Activities
12pm
4pm
Celebrate Rhinelander's rich logging history with tickets to the brand new logging show at Hodag Heritage Festival! The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack show will take over the ball field at Pioneer Park and thrill festival goers with a wide variety of acts. Spectators can enjoy thrilling lumberjack competitions, including axe throwing, crosscut sawing, a chainsaw vs. crosscut race, underhand and standing block chopping, chainsaw carving, and log rolling.
Click here to purchase tickets
Kerry and Ben's Hodag Quest
11am-5pm (Groups can start the quest no later than 4pm)
Food & Drink
8am-11am - Pancake Breakfast by the VFW
9am-7pm - Variety of Food Trucks
11am-7pm - Beverage Tent (Water, Non-Alcoholic Options, Beer, Hodag Beer)
Vendors & Exhibitors
9am-6pm
See some of the most unique vendors and exhibitors in the northwoods! Buy some hodag merch, see some hodag crafts, find some cryptid playing cards, and meet all kinds of experts on cryptids and the Hodag!
Our vendor spots for this year are full! Please check back next year if you are interested.
Hodag Historical City Bus Tours
Tour times are 10am, 11am, 12pm
It's the one and only Hodag Historical City Bus Tour! This ONLY takes place during Hodag Heritage Festival! You have the ability to join the Hodag Historical City Bus Tour for just $5 per person! Hear from Rock 105.3's Duff Damos as he narrates your tour to various historical stops around town. Learn more about the hodag at every stop! Tour lasts about 35-45 minutes.
Logging Museum & Pioneer Park Historical Complex (With Speeder Rides!)
9am-5pm
Pioneer Park Historical Complex (PPHC) is first opening for the season on Saturday May 16th for the festival. PPHC is seven museums in one. Visit May 16th or later during the summer to see Red's Sawmill, The Rufal Schoolhouse Museum, The Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, The Rhinelander Fire Equipment Museum, Duke's Outboard Motor and Boat Museum, The Rhinelander Logging Museum, and the Rhinelander Railroad Museum.
Hodag Calling Contest
2:00pm - Hodag Calling Contest
3:15pm - Winner Announced
Have you ever heard a hodag howl?
All ages and abilities welcome. Get up and grunt, howl, bark, or call your way to the winner's seat! No need to pre-register, just head for the stage and get in line where we will give you your number and get your name! Judges will choose a winner based on originality. All ages and abilities welcome.
Hodag Art & Writing Contests
4:00pm - Art Contest Winners Announced
Annually the Hodag Art Contest entries can be viewed just inside the Pioneer Park Historical Complex from 9am to 4pm. Artists of ALL AGES with mediums of all sorts are entered into two contests: one for adults and one for children (0-12 yrs). One winner in each of the two age groups will be chosen by YOU! Each museum guest will receive one voting card per age group to place in their favorite piece's bucket!
4:00pm - Writing Contest Winners Announced
Brand new for 2026, is the all new Hodag Writing Contest! The Hodag Writing Contest entries can be viewed just inside the Pioneer Park Historical Complex from 9am-4pm. Authors of ALL AGES are entered into two contests: one for adults and one for children (0-12 yrs). One winner in each of the two age groups will be chosen prior to the festival day by a panel of judges. Celebrate the Hodag in a whole new way!
'Hodags Throughout the City' Scavenger Hunt
The week of May 12th and all year round
Take advantage of our chamber's traditional scavenger hunt around town. Pickup an information sheet at the chamber the week of the festival, or print one here and have fun combing the city for Hodag murals and statues. Not all statues look the same so keep your eyes peeled! Bring your checked off form to the chamber any weekday between 8am and 4pm and receive a Hodag prize! You may also bring your form to info booth at Pioneer Park on May 16th for your prize!
All Things Hodag Items List
May 11th-May 16th
Annually, we create what we call the All Things Hodag list for the week of the Hodag Heritage Festival. This list is made of food, beverage, or retail items with a Hodag theme that you can find in the Rhinelander area at local businesses. You can pick up a physical copy at the Hodag Store or Chamber. Some Hodag items are permanent; some are for a limited time so hurry in and check out your local businesses. Hodags love it when you shop local!