 Autumn
is a time of celebration in Packer Country. From harvest festivals
to haunted train rides, celebrations abound as the countryside
bursts into a colorful backdrop of crimson, orange and brown.
Von
Stiehl Winery in Algoma rings in the harvest season
in grand style as the Wet Whistle Wine Fest, Sept.
28-29, tempts the palate (1-800-955-5208). Guests can kick
off their shoes and join the fun during the festival’s
grape stomps, explore the farmer’s market and fine
art fair or delight in the delicious tastes of gourmet
food while enjoying live entertainment. And of course no
wine fest would be complete without plenty of von Stiehl
Winery’s award winning wines.
 Fall
is harvest time at Heritage
Hill State Park. Visitors can get a unique look into
the lives of early American settlers and how they prepared
for the coming winter during a guided walking tour of the 48-acre
living history museum set against the beautiful backdrop of
fall color. Information and tour schedules are available by
calling 1-800-721-5150.
The spectacular Packer Country fall-color
display provides the backdrop as families head to the National
Railroad Museum (920/437-7623) in Green Bay for a day
of railroad fun and pumpkins on The Great Pumpkin Train,
Oct. 12-13. Children of all ages can hop aboard for a ride
through the countryside to the museum’s very own pumpkin
patch, home to more than 15 tons of future jack-o-lanterns.
The weekend also includes live entertainment, the Dr. Pepper
Red Fusion Coloring Contest and tours of the museum.
 As
the sun goes down, the National Railroad Museum takes a turn
for those looking to add a little excitement to their night. Terror
on the Fox takes riders on a haunted train ride through
the eerie darkness on its way to the museum’s haunted
house. The train runs Oct. 4-5, 11-12, 17-19 and Oct.23-Nov.
2, with a special kid’s day on Oct. 27.
Family fun is also the name of the game as
spooky music fills the air and hundreds of jack o’ lanterns
light the way through Green Bay’s N.E.W.
Zoo during the annual Zoo Boo, Oct. 18-19 and 25-26
(920/448-4466). Costumed animals roam the zoo, and lighted
animal exhibits give Halloween visitors a look into the nightlife
of resident animals. The treat stations located throughout
the zoo are sure to delight the young ones, while the more
adventurous brave the happy haunted forest and haunted hayride.
For more information on great fall festivals
and getaways in Packer Country, click
here. |
