Winter Fest Highlights

Fox 11’s Rachel Manek to Judge in Chili Cook-Off

Rachel Manek from Fox 11’s Good Day Wisconsin will be the celebrity judge in this year’s Fish Creek Winter Festival Chili Cook-Off, Saturday, Feb. 6. Proud chili cooks will be battling for bragging rights and a Grand Prize of $250.

Interested participants should bring a crock-pot of their prepared chili to the large, heated tent at Clark Park between 2 and 3pm. Participation is free. Judging will begin at 3pm, with a $5 all-you-care-to-sample to follow for everyone! Prizes and gift certificates will also be presented to the winners of the two People’s Choice awards and a Gibby’s Choice award.

Along with Manek, three experienced, local judges will be judging based on five categories: aroma, consistency, color, taste and heat.

Fish Creek’s First Annual Fruit Loop

On Sunday morning, February 7, join the Winter Festival revelers in the First Annual Fish Creek Fruit Loop – a 1/2 mile Fun Run through downtown Fish Creek. This scenic, 1/53rd marathon will begin and end at the tent in Clark Park and loop through downtown Fish Creek. The race will begin at 10:10 am with Gibby the Fish as the pace setter.

Runners are encouraged to arrive between 9:30 – 10 am for sign-up. Costumes of any kind are encouraged, but not required. There is no charge for the race, and participants may run or walk the course. The awards ceremony and free breakfast of Froot Loops and milk will be available after the run in the tent for all participants.

Volleyball Tournament Set For Fish Creek Winter Festival – Teams Wanted!

Some play in the sand. Others play on the hard court. But, real volleyballers play in the ice and the snow!

Grab your buddies and brave the elements in this year’s Ice Volleyball Tournament set for the Saturday of Winter Festival Weekend, February 6. Four person teams consisting of any combination of males and females will compete in a round-robin format. The tournament to begin at noon, will take place on the ice in the Fish Creek Harbor. The heated tent at Clark Park will be nearby offering warmth, food, beer, music and fun!

Interested parties should contact Dave Wohnrade 920.854/5192.

Candlelight Ski at Peninsula State Park

Cross-country skiers of all ages and abilities are welcome at Peninsula State Park’s annual Candlelight Ski scheduled for Saturday, February 6, from 5:30 – 8 pm. A mile, double-tracked loop meanders through forests of hemlock and maple trees. Several hundred luminaries, set out by Peninsula volunteers, guide the way. Enter at Highland Road, one mile north of Fish Creek, at the intersection of County Road A.

This event is free and open to the public but a state park vehicle sticker is required. Stickers may be purchased at Park Headquarters before 5 pm on the day of the event. A warming shelter, bonfire, and hot cocoa will be available. Dogs are not allowed on the ski trails.

In case of a lack of snow, the event will change to a walk with the starting location at Park Headquarters. If you need additional information call 920.868.3258.

Wine Away the Winter Blues

Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market will host its 5th Annual Winter Wine and Cherry Fest on Saturday, February 6 from 10 am – 5 pm.

The winter festival will include horse-drawn sleigh rides throughout the scenic orchards as well as wine and product tasting. Reservations for the horse-drawn sleigh rides are recommended and can be confirmed by contacting John Mayberry at 920.421.1152 or visiting http://www.mayberrycarriages.com.

One of the festivals many highlights is the annual cherry pit spit competition. The competition begins at 1:30 pm and is open to all ages. The fun continues with free trolley rides, the opportunity to paint a wine glass or wine bottle as a souvenir and popular local duo Ben There Dan That performs from 1– 4 pm.

Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market is located at 9197 Highway 42 in Fish Creek. For additional information call 866.946.3263 or visit http://www.orchardcountry.com.