Bayfield 50th Anniversary AppleFest

We enjoyed some Leinie Octoberfest at Greunke's outdoor beer garden. Greunke's Inn has been in business since 1940. Inside its walls are lined with photos, signs, and memorbilia from years gone by. They even have a 1946 Juke Box in the lounge. They were packed with no available tables when Jo and I stopped by so we had to sit outside which was finie since it was such a nice day. Their restaurant features a full menu from sandwiches to house specialties. I think most of all Greunke's is famous for its Whitefish Fish Boils.

At AppleFest, apple concoctions of all sorts rule. So in addition to pies, desserts, caramel apples, you have apple beer, and apple bratwurst. There was always a line in front of Bayfield Apple Company's Apple Bratwurst stand. I had one with my usual sauerkraut, onions, and mustard condiments. The added flavor of apple worked. Quite tasty.

Here's Jo with Apple Hill's 1948 Ford Pickup. That's caramel apples being offered from the bed of the pickup.

But if you get tired of apples, you have the usual festival food available - caramel corn, corn dogs, cheese curds, gyros, hamburgers, french fries, cotton candy, ice cream, etc.

Bayfield merchants brought out their merchandise for sidewalk sales. The Stormy Kromer hats shown here (left photo) date back to 1903 when Wisconsin resident and railroad worker Stormy Kromer and his wife started selling her practical winter hats. Some good deals on sweatshirts from Up North (right).

In addition to the Bayfield merchants, over 150 artisans set up shop at the lakeshore park.

Entertainment

One of our favorite parts of AppleFest is being able to see and hear Big Top Chautauqua's Blue Canvas Singers & Orchestra. In the photo Cheryl Leah performs, with vocal support from Phil Anich, Jack Gunderson, and Band Director Ed Willet. I recorded a great video here that I would like to have shown but the band's amps overwhelmed my video mike causing distortion. But I can offer a video taken by the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce. (see below)

The Red Cliff Ojibwe Drum and Dance Troup, joined by other visiting Ojibwe, entertained in the lawn of Greunke's Inn. It was really neat to see all ages, from little tykes to grandmas, joining in the traditional dances.

For more on Objiwe celebrations, see the Grand Portage Rendezvous Pow-wow and the Red Cliff 25th Anniversary Fish Boil.

The Bayfield Chamber & Visitors Bureau office is conveniently located downtown on Manypenny Avenue. They are the prime sponsor of AppleFest and are an essential stop for the Bayfield visitor to get useful advice, maps, brochures, and information on enjoying the Bayfield area.

See More Bayfield Applefest Pictures & Scenes.