Wisconsin gets winters like nowhere else, and the state surely knows how to celebrate the subzero temperatures and blankets of snow. It can be beautiful, after all, and it gives us an excuse to sip on some hot cocoa and slip on some cozy hats, scarves and mittens. Check out a few of the upcoming festivals:
• Winter Festival (La Farge)
Join in on winter fun in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, where there are horse-drawn wagon rides, winter games, guided snowshoe and ice-cave hikes and a sled-dog race. (Jan. 7)
• Bald Eagle Watching Days (Prairie du Sac)
Dozens of eagles winter in Prairie du Sac each year to fish the open waters of the Wisconsin River, and during Bald Eagle Watching Days, visitors enjoy Birds of Prey programs, a wildlife photography seminar, guided bus tours, Native American legends and family activities. (Jan. 13-14)
• The Big Chill (Racine)
Witness the 27th Annual Wisconsin State and Midwest Regional Snow Sculpting Championship, or take part in snowboarding and skiing at the Downtown Rail Jam. (Jan. 13-15)
• Sleigh & Cutter Rally (Ashland)
Step into the 19th century at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center where costumed drivers offer rides on antique sleighs. (Jan. 14)
• Jack Frost Fest (Spooner)
This charming western Wisconsin town offers turkey bowling, an antique snowmobile show, minnow races and a fat-bike ride during the annual Jack Frost Fest. (Jan. 14)
• Janboree (Waukesha)
Head to Lowell Park for ice sculpting, trolley rides, a penguin-egg hunt, tobogganing and fireworks. (Jan. 20-22)
• Isthmus Beer & Cheese Fest (Madison)
Any excuse to get out of the cold and enjoy some beer and cheese, right? Alliant Energy Center: Be there or be... cold. (Jan. 21)
• Schnee Days (Elkhart Lake)
Celebrate winter with a colored ice cube hunt and dog sledding, and warm up during the chili cook-off. (Jan. 27-29)
• Winter Fest (Wausau)
Enjoy a ride down the snow slide followed by a horse-drawn wagon ride, ice-skating, ice carving and... wait for it... a mac and cheese contest. (Jan. 28)
Which winter festivals are penciled in on your calendar? Share with us on social media using #DiscoverWisconsin.
- Kristen Finstad is a crew member of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." The column is published Tuesday on the Life page in the Times.
• Winter Festival (La Farge)
Join in on winter fun in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, where there are horse-drawn wagon rides, winter games, guided snowshoe and ice-cave hikes and a sled-dog race. (Jan. 7)
• Bald Eagle Watching Days (Prairie du Sac)
Dozens of eagles winter in Prairie du Sac each year to fish the open waters of the Wisconsin River, and during Bald Eagle Watching Days, visitors enjoy Birds of Prey programs, a wildlife photography seminar, guided bus tours, Native American legends and family activities. (Jan. 13-14)
• The Big Chill (Racine)
Witness the 27th Annual Wisconsin State and Midwest Regional Snow Sculpting Championship, or take part in snowboarding and skiing at the Downtown Rail Jam. (Jan. 13-15)
• Sleigh & Cutter Rally (Ashland)
Step into the 19th century at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center where costumed drivers offer rides on antique sleighs. (Jan. 14)
• Jack Frost Fest (Spooner)
This charming western Wisconsin town offers turkey bowling, an antique snowmobile show, minnow races and a fat-bike ride during the annual Jack Frost Fest. (Jan. 14)
• Janboree (Waukesha)
Head to Lowell Park for ice sculpting, trolley rides, a penguin-egg hunt, tobogganing and fireworks. (Jan. 20-22)
• Isthmus Beer & Cheese Fest (Madison)
Any excuse to get out of the cold and enjoy some beer and cheese, right? Alliant Energy Center: Be there or be... cold. (Jan. 21)
• Schnee Days (Elkhart Lake)
Celebrate winter with a colored ice cube hunt and dog sledding, and warm up during the chili cook-off. (Jan. 27-29)
• Winter Fest (Wausau)
Enjoy a ride down the snow slide followed by a horse-drawn wagon ride, ice-skating, ice carving and... wait for it... a mac and cheese contest. (Jan. 28)
Which winter festivals are penciled in on your calendar? Share with us on social media using #DiscoverWisconsin.
- Kristen Finstad is a crew member of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." The column is published Tuesday on the Life page in the Times.