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:

Join us at the Brick House restaurant in Fond du Lac’s Downtown District for a totally family-friendly kickoff to Sturgeon Spectacular 2023, featuring complimentary games, prizes, and food for the family. Kids will love the annual opportunity to spear Jerry the Sturgeon and parents will love the complimentary adult beverages. Brick House restaurant Friday, February 10, 2023, 4:30-6:15pm.

Participating Location: Brickhouse – 161 S. Main Street, Fond du Lac 

Make sure to come down for the Lighting of the Sturgeon & Sculptures at 6:45pm 

Illumination provided by

Join Lakefront Brewery for a night of beering before the season opens.  Grab one of four Lakefront options on tap, spin the wheel, and win some cool Lakefront Brewery swag.

Promo: 5:00 – 7:00pm

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 Sam Luna & Friends to help kick off the Sturgeon Spectacular weekend in style!  Enjoy music inside THELMA and warm up by dancing or enjoying a hot beverage! Plus watch the snow sculptors get their pieces started right outside on Sheboygan Street! Try a Whiskey Whiskers (hot toddy inspired beverage), spiked hot cocoa, and more!

The Breezy Hill Campground horse-drawn carriages will be offering free rides through downtown Fond du Lac.  The horses will take you past all the festivities and downtown happenings.  There will be two loading/unloading zones (see below).  Each trip will be approximately 15 minutes.  Young children can ride on parent/guardian’s lap.

Pick-up/Drop-off Location #1 – 33 Sheboygan Street (Downtown Event Hub)
Pick-up/Drop-off Location #2 – 16 E. 2nd Street (Downtown Winter Market*) for more info – click here

Presented by:

Horses and carriage provided by The Wiltzius Family & Breezy Hill Campground

Feeling “chili” from all that time on the ice? Celebrate Sturgeon Spectacular with a walk in Downtown Fond du Lac for the 14th Annual Chili Crawl being held Saturday, February 11th, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

For just $10, 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 10:00 a.m. and ends at 12:00 p.m. Chili is available beginning at 11:00 a.m.

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 2:00 p.m.

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 10:00 a.m. on February 11th.
• 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 amber@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.

2023 Competing Locations:

1. 18 Hands Ale Haus & Biergarten – 18 E. Division
2. CC’s Chocolates – 57 N. Macy
3. Cujak’s Wine & Spirits -47 N. Main
4. Fat Joe’s Burgers & Brew – 15 W. Division
5. Korneli’s Bar – 8 5th
6. Main Pub – 241 S. Main
7. PS, Beauty Lounge – 59 N. Main
8. The Hotel Retlaw – 1 N. Main
9. The UPS Store – 114 S. Main
10. Three Aces North – 111 S. Main
11. Top Shelf Bar & Grill – 90 S. Main
12. Victoria’s Pet Nutrition – 14 N. Main

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:

As part of the Sturgeon Spectacular Winter Festivities the weekend of February 10 – 12, 2023, 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 opens at 10:00 a.m. Sweets will be available beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Join us for a walk around downtown and vote for the best sweets in town!

Participating Locations:

1. Argentum et Aurum – 111 S. Main
2. Blue Marble Botanicals – 28 N. Main
3. CC’s Chocolates – 57 N. Macy
4. Craft City Bottleshop & Taproom – 103 S. Main
5. Fat Joe’s Burgers & Brew – 15 W. Division
6. Fond du Lac Cyclery – 209 S. Main
7. Gallery & Frame Shop hosting The ARC of Fond du Lac – 94 S. Main
8. H & H Hobby – 79 S. Main
9. Hang 10 Poke – 74 S. Main
10. Indigo Gallery – 104 S. Main
11. Main Street Fashion – 117 S. Main
12. PS, Beauty Lounge -59 N. Main
13. The UPS Store – 114 S. Main
14. Thrive Church – 79 E. Second
15. Ubuntu Art Space – 52 E. Division
16. Victoria’s Pet Nutrition – 14 N. Main

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) starting at 10am (day of)

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! 

Downtown Fond du Lac Sculpture Locations (Block Sponsors) – see below

1. Copper Cock Tavern – 30 N. Main Street
2. Edith’s Bridal & Tuxedos – 9 S. Main Street
3. 18 Hands Ale Haus – 18 E. Division Street
4. Ubuntu Art Space – 52 E. Division Street
5. Lillians – 27 S. Main Street
6. Knight Barry Title – 69 S. Main Street
7. Top Shelf Bar & Grille – 90 S. Main Street
8. Gallery & Frame Shop – 94 S. Main Street
9. Craft City Bottleshop & Taproom – 103 S. Main Street
10. The Goldsmith – 177 S. Main Street

Presenting Sponsor:

Come solo or get your family/classmates/friends together to create your own snow sculpture, just like the professionals.

