the Our House band. 18000 W. Greenfield Ave., Brookfield.stlukebrookfield.org/fall-festival
TosaFest:5 to 11 p.m. Sept. 6; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 7. The Wauwatosa Village streets become an Oktoberfest party with stein-holding and food eating contests, multiple beer gardens, live music stages, a KidsFest area, a food court and a vendor market. On State Street, Underwood, Harwood and Wauwatosa Avenue.wauwatosavillage.org/tosafestschedule
Meg Jones Author Fest:9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 7. Discover local Wisconsin authors at a showcase of their work at this festival named for former Oak Creek resident, public library advocate and longtime Journal Sentinel reporter Meg Jones, who passed away in 2020. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Oak Creek Public Library, 8040 S. 6th St., Oak Creek. A full list of authors in attendance is available atoakcreeklibrary.org/events
Silver City Fest:Noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 7. The international street festival includes music and performances by Sindoolaa, Ometochtli Mexican Folk Dance, The Hungry Williams, Pulpa de Guayaba, Salsabrositas, Aparna Bag, Mke Flyers, and Rising Dragon. Enjoy a diverse selection of food and art by local vendors, and children’s activities. On National Avenue between 32nd and 35th streets.viacdc.org/event/scfest
Frank Mots International Kite Festival:10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 7; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 8. Gift of Wings hosts the festival in Veterans Park, which includes a grand launch of over 600 kites at noon each day, and professional kite-flying demonstrations by Too Much Fun, Chicago Fire Kite Team, Yves Laforest and the Canadian Dream Team. Kites and food are available for purchase at the event. 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive.
Harvest of Art & Crafts:10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 7-8. The Trimborn Farm historic park welcomes visitors to its annual juried arts and crafts fair held in historic buildings and on the grounds under tents. Admission is $8 and supports the historic preservation of the farm. Due to limited onsite parking, a free shuttle is offered from Southridge Mall. Shuttle passengers receive $3 off admission; children under 10 are free. 8881 W. Grange Ave., Greendale.trimbornfarm.com
New Berlin Historic Day:1-4 p.m. Sept. 8. Free admission. Tour historic buildings, see a blacksmith at work, with a barrel train ride through the apple orchard for the kids. Parade at 2 p.m. with storytelling in the school at 2:30 p.m. Music by the Bluegrass All Stars, with beer, lunch and desserts available for purchase. Park at the Prospect Hill Garden Center and ride the free shuttle to Historical Park, 19765 W. National Ave.
PULSE Health & Wellness Fest:10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 8. Free event focuses on health and wellness with cardio workouts, yoga classes, youth sports, cooking demonstrations, a pickleball village, and panel discussions on mental health and family wellness with medical professionals. Shop vendors offering apparel, food and beverage products, and fitness experiences. Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive.milwaukeeworldfestival.com/pulse
Elizabethan Renaissance Faire:10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 14; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 15. Step back in time to the days of Queen Elizabeth I and enter a marketplace of artisans, vendors, food and beverages, and view feats of theatrical warfare and juggling. Performances by Bounding Main and other musical groups. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 to 12. Old Falls Village Park, N96 W15791 County Line Road, Menomonee Falls.oldfallsvillagepark.org/renaissance-faire
Giant Flea Market:8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 14. St. Gabriel Parish welcomes visitors to its annual market featuring food, beer, homemade baked goods, and treasures from over 300 vendors and direct sales companies from across Wisconsin exhibiting antiques, collectibles, rummage and handmade items. 1200 St. Gabriel Way, Hubertus.stgabrielhubertus.org
Valley Week:Sept. 14-21. The Menomonee River Valley Neighborhood celebrates 25 years of community building with a weeklong schedule of experiences. Valley events include a pedal & picnic, bags tournament, job fair, kayak tour, electronics recycling and breakfast, Menomonee River cruises and a kids story hike. For the full schedule, visitthevalleymke.org/valleyweek.
Mexican Independence Day Festival:Noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 15. Viva Mexico at this annual event with live music, carnival rides, community resource booths, food and merchandise vendors. UMOS Center, 2701 S. Chase Ave.umos.org/event
Bay View Bash:11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 21. Street festival with local vendors and multiple music stages. On Kinnickinnic Avenue, between Potter and Clement.bayviewbash.org
Holy Hill Arts and Crafts Fair:10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21. The annual fair marks its 50th year of exhibiting art on the grounds of the Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill. The event features a parish pantry of homemade goods, a silent auction, live music, food and beverages. Shuttle bus service is provided from all parking areas. Admission is $6; children 12 and under are free. 1525 Carmel Road, Hubertus.holyhill.com/events
Thresheree & Harvest Festival:9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21-22. Tour historic buildings, watch the old tractor parade, field demonstrations of steam engine threshing, log sawing, horse plowing and rope making. View antique engines, a steam-powered sawmill, and a toy display with hands-on activities. Food, beverages, maple cotton candy and ice cream are available for purchase. $6 admission for ages 13 and up. Richfield Historical Park, 1896 Highway 164, Richfield.richfieldhistoricalsociety.org
Fromm Petfest:9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21. Festival fun for owners of four-legged friends, with shopping, food, music and doggie activities. Free admission and parking. Tickets will be sold for specific pet attractions. Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive.petfestmke.com
Harvest Fair: 5 to 11 p.m. Sept. 27, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 28, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 29. Headliners at the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater include Hairbangers Ball and Here Come the Mummies, with additional country music and lumberjack shows throughout the weekend. The annual event features pumpkin bowling, make your own scarecrows, rides for the kids, a farmers market and plenty of vendors for those who like to shop. New this year is a $5 admission fee for ages 12 and up. State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th St.wistatefair.com/harvestfair
Fall Fest:2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 28. The village of Bayside offers a full day of activities with lawn games, rock climbing, a petting zoo, music and a beer garden. Village Hall, 9075 N. Regent Road, Bayside. baysidewi.gov/event/fall-fest-3
