Fish Creek Winter Fest Preview

With a flake or two falling from the sky already this month, Fish Creek is already making plans for its 22nd annual Fish Creek Winter Festival. The dates are set for the first weekend of February – which also happens to be the same weekend as Super Bowl Sunday.

“It’s never too early to start preparing,” said Winter Fest co-chairman Bonnie Smith.

The Fish Creek Civic Association hosts this annual event aimed at shaking the winter doldrums and livening up the town at a typically quiet and chilly time of the year. Locals and visitors alike are invited to partake in the family fun throughout town. Wacky games and festive activities, such as cherry seed spitting, ice bowling, football toss and snow volleyball have always been a hit. Another popular mainstay is the eye-catching Kites Over the Bay, the colorful kites that fly against the white winter backdrop of Fish Creek’s frozen-over bay.

A winter parade on Saturday will kick off the day’s events, showcasing Fish Creek’s mascot “Gibby” as well as a newly donned “Snow Queen.” Free trolley rides will be offered all day on Saturday, providing visitors with a unique trip around town, and an answer to any parking concerns. Horse drawn sleigh rides, a chili cook-off, raffles, live music, hot drinks, cold beer, and good eats are just a few of the weekend’s offerings.

The Door County Auditorium expects another sold-out show for its highly anticipated Door County Idol, featuring young and upcoming local talent in the television’s popular “American Idol” format. The Peninsula School of Art will host a homemade soups and handmade bowls benefit for Feed My People, and Peninsula State Park invites cross-country skiers to wind through their wintry trails at nighttime during their Candlelight Ski.

For more information about Winter Fest, call 920.868.2316 or visit http://www.fishcreekinfo.com.