In 1978 five women were enjoying a glass of wine in a hot tub and came up with an idea to celebrate the harvest of cranberries by organizing a festival.  They hoped that this would also help to stimulate commerce in our small town before the long cold winter months came upon us.  The first festival was in 1978 and it drew an astounding 100 people.  Who would have known that this fun idea would have grown into one of Northwest Wisconsin’s most popular festivals drawing over 30,000 people each year.

Today the festival has grown from a business stimulus idea to a wonderful non-profit charitable organization.  Proceeds from the festival are donated to area youth programs which may not happen without the aid they receive from the festival.  These funds are so important for the children today because of the lack of federal and state funding.  Other non-profit organizations in our communities also benefit by receiving monies from the Stone Lake Cranberry Festival.  Please go to home page and click Donation Recipients to read about the wonderful work, funds we generate, from the festival, does for many programs.

Come visit us and experience the history of our town by visiting our new Stone Lake Historical Museum located next to the Fire Hall.  The building is the old Stone Lake Train Station which has been beautifully renovated and houses artifacts from our town’s past.  

What a perfect way to begin your day by enjoying an early cranberry pancake breakfast at the Fire Hall and then go next door to visit our new Museum.  Shuttle buses will take you to the main area of the festival when you have completed your breakfast and tour.