2ND ANNUAL STURGEON SPECTACULAR TO FEATURE NEW EVENTS
FEBRUARY 10-12, 2017
Fond du Lac, WI – January 10, 2016 - What grew from a wish to celebrate the sport of sturgeon spearing with family and visitors to Fond du Lac and the Lake Winnebago region, has grown bigger and better in year two - the 2nd Annual Sturgeon Spectacular, A Celebration of Winter and Really Big Fish - February 10-12, 2017.
The family-friendly Sturgeon Spectacular event will take place on and off Lake Winnebago in Fond du Lac, WI and throughout the area. Exciting new activities for 2017 include:
- “Guys On Ice” (On Ice) - three performances of the hilarious Broadway-style musical about ice fishing, will be performed for the first time EVER ON ICE - inside a heated tent, near the Pavilion in Lakeside Park. The show stars Doug Macheski and Fond du Lac native Steve Koehler. Presented by Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts (THELMA).
- 2017 Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Competition - first-time event in Fond du Lac. Ten teams will compete throughout the weekend, carving blocks of snow into sturgeon and winter activity themed creations, to advance to the US National competition in 2018.
- Public Ice-Skating - Lakeside Park - Complete with seasonal lighting, music, and concessions. Skate rentals available.
- Kick-off Party - Friday-5-8PM music by Copper Box, food, fun at THELMA, followed by “Kiss The Sturgeon” and NEW After-Party at Lakeside Park Pavilion, with music by Sonic Circus.
- Children’s Museum activities - Saturday - Shantytown sleepover, kids ages 8-12.
- Radar Run Snowmobile/ATV Race - Saturday - 9AM - Mt. Motorsports will create a drag racing event for snowmobilers and ATV enthusiasts.
- Historic Galloway Village - Sunday - 11AM-4PM - morning ecumenical church service followed by author Kathleen Schmitt Kline and stories about the sturgeon. Clydesdale carriage rides, historic ice fishing displays and more.
- The Maniac of Magic - Zigy’s Bar - Friday - 9PM - part of the grassroots comedy series by Nathan Allen, as seen on “America’s Got Talent.”
In addition, returning activities on the ice for the Sturgeon Spectacular feature music, food, fireworks, and much more, including:
- The 28th Annual Sturgeon Stampede featuring ice-kiting, ice bowling, live music and more - Friday through Sunday
- Largest Bonfire On Ice - Saturday evening
- Crowning of the Sturgeon Queen - Saturday evening
- Fireworks - Saturday evening
Off the ice, Sturgeon Spectacular activities include:
- 8th Annual Chili Crawl - Saturday 11AM-2PM - Downtown District
- Window Painting - downtown businesses - throughout the weekend
- "Spear The Fatty” Fat Tire Bike Race - Saturday morning - registration at 10AM, sponsored by Wheel & Sprocket.
For a complete listing and details of activities: log onto FDL.com/SS
“Fond du Lac is known world-wide for its sturgeon spearing season, and as we embark on our second Sturgeon Spectacular celebration, we have put together an exciting line up of activities, both on and off the ice, indoors and outdoors, as well as throughout the community, to celebrate all things Sturgeon,” said Craig Molitor, President and CEO of the Fond du Lac Area Visitors Bureau. “From the snow sculpting, to the immensely popular “Guys On Ice,” which will be performed on ice, live music throughout the community, to a sleepover at the Children’s Museum and the Fat Tire Bike Race, we have worked hard to put together an event for people of all ages to enjoy and participate in during our winter celebration,” he added.
The 2017 Sturgeon Spectacular weekend will feature restaurant and retail specials and hotel packages for visitors and local families who want to enjoy a “staycation.” A schedule of events, hotel packages and specials can be found on the Fond du Lac Area Visitors Bureau website - FDL.com/SS.