presented by C.D. Smith Foundation @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
THE ACE ACADEMY SHANTY RAFFLE IS A MAJOR FUNDRAISER FOR THE ACE ACADEMY. SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR ALL THE BUSINESS PARTNERS THAT SUPPORT THE ACADEMY AND THIS PROJECT
More info on the project below:
The ACE Shanties Project was spearheaded by C.D. Smith Construction’s Foundation Committee with material donations provided by a variety of local businesses. The project began in May of 2019 with blueprints, construction began in September of the same year, and the project was completed in early 2020.
To raise funds for the A.C.E. Academy and raffle supporters, Foot of the Lake Fishing Club, one of the shanties has been raffled off during the Sturgeon Spectacular festivities 5 out of the last 6 years.
$10 raffle tickets are now available at the following locations. Tickets available while supplies last. (Maximum of 1,000 tickets sold):
- Hopper’s Silk Screening & All Star Trophy – 77 N. Main Street, Fond du Lac, WI
- Top Shelf Sports Bar & Grille – 90 S. Main Street, Fond du Lac, WI
- B & B Express – N6714 County Rd. W (at Hwy 23), Mt. Calvary, WI
- Waucousta Food Mart – N3112 Hwy 45, Campbellsport, WI
1st Place: ACE ACADEMY SHANTY
Bowe Metal Fabrication + Repair Frame with Leaf Springs, 6.5′ x 12′ Center Hole, Finished Interior
Value: $7,000+
2nd Place: Sturgeon Spear & Spearing Equipment
Bowe Metal Fabrication + Repair Sturgeon Spear & Spearing Equipment
Value: $335
Donated by Badgerland Connections
3rd Place: Sturgeon Spear
Bowe Metal Fabrication + Repair Sturgeon Spear
Value: $235
Donated by Badgerland Connections
Official Shanty Raffle Drawing will take place live at Sturgeon Spectacular at 2 pm on Saturday, February 9th at the Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts.
See photos from the 2023 ACE Academy Shanty below!
Join us in celebrating the Sturgeon Spectacular, the beauty of winter, and more importantly SNOW! Sunburst Ski Hill believes that the best memories are made with snow, and we agree! Get your family, friends, or go outside solo and find your best winter backdrop.
Contest Rules:
All ages are eligible to participate. Submit a photo to Facebook using #SunburstBestMemories or send an email to info@fdlfest.com with subject line “Sunburst Best Memories” before midnight on Monday, February 10th and you’ll be entered to win four Sunburst ski or tubing passes and some really cool Sturgeon Spectacular gear. Judges will select the winner from all entrants on Thursday, February 13th and the winner will be posted on the Fond du Lac Festivals and Destination Lake Winnebago Facebook pages.
To qualify, photos must include snow and capture “The Best Memories”.
PRESENTED BY:
The best snow sculptors in the state travel to Fond du Lac to compete in the 2025 Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Competition in hopes of winning a trip to the 2026 US Championship and a $1,000 1st Prize. Sculpting all weekend long.
Daily Schedule:
*Some teams compete well into the early morning hours. Hours vary by day/team.
Friday, February 7, 2025*
1 pm – Teams arrive onsite and begin sculpting
Saturday, February 8, 2025*
8 am – 10 pm – Competition Site Open for Viewing
Sunday, February 9, 2025*
Teams Compete
People’s Choice Ballots must be turned in at Info Table inside THELMA by 11:00 am
Tools Down/ Official Judging begins at 1 pm
Awards Ceremony & Spectacular Finale starts at 1:30 pm
Presenting Sponsor: Grande Cheese Company
Official Snow Provider: Sunburst Ski Hill
Transportation provided by: Baumhardt Trucking of Eden
2024 Meals provided by Annie’s Fountain City Catering, Top Shelf, Philly’s on 4th, and Eaton’s Fresh Pizza.
Sturgeon Spectacular is taking place entirely in the beautiful Downtown Fond du Lac is 2025. Tour through our historic downtown and pick up your Sturgeon Scavenger Hunt at THELMA during Sturgeon Spectacular operating hours.
This scavenger hunt is completely free and friendly for everyone! Locate the sturgeon in each listed businesses window and find the corresponding letter to that location. Unscramble the letters, solve the secret riddle, and turn in your completed scavenger hunt at THELMA for your chance to win the prize! (Prize to be announced)
Event Partner:
Join us at Thelma Sadoff center for the Arts to kickoff to Sturgeon Spectacular 2025, featuring complimentary games, prizes, and a magic show! Kids will love the annual opportunity to spear Jerry the Sturgeon and parents will love the complimentary adult beverages. The Kids Kickoff will be taking place inside THELMA in the first floor Fountain City from 4:30 pm to 6 pm.
