Hayward’s 73rd annual Musky Festival, the kickoff to summer

Once a year, the community in Hayward, Wisconsin heads down to Main Street for Musky Fest. Hayward’s largest event of the summer, Musky fest brings close to 20,000 visitors to Hayward. Local Dennis Persells, has been to many musky fest celebrations and said he’s glad to see how the event has grown.

Dennis Persells, of Hayward’s Lion Club, said the event has been going on for over 73 years. “We cook, we serve beer, we cook rice, hamburgers, and it all goes back to the community.” Persells said. “Hundred percent of our profits. Besides this one, we do five other major events and we raise about 35, $40,000 a year that goes back into the community.”

Hayward’s 73rd annual Musky Festival has plenty of local music, games, and entries for prize fish. Coming up in September, Hayward’s annual fall festival celebrates the changing of the seasons with sidewalk sales, fine arts and crafts and more great food from vendors. “They like the camaraderie. It’s a way of life up here. It’s a big area for tourism. A lot of people, a lot of different events in this town. US for a small town of like 2500 people, we do a lot more than most big towns do.” Persells said.

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