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 6 out of the last 7 years.
$10 raffle tickets will be available at the following locations, while supplies last. Tickets will be available in late December. (Maximum of 1,000 tickets sold):
- Hopper’s Silk Screening & All Star Trophy – 77 N. Main Street, Fond du Lac, WI
- Blue Line Tavern – 90 S. Main Street, Fond du Lac, WI
- Eden Corner Express (next to Eden Meat Market) – 301 W. Main Street, Eden, WI
- Ripp’n Lips Outdoor (2 locations)
- 258 N. Main St., Fond du Lac, WI
- 106 S. Military Rd., Stockbridge, 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 8th 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:
Explore Downtown Fond du Lac in 2025 through the Downtown Sturgeon Scavenger Hunt! Join the Hunt for your chance to win a $250 Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership Gift Certificate to spend at businesses in Downtown Fond du Lac or a pair of Oakley Sunglasses from Bird’s Eye Optical (prizes determined by the order the winners are drawn.)
To join, you can pick up a entry at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts or any one of the participating locations. Participating locations will be marked by an official Sturgeon Scavenger Hunt Sign with instructions. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RETURNED TO THELMA AT THE INFO TABLE BY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH AT 3PM.
Rules:
Pick up an entry at THELMA or any one of the participating locations and navigate to each of the businesses listed to find the sturgeon and the corresponding letter hidden in their front windows. Match this letter with the number next to the business on the entry and write in the letter to decode a secret message. Once the secret message is decoded, you can turn in your entry at THELMA for your chance to win the prizes above!
Participating Locations:
- Fond du Lac Cyclery – 209 S Main St
- Jack’s Team Sports – 179 S Main St
- The Goldsmith – 177 S Main St
- Argentum et Aurum – 111 S Main St
- Craft City Bottleshop & Tap Room – 103 S Main St
- Gallery & Frame Shop – 94 S Main St
- Blue Line Tavern – 90 S Main St
- Lunar & Lake – 74 N Main St
- Knight & Barry – 69 S Main St
- Destination Lake Winnebago Region – 23 S Main St
- Bird’s Eye Optical – 19 S Main St
- Edith’s Bridal – 9 S Main St
- 18 Hands Ale Haus – 18 E Division St
- Wonder Play Café – 15 N Main St
- Cujak’s – 41 N Main St
- PS Beauty Lounge – 61 N Main St
- CC’s Chocolate Café – 57 N Main St
- Beauty Republic – 131 S Main St
- Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership – 131 S Main St
- Lillian’s – 27 S Main St
Prize Sponsors:
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
2025 Meals & Hotels covered by Destination Lake Winnebago Region
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. (Picture shown is from 2024. New T-shirt design will be posted soon!) 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 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 Floor Curling 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). $40 entry fee per team. Teams are guaranteed at least 2 matches in this double elimination tournament. Registration will be capped at `16 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. Saturday, 9 am: First Match (Schedule will be sent out Wednesday prior to the tournament)
Presented by:
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:
Stop by the Fond du Lac Children’s Museum on Saturday, February 8th for a special deal on admission and winter fun!
Admission is free for members and $1 for the public, this day only! Make some warm memories at CMFDL’s Winter Fun Event! This exciting celebration coincides with the opening day of Sturgeon Spearing and offers a flurry of fun for the whole family. Kids will help create a replica of last year’s largest sturgeon catch, play in Shanty Town, go on a sturgeon scavenger hunt, play winter games like curling and shinny, learn about sturgeon spearing and more!
Presented By:
In Partnership With: Blueline Family Ice Center
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
- Bird’s Eye View Optical
- CC’s Chocolates
- Craft City Bottle Shop & Taproom
- Fat Joe’s Burgers & Brew
- Fond du Lac Cyclery
- Fondy Axe Company
- Gallery & Frame Shop
- Lavish Coffee
- Lunar and Lake Book Market
- Main Street Fashion
- Noel’s Touch Esthetics
- Shea Avenue Boutique
- Sumerce Artisans
- The Bagelmeister
- Thrivent – Lakefront Group Fond du Lac
- Victoria’s Pet Nutrition
- Wonder
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 Breezy Hill Campground & 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
- 18 Hands Ale Haus
- Beauty Republic & Co.
- Brick House
- Craft City Bottle Shop & Taproom
- Cujak’s Wine & Spirits
- Fat Joe’s Burgers & Brew
- Fondy Axe Company
- Korneli’s Bar
- Main Pub
- Table One
- Thrivent – Lakefront Group Fond du Lac
- Victoria’s Pet Nutrition
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!
See 2025 Ice Block Locations below:
- Cujak’s Wine & Spirits Sara Cujak – 47 N. Main Street
- Hotel Retlaw – 1 N. Main Street
- 18 Hands Ale Haus & Biergarten – 18 E. Division Street
- Fat Joe’s Burgers & Brew – 15 W. Division Street
- Edith’s Bridals & Tuxedos – 9 S. Main Street
- Bird’s Eye View Optical Angi Roloff – 19 S. Main Street
- Lillians – 27 S. Main Street
- Gallery & Frame Shop – 94 S. Main Street
- Craft City Bottle Shop & Taproom – 103 S. Main Street
- The Goldsmith – 177 S. Main Street
Presenting Sponsor:
Bring the whole family out to Sturgeon Spectacular. Activities/attractions include carriage rides, Photo Ops, Snow & Ice Castles, ice forts, ice bowling, broom ball, Hungry Hippos, street hockey, and other winter activities for the kids. Horse-drawn carriage rides are free and first come, first served. The carriage rides will do one loop around a downtown city block, taking in all the downtown festivities and decor. The kids will love it! Pick up and drop off will be located at the Portland & Sheboygan Street intersection.
Activities located outside THELMA at the Portland/Sheboygan Intersection
Presented by:
For more information on Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts, click here
Presented by:
Watch as inventor & time traveler Brock Barnabas visits the present time to recruit some adventurous kids to travel back to the Medieval times. They train to help deal with an overpopulation of dragons! Kids are trained to both defend against and tame down dragons using Brock’s amazing science-based inventions and techniques.
Upon completion of the audience’s training, Brock Barnabas prepares to transport the kids to the past – but inadvertently draws a dragon right to your event! Kids get to use their newly learned skills to deal with the dragon in the room! All shows are set up with a post-show meet and greet with a baby dragon animatronic! FUN!
Shows at 11am and 1pm
Shows in Fountain City inside THELMA
Paint your own sturgeon ornament THELMA during Sturgeon Spectacular’s 10th year! Choose a 30 minute time slot from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM on Saturday, February 8th. Kids will love this fun and casual workshop painting their own ceramic ornaments during Sturgeon Spectacular! Ready-to-Paint ceramic ornaments will be provided (one per ticket).
Reserve your timeslot now for $15 by January 21st by clicking the green ticket button.
Presented By:
Join us for bingo and warm up inside THELMA on Saturday, February 8th from 2 pm – 5 pm! Come play to win prizes & Sturgeon Spectacular merchandise! One player will be drawn from the winning bingo cards every hour to win a LARGE PRIZE! Stick around to see if you could be one of our lucky winner! Stop by to play!
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
Click green ticket link above to purchase your tickets today!
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 7 pm. Bar opens at 6 pm
Click green ticket link above to purchase your tickets today!
Presented by: