Celebrate the start of summer every June at the Taste of Wisconsin Dells, where you can sample food from +20 Dells-area restaurants such as Ishnala and Monk’s. While you’re chowing down, you can browse through the antique tractor show, arts and crafts show and library book sale. There’s also family stage entertainment and a large Corvette parade and viewing area.

Wo-Zha-Wa Days is one of the Dells’ most popular festivals. The three-day event falls in mid-September, meaning the weather is typically great. The festival features sidewalk sales, an arts and crafts fair, antique flea market, foot race, food stands and a 100-unit parade. FYI All activities take place in the downtown Dells and Bowman Park.

Hay rides, shmay rides. Ride out to the pumpkin patch in style: on the Pumpkin Special, a diesel-powered train that chugs through the Baraboo Hills on a former branch line of the Chicago & North Western Railway. Rides start at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom, a quick half-hour drive from the Dells. Partway through the 55-minute, seven-mile round-trip...

Automotion is a free event for car-lovers. Staged in the Noah’s Ark parking lot, the festival features about 1,200 beautifully restored classic cars and trucks on display. Visitors enjoy gawking at the vehicles. But the event also features a car cruise, swap meet, entertainment, kids’ activities and food. The event culminates with an awards presentation. FYI All parking is at the Tommy...