The Iola-Scandinavia area offers boundless recreation opportunities and attractions not to be missed. Click here to learn more about the Winter Carnival, Health Fair, City Wide Rummage sale, and more.
These include:
IOLA WINTER CARNIVAL – Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2025. The first weekend in February. Ski Jumping, Cross Country Skiing, Ice Sculpting. For more information on skiing events go to www.iolawintersportsclub.org. Like Iola Winter Carnival on Facebook.
MEAD MEANDER – May 2025 date TBD. Sample Mead at various locations in Scandinavia. Tickets sold for the event.
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE – May 26, 2025. Conducted by Sheveland-Taylor American Legion Post 14, Annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony at American-Legion Park, downtown Iola.
MEMORIAL DAY PORK ROAST – May 26, 2025. Iola Historical Society’s annual pork roast on its campus on Depot Street in Iola immediately following the Memorial Day ceremonies downtown.
CITY WIDE RUMMAGE – June 5-7, 2025. For additional information go to www.iolarummagesale.com.
ANNUAL ROAST PORK DINNER – Scandinavia Volunteer Fire Department to hold their Annual Roast Pork Dinner and Raffle in April at the Scandinavia Fire Department Station, serving from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm. Dinners include pork, baked potato, coleslaw, roll, and dessert – $10 for ages 12 and up, $5 for ages 6-11, 5 and under are free. Advance tickets are available at: Premier Community Bank, Tomorrow Valley Co-Op Scandinavia, Silver Lake Lanes, Little Norway, or any Scandinavia Firefighter.
IOLA HISTORICAL SOCIETY STRAWBERRY FEST – June 22, 2025, the fourth Sunday in June. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the days of yesteryear while enjoying strawberry shortcake at the Iola Historical Society grounds. Just West of Main Street on Depot Street. The Iola Historical Society is also raising funds for restoring the Iola & Northern Depot. Stop in and see the antique fire station designed after the original facility on State Street in Iola. Three donated fire apparatus’ are housed in the new building.
SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY – July 3. Don’t miss the awesome display of Fireworks. Purchase your cash raffle tickets now for a chance to win $5,000 in limited ticket sales.
IOLA OLD CAR SHOW and SWAP MEET – July 10-12, 2025. One of America’s largest Car Show and Swap Meet is held annually on the 2nd weekend of July. Show cars 1990 and older will be classified as Post-War, Pre-War, Modified, Old Cars Young Drivers, All-Original and Blue Ribbon Concours. The show has a “Teamed to Learn” exhibit tent, 4,187 Swap Meet Spaces, Car Corral area with vehicles 2000 and older. Great food and camping are available. Watch the Iola Car Show Web Page for NEW attractions on Friday and Saturday evenings. Daily Admission is $15, 3 Day Pass is $28, and ages 12 and under are free. For more information call: 715-445-4000 or go to the web page here. E-mail: information@iolaoldcarshow.com
TASTES AND TUNES of IOLA-SCANDINAVIA – July dates 2025 TBD. A day-long event featuring various genres of music and food at a dozen area businesses! Kickoff Friday night.
SCANDINAVIA CORN ROAST – August 2-4, 2025. First Weekend in August – Great Family Event. All weekend long enjoy carnival rides and concessions, great food and refreshments, great live musical entertainment for all genres, Friday 5K Cob Run, Saturday parade and ball games, Corn Roast on Saturday and Sunday, Wood Sculpting Competition, Auction, Craft Fair Saturday, Pie Social, Tractor Pull Saturday and Truck Pull Sunday! Saturday & Sunday visit the historic Knoph Cabin & Jole Barbershop museums on the grounds. Located at Ellison Memorial Park in the Village of Scandinavia, Wisconsin, this is a well-rounded family event with something for everyone! Held rain or shine with lots of tents, you’re covered! For more information go to www.scandinaviacornroast.com or email scandinaviaboosterclub@gmail.com.
