Best summer festivals in Wisconsin are what we live for – especially this one! Every July, the Northwoods town of Hayward becomes the center of the lumberjack world. The Lumberjack World Championships, an event that showcases feats of log climbing, sawing, and log rolling, along with plenty of joyous fun, is an annual festival that’s so totally Wisconsin. The 64th competition and festival takes place Aug. 1–3, 2024. It draws huge crowds each year and is a great time for folks of all ages. If you don’t consider yourself a lumberjack fan, give this event a chance and you likely will become one. Here’s what you need to know about the Hayward, WI lumberjack show!

Hayward, pop. 2,579, is located in Sawyer County and it’s always been a lumber town.
mimi1971/Tripadvisor
It was founded in the mid-1800s by Anthony Judson Hayward, a lumberman who built a sawmill here.
The lumber boom times came and went but the town will forever be connected to lumberjack history.
Lumberjack World Championships/Facebook
In 1960, the Lumberjack World Championships was founded on the shore of Lake Hayward.
These two competitors in 1967 went neck-and-neck in the log-rolling competition.
Guywelch2000, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Mel Thake (left) attempted to dislodge a challenger and placed fourth: Not too shabby!
More than six decades have passed and the event is still going strong.
Facebook / Lumberjack World Championships
Every year more than 12,000 spectators flock to the Lumberjack Bowl to catch all the action. The event is a huge weekend festival that includes plenty of food, entertainment, and a fun run.

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The competition includes a variety of lumberjack challenges, such as axe-throwing.
Lumberjack World Championships/Facebook
And athletes see how fast they can chop or saw their way through huge logs.
Lumberjack World Championships/Facebook
The Lumberjack World Championships draw a talented international field, so athletes must bring their best game to the competition.
The speed climbs are another amazing contest.
Lumberjack World Championships/Facebook
Athletes quickly scale 60 and 90-foot cedar poles, then return quickly to the ground. The event is timed – competitors ring a bell at the top and the clock ends when they hit the ground.
Just like before, the log activities always attract a big crowd, enjoying their favorite beverages and snacks as they watch.
Lumberjack World Championships/Facebook
Whether you are a spectator or a participant, we know you'll have fun at the Wisconsin Lumberjack Championships.

The best summer festivals in Wisconsin belong on your bucket list! Discover more on the Lumberjack World Championships website. Have you been a spectator or competed in this cool event? Please share your experience in the comments below.

Did you know Hayward is the perfect small town for antiquing? And if you’re traveling there, get some ideas from our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List.

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Festivals In Wisconsin

Carolyn Harmon | April 23, 2024

What are some of the best festivals in Wisconsin?

  • Luxembourg Fest (Belgium): The town of Belgium celebrates its heritage each year as it was settled in the 1800s by immigrants from Luxembourg. Learn about the interesting culture and customs through dances, authentic foods, and a parade.
  • Fairyfolk Festival  (Sheboygan): Located at Bookworm Gardens, this weeklong celebration transforms the gardens into an enchanting space. Enjoy magical storytime, hunt for gnomes, join the Dragon Disco, and make some art.
  • Good Neighbor Festival (Middleton): The summer fun takes place at Fireman's Park. Participate in the parade, compete in the 5K run, and shop at the arts and crafts fair.
  • The Art of Cheese Festival (Madison): This October event brings cheese lovers such delight. From restaurant and walking tours to cheese classes and cheese yoga — you'll walk away with a rich knowledge of one of the best dairy foods on the planet.


Where are some of the best state parks in Wisconsin?

  • Merrick State Park (Fountain City): Located on the beautiful backwaters of the Mississippi River, enjoy camping with river access on some sites. Three miles of hiking trails show off this pretty property.
  • Lizard Mound State Park (West Bend): A great reason to visit this historic land: It's one of the most well-preserved Native American effigy mound sites in the nation, showcasing conical and linear mounds. The effigy mounds have been interpreted with spiritual or animal forms, such as a bird and a lizard.

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