Come see a unique exhibit that pays homage to one of our beloved creatures of Lake Winnebago. This exhibition features sturgeon artwork, artifacts, and history. To help celebrate the weekend, artists and sturgeon enthusiasts will host this exhibit and panel discussion for an unofficial start to the Sturgeon Spectacular. Beer, wine and other spirits will be available for purchase.
Exhibit Opens January 10th; Runs through March 2nd
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 10th, 6 – 8 PM
Panel Discussion: Thursday, January 31st; 6 – 8 PM
at the Fond du Lac Public Library @ Fond du Lac Public Library
Come to the Fond du Lac Public Library for all the free, children’s and family activities they have in store for the Sturgeon Spectacular. Come see the history of the sturgeon and spearing display on the first floor of the Main Library.
On display January 17th – February 20th
Students will work with guest instructor Anne Moser of the Wisconsin Sea Grant to explore the exciting process of printmaking using rubber molds of sturgeon. This class will enable students to take home multiples of their favorite prints, so there will be enough artwork to share with family and friends!
January 19: 12 – 2pm
THELMA Non-members’ Registration Price – $15.00
Come to celebrate winter and some really big fish with the organizers, sponsors, and community partners of Sturgeon Spectacular. The public is welcome to join in on the fun and help us toast to the weekend. Come take in the Ancient Survivors Art Exhibit, enjoy hors-d’oeuvres, listen to music and enjoy a cocktail or two inside in the warmth of THELMA or at the Ice Bar on the THELMA Plaza. Beer, wine and other spirits will be available for purchase.
Ancient Survivors Art Exhibit available for viewing – January 10 to March 2.
Doors open at 5 pm
Friday, February 8, 2019
Snow Land opens at 1pm
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Amateur Snow Sculpting Competition begins at 10am
Competition Ends at 3pm
Judging at 3:30pm; Awards at 4:00pm
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Viewing of Amateur Snow Sculptures – ALL DAY
presented by Lakefront Brewery @ Various bars throughout downtown Fond du Lac
Purchase a commemorative Sturgeon Spectacular mug at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts or the Spearing & Beering Lakefront Brewery tent at Lakeside Park all weekend – while supplies last (Must be 21 years or older). You can then use that mug to “Spear the Beer” and other drink specials at participating downtown locations as well. No alcohol consumption or possession will be allowed outside of each establishment or event space.
Various bars throughout downtown Fond du Lac (must present mug at time of purchase)
Participating Locations:
Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts – 51 Sheboygan Street (Mug Purchase Location)
2.0 AleHouse – 65 N. Main Street
Fat Joe’s – 15 W. Division Street
Coliseum – 91 S. Main Street
Slim & Chubby’s – 109 S. Main Street
O’Davey’s Pub – 36 4th Street
Ziggy’s Pub – 213 S. Main Street
Green Dragon Brewpub – 156 Western Avenue
Third and One – 2 N. Main Street
The Warehouse – 211 S. Military Road
Brick House – 161 S. Main Street
Main Beer Tent @ Lakeside Park
Spearing & Beering Lakefront Brewery Tent @ Lakeside Park Pavilion
Note: Times and specials may vary by location.
presented by Sunburst Winter Sports Park @ Downtown, outside Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
The best snow sculptors in the state and surrounding region travel to Fond du Lac to compete in the 2019 Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Competition in hopes of winning a trip to the 2020 US Championship and a $1,000 1st Prize. No alcohol consumption or possession will be allowed outside of each establishment or event space.
Daily Schedule:
*Some teams compete well into the early morning hours. Hours vary by day/team.
Friday, February 8, 2019*
1:00 PM – Teams arrive onsite and begin sculpting
Saturday, February 9, 2019*
Teams compete – ALL DAY
Sunday, February 10, 2019*
Teams Compete
Judging begins at 1pm
Awards Ceremony starts at 1:30pm
Snow provided by Sunburst Winter Sports Park
Meals provided by Annie’s Fountain City Cafe, Eaton’s Fresh Pizza, Papa Johns of Fond du Lac, and Schreiner’s Restaurant.
