APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR 35th SEASON TO RETZER NATURE CENTER ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

The Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Apple Harvest Festival is returning for its 35^th season on Saturday, September 17. Featuring its popular traditions, Apple Harvest Festival includes the apple market – more than a dozen varieties while supplies last – arts and crafts vendors, a beer garden, and live music. For the entire family, there’s self-guided activities across the entire Retzer Nature Center grounds. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Retzer Nature Center located at S14W28167 Madison Street in Waukesha.

“Apple Harvest Festival features all of the reasons that autumn is one of the best times of the year in Waukesha County,” said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. “From our apple market – which features heirloom and special varieties of apples – to treats, activities, music, shopping, and an opportunity to get out in nature, there’s something for everybody.”                                                                 

Food & Drink

The Delafield Brewhaus Beer Garden will offer ready-to-eat food and assorted beverages and brews, including ‘Retzer Apple Ale.’ The Apple Market will have a variety of apples from Brightonwoods Orchard and Patterson Orchards, as well as half-gallons of cider and caramel apples for purchase. Waukesha County Technical College’s Baking and Pastry Management students will be baking whole apple pies, whole apple crisps, mini apple crisps, apple “hand pies” (new this year!).

Fun Activities

Visitors can shop arts and crafts vendors, bid on items at the Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Silent Auction, and enjoy a variety of self-guided hikes and educational activities for all ages. Scarecrow Lane kicks off for the season with rows of community-made scarecrows to view, while hikers can enjoy the book Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy in Nature along the Story Hike trail. Children will love the fun craft activities, participating in the Passport Expedition, and scrambling on the Wood Climbing Exploration Station along the Discovery Trail. Limited tickets will also be available for Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium shows. 

Know Before You Go
$10 per car - cash only. Pay from your vehicle upon entry to RNC grounds. Card payments are accepted at The Apple Market, Planetarium, Delafield Brewhaus, and more. ATM onsite. Sorry, service animals only.

Friends of Retzer Nature Center members receive free admission with membership card; to become a Friends member, visit www.FriendsOfRetzer.org.

For more info on the festival, building a scarecrow, or volunteering at the event, call Retzer Nature Center at 262-896-8007 and visit www.WaukeshaCounty.gov/AppleHarvestFestival.