Hi there — the weekend is here, and it’s a good one. Tomorrow (Sat Oct 3) gives you three easy ways out the door: a lakeside street fest in Port Washington, an old-fashioned farm day at Pioneer Village, and Oktoberfest in downtown Cedarburg. Sunday brings apples in Thiensville and a free farm open house outside West Bend. Tap any event for maps and details, grab a warm layer, and go make a memory.
This Weekend: Oct 3–4
Tomorrow: Saturday, Oct 3
Port Washington Fall Street Festival — It’s here! Sat 11am–5pm on Historic Franklin Street. Free admission, free parking, and free shuttles (hop on at Hollander Chocolate or the north-side park & ride). 100+ vendors, a Harvest Farmers Market, and a Family Fun Zone, all steps from Lake Michigan.
Autumn at the Village — Sat 9am–4pm, Ozaukee County Pioneer Village, 4880 County Rd I, Saukville. Horse-drawn hayrides, “My First Tractor Ride,” historic demos, kids crafts, and fresh bread from the Summer Kitchen. $8 adults, $6 students & seniors, under 5 free. Bring 2 canned goods for the Ozaukee Food Alliance and get $2 off.
Cedarburg Oktoberfest — Sat 10am–8pm and Sun 10am–5pm, downtown Cedarburg (Community Center lot & City Hall lawn on Washington Ave). Free admission. Kids crafts both days, kids contests Saturday at 3:15pm (best dirndl or lederhosen, pretzel toss), plus German food, polka bands, and the live Glockenspiel show.
Sunday, Oct 4
Thiensville-Mequon Applefest — Sun 11am–5pm, Thiensville Village Park. The Lions Club’s 11th annual fest: hayrides, barrel train, bounce house, face painting, an apple pie contest, and 30+ arts-and-crafts vendors. Net proceeds go back into the community.
Schmidt Century Farm Open House — Sun 10am–2pm, 5485 St. Anthony Rd, West Bend. FREE admission and parking. Wagon rides, petting zoo, live music, playground and bounce house, pumpkins and mums, plus the farm store and bakery.
Still craving apples? Barthel Fruit Farm in Mequon is open daily 9–6 for pick-your-own apples and pumpkins.
Top Coffee Shop
The Java House (Cedarburg) — W63 N653 Washington Ave. Caffeinating Cedarburg since 1992 from a family home built 115 years ago: house-roasted organic coffee, perfect cappuccinos, and herbal “Moon Milks” for the non-coffee crowd. It’s steps from Oktoberfest and open Sat 7am–6pm, Sun 7am–5pm.
Neighbor Worth Knowing
Family Promise of Washington County (West Bend) — Working to prevent and end homelessness for individuals and families across Washington County. They run a 24/7 Housing Hotline (262-334-4912), and their case managers build step-by-step plans with households facing shelter, rent, or energy-bill crises. Neighbors can pitch in by donating items and supplies through their website. If your family needs help, reach out. That’s what they’re there for.
Sponsored
The Spot — Family Play Studio (Grafton) — Sponsored · Indoor open play for littles with soft play, dramatic play, art, a climbing structure, magnet wall, reading nook — and free coffee for grown-ups. Carry-ins welcome. Open play typically Tue–Fri mornings ($15/child; under 1 free; adults free; under 13 with an adult). Birthday parties and private events Fri–Sun. 1752 Wisconsin Ave, Grafton. Book a party →
Next Weekend: Oct 9–11
Covered Bridge Art Studio Tour — Fri–Sun Oct 9–11, 10am–5pm. Free and self-guided: 61 artists open their studios across Ozaukee and Washington counties. Follow the red arrow signs (and swing past the covered bridge).
Fall Into Grafton — Sat Oct 10, Paramount Plaza in downtown Grafton. Free family fun with the annual pumpkin derby, pumpkin mini golf, kids activities, and live entertainment.
See you in two weeks. Spot an event other families should know? Reply to this email — a real person reads every note.
— Cedar & Shore
