Hodag Heritage Festival

Saturday, May 16th, 2026 at Pioneer Park

Join us in Rhinelander for the Hodag Heritage Festival, a celebration of the legendary creature that has captivated our community for generations! Whether you're a long-time Hodag fan or just discovering this mythical beast, the festival offers something for everyone.

Kick off your day with a traditional pancake breakfast and enjoy activities like the Hodag Calling Contest, live music, the Hodag Historical City Bus Tour, speakers, and more!

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this one-of-a-kind experience and connect with the spirit of Rhinelander!

2025 Schedule of Events

Food & Drink

Saturday May 16th-Pioneer Park

8am-11am - Pancake Breakfast by the VFW
9am-7pm - Variety of Food Trucks
11am-7pm - Beverage Tent (Water, Non-Alcoholic Options, Beer, Hodag Beer)

Are you a food vendor looking to join us? Click on an option below!

Food Vendor Application: Printable

Food Vendor Application: Online

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Vendors & Exhibitors

Saturday May 16th

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!

Interested in having a booth? If your booth contains some items with a folklore, Rhinelander, the Hodag, northwoods, cryptid or logging theme you qualify! Join us by filling out an application!

Vendor Application: Printable

Vendor Application: Online

Hodag Historical City Bus Tour

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.

Tour times coming soon!

Rhinelander Lodging

If you're visiting from out of town, there are plenty of lodging options in the Rhinelander area to book a stay. Choose from a variety of resorts and cabins, hotels, campgrounds and more! Visit https://business.rhinelanderchamber.com/list/ql/lodging-travel-15 to view options.

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!

Logging Museum & Pioneer Park Historical Complex (With Speeder Rides!)

Saturday, May 16th

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

Have you ever heard a hodag howl? Join us May 16th for the annual Hodag Calling Contest!

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.

Art Contest

Annually the Hodag Art Contest entries can be viewed just inside the Pioneer Park Historical Complex. 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!

2026 Contest Entry Form Coming soon!

'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!

Hodags Throughout the City Finder Map