Shawano

Around Shawano

Photo: Royalbroil · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Town and around · Wisconsin · 45k people

Shawano

Locals say Shawano County

Where the river runs through the pines.

GoldForest GreenRiver Blue

Join the room Ask the neighbours

Welcome to Shawano County, where the lakes are big and the community is tight-knit. Whether you're here for the fishing, the fairs, or just a cold one at a corner bar, you'll feel at home. Grab a brat and enjoy the ride.

Clubs for Shawano

No clubs for Shawano yet.

The room

One room for everyone around Shawano. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.

Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Shawano. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Shawano County Park Camping, hiking, and a beach on Shawano Lake.
  • Mielke Park Community park with sports fields, a pool, and a skate park.
  • Wolf River State Trail Paved bike and snowmobile trail along the river.
  • Shawano Lake Large lake popular for boating and fishing.
  • Wolf River Famous for whitewater rafting and walleye fishing.
  • Shawano Dam Scenic spot on the Wolf River with a fish ladder.
  • Outdoors Fishing on Shawano Lake or the Wolf River
  • Outdoors Paddling the Wolf River
  • With kids Swimming at Shawano County Park beach
  • With kids Attending the Shawano County Fair
  • Evenings Fish fry and old fashioneds at a supper club
  • Evenings Live music at local taverns
  • Locals love supper clubs
  • Locals love taverns and corner bars

Through the year

  • Shawano County Fair July The county's biggest summer event with rides, livestock, and food.
  • Bonduel Corn Fest August Celebrates the local corn harvest with food, music, and a parade.
  • Wittenberg Sauerkraut Festival September A quirky festival featuring sauerkraut dishes and a kraut-eating contest.
  • Shawano Lake Walleye Tournament June An annual fishing competition on Shawano Lake.
  • Shawano Speedway Fall Classic September A big stock car race to close the season at the dirt track.

Shawano has a classic Wisconsin climate: cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. The best time to be out is from May to October. Best: Late spring through early fall is ideal, with warm days and cool nights.

Talk like a local

“The Lake”
A local nickname for Shawano Lake, often used by regulars.
“The Wolf”
Short for the Wolf River, used when talking about fishing or rafting.
“Fish Friday”
A term for the Friday fish fry tradition at supper clubs.

Getaways

  • Green Bay Catch a Packers game or visit Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • Appleton Explore the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and the History Museum.
  • Stevens Point Paddle the Wisconsin River and tour the Stevens Point Brewery.
  • Wausau Ski Granite Peak or visit the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum.

Local flavour

Rooting for Green Bay Packers (NFL), Milwaukee Brewers (MLB), Milwaukee Bucks (NBA), Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA)

Eat and drink

  • Cheese curds Fresh squeaky cheese curds are a Wisconsin staple, found at local dairies and taverns.
  • Friday fish fry A weekly tradition at supper clubs and taverns, often featuring perch or cod.
  • Bratwurst Grilled brats, often served with beer and onions, are a backyard and tailgate favorite.
  • Wild rice Harvested by the Menominee people, wild rice is a local and cultural food.

Where people go

  • Supper clubs Classic Wisconsin dining spots with relish trays, prime rib, and old-fashioneds.
  • Taverns and corner bars The social heart of small towns, often with a pool table and a friendly bartender.
  • Fishing and hunting lodges Rustic cabins and lodges along the Wolf River and surrounding forests.

Heritage and traditions

Shawano County is proud of its deep Menominee heritage, its working-class logging and dairy roots, and its unspoiled lakes and rivers that make it a year-round outdoor playground.

This time of year in Shawano

  • Color tours Fall Drives and hikes to see the brilliant autumn foliage.

Say it like a local: “Pop” — Soda or soft drink.

Festivals

  • Menominee Nation Annual Pow Wow August Celebrates Menominee culture with dance, song, and food.
  • Shawano's Summer Concert Series Summer Free concerts in the park featuring local and regional acts.
  • Shawano's Christmas Parade December Holiday parade through downtown Shawano.

Landmarks with a story

  • Menominee Indian Reservation Home to the Menominee Nation, with a rich history and cultural sites.
  • Shawano County Historical Society Museum Preserves local history with exhibits on logging, dairy, and Native American heritage.

Food traditions

  • Menominee fry bread A staple at powwows, often served with Indian tacos.
  • Maple syrup season Local sugar bushes produce syrup in early spring, a tradition from both Native and European settlers.

Music and arts

  • Polka music Reflects the German and Polish heritage of many residents.
  • Menominee drumming and dance Traditional songs and dances are kept alive at powwows and cultural events.

A little history

  • Thousands of years ago The Menominee have lived in the area for millennia.
  • 1854 The Menominee Reservation was established by treaty.
  • 1874 Shawano was incorporated as a city.
  • Late 1800s Logging drove the local economy, using the Wolf River for log drives.
  • 20th century Dairy farming became a mainstay of the county's agriculture.

Rivalries

  • Shawano vs. Bonduel football Local high school rivalry that packs the stands.
  • Shawano vs. Wittenberg-Birnamwood Another spirited conference matchup.
  • Packers vs. Bears Even in Shawano, the rivalry runs deep.
  • Game day Friday night high school football
  • Game day Ice fishing derbies
  • Outdoors Berry picking in the summer
  • Outdoors Bird watching along the Wolf River
  • With kids Attending the Menominee powwow
  • With kids Visiting the Shawano County Historical Society Museum

People in Shawano speak with a typical Wisconsin accent, pronouncing 'bag' with a long 'a' and using 'pop' for soda. You'll hear 'Ope' as an interjection and 'you guys' for a group.

Only here

  • The Menominee Nation is the only tribe in Wisconsin with a continuous land base since treaty times.
  • The Wolf River is one of the few undammed rivers in the state, offering pristine paddling.
  • Shawano Lake is the largest lake in the county, a hub for recreation.
  • The Menominee forest is sustainably managed and has been for over 150 years.
New here? A few tips
  • Try a Friday fish fry at a local supper club.
  • Learn to drive on snow and ice—winter tires are a must.
  • Be aware of deer on roads, especially at dawn and dusk.
  • Attend the Menominee powwow to learn about local culture.
  • Get a fishing license and try the Wolf River.

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Part of Green Bay area

Nearby

Every area
WaupacaWisconsinWhere the lakes meet the cranberry bogsGreen BayWisconsinWhere the bay meets the frozen tundra, and the cheese is always fresh.AppletonWisconsinWhere the Fox River winds through friendly neighbourhoodsStevens PointWisconsinWhere the river runs through a pine‑green heart.WausauWisconsinWhere the river meets the pines.Oshkosh–NeenahWisconsinWhere the river runs and the skies are aliveMarinetteWisconsinWhere the Menominee meets the bayManitowocWisconsinHome of the sundae and the submarine

Shawano, WI. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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