Harvest time & rural Walco charm

Autumn in southern Wisconsin brings fresh cider donuts, crisp morning air, and vibrant foliage across every acre of Walworth County. Beyond the shoreline, our small towns come alive with historic harvest festivals, quiet rural drives, and local farm stands. Bookmark GoWalCo.com as your seasonal guide to supporting local businesses, finding weekend events, and planning fall getaways across the county.

Fresh Harvests & Rural Farm Stops

From crisp heirloom apples snapped right off the branch to warm, cinnamon-dusted cider donuts baked fresh every morning, the county's local orchards and country markets capture the very best flavors of the harvest season.

• Pearce’s Farm Stand- Walworth: Open daily from Mid-July through October, this farm stand located in Walworth offers hand-picked fruits and veggies, delicious apple cider donuts and other baked goods, pumpkins and gourds, gorgeous mums for your harvest display, fun events, and even a corn maze starting in September. Be sure to check out their concession stand on Saturdays and Sundays!

• Mac’s Market- Delavan: From sunflowers in the summer to unique varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds in September, Mac’s has a little something for everyone. Enjoy live music and events or even book a private U-pick session.

• The Elegant Farmer- Mukwonago: Known for their award-winning Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag, The Elegant Farmer is a must-stop for your harvest festivities. Hop on the train at The East Troy Railroad Museum and ride a harvest fest train to the farm where you can enjoy apple picking, the Smilin Barn Café, Pony Rides, Hay rides, and more! Harvest starts September 12^th on Saturdays and Sundays and concludes October 25^th.

• Apple Barn Orchard & Winery- Elkhorn: Pick your own apples at the Apple Barn Orchard & Winery! Afterwards, head to the country store for cider donuts, cider, caramel apples, and other baked goods. Spend time perusing the shelves of local canned goods, honey, gifts, and more! Enjoy a FREE wine tasting so you can pick out your favorite bottles of fruit wine to take home.

• Bower's Produce- East Troy: Serving Southeastern Wisconsin for over 50 years, Bower’s Produce is a family-owned staple famous for its lush, vibrant hanging flower baskets in the spring and sweet gourmet corn come mid-summer. Beyond their 14 seasonal greenhouses packed with Proven Winners® bedding plants, the farm stand features a massive, rotating lineup of fresh-picked veggies. You'll find everything from heirloom tomatoes and sweet peppers to seasonal squash and giant autumn pumpkins. Whether you're stocking up for a farm-to-table dinner or sprucing up your garden, a stop at their East Troy farm stand is a quintessentially Walworth County experience.

September Small Town Happenings and Festivals

Whether you're hunting for rare vintage treasures, cheering on parade floats, or taking in the brilliant early fall foliage along downtown streets, our local communities offer endless ways to embrace the season. Read on to discover the top September happenings and festivals you won’t want to miss in WalCo this month!

• Walworth County Fair- September 2^nd-7^th; Elkhorn: Kick off the month at Wisconsin’s historical agricultural showcase featuring grandstand shows, local livestock, and some of the best fair food around.

• Geneva Lake Conservancy’s Farm to Table Dinner- September 10^th; Grassway Organics in East Troy: Celebrate the GLC’s successes of 2025-2026 at their annual meeting (open to the public) and dinner (ticketed event). Highlighting local farmers and products, you won’t want to miss this event!

• Darien Corn Fest- September 11^th-13^th; Darien: Mark your calendars for a weekend of small town charm and summer fun! This 3 day celebration brings the community together with live music, a parade, fireworks, and even some FREE corn!

• East Troy Bluegrass Festival- September 12^th & 13^th; East Troy: Get ready to tap your toes at East Troy Bluegrass Festival in the historic East Troy Village Square Park! This weekend-long gathering fills the air with fiddle breakdowns, rich vocal harmonies, and warm community spirit. Whether you’re a lifelong bluegrass fan or looking for a lively afternoon in the park, grab your lawn chair and settle in for an incredible line-up of top-tier acts.

• Delavan Scarecrow Fest- September 18^th & 19^th; Delavan: Celebrate the arrival of autumn at the 26th Annual Delavan Scarecrow Fest, taking over Downtown Delavan for two action-packed days on September 18–19, 2026. Expanded for this year, this free community festival features everything from a Friday night kickoff with street line dancing and food trucks to a bustling Saturday line-up packed with over 100 craft vendors, live music, a classic car show, and hands-on DIY scarecrow kits. Bring the family out to enjoy the petting zoo, unique street performances, and the vibrant small-town charm that makes Walworth County's fall festival season truly unforgettable.

• Red Bull Rush Delivery- September 19^th; Lake Geneva: Experience high-octane excitement as a famous Lake Geneva legacy gets a high-powered upgrade at the Red Bull Rush Delivery, hitting Riviera Beach on Saturday, September 19, 2026! Inspired by the famous mail jumpers who leap off moving boats to deliver mail to lakefront piers, this adrenaline-fueled competition pits 40 athletes against the clock in a thrilling obstacle course right on the water. Free and open to the public, the high-energy spectator event kicks off with doors opening at 11:00 AM, qualifying rounds at noon, and a dramatic final round starting at 3:00 PM. Grab a spot along the beach early to watch competitors leap, sprint, and splash their way through this historic, action-packed showdown!

• Elkhorn Antique Flea Market- September 27^th; Elkhorn: Head to the Walworth County Fairgrounds and uncover hidden gems and timeless treasures! Widely recognized as Southeastern Wisconsin's premier destination for vintage enthusiasts, this massive single-day event brings together over 500 elite antique dealers showcasing high-quality collectibles, furniture, and rare finds spread across the fairgrounds. It’s the ultimate paradise for pickers, decorators, and curious shoppers looking to enjoy local food vendors and hunt for one-of-a-kind pieces to wrap up the fall festival season.

Beyond the Festivities: Fall Adventures and Local Eats

While our weekend festivals draw crowds, Walworth County is packed with plenty of outdoor thrills and fall activities to fill out your September itinerary. Soar high above the changing fall canopy with an exhilarating zipline canopy tour at Lake Geneva Ziplines & Adventures, featuring high-ropes courses and scenic hiking trails woven through 100 acres of forest.

For family-friendly fall fun, head to Green Meadows Petting Farm in East Troy to feed the farm animals, ride ponies, take hayrides, and pick out the perfect pumpkin to take home.

Outdoor lovers can also stretch their legs along the historic Geneva Lake Shore Path or explore the crisp, shaded trails of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. To top off your afternoon adventures, sample the season's best local food. From warm, fresh cider donuts and farm-fresh apple pies at nearby orchards to comforting craft brews, fish fries, and hearty farm-to-table dinners at our cozy lakeside eateries.

Sneak Peek: Spooktacular October Fun Ahead!

Don’t put those autumn sweater layers away just yet! The seasonal magic in Walworth County is only getting started! As October rolls in, get ready for an unforgettable lineup of fall festivities that bring both festive cheer and spooky thrills to our region. Beer lovers can raise a mug at one of our many downtown Oktoberfest celebrations, packed with lively polka music, stein-hoisting contests, and local craft brews.

If you're craving tales of the mysterious, step into Whitewater's famous "Second Salem" history with the atmospheric Whitewater Spirit Tour to explore haunted local lore under the stars. Plus, family harvest fun and seasonal treats await across our historic downtown squares. Stay tuned to the blog next month as we unveil your ultimate guide to Halloween haunts, harvest festivals, and cozy autumn getaways!

Looking for more fall fun? Visit our EVENTS page or join our Facebook group