Attractions in Elkhorn Wisconsin
Elkhorn, the”Christmas Card Town,” has become a popular tourist destination for visitors from all over the U.S. – and not just during the holiday season!
The Walworth County Fair, one of the largest in the Midwest, attracts hundreds of thousands of people to Elkhorn each August during the six days culminating on Labor Day. The fun and excitement takes place at the fairgrounds’ sprawling 90 acres, situated on the east side of town. It’s a real county fair – complete with animal shows and 4-H exhibits, big-name entertainment, harness racing, tractor pulls, carnival games and rides, concessions, and plenty of hearty country vittles – from hot dogs and fresh squeezed lemonade to barbecue and homemade confections!
Elkhorn’s town square – Courthouse Park – plays host year-round to arts and crafts fairs, marathon races, parades and other special events. And during the Christmas season, the square glitters with thousands of lights, a giant decorated Christmas tree, merry holiday adornments and a dazzling Christmas parade. Visitors often travel to Elkhorn during the Yuletide season just to see the”real life” Elkhorn scenes of the Cecile Johnson Christmas cards they have given or received over the years – and they’re never disappointed!
Other annual events that draw tourists and local residents alike to Elkhorn include the huge, monthly Antique and Flea Market, May thru September; arts and crafts shows; the exciting Lauderdale Lakes Aqua-Skier Shows presented each Saturday, Memorial Day through Labor Day; the Holton/Elkhorn Band Concert Series, held Friday evenings June through August at the Sunset Park Bandshell; and the Firstar Fireworks celebration, concert and ice cream social at Sunset Park held on the Friday before, or on July 4th.
The Festival of Summer in August at Courthouse Square is a family-oriented summer celebration with arts and crafts exhibits, live entertainment, Rotary Corn and Brats Days, EFA Fit for Life Marathon (more than 600 runners participate each year), retail Maxwell Street Days, classic car show, sand volleyball tournament and more.
The Webster House Museum is open Wednesday-Sunday, 1:00-5:00 p.m. from early May through mid-October. During its season the staff offers numerous special events and exhibits, such as “An Irish Christmas,” one-room school classes, hands-on demonstrations of old world crafts, Civil War historical presentations and much more.