No bummer this summer: Country Thunder, Venetian Fest, Walworth County Fair soon
EVENT FORECAST
The water ski show is a staple of the Lake Geneva Jaycees Venetian Festival, which returns this summer.
Expect to hear Kool & the Gang's "Celebration" quite a bit.
If all goes according to schedule, there will be many summertime celebrations in the Lake Geneva area.
The big ones remain County Thunder in Twin Lakes; Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn; and Lake Geneva's Venetian Festival.
But with America turning 250 years old, Delavan and Lake Geneva are both having their own special one-off events.
And that's just the start of what fun looks like this summer throughout the area. Below is a list of what promises to make this a season to remember.
Note: Information subject to change. Visit links for more details.
June & July
Lake Geneva Pride: Something For Everyone — June 11-14, downtown Lake Geneva. Various activities in this fourday, family-friendly celebration include open painting June 11 at Creative Forces Art Studio; Pride Open Mic June 12 at Lake Geneva Public Library; a sold-out Lake Geneva Pride: The Celebrity Show June 12; and the June 13 Legends of Drag Show June 13. The latter two events are at The Cove of Lake Geneva. Visit the Lake Geneva Pride Facebook page for more, and see this week's Look Ahead listing for information on specific activities.
Geneva Jazz & Blues Festival — June 19-21, Lake Geneva House of Music, N3241 County Road H, town of Geneva. Celebrating "two of America's most original and beloved art forms," states the event page on Facebook. Two stages of performers with food vendors, arts and crafts, and family activities. More information TBA.
Fiesta by the Lake — June 20, Edgewater Park, Williams Bay. In honor of Latino culture will be a free event with family-friendly fun, live entertainment and "authentic flavors," per the Facebook event page.
Delavan Celebrates America's 250th — June 26-July 5, various locations, visitdelavanwi.com /250th-birthday-celebration. "Ten days. Thirty-plus events," the event site states. Under the umbrella are various activities — parades, fireworks, concerts, a street dance, movie screenings, a fish fry, the town of Delavan's Lakefest. Visit Delavan, the Delavan-Delavan Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and more local schools, groups and businesses partnered for the celebration.
Liberty on the Lake — July 4, Flat Iron Park, Lake Geneva, visitlakegeneva.com /events/liberty-on-the-lake. A 250th birthday part for America, with food trucks, face painting and balloon artists; a concert by Midwest yacht rockers EZFM; and a drone show. Guests should bring blankets and chairs.
Elkhorn Ribfest — July 15-19, Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn, wisconsinribfest.com. A five-day Ribfest centered on professional BBQ champions, backyard grillers and live music. Scheduled performers include Bella Cain, Indigo Canyon and Led Zeppelin tribute act Kashmir. Other aspects of Ribfest: The Artisan Vendor Alley and the Elkhorn Ribfest Bike Show, which is July 16.
Country Thunder Wisconsin 2026 — July 16-19, Shadow Hill Ranch, Twin Lakes, countrythunder.com/wi. Outdoor music festival returns with headliners Gavin Adcock, the Red Clay Strays, Riley Green and Keith Urban. Many more performers are scheduled. Visit link for ticket information, schedules and more.
Big Foot Lions Club Lobster Boil — July 25, Reid Park, Fontana, bigfootlionsclub.org/lobster-boil. Those of Geneva Lake's West End region know why this is here. So do those who stand in the crowd each year for the food. Aside from scrumptious sustenance, the event will also serve up live music and beer.
August & September
Williams Bay Lions Club Corn & Brat Roast — Aug. 7-9, Edgewater Park, Williams Bay, williamsbaylions.org. Over 50 years ago, the club started a small corn roast. Today, it's a three-day event with live music and an Aug. 8 fireworks display. Locally known musical acts Big Al Wetzel, Frank Whiting and the JFK Band, and Sons of Sconnie are scheduled to play.
Art in the Park — Aug. 8-9, Flat Iron Park, Lake Geneva, genevalakeartsfoundation.org/ art-in-the-park. Happy 46th to the outdoor juried art show that features over 80 artists. A silent auction and "Just for Kids" tent are also part of the fun.
Lake Geneva Jaycees Venetian Festival — Aug. 19-23, various parks in Lake Geneva, venetianfest.com. The 64th annual Venetian Fest will have live music, a carnival, a car and bike show, art and craft fair, water ski show, the Lighted Boat Parade and a fireworks display over Geneva Lake. Pro tip: Seek out the teriyaki on a stick.
The 177th Walworth County Fair — Sept. 2-7, Walworth County Fairgrounds, Elkhorn, walworthcountyfairgrounds.com. The county's largest event has a "Glitter and Gold: A Thing to Behold" theme. Ludacris and Lynyrd Skynyrd are scheduled to perform. There are rides, various vendors, livestock exhibitions, a demolition derby, a rodeo and much, much more.