HIDDEN STUDIOS ART TOUR – October 4-6, 2024. A Tour of Working Studios in Central Wisconsin booked as “Art Along the Ice Age Trail”, promotes arts in Central Wisconsin. Explore winding roads, quaint communities, and hidden fine art studios – 8 studios, 23 artists – during peak fall foliage. Info www.HiddenStudioArtTour.com.
IOLA FIRE & AMBULANCE FALL FESTIVAL RAFFLE – October 5, 2024, the third Saturday in October. Food, drinks, and bucket raffles.
TASTE OF NORWAY – will held on October 5, 2024, at the Iola Historical Society Complex. 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Norwegian pastry making, lefse making and Lost Arts artisans ply their crafts ranging from rosemaling, blacksmithing, yarn spinning, jewelry making, sewing, rug-weaving, and beekeeping among other lost arts. Children’s activities will take place in the replica vintage one-room schoolhouse, sponsored by the Sons Of Norway’s Norskeland Lodge 5-580 of Iola. For more information: www.iolahistoricalsociety. This day coincides with the Hidden Studio Art Tour in Waupaca and Portage Counties.
IOLA LIONS CHRISTMAS PARADE – December 7, 2024. Santa’s Visit: First Saturday in December, 4:00 p.m. This event is certain to get you in the mood for the holidays. Visit with Santa following the parade at the Iola Historical Society complex. The Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative will be collecting Toys for Tots at various locations. Items can be donated on the day of the parade.
GLACIER WOOD GOLF CLUB – (715-445-3831) Rated #4 in the nation by Golf Advisor for Top Golf Courses Under $50! Pro shop, cart rentals, beautiful newly completed restaurant with lounge and nightly specials. A beautifully designed course will challenge the novice to expert golfer.
BICYCLING – The Iola-Scandinavia has miles and miles of scenic, lightly-traveled back roads plus trailhead access in Scandinavia to the Tomorrow River State Trail, which extends west to Plover, Wisconsin, and east to Manawa. Casual Monday and Wednesday night bike rides, and occasional longer weekend rides, are hosted by local Heartland Bike Club and Nordic Ski Club members. For more information on biking opportunities in the area check the club’s website, or contact local biker Greg Loescher at 715-445-2456.
IOLA MILLS – A beautifully restored 19th century grist and sawmill, restaurant featuring multiple gelato flavors.
IOLA HISTORICAL SOCIETY – Check out the Train Depot, Caboose, Old School House, Log Cabin, and Helvetia Town Hall. Check out the latest project! The 1901 fire station replica is a great addition to the historical society. A sure sign of spring is activity at the Iola Historical Society. Meetings resume in January and continue through November. Meetings are held on the last Monday of the month at 6:30. Tours are available by request. For more information contact Cliff Mishler (715) 445-4652.
IOLA WINTER SPORTS CLUB – (715-445-3411 office, 715-498-8898 cell, iolawintersportsclub@gmail.com): This facility offers ski jumping, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing on groomed and lighted trails.
IOLA SCANDINAVIA FITNESS AND AQUATIC CENTER– An awesome facility for your total workout needs. 6-Lane Lap Pool, Zero-depth Entry Leisure Pool with an impressive Water Slide, Whirlpool, Meeting rooms, and Gymnasium with Climbing Wall. A must-see with a visit to the area. Check out the website for complete scheduled hours
SILVER LAKE LANES– Located in Scandinavia this place has it all. Bowling is a great recreational hobby for young and old alike. League and tournaments as well as casual bowling are just down the street
HUNTING – Our entire area is an ideal habitat for deer, turkey, grouse, and small game.
FISHING – Area lakes and streams offer everything from pan fish to trout.
RELAXING – Take a stroll by the river, a hike in the woods, or just relax in the park and watch the wildlife on beautiful Lake Iola. The pace slows when you’re relaxing in Iola/Scandinavia!
SNOWMOBILING – Miles of groomed trails will lead you anywhere in the county! Several local clubs take great pride in maintaining trails in the area.
And much more!