Presented by:
The Sturgeon Spectacular kicks off at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts on Friday night with a free concert and lots of cheer!
THELMA is bringing Live Music to help kick off the Sturgeon Spectacular weekend in style in the Grand Hall inside THELMA! Enjoy music inside THELMA and warm up by dancing or enjoying a hot beverage! Plus watch ice and snow sculptors start on their pieces. Make sure to come back throughout the weekend to check their progress!
Fountain City Bar opens at 4 pm
FREE CONCERT: Free Time starting at 7 pm
Lighting of the Sculptures presented by Wisconsin Lighting Lab
presented by Fleet Farm @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Are you a spearer? Do you know a spearer? If you or someone you know is lucky enough to spear a sturgeon during the 2025 sturgeon spearing season, enter to win the Biggest Sturgeon Contest presented by Fleet Farm. There are 3 ways to enter:
- Bring your harvest to Downtown Fond du Lac on Opening Day (Saturday, February 8th) between 12 pm – 4 pm and check in at the Fleet Farm tent.
- Post a photo of this year’s harvest to Facebook using #FDLBigFish and include name of the spearer and date harvested*
- Email your photo to info@fdlfest.com with “Biggest Sturgeon 2025” in the subject line and include the name of the spearer and date harvested*
*Only 2025 harvested sturgeon will be eligible for the $500 Fleet Farm Gift Card
That’s it, it’s that easy. Open to all ages and legal harvest rules apply.
Entries must be received by midnight on Sunday, February 23rd to qualify. All entries will be collected and a random drawing will occur on Monday, February 24th. Winners will be announced through Facebook or contacted through the email submitted.
Please be aware of all DNR guidelines when you register your fish at one of the official DNR fish registration stations.
Reminder – No ice is safe ice, and this year that is very important to understand as ice conditions have been deemed unsafe.
More helpful info can be found on the Wisconsin DNR webpage here.
#FDLBigFish
#SSFDL
Special thanks to Fleet Farm for their partnership!
The best snow sculptors in the state travel to Fond du Lac to compete in the 2025 Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Competition in hopes of winning a trip to the 2026 US Championship and a $1,000 1st Prize. Sculpting all weekend long.
Daily Schedule:
*Some teams compete well into the early morning hours. Hours vary by day/team.
Friday, February 7, 2025*
1 pm – Teams arrive onsite and begin sculpting
Saturday, February 8, 2025*
8 am – 10 pm – Competition Site Open for Viewing
Sunday, February 9, 2025*
Teams Compete
People’s Choice Ballots must be turned in at Info Table inside THELMA by 11 am
Tools Down/ Official Judging begins at 1 pm
Awards Ceremony & Spectacular Finale starts at 1:30 pm
Presenting Sponsor: Grande Cheese Company
Official Snow Provider: Sunburst Ski Hill
Transportation provided by: Baumhardt Trucking of Eden
2024 Meals provided by Annie’s Fountain Catering, Top Shelf, Philly’s on 4th, and Eaton’s Fresh Pizza.
presented by SSM Health @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Come and join us for a scenic run throughout Downtown Fond du Lac. The course will circle through and tour Fond du Lac. Registration will be open until the day of the run/walk. Race day registration will begin at 9am on Saturday, February 8th Downtown at Thelma Sadolff Center for the Arts. The 1/2 mile Kids Fun Run for ages 12 and under is absolutely free and includes a shirt. Early registration for the 5K Run/Walk will be available through midnight, Tuesday, January 21st. You can still get a 2025 commemorative, long-sleeved T-shirt and registration for $25. After Tuesday, January 21st, the price will be $20 and it will NOT include a Sturgeon Spectacular long-sleeve T-shirt.
Participants with strollers and/or dogs are asked to please line up in the back at the start. Please stick around for other awesome Sturgeon Spectacular festivities at Lakeside Park and within Downtown Fond du Lac.
On-site check-in: 9 am
1/2-Mile Kids Fun Run for ages 12 and under: 10 am
5K Run/Walk: 10:30 am
Presented by:
Special thanks to the Fond du Lac Running Club for their involvement.
Join us for the 7th Annual Fond du Lac Outdoor Funspiel. This tournament is fun AND competitive. Each match will last about 45 minutes. All curling equipment will be provided. The tournament is scheduled for Saturday, February 8th. Open to all ages and levels. Get your team of 3 – 6 people (at least 3 are required to compete in each match) together and sign up. Top 2 teams will receive cash payouts ($250 for 1st / $100 for 2nd). $75 entry fee per team. Teams are guaranteed at least 2 matches in this double elimination tournament. Registration will be capped at 8 teams. Come out and cheer these curlers!
