Plenty of festivals will help keep Oconto County busy in September
With school going back in session, many people consider summer to be coming to an end.
However, Oconto County will have plenty of festivals to choose from during September providing a reason for families to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather while they can.
Lena Dairy Fest, Festi-Fall and Harvest Fest are among the offerings. Here's what you need to know about upcoming September activities.
Suring Labor Day Celebration
Plenty of events are scheduled the holiday weekend at Veteran's Memorial Park in Suring, which has hosted a holiday celebration since 1930.
A 4X4 truck pull is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, and a tractor pull at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2. Instead of strength, spectators can view who has the best endurance during the demolition derby at noon Sunday, Sept. 3.
Music will be provided at the beer stand by Positive Energy DJ/Karaoke at 8 p.m. Friday, Ken & Kriss and JD Pickers at 8 p.m. Saturday, JD Pickers returns from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Shadows Entertainment DJ at 6 p.m. Sunday and The Wilber Bros at noon Monday. Additionally, the Pulaski High School Band will perform at 11 a.m. at the bandstand.
Bounce houses will be available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, with the purchase of a $5 daily wristband.
A chili cook-off will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Suring Fire Department Garage. Taste testers can sample the selections for $4, and choose their favorite. Ice cream and other selections also will be on sale.
Speaking of food, besides the food stand run by nonprofits each day, LA Mexicana Gillett food truck will be at the park on Sunday evening ahead of the 9 p.m. fireworks, Ice Clouds will serve up treats at the park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. following the 10 a.m. Monday parade, pie and ice will be offered for sale beginning at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the food stand, and booyah will be on sale Monday at the American Legion.
A color run/walk on Sept. 2 will allow participants to get doused with colored power as they travel the 5K route. The route starts and ends at the Suring Track & Field, which will remind competitors that proceeds support maintaining the rubberized track.
The race starts at 8 a.m. Some extra free T-shirts remain for entrants. Registration can be done online at suring.revtrak.net/btt or by emailing Heidi Gerndt at heidigerndt@yahoo.com.
A full list of events can be found at suringlaborday.com.
Lena Dairy Fest
The Lena Dairy Fest sponsored by the Lena Lions will be held on Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9 at Saint Anne’s Grounds on Main Street in Lena.
A truck pull will be held at 6 p.m. Friday with a tractor pull at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Admission is free.
A Stampede 5K walk/run will be held 8 a.m. Saturday, followed by the parade at 10:30 a.m.
Other activities include fireworks at dusk Friday, and a petting zoo, face painting, kids events and corn roast on Saturday.
Music will be performed from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday by Dan Flannery, Tim Pszanka, and Steve and Bets.
Chase Stone Barn Craft Sale
More than 100 vendors will gather from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10 at the Chase Stone Barn, 8246 County Road S, Pulaski. Thirty-one of the sellers will be inside the barn with the rest outside.
Vendors will offer a variety of baked goods, such as bread, muffins and cookies, as well as jewelry, medal lawn art, paintings and numerous other choices.
Food items on tap include hamburgers, brats, French fries and cheese curds, with the proceeds directed to the Chase Stone Barn, which was built in 1903 and repaired in the 1990s after a wall began to lean and part of the roof was blown off in a storm.
DJ music will be provided by Lot 1.
Last year, vendors' credit card readers had trouble working, so attendees are encouraged to bring cash, just in case.
Festi-Fall
Lakewood joins in the festivities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, as artists, musicians and food will be available downtown along State 32.
More than 30 vendors, including artisans, crafters, antique dealers and food vendors, will be set up at various locations. Handmade items available will include jewelry, rugs, jams, paintings, photos, ceramics and wood carving.
Artist demonstrations are scheduled, as is wine tasting.
Additionally, local musicians will play throughout the day at various venues.
Oconto Elks Fly-In 2023
More than 30 planes of varying types, as well as more than 200 classic automobiles, will be on display at the J. Douglas Bake Municipal Airport, 2882 Airport Road, Oconto, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16.
Flyovers will occur throughout the event, which charges a $5 admission, with kids age 12 and younger entering for free.
The Northern Aces RC group will display their radio-controlled electric planes and fly them throughout the event.
A World War II-era military encampment will be recreated for spectators, while kids' area will feature face painting, a bungee-bounce experience and a balloon artist.
Local food and craft vendors also will be part of Fly-In, with food, beverages and desserts available from local nonprofit groups and restaurants.
Harvest Fest
Oconto's downtown will host the city's annual autumn celebration, Harvest Fest, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23.
Main Street will be closed to traffic from Huron Avenue to Millidge Street as a variety of arts and crafts, seasonal produce, and other merchandise is available.
The Main Street shops will host sidewalk sales and Harvest Fest specials. Plus, kids’ activities, food, refreshments and live music will be available.
The event is sponsored by the Oconto Area Chamber of Commerce.
Contact Kevin Dittman at 920-431-8416 or kdittman@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Plenty of festivals will help keep Oconto County busy in September
