Event Details

FRIENDS OF RETZER NATURE CENTER'S APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL

Celebrate autumn at our family-friendly Apple Harvest Festival! Purchase fresh apples and enjoy delicious apple treats like pies, crisps, and cider at the Apple Market. Visit the Delafield Brewhaus Beer Garden for food, creamy root beer, and beer (21+) – try the Retzer Apple Ale!

Browse eco-friendly arts & crafts vendors and explore fun kids’ activities in “The Pines.” Take part in the Passport Expedition, silent auction, Scarecrow Lane scavenger hunt, story hike, Planetarium shows, and live music by JC Ayer. Cards accepted at select locations, and an ATM is on site.

DATE & TIME: Saturday, September 20, 2025 • 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

LOCATION: Retzer Nature Center (S14W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI)

COST: $10 per vehicle; CASH ONLY

REGISTRATION: No registration; walk-ins welcome.

NOTE: Cash needed for entry; ATM is beyond the entrance.

Don’t miss this festive celebration, sponsored by the Friends of Retzer Nature Center in cooperation with Waukesha County Parks, Waukesha County Technical College, and more!

APPLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
Fresh apples from Brightonwoods Orchard and Patterson Orchard
Apples treats prepared by WCTC Baking & Culinary students

LIVE MUSIC PROVIDED BY: Generac

VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP: Make Apple Harvest Festival extra sweet! Sign up to enjoy free entry, volunteer for a bit, and have fun all day long. Volunteer opportunities aren’t available yet, but will be posted in August!

ARTS & CRAFTS EXHIBITORS: Apple Harvest Festival’s Arts & Crafts Fair features a nature-inspired, eco-friendly theme, with a focus on upcycling, sustainability, and original, non-commercialized work. Vendor spaces for the 2025 festival are now open. Click here to apply; you will need to create an account in our system. Register by September 14, as space allows.

To participate, exhibitors must meet at least two of the following criteria:
• Artwork or craft theme is nature or wildlife related
• Materials used are natural (e.g., wood, clay, natural dyes)
• Items incorporate upcycled or repurposed materials (e.g., sweater mittens)