Bring the whole family to the Children’s Museum for indoor and outdoor fun! Activities include: design your own sturgeon fish decoy and construct a mini shanty in our brand new Wagener’s Workshop! Bring your camera: you’ll want a photo with the Museum’s giant Paper Mache sturgeon replica! Enjoy hot cocoa and snacks, and explore the Museum’s exhibits including our brand new Fire Truck! Our outdoor play area, WinnePLAYgo, will be open, including a sturgeon fishing simulation in our replica shanty! Fun for all ages.
$1 off all admission during Sturgeon Spectacular. Come see us!
The Sturgeon Spectacular kicks off at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts with live music by Copper Box. Registration will be open for the 2019 Sturgeon Queen. New this year, hang out at the Ice Bar on the Plaza, watch the snow sculptors get started or come inside and grab a drink. Drinks will be available for purchase.
Doors and Bar Open at 5 PM
Live Music from 6 – 8 PM by Copper Box
Drink Concessions available on-site
The Sturgeon Spectacular Parade starts with the Running of the Sturgeon. Grab your friends, and dress up in your favorite Wisconsin garb and join Schmooch Schneider in chasing after and spearing the elusive sturgeon. Floats will have parking available to join the party on Portland Street. If you’d like to join the festivities, please reach out to Pete Wilke at pwilke@fdl.com for a parade application.
The parade starts at Western Ave. (Fourth St.) & Main St. and turns right at Sheboygan Street. Ends at Thelma.
Staging begins at 5:30pm on 4th Street (between Main & Marr Street)
Parade starts at 6:00 PM
Shuttles available during Peak Festival Hours, see a schedule of times and stops below:
FRIDAY NIGHT 6 – 11 PM
STOPS:
1st Stop: Main Street Plaza – 30 S. Main Street (:00 & :30 at each half hour)
2nd Stop: Children’s Museum – 75 W. Scott Street (:10 & :40 after each half hour) – Handicap Parking
3rd Stop: Lakeside Park (Oven Island) – 71 Promen Drive (:20 & :50 after each half hour) – Last shuttle leaves Park at 10:50pm
SATURDAY 11 AM – 5 PM
STOPS:
1st Stop: Main Street Plaza – 30 S. Main Street (:00 at each hour)
2nd Stop: Children’s Museum – 75 W. Scott Street (:15 after each hour) – Handicap Parking
3rd Stop: Lakeside Park (Oven Island) – 71 Promen Drive (:30 after each hour)
4th Stop: Windpower Surf Shop – N7357 Winnebago Drive (:45 after each hour) – Last shuttle leaves at 4:45pm
SATURDAY 5 PM – 11 PM
1st Stop: Main Street Plaza – 30 S. Main Street (:00 & :30 at each half hour)
2nd Stop: Children’s Museum – 75 W. Scott Street (:10 & :40 after each half hour) – Handicap Parking
3rd Stop: Lakeside Park (Oven Island) – 71 Promen Drive (:20 & :50 after each half hour) – Last shuttle leaves Park at 10:50pm
presented by Horicon Bank @ ModTruss Headquarters
Presented by Horicon Bank, learn to Curl with curling experts from the state and participate in the Inaugural Downtown Curling Fond du Lac Funspiel. This tournament is designed to teach beginners the world of curling and have some fun in the process. Each match will last about one hour. All curling equipment will be provided. The tournament is scheduled for Saturday (& Sunday, if necessary). Open to all ages and levels. Get your team of 4 – 6 people together and sign up with Pete Wilke via email (pwilke@fdl.com). Registration for a team is $50 and the deadline is Wednesday, February 6th. The winning team will receive a Trophy and $250 Cash. 2nd place gets $100 Cash.
Complimentary Coffee & Hot Chocolate available inside THELMA provided by Horicon Bank’s Blue Goose Coffee House!
Downtown Curling Rink – between ModTruss HQ (formerly Elk’s Lodge) & Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Saturday, 9am: Learn to Curl begins at 9 AM (Saturday)
Saturday, 10am: First Match
Sunday (Schedule: TBA) Championship Match (Time: TBA)
Sunday matches, if necessary
Note: The schedule will be announced Thursday, February 7th
at the Fond du Lac Public Library @ Fond du Lac Public Library
Come to the Fond du Lac Public Library for all the free, children’s and family activities they have in store for the Sturgeon Spectacular. Make-and-take origami sturgeon in the Idea Studio, Sturgeon Trivia Hunt, History of the sturgeon display, Color-the-sturgeon station at Chapter 52 Bookstore and also a “Frozen” themed Escape room for families to enjoy. You must register before the event, so don’t delay. Come to the library to register starting Monday, January 28th.