REGISTRATION COMING SOON!
If you have any questions reach out to Peter Wilke via email (director@fdlfest.com) or phone (920.923.6555).
Two floor curling rinks will be set up at THELMA on the plaza or inside the 1st floor gallery. Saturday, 9 am: First Match (Schedule will be sent out Wednesday prior to the tournament)
With Support from:
New this year at Sturgeon Spectacular is the High School Team Snow Sculpting Competition! High school students from the greater Fond du Lac area will form teams of 3 to 5 and will carve a snow sculpture into their choice of design. Teams who compete will be representing their school in the competition and the winning team will take home customized matching sweatshirts and a traveling trophy to keep at their school until the next competition. Find more detailed competition information and applications at the links below…
Competition Information (CLICK HERE)
Application* – (CLICK HERE)
*Team Application due by Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025
Presented by:
Food Sponsor:
Tools Sponsor:
As part of the Sturgeon Spectacular Winter Festivities the weekend of February 7 – 9, 2025 Fond du Lac Festivals is teaming up with the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership to bring you a fun event for all ages… just in time for Valentine’s Day. Open to all ages!
On the morning of the event bring your ticket to 131 S. Main Street to check-in. There you will receive your official Sweet Stroll map. Check in at this location from 9 am to 1 pm.
Join us for a walk around downtown and vote for the best sweets in town!
2025 Participating Locations coming soon! Stay Tuned!
Only 200 tickets sold (while supplies last) – available online only! (Click green ticket link above)
Check-in at Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership (131 S. Main Street) from 9am – 1pm, day of
Horse-drawn wagon will be offering free rides through downtown Fond du Lac. The horses will take you past all the festivities and downtown happenings. Each trip will be approximately 15 minutes. Young children can ride on parent/guardian’s lap.
Pick-up/Drop-off Location – 33 Sheboygan Street (Downtown Event Hub)
Running from 10 am – 5 pm (First come, first served)
Horse Team 1: 10 am – 1 pm
Horse Team 2: 1 pm – 5 pm
Presented by:
With support from Cooper Carriages of Mt. Calvary
Presented by:
presented by Busch Light @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Come Downtown in Fond du Lac and join us for some Spearing & Beering. Party inside in the warmth or take it outside. Busch Light, the official beer sponsors of Sturgeon Spectacular will be joining us for some fun in the snow! Sturgeon Spectacular Commemorative Steins will also be available – while supplies last.
The Biggest Sturgeon Contest will be hosted at this location this year with the Sturgeon Show-off Station. We’ll be doing live sturgeon reports as well on Facebook. Live feeds will be occurring throughout the day. Special prizes given to anyone that brings their registered sturgeon to the celebration!
Presented by:
With support from:
Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership @ Various locations in downtown Fond du Lac
Feeling “chili” from all that time on the ice? Celebrate Sturgeon Spectacular with a walk in Downtown Fond du Lac for the 15th Annual Chili Crawl being held Saturday, February 8th, 2025 from 11am to 3pm.
For just $15, crawlers can taste different chili concoctions made by our downtown businesses. The downtown business voted into the top spot gets the bragging rights of being called the year’s best chili!
On the morning of the event bring your ticket to 131 S. Main Street to check-in. There you will receive your official chili crawl map and voting ballot. Check-in opens at 9am and ends at 1pm. Chili is available beginning at 11am
Ballots will be split to allow voting on best restaurant chili and best home-cooked chili. Feel free to choose your own route for each stop.
The last stop on the crawl is Hopper’s Silk Screening and All-Star Trophy where your completed ballot can be redeemed by 3pm
Downtown Fond du Lac shops and restaurants are open to the general public of all ages during this event. The Sweet Stroll will be held rain or shine.
Tips
• Avoid waiting in line by picking up your materials starting at 9am on February 8th.
• Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing, since you’ll be walking outdoors between locations.
• Post photos to Instagram and Facebook using hashtag #downtownfdl.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to amy@downtownfdl.com or megan@downtownfdl.com
Tickets are transferable, but not refundable. Transferring a ticket to another individual is the responsibility of the ticket holder. The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership will not facilitate exchanges.
