As grills fire up along Wisconsin Avenue and hunters stream into town, Tomahawk’s annual venison feed offers the unmistakable feel of opening weekend up north.
Now in its 60th year, the free community cookout — hosted by the Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center — starts at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21. Volunteers work briskly, setting up and lighting six grills before the first rush arrives.
Lines often form two hours early, and last year’s 1,300 venison and beef burgers disappeared in just 47 minutes.
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In a conversation on WPR’s “Morning Edition,” Executive Director Charis Lau said the event draws a mix of locals, cabin owners and hunters traveling from places like Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, Green Bay and Appleton. Many return each year as part of their family’s opening weekend rhythm.
“It’s a good time, and we’ve become so efficient,” Lau said.
The 60th anniversary gives organizers a chance to highlight how the tradition has evolved — from roasting a whole deer in its earliest years to today’s venison burgers donated by local families. What hasn’t changed, Lau said, is the spirit behind it: neighbors and businesses coming together to welcome hunters and celebrate the season.
Lau said the best part comes after the last burger is served. “It’s seeing how many folks enjoy themselves during the event,” she said. “This is a good community. It’s really the community that makes this so special.”
The following interview was edited for brevity and clarity.
Shereen Siewert: When you step into downtown Tomahawk on the day of the venison feed, what does it feel like?
Charis Lau: I’m not originally from this area, so it isn’t something I experienced growing up. Being part of it has been very different for me.
Setup is quite quick, and we have it down to a science at this point. We have a crew of about 10 to 12 of us who go in and within 45 minutes every grill is set up, started and lit.
Once you light the grill, it’s time to go. Lines start to form about two hours before the feed begins. Just about everyone involved has been doing it for a long time, so it’s something of a family reunion.
You only see these people once a year, but you know exactly why we’re all here.
SS: How many people come, and where are they all coming from?
CL: Obviously, we have people flocking up from down south to hunt here. If they’re not going to Sparta or La Crosse, they’re coming to us for the most part.
Many have family cabins. This is why it’s so much like a family reunion, because a lot of people are coming to their cabins and family land. We also have locals who have been part of the Tomahawk community for years.
The amount of good cooking and fun that happens at this might be a little ridiculous, but it is the best kind of fun.
SS: Why do you think that this tradition has lasted 60 years when so many small-town events just fade away?
CL: Because it’s so unique. I’ve lived all over the state, from Green Bay to Rhinelander and La Crosse, and I never heard of anything like this anywhere else.
In the beginning, they used to roast a whole deer and shave parts off, but things changed over the years. Now, we’re doing venison burgers. We still receive donated venison from many of our local families, people who still have meat in their freezers from last year’s hunt.
This is very much a community event. We’re here to have a good time, to help you celebrate the kickoff to the season and enjoy your time up north.
If you have an idea about something in central Wisconsin you think we should talk about on “Morning Edition,” send it to us at central@wpr.org.