Library hours: M – Thurs, 9am – 8pm / Fri, 9am – 6pm / Sat, 9am – 4pm
History of the Sturgeon Display: January 17th – February 28th
Make-and-take origami at Idea Studio: February 9th (Noon – 4pm)
Sturgeon Spectacular Trivia Hunt: February 5th – 11th
Color-the-sturgeon station @ Chapter 52 Bookstore: February 9th
Frozen Escape Room: February 9th (Registration for Escape Room opens January 28th)
presented by Ahern @ Main Street Plaza
Get your teams together to create your own snow sculpture, just like the professionals. You will create your own snow form, sculpt and shape it until you’ve created your very own masterpiece. Teams should consist of 1 – 4 individuals and they can range in age. Reach out to Pete Wilke at 920-923-3010 or pwilke@fdl.com to sign up. First 20 teams will be accepted, so sign up before it’s too late.
Families and school groups encouraged to join!
Main Street Plaza – Main Street (between Division Street & Forest Avenue)
Judging will begin at 3:30 pm and awards given at 4:00pm
Bring the whole family to the Children’s Museum for indoor and outdoor fun! Activities include: design your own sturgeon fish decoy and construct a mini shanty in our brand new Wagener’s Workshop! Bring your camera: you’ll want a photo with the Museum’s giant Paper Mache sturgeon replica! Enjoy hot cocoa and snacks, and explore the Museum’s exhibits including our brand new Fire Truck! Our outdoor play area, WinnePLAYgo, will be open, including a sturgeon fishing simulation in our replica shanty! Fun for all ages.
$1 off all admission during Sturgeon Spectacular. Come see us!
Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership @ Various locations in downtown Fond du Lac
Sample chili at participating businesses and vote for your favorite! 200 first-come, first-serve tickets will be available for $10 (cash or check only) at Hopper’s (77 N. Main) prior to the event. Event check-in and sales of any remaining tickets (if available) will be located at 131 S. Main Street on the day of the event. Tickets will be available starting January 4th. Cost of tickets will include an “I Survived the 2019 Downtown Fond du Lac Chili Crawl T-shirt”.
Event Check-in: Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership (131 S. Main Street)
Participating locations – various downtown businesses
Presented by Grande Cheese @ Various Locations, Downtown Fond du Lac
Walk through beautiful downtown Fond du Lac to see these talented carvers create works of art right on the sidewalks of downtown. Get your picture taken with each one. Grab a map and ballot at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts, and set out for your favorite masterpiece. Cash Prizes will be awarded for “Best in Show” and also “The People’s Choice”. Sculptures will be available for viewing as weather allows.
Sculpture Locations:
Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts – 51 Sheboygan Street
Lillian’s – 27 S. Main Street
Gallery & Frame Shop – 94 S. Main Street
National Exchange Bank & Trust – 130 S. Main Street
Ubuntu Art Space – 52 E. Division Street
Hoppers Silk Screening and All Star Trophy – 77 N. Main Street
Wood’s Floral & Gifts – 36 N. Main Street
Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership – 131 S. Main Street
Shuttles available during Peak Festival Hours, see a schedule of times and stops below:
FRIDAY NIGHT 6 – 11 PM
STOPS:
1st Stop: Main Street Plaza – 30 S. Main Street (:00 & :30 at each half hour)
2nd Stop: Children’s Museum – 75 W. Scott Street (:10 & :40 after each half hour) – Handicap Parking
3rd Stop: Lakeside Park (Oven Island) – 71 Promen Drive (:20 & :50 after each half hour) – Last shuttle leaves Park at 10:50pm
SATURDAY 11 AM – 5 PM
STOPS:
1st Stop: Main Street Plaza – 30 S. Main Street (:00 at each hour)
2nd Stop: Children’s Museum – 75 W. Scott Street (:15 after each hour) – Handicap Parking
3rd Stop: Lakeside Park (Oven Island) – 71 Promen Drive (:30 after each hour)
4th Stop: Windpower Surf Shop – N7357 Winnebago Drive (:45 after each hour) – Last shuttle leaves at 4:45pm
SATURDAY 5 PM – 11 PM
1st Stop: Main Street Plaza – 30 S. Main Street (:00 & :30 at each half hour)
2nd Stop: Children’s Museum – 75 W. Scott Street (:10 & :40 after each half hour) – Handicap Parking
3rd Stop: Lakeside Park (Oven Island) – 71 Promen Drive (:20 & :50 after each half hour) – Last shuttle leaves Park at 10:50pm
Come see one of the most hilarious shows in the country. Back by popular demand, the 20th Anniversary presentation of Guys On Ice returns to THELMA! Guys on Ice brings the Wisconsin culture to life in this musical about ice fishing and friendship. Beer, wine and other spirits will be available for purchase. Tickets available at www.thelmaarts.org.
Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Matinee Shows, Saturday & Sunday at 2 pm; Evening Show Saturday night at 7 pm
Bar opens one hour prior to each show
Come see the famous Milwaukee Comedy Sportz Improv teams battle it out for comedy supremacy. Shows will encourage audience participation to ensure this is an evening you and your friends will never forget. Beer, wine and other spirits will be available for purchase if you need some encouragement. Tickets available at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts (THELMA) for $10.
Show at 4:30 PM
Bar opens one hour prior
Come see one of the most hilarious shows in the country. Back by popular demand, the 20th Anniversary presentation of Guys On Ice returns to THELMA! Guys on Ice brings the Wisconsin culture to life in this musical about ice fishing and friendship. Beer, wine and other spirits will be available for purchase. Tickets available at www.thelmaarts.org.
Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Matinee Shows, Saturday & Sunday at 2 pm; Evening Show Saturday night at 7 pm
Bar opens one hour prior to each show
at Riverwalk Art Center @ Riverwalk Art Center
Fun and Easy! Come to Riverwalk Art Center and make your own Sturgeon Print. No artistic experience necessary. All ages welcome. Absolutely Free!
Create your own memento of Sturgeon Spectacular – while supplies last
Come see a fun and risqué version of this interactive impromptu concert. Have a night out with friends and enjoy the stylings of Dueling Pianos. Performers encourage you to request a song or sing along to other crowd favorites. Beer, wine and other spirits will be available for purchase for a night you won’t forget. Tickets available at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts (THELMA) for $20.
Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Show starts at 9:30 PM, Bar opens one hour ahead of showtime.
Come to see one of the most entertaining and high-energy bands in Wisconsin. The music starts at 9:30 pm, but the party lasts all night long.
Bring the whole family to the Children’s Museum for indoor and outdoor fun! Activities include: design your own sturgeon fish decoy and construct a mini shanty in our brand new Wagener’s Workshop! Bring your camera: you’ll want a photo with the Museum’s giant Paper Mache sturgeon replica! Enjoy hot cocoa and snacks, and explore the Museum’s exhibits including our brand new Fire Truck! Our outdoor play area, WinnePLAYgo, will be open, including a sturgeon fishing simulation in our replica shanty! Fun for all ages.
$1 off all admission during Sturgeon Spectacular. Come see us!
with Urban Fuel @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Join us for THELMA’s liquid brunch. Enjoy music, drinks and food from Urban Fuel! Kip Jones will perform in Fountain City where we will be serving Bloody Marys, Mimosas, and other cocktails. Food will be available for purchase by Urban Fuel. Reservations encouraged for food.
Reserve Urban Fuel’s brunch HERE or call us at 920-921-5410. This ensures enough food will be available. Payment for food will be taken the day of the event. Menu options will be announced closer to the event date.
Come see one of the most hilarious shows in the country. Back by popular demand, the 20th Anniversary presentation of Guys On Ice returns to THELMA! Guys on Ice brings the Wisconsin culture to life in this musical about ice fishing and friendship. Beer, wine and other spirits will be available for purchase. Tickets available at www.thelmaarts.org.
Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Matinee Shows, Saturday & Sunday at 2 pm; Evening Show Saturday night at 7 pm
Bar opens one hour prior to each show