Events

Dec
9
Fri
ACE Academy Shanty Raffle
presented by C.D. Smith Foundation @ Various Locations
Dec 9 2022 – Feb 11 2023 all-day

THE ACE SHANTY RAFFLE IS OFFICIALLY COMPLETED.  PLEASE SEE WINNERS BELOW:

1st Place – Winner of the 2023 ACE Academy Shanty – James Krueger (from Malone, WI)

2nd Place – Winner of a Bowe Spear & Spearing accessories – Sam Black

3rd Place – Winner of a Bowe Spear – Nick Venne

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 3 out of the last 4 years.

$10 raffle tickets are now available at the following locations:

  1. Hopper’s Silk Screening & All Star Trophy – 77 N. Main Street, Fond du Lac, WI
  2. Top Shelf Sports Bar & Grille – 90 S. Main Street, Fond du Lac, WI
  3. B & B Express – N6714 County Rd. W (at Hwy 23), Mt. Calvary, WI
  4. Waucousta Food Mart – N3112 Hwy 45, Campbellsport, WI

See photos of the 2023 ACE Academy Shanty below!

Jan
1
Sun
Sunburst “Best Memories” Photo Contest
Jan 1 @ 11:11 am – Feb 12 @ 12:01 am

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 13th 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 Tuesday, February 14th 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:

Feb
11
Sat
5K Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run
presented by SSM Health @ Lakeside Park Pavilion
Feb 11 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Come and join us for a scenic run throughout Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac.  The course will circle through and tour Lakeside Park.  Registration will be open until the day of the run/walk.  Race day registration will begin at 9am on February 11th at Lakeside Park inside the pavilion. 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 24th.  You can still get a 2023 commemorative, long-sleeved T-shirt (pictured left) and registration for $23.  After Tuesday, January 24th, the price goes up to $27 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.

Outdoor Curling Funspiel
presented by Horicon Bank @ Lake Winnebago (behind Lakeside Park Pavilion)
Feb 11 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Join us for the 5th 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 11th. 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 3 teams will receive medals, with top 2 teams receiving cash payouts ($250 for 1st / $150 for 2nd / $75 for 3rd).  $75 entry fee per team.  Registration is now closed and the field has been set with 12 teams from across Wisconsin.  Come out and cheer these curlers on out on the ice!

If you have any questions reach out to Peter Wilke via email (director@fdlfest.com) or phone (920.923.6555).

Two rinks will be set-up on Lake Winnebago and beverages will be available for purchase on-site.  No Carry-ins!
Saturday, 9am:  First Match (Schedule will be sent out Wednesday prior to the tournament)

Presented by:

Special thanks to:

 

Lakeside Park Snow Land
presented by Spectrum @ Lakeside Park Pavilion
Feb 11 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Bring the whole family out to Lakeside Park to participate in our Snow Land .  Activities/attractions include ice & snow castles, snow track mazes, ice bowling, broom ball, photo ops, snow sculpting, and a special appearance by Weaver of the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders.  Indoor games and activities also available.

At 5pm, we will light the spectacular bonfire and toast with free hot chocolate.  S’mores kits will be available for purchase ($5 for 4 S’mores).  Food & drink available for purchase from Top Shelf & Downtown Deli to Go inside the Pavilion.
 
Snow forms will be available if you and your family would like to create your very own mini sculpture

Saturday, February 11, 2023
Winter Playland Kids Activities:  10am – 6pm
Meet the Mascots (Weaver & Fang): 12 – 2pm
Create your own shanty, mini sculptures & crafts, face-painting & other indoor activities: 12 – 4pm
Spectacular Entertainment, Bonfire w/ S’mores, & more: 4pm – 8pm (Free food & hot chocolate for the kids from 5 – 6pm provided by Top Shelf)

Presented by:

 

 

 

 

With support from:

Spearing and Beering
presented by Lakefront Brewery & Lee Beverage @ Lakeside Park Pavilion
Feb 11 @ 10:00 am – 8:00 pm

Come to the Lakefront Brewery bar set up inside Lakeside Park Pavilion.  Party inside in the warmth or take it outside.  Participate in games including Hammerschlagen, ice bowling, broom ball, or join the Outdoor Curling Funspiel.   Lakefront Brewery, the official beer sponsors of Sturgeon Spectacular will be doing a Special Tapping of a Lakefront Exclusive Black Forest Cake flavored Bottom Feeder Ale starting at noon – while supplies last!  Sturgeon Spectacular Commemorative Steins will also be available – while supplies last.

Check out the Live Look-ins at Wendt’s on the Lake to see sturgeon on the big screen inside the pavilion.  Live feeds will be occurring every hour, on the hour starting at 12pm and ending at 4pm. Special celebrity DJs will be playing their favorites and taking requests.   Special prizes given to anyone that brings their registered sturgeon to the celebration!

*Concessions available onsite from Downtown Deli, Market & Cafe

Presented by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

With support from:

Meet the Mascots Photo Ops & More @ Lakeside Park Pavilion
Feb 11 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Bring the whole family to meet our favorite mascots.  Weaver from the Dock Spiders and Fang from the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers will be joining our Lakeside Park celebration and joining in some of the great family-friendly activities.  Take your photo with them, help them build a snowman, challenge them to a game of ice bowling or play a game of broom ball.

Brand new Fond du Lac Dock Spiders apparel will be available for purchase right at Lakeside Park Pavilion during the event (Saturday, February 11th only, 10am – 6pm).  Check out the all new “Fond du Lac Shantymen” Promotional concept these teams are launching just in time for sturgeon spearing.

There is lots more to see and do during Sturgeon Spectacular, so make a day or weekend of it!

Weaver & Fang Appearances : 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Fond du Lac Dock Spiders Merchandise available : 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Presented by:

Lakeside Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides @ Lakeside Park Pavilion
Feb 11 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

The Breezy Hill Campground horse-drawn carriages will be taking trips to the Lighthouse and back from Lakeside Park Pavilion on Saturday, February 11th afternoon. Bring the family for the Winter Fun activities or warm up inside the Pavilion with some hot chocolate and food.  A line will be formed in front of Lakeside Park Pavilion.  Each trip around Lakeside Park will be approximately 15 minutes and can fit 8 adults or older children.  Young children can ride on parent/guardian’s lap as well.

Lakeside Park Pavilion (Pick-up & Drop-off)

3:00 – 6:00 PM

Presented by:

 

 

 

 

With support from The Wiltzius Family & Breezy Hill Campground

 

Sturgeon Spectacular
Community Bonfire @ Lakeside Park Pavilion
Feb 11 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Bring the whole family  and gather round the bonfire at the Lakeside Park @ Pavilion Point.  Kids, grab a free hot chocolate (courtesy of Top Shelf & Downtown Deli to Go), or purchase a S’mores Snack Kit at the Information Table for $5 (while supplies last).  There will be mini-fires for you to roast marshmallows and make your own S’mores.  4 S’mores per pack.  Enjoy music, ambiance, and comradery as the first day of sturgeon spearing comes to a close.  Food & drink available for purchase from Top Shelf & Downtown Deli to Go inside the Pavillion.

Parking along Promen Drive and on Oven Island
Spectacular Bonfire to be lit at 5:00 PM
Free Hot Cocoa for the kids: 5:00 – 6:00 PM
S’mores Kits for sale, while supplies last