Hodag Heritage Festival (WI)

The 2026 Hodag Heritage Festival will be held in Rhinelander, Wisconsin on May 16, 2026. The festival is a celebration of the legendary Hodag creature that has captivated the Rhinelander community for generations. I vote the festival be renamed to Hodag Hoedown. It’s catchy and fun.

Festival activities will include a FREE traditional pancake breakfast from 8am – 11am hosted by the VFW and activities like the Hodag Calling Contest, logging show, scavenger hunt, art display, live music, the Hodag Historical City Bus Tour, speakers, and more!

The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack show will feature thrilling lumberjack competitions, including axe throwing, crosscut sawing, a chainsaw vs. crosscut race, underhand and standing block chopping, chainsaw carving, and log rolling. I’d maybe take a seat further in the back on this one…just in case a stray axe finds you.

The park-wide interactive scavenger hunt has participants uncovering clues, solving puzzles, and exploring hidden surprises.

The Hodag Historical City Bus Tour costs $5 per person and includes a narrated tour to various historical stops around town. You’ll learn more about the Hodag at every stop. Tour lasts about 35-45 minutes.

The Hodag Calling Contest has participants competing by grunting, howling, barking, or making whatever noise they think a Hodag would make. Judges will choose a winner based on originality. If you’re very good at Hodag howling you may not spend enough time with people.