2025 Participating Locations Coming Soon! Stay Tuned!
Only 200 tickets sold (while supplies last) – available online only! (Click green ticket link above)
Check-in at Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership (131 S. Main Street) from 10am – 12pm, day of
Presented by:
Presented by U.S. Bank @ Various Locations, Downtown Fond du Lac
Pick up an event brochure at any of the participating locations and walk through beautiful downtown Fond du Lac to see these talented ice carvers create works of art right on the sidewalks of downtown. Get your picture taken with each one. And a special thanks to all the block sponsors for their support!
2025 Ice Block Locations Coming Soon! Stay Tuned!
Presenting Sponsor:
For more information on Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts, click here
Presented by:
For Sturgeon Spectacular’s 10th Anniversary, Guys On Ice returns to THELMA! From their shanty, ice-fishing buddies Marvin and Lloyd sing about life, love, and the one that got away. This hilarious piece of Wisconsin anthropology will charm your wool socks off.
Beer, wine and other spirits will be available for purchase before, during, and after the show
Performance at 2 pm. Bar opens at 1 pm
Ticket Information Coming Soon!
For Sturgeon Spectacular’s 10th Anniversary, Guys On Ice returns to THELMA! From their shanty, ice-fishing buddies Marvin and Lloyd sing about life, love, and the one that got away. This hilarious piece of Wisconsin anthropology will charm your wool socks off.
Beer, wine and other spirits will be available for purchase before, during, and after the show
Performance at 7 pm. Bar opens at 6 pm
Ticket Information Coming Soon!
The best snow sculptors in the state travel to Fond du Lac to compete in the 2025 Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Competition in hopes of winning a trip to the 2026 US Championship and a $1,000 1st Prize. Sculpting all weekend long.
Daily Schedule:
*Some teams compete well into the early morning hours. Hours vary by day/team.
Friday, February 7, 2025*
1:00 PM – Teams arrive onsite and begin sculpting
Saturday, February 8, 2025*
8:00 AM – 10:00 PM – Competition Site Open for Viewing
Sunday, February 9, 2025*
Teams Compete
People’s Choice Ballots must be turned in at Info Table inside THELMA by 11:00am
Tools Down/ Official Judging begins at 1pm
Awards Ceremony & Spectacular Finale starts at 1:30pm
Presenting Sponsor: Grande Cheese Company
Official Snow Provider: Sunburst Ski Hill
Transportation provided by: Baumhardt Trucking of Eden
2024 Meals provided by Annie’s Fountain City Catering, Top Shelf, Philly’s on 4th, and Eaton’s Fresh Pizza.
Horse-drawn wagon will be offering free rides through downtown Fond du Lac. The horses will take you past all the festivities and downtown happenings. Each trip will be approximately 15 minutes. Young children can ride on parent/guardian’s lap.
Pick-up/Drop-off Location – 33 Sheboygan Street (Downtown Event Hub)
Running from 10am – 2pm (First come, first served)
Presented by:
Horses and carriage provided by Cooper Carriages of Mt. Calvary
Presented by:
Learn to curl Saturday, February 9th at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts. Curl with tips from professionals!
Many more family-fun activities are happening inside, outside, and around Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts until 3 pm Sunday, February 9th!
Presented By:
Raise a toast to Sturgeon Spectacular 2025 with a one-of-a-kind Bloody Mary at THELMA on Sunday! The Art of the Bloody Mary contest will take place on the 1st Floor with bartenders going head-to-head to build the Ultimate Bloody Mary, Sunday morning before a panel of world-renowned Bloody Mary experts..
Sampling begins: 10:30 am
Drink Building: 11 am
Judging for People’s Choice and Most Creative/ Awards to immediately follow: 11:30 am
Live Music – Band to be announced soon! : 12 pm – 3 pm
Presented by Destination Lake Winnebago Region:
Join us in celebrating all those that make Sturgeon Spectacular a weekend for all to enjoy. Enjoy great hot & cold drinks and live music inside the THELMA Fountain City Room, or grab a drink and bring it outside to see the state snow sculptors put their finishing touches on some beautiful sculptures.
We will be announcing the winners of events throughout the weekend during the live music intermission inside Fountain City.
Live Music – Band to be announced soon! : 12pm – 3pm
Awards/Announcements: 1:30 – 2pm
- Downtown Chili Crawl – “Best” Awards
- Downtown Sweet Stroll – “Best” Awards
- Downtown Ice Sculpting Competition – 1st & 2nd place sculptures
- Art of the Bloody Mary – Top Competitors
- Outdoor Curling Funspiel – 1st, 2nd, 3rd place teams
- Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Championships will be announced at 2:00 pm
- People’s Choice Winners
- Artist’s Choice Winners
- 1st, 2nd, 3rd place team finishers