We encourage schools and other groups to create a friendly competition and select students to represent their school at this fun and engaging competition.  Recommended ages 5 – 12.
Teams of 2 – 6 students possible (one group per school please) Adults are encouraged to accompany children for safety purposes.

Winning team will be announced at Spectacular Finale on Sunday, February 12th (2pm) and through social media (if allowed).  Winning team will also receive Sturgeon Spectacular/ASTOP swag.

Theme:  “Midwest” Feel free to sculpt something that represents the Midwest to you.  This can be a representation of a place, person, food, tradition, or anything!

*FOR MORE INFO or TO RESERVE A SNOW BLOCK:
Email by Wednesday, February 8th
Stephanie Jo at  director@astop.org

Tools will be provided and check-in will be starting at 12:00pm at the library’s north entrance (32 Sheboygan Street, Fond du Lac).

Families and school groups encouraged to join!  Reach out to Pete Wilke (director@fdlfest.com) for more information.
Corner of Sheboygan Street & Portland Street
Check-in inside FDL Public Library’s north entrance:  12:00pm
Kids/Family Snow Sculpting Competition: 12 – 3pm
Judging will begin at 3:00 pm and winning sculpture will be announced at the Spectacular Finale – Sunday @ 2pm.

With support from:

ASTOP is a nonprofit sexual assault service provider offering treatment, outreach, prevention, and advocacy. They emphasize hope and connection to self and others while providing service in Fond du Lac and Green Lake Counties. ASTOP values its commitment to Victims and Survivors, and guarantees their services will remain 100% free.  For more information, visit www.ASTOP.org.

Join us for the first ever Sturgeon Spectacular Sheepshead Tournament.  Basic play, 5 players per table, 5 handed Jack of Diamonds and there will be 48 hands…

Reserve your seat today by contacted Alene “Al” Leazer today.  Must be registered by 1:30pm, day of tournament.

Must be registered by 1:30pm on Saturday, February 11th.
Contact Al Leazer to reserve your seat (920-979-9268)

Pay-out based on 30 individuals registered:

1st Place: $200
2nd Place: $100
3rd Place: $75
4th & 5th Place: $50 each
6th – 10th Place: $25 each

Enjoy music inside THELMA and warm up in The Great Hall Ballroom…  Dancing encouraged!  Plus watch the snow sculptors on Sheboygan Street! Drink specials will be available for purchase steps away inside THELMA’s art gallery including a hot-toddy inspired “Whiskey Whiskers”, spiked hot cocoa, mocktails, and more.

Concert at 7 pm
The Great Hall Ballroom
Cash Bar opens at 6 pm
Free admission!

The Breezy Hill Campground horse-drawn carriages will be offering free rides through downtown Fond du Lac.  The horses will take you past all the festivities and downtown happenings.  There will be two loading/unloading zones (see below).  Each trip will be approximately 15 minutes.  Young children can ride on parent/guardian’s lap.

Pick-up/Drop-off Location #1 – 33 Sheboygan Street (Downtown Event Hub)
Pick-up/Drop-off Location #2 – 21 E. 2nd Street

Presented by:

Horses and carriage provided by The Wiltzius Family & Breezy Hill Campground

Raise a toast to Sturgeon Spectacular 2023 with a one-of-a-kind Bloody Mary at participating establishments in the Downtown District, all weekend long and register to win big cash! The Art of the Bloody Mary contest concludes with area bartenders going head-to-head to build the Ultimate Bloody Mary, Sunday morning before a panel of world-renowned Bloody Mary experts at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts 11 am, Sunday, February 12, 2023.

Various bars throughout downtown Fond du Lac will also be serving their specialty bloody marys throughout the weekend

Presented by Destination Lake Winnebago Region:

Join us in celebrating all those that make Sturgeon Spectacular a weekend for all to enjoy.  Enjoy great brunch by Urban Fuel, hold & 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 the following events starting at 1:30pm

• Downtown Chili Crawl – “Best” Awards
• Downtown Sweet Stroll – “Best” Awards
• Downtown Ice Sculpting Competition – 1st & 2nd place sculptures
• Sturgeon Fun Run & 5K Run/Walk – top finishers
• Outdoor Curling Funspiel – 1st, 2nd, 3rd place teams
• Kids Snow Sculpting Competition – 1st place
• Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Championships will be announced starting at 2:00 pm
  • People’s Choice Winners
  • Artist’s Choice Winners
  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd place team finishers