Wozhawa Fall Festival

09/04/2026

Since 1967, Wo-Zha-Wa has been bringing generations together in Downtown Wisconsin Dells. ❤️

Kids who once watched the parade from the curb are now bringing their own kids back to experience it. Families return year after year. Friends reconnect. New traditions begin right alongside the old ones.

Nearly 60 years later, the streets may change, but that Wo-Zha-Wa feeling never does. 🍂

Here’s to the traditions we grew up with and the memories we’re still making.

09/03/2026

The Wo-Zha-Wa Parade steps off Sunday, September 20 at 1:30 PM and winds its way through Downtown Wisconsin Dells! 🎉

Grab your spot along the route and get ready for marching bands, community groups, classic cars, and some seriously fun floats!

🐻 Dells Jellystone Park will be joining the parade fun too, so keep an eye out for their float as it makes its way down Broadway!

🎶 School District of Westfield Marching Band is excited to be part of Wo-Zha-Wa, calling it a fantastic performance opportunity for middle and high school bands thanks to the historic setting of Broadway Street and the enthusiastic crowds that show up every year.

🎺 Wauwatosa School District Band says one of the most meaningful parts of participating is the overall sense of joy and celebration. Music and parades are such a festive way to give back to the community and be part of the excitement!

That’s what Wo-Zha-Wa is all about. ❤️

Who’s ready for parade day?!

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

🥩 Wo-Zha-Wa Feature: Wisconsin Dells Rotary Club

Some Wo-Zha-Wa traditions have been around since the very beginning, including the Wisconsin Dells Rotary Club’s famous beef sandwiches.

Rotary has been serving them since the very first Wo-Zha-Wa Festival, and today they serve around 2,500 beef sandwiches every year. That’s a whole lot of roast beef and a whole lot of tradition.

And then there’s the Rotary raffle. 🎟️

The winner is drawn immediately after the parade, with a $5,000 grand prize. But years ago, the prize looked a little different… it was a live beef steer.

One year, the steer escaped its pen overnight and wandered around Downtown Wisconsin Dells. 🤠🐂 That also happened to be the final year a live steer was offered as the grand prize. We can’t imagine why.

But beyond the sandwiches, raffle and legendary stories, Wo-Zha-Wa has always been a kind of homecoming for the Dells.

It’s a weekend when friends and family come back to town, old stories get retold, and people reconnect over a frosty drink on a warm fall afternoon while the smell of roasted beef and corn fills the streets.

That’s Wo-Zha-Wa. ❤️

Be sure to stop by the Wisconsin Dells Rotary Club during this year’s festival, grab a beef sandwich and take part in a tradition that’s been here from the start.

09/01/2026

It’s officially Wo-Zha-Wa month! 🍂🎉

The name “Wo-Zha-Wa” means “fun time” in the Ho-Chunk language, which feels pretty fitting for a weekend that has brought our community together for nearly six decades.

The countdown is on to one of Wisconsin Dells’ favorite traditions, when downtown fills with music, food, shopping, the parade, family fun, and generations of people coming back to celebrate together.

September, we’re ready for you. ❤️

08/31/2026

A big thank you to Original Wisconsin Ducks and Dells Boat Tours for their generous sponsorship of the Wo-Zha-Wa Run! 🏃‍♀️🍂

We’re so grateful for their continued support and commitment to our community. Sponsors like these help make beloved local traditions like Wo-Zha-Wa possible year after year.

Thank you for showing up for Wisconsin Dells and helping us keep this community event going strong! ❤️

08/24/2026

A huge thank you to Kwik Trip for supporting Wo-Zha-Wa! ❤️

Not only did they help us out by printing our posters, but they also generously donated a gift card and cash to help make this year’s celebration possible.

Support like this from our local businesses means so much and helps keep traditions like Wo-Zha-Wa going strong year after year.

Thank you, Kwik Trip, for being such a great community partner! 🎉

08/22/2026

Meet VFW Post 9387 of Wisconsin Dells 🇺🇸

They’ve been part of the Wo-Zha-Wa tradition for decades, serving tourists, locals and veterans alike, and this year they’ll be back at it from Thursday, September 17 through Sunday, September 20.

Come hungry because their menu is stacked:
🍔 Fresh burgers, Hot dogs + Brats
🥪 Sloppy Joes
🍳 Breakfast sandwiches for the early birds
🍺 Local beers + craft beers
🥤 Soda + water
🥜 Peanuts + popcorn

And yes, there will be music, dancing and TVs set up for the games all weekend long.

VFW Post 9387 was founded in 1973 and is made up of veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. Wo-Zha-Wa gives their members a chance to spend time with the community, share stories and continue giving back to the place they call home.

And here’s a wild stat: over the years, they’ve served more than 135,000 burgers, brats and hot dogs 😳

The best part? Funds raised during the weekend go right back into supporting the Wisconsin Dells community.

Make sure you stop by their tent, grab something to eat, raise a glass and say hello. ❤️🤍💙

08/21/2026

Just 4 weeks until Wisconsin’s favorite fall tradition returns! 🍂🎉

Get ready for a weekend filled with live entertainment, carnival rides and games, festival food, shopping, family fun and all the Wo-Zha-Wa traditions you know and love.

📅 September 18–20, 2026
📍 Downtown Wisconsin Dells and Bowman Park

Who is counting down with us? 🙌

08/19/2026

Lace up, Wo-Zha-Wa weekend is calling! 👟🍂

Kick off your Saturday with the Wo-Zha-Wa 5K & 10K Run/Walk through Downtown Wisconsin Dells!

The route takes you along the Riverwalk, up the infamous **Turkey Hill** and through downtown before racing to the finish on La Crosse Street. 🏃‍♀️🏃

📅 Saturday, September 19
🏁 10K starts at 8:00 AM
🏁 5K starts at 8:10 AM
📍 Downtown Wisconsin Dells

Plus, registration includes a T-shirt + finisher medal! 🏅

Whether you’re chasing a PR or just here for the Wo-Zha-Wa fun, we’ll see you at the starting line.

Register now before prices increase August 31! 👇
https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/WisconsinDells/WoZhaWa5K10KRunWalk