Winter Festival in Fish Creek

A young child takes a turn at snow bowling during last year’s Winter Festival in Fish Creek.

Fish Creek’s Winter Festival will celebrate its 28th year of bringing families and the community together Feb. 6 – 8. A variety of games, music, raffles and food will be offered in a large heated tent in Clark Park.

“Saturday is the main day of the event and we have a lot in store for everyone,” said Bob Spielman, board president of the Fish Creek Civic Association. “Everyone’s favorite games are back by popular demand. We have some great stage events that only added to the quirky fun; the ‘Stumpf Fiddle’ Jam, Snowshoe Dance and the Ugly Sweater contest. And don’t forget the kickball tournament!”

As always, there will be fun family games inside the tent, out on the ice (weather permitting), and inside various businesses.

On Friday, enjoy the art of ice sculpture carving from 1 – 4 pm, but if you can’t make it then, there will be another demonstration from 10 am until noon on Saturday. Door Community Auditorium will screen “Feed the Fish” on Friday night and Hands On Art Studio will host a Rock & Roll Art Night featuring live music by Big Mouth Trio.

Saturday’s festivities will include wild winter games outside, including toilet seat toss and ice bowling, while face painting, minnow racing and a marshmallow shootout, among others, takes place within the tent. A kickball tournament, four-person tandem ski race, interactive live fire demonstration, and free trolley rides are also part of the Winter Festival experience.

Proud chili cooks will be battling for bragging rights and cash prizes at the annual chili cook-off on Saturday. All interested participants, professional and amateur, are invited to participate by bringing one crock-pot of their beloved and prepared chili to the large heated tent at Clark Park between 10:30 – 11 am on Saturday.

Several experienced judges will begin tasting at 11am with an awards presentation around noon. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, third and People’s Choice chili. After the winners are announced an all-you-care-to-sample bowl will be available to all for a $5 suggested donation.

Bicycle toss at last year’s festival.

If you need dessert following your chili lunch, stop by “All Things Chocolate” at the Old Town Hall to benefit the Gibraltar Historical Association or stop by the Winter Wine & Cherry Festival at Orchard Country Winery.

Competitions on the stage are also in store, from ugly sweaters to a Stumpf Fiddle contest and a snowshoe dance. Saturday’s festivities at the park wrap up with a spectacular fireworks display out over the frozen bay at 5:30 pm. All proceeds from Saturday’s games and concessions benefit Door County non-profit organizations.

Following the fireworks, enjoy a rock and roll snow dance with Big Mouth Trio at Alexander’s.

Sunday costume wearers will hit the streets of Fish Creek for the sixth annual “Fruit Loop” fun run/walk, a non-grueling 1/53rd of a marathon (half mile). Join the wearied Winter Festival revelers for this free event at 10:30 am. A post-race gathering will be held inside the tent, complete with a breakfast of Froot Loops and the heralded Olympic-style awards ceremony.

Costumes are highly encouraged in this fun run and participants are encouraged to show up 15 minutes prior to the start.

For more information about Winter Festival, visit VisitFishCreek.com or call 800.577.1880.