presented by Lakefront Brewery & Lee Beverage @ 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). Mugs will be available at the Event Sites. (Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts – lobby and Lakeside Park Beer Tents)
Participating Locations will be announced soon. (see list of 2019 participating locations below):
Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts – 51 Sheboygan Street
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 CD Smith & Sunburst Winter Sports Park @ Downtown, outside Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
The best snow sculptors in the state travel to Fond du Lac to compete in the 2020 Wisconsin Snow Sculpting Competition in hopes of winning a trip to the 2021 US Championship and a $1,000 1st Prize.
Daily Schedule:
*Some teams compete well into the early morning hours. Hours vary by day/team.
Friday, February 7, 2020*
1:00 PM – Teams arrive onsite and begin sculpting
Saturday, February 8, 2020*
Teams compete – ALL DAY
Sunday, February 9, 2020*
Teams Compete
Judging begins at 1pm
Awards Ceremony starts at 2:00pm
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.
The Sturgeon Spectacular Parade starts with the Running of the Sturgeon. The first 20 children, 12 and under will receive a light-up Sturgeon Fin for participating. Please arrive by 5:30pm. 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.
Route: Parade starts at Sheboygan Street / Portland Street intersection and heads south one block to 1st Street and heads toward Main Street. Parade runs along Main Street back to Sheboygan Street and turns right. Ends at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts)
Parade starts at 6:00 PM
The Sturgeon Spectacular kicks off at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts with live music by Copper Box. New this year, hang out at Curling Rink Lounge 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 starting at 7 PM by Copper Box (Reserved tables available for rent)
Drink Concessions available on-site
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 half 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. The winning team will receive a Trophy and $250 Cash. 2nd place gets $100 Cash.
Check back on December 13th for registration information. Early registration is required as first 16 teams will be automatically entered. Entry fee per team is $80. Deadline is Monday, January 27th. If you have any questions reach out to Peter Wilke via email (director@fdlfest.com) or phone (920.923.6555).
Downtown Curling Rink – between ModTruss HQ (formerly Elk’s Lodge) & Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Saturday, 8am: Learn to Curl begins at 8 AM (Saturday)
Saturday, 9am: First Match
Sunday (Schedule: TBA), 10am – First Match
Championship Round, 2 pm
Note: The schedule will be announced Friday, January 31st. Team Captains will receive an email with first starting match.
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Kids Activities: 10am – 2pm
Amateur Snow Sculpting Competition begins at 2 pm
Competition Ends and Judging at 4pm; Awards at 4:30pm
Sunday, February 9, 2020
Open Sculpt: 10am – 2pm
Viewing of Amateur Snow Sculptures – ALL DAY
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, and a Color-the-sturgeon station at Chapter 52 Bookstorefor families to enjoy. 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
Make-and-take project at Idea Studio
Sturgeon Spectacular Trivia Hunt
Color-the-sturgeon station @ Chapter 52 Bookstore
Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership @ Various locations in downtown Fond du Lac
Sample chili at participating downtown businesses and vote for your favorite! Tickets will be available starting January 6th. Cost of tickets will include an “I Survived the 2020 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 will be announced in December. See last year’s locations below:
Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts – 51 Sheboygan Street
Lillians – 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
presented by Ahern @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
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. THELMA will be hosting a snow sculpting class prior to this event for anyone interested. Stay tuned for more details.
Families and school groups encouraged to join!
Corner of Sheboygan Street & Portland Street
Judging will begin at 4:00 pm and awards given at 4:30pm
Back by popular demand, Guys On Ice returns to THELMA! From their shanty, ice-fishing buddies Marvin (original cast member Doug Mancheski) and Lloyd (Fond du Lac Native Steve Koehler) sing about life, love, and the one that got away. This hilarious piece of Wisconsin anthropology will once again charm your wool socks off.
Beer, wine and other spirits will be available for purchase. Tickets available at www.thelmaarts.org
Performance at 2 pm. Bar opens at 1 pm
Ticket Information
General Admission $20 ($12 for Members of THELMA)
Bistro Table for Four $100 ($60 for Members of THELMA)
Pub Table for Two $60 ($36 for Members of THELMA)
Reservations required for tables. Please call 920.921.5410 to reserve your bistro table for four or your pub table for two. Limited number of tables available. ALL SALES ARE FINAL.
The Joe Schmoes formed in 2019 as a three-man improv group, with over 25 years of collective improv experience between them. In addition to their “real jobs” each member of the Joe Schmoes is active in the performing arts. Nate Scheuers (Appleton, WI) has performed in dozens of community theater shows in the Fox Valley and serves on the Board of the Oshkosh Community Players. Ben Giles (Fond du Lac, WI) founded Laughable Productions LLC—an entertainment company specializing in murder mystery dinner shows—in which he performs regularly. Joe Venhuizen (Fond du Lac, WI) directs high school drama and improv at Central Wisconsin Christian School, his alma mater, in Waupun, WI.
The Joe Schmoes specialize in short-form improv comedy heavily driven by audience participation.
Show at 4:30 PM
Bar opens one hour prior
Back by popular demand, Guys On Ice returns to THELMA! From their shanty, ice-fishing buddies Marvin (original cast member Doug Mancheski) and Lloyd (Fond du Lac Native Steve Koehler) sing about life, love, and the one that got away. This hilarious piece of Wisconsin anthropology will once again charm your wool socks off.Beer, wine and other spirits will be available for purchase.
Tickets available at www.thelmaarts.org
Performance at 7 pm. Bar opens at 6 pm
Ticket Information
General Admission $20 ($12 for Members of THELMA)
Bistro Table for Four $100 ($60 for Members of THELMA)
Pub Table for Two $60 ($36 for Members of THELMA)
Reservations required for tables. Please call 920.921.5410 to reserve your bistro table for four or your pub table for two. Limited number of tables available. ALL SALES ARE FINAL.
with Urban Fuel @ Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
Join us for THELMA’s liquid brunch. Enjoy music, drinks and food from Urban Fuel! The Kyle Megna and Ross Catterton Duo 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.
Back by popular demand, Guys On Ice returns to THELMA! From their shanty, ice-fishing buddies Marvin (original cast member Doug Mancheski) and Lloyd (Fond du Lac Native Steve Koehler) sing about life, love, and the one that got away. This hilarious piece of Wisconsin anthropology will once again charm your wool socks off.
Beer, wine and other spirits will be available for purchase. Tickets available at www.thelmaarts.org
Performance at 2 pm. Bar opens at 1 pm
Ticket Information
General Admission $20 ($12 for Members of THELMA)
Bistro Table for Four $100 ($60 for Members of THELMA)
Pub Table for Two $60 ($36 for Members of THELMA)
Reservations required for tables. Please call 920.921.5410 to reserve your bistro table for four or your pub table for two. Limited number of tables available. ALL SALES ARE FINAL.