Wisconsin is America’s Dairyland–the top cheese-producing state in the country. But many of our smallest towns hold special titles of their own, like Bear Creek, home of the World’s Largest Sauerkraut Plant, or Waunakee, “The Only Waunakee in the World.”
Here are 10 Wisconsin towns and the random reason they’re world-famous:
Bear Creek
Home of the World’s Largest Sauerkraut Plant
More than 100 years ago, two Irish brothers started a pickling company called Flanagan Brothers. Since then, Dave and Henry’s business (now GLK Foods) has become the world’s largest producer of kraut–turning nearly 150,000 tons of raw cabbage into kraut every year. Their great-grandson now runs the company.
Boulder Junction
The Musky Capital of the World
With 195 lakes chock-full of Musky in town, Boulder Junction trademarked itself the “Musky Capital of the World.” The Chamber of Commerce hosts an annual Musky Jamboree each August.
Eagle River
Snowmobile Capital of the World
Home to more than 500 miles of snowmobile trails, the Amsoil World Championship Snowmobile Derby, and the World Snowmobile headquarters, Eagle River takes winter recreation seriously.
Fremont
White Bass Capital of the World
Thousands of fishermen flock to the town of 700 every May to experience “May Madness.” It’s not uncommon for participants to take home more than 2,000 White Bass after a single week of fishing!
Green Bay
Toilet Paper Capital of the World
Ever get a splinter from toilet paper? Hopefully not, and you have Green Bay to thank. The first splinter-free TP was produced in Titletown, and the paper industry remains one of the region’s largest employers.
Lake Tomahawk
Snowshoe Baseball Capital of the World
In 1961, a local man thought playing baseball on snowshoes sounded like a great idea, and the community has been embracing the silly tradition ever since. (And yes, the sport is exactly what it sounds like: athletes wear snowshoes, using a 16-inch ball and no gloves.) Today, catching a game is on the bucket list of many tourists.
Mercer
The Loon Capital of the World
A wildlife study found Mercer had the highest concentration of common loons in the world, so the town decided to go all-in. It’s now home to “Claire d’Loon,” the world’s largest loon: a 16-foot, 2,000-pound sculpture, as well as a summer loon-calling contest and a winter cross-country ski race called the Blue Loon Stampede.
Pardeeville
Home of the World Watermelon Eating and Seed Spitting Championships
The central Wisconsin city has hosted an annual Watermelon Festival every September since 1968 that includes a variety of eating and spitting competitions. The best part? All-you-can-eat watermelon is free!
Sheboygan
Bratwurst Capital of the World
The city’s tourism board credits German immigrants for bringing two of their favorite things, brats and beer, to Sheboygan. Today, the town makes and eats more brats than anywhere else in America.
Waunakee
The Only Waunakee in the World
A different “W”–Washington–holds the title as the most common geographical name in America. But there’s only one Waunakee, and the Wisconsin village of 15,000 is proud of it! The name “Waunakee” is derived from the Native American word for “fair and pleasant valley.”
MORE: Six Wisconsin Cities Named Among America’s “Top 100 Most Livable”
Christina Lorey A former producer, reporter, and anchor for TV stations in Madison and Moline, Illinois, Christina has been a coach and mentor for Girls on the Run and has organized events for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
