Halt your hibernation, and join the chilly festivities at Lake Geneva’s Winterfest. Enjoy the fest in the city’s historic downtown and relish all the activities it has to offer.
This family-friendly event brings winter fun despite the freezing temperatures. It includes snow sculptures, helicopter rides, music, refreshments, an ice bar and so much more.
The fest runs from Jan. 28 to Feb. 12, and it’s perhaps best known for hosting the U.S Snow Sculpting Competition. The competition includes 15 teams from across the country.
The sculptures can be viewed downtown in front of the Riviera and along Wrigley Drive.
The winners are determined by judges as well as an award for people’s choice.
“I really enjoy the snow sculptures,” said Patricia Suane, Chicago. “ I like the creativity they bring to Lake Geneva.”
Besides the sculptures, the Baker House is a hotspot in town during this time. The lakefront hotel and restaurant is featuring their seventh annual “Fire & Ice” bar.
The 20 foot bar is carved completely out of ice. Ice carved tables and benches draped with fur add to the ambiance.
This year it’s bigger than ever and includes two heated snow globes to relax and have a drink in. So, let loose and take a shot from the vodka ice luge, enjoy a drink served by the beautiful ‘ice angels’, or cozy up by a fire pit with a delicious hot toddy.
“It’s a unique thing you can’t find outside of the area”, said Joey DeVries, Hebron, Illinois, about Winterfest. He said the fest is going on during a time when the town would ordinarily be “dead”.
The fest draws in locals and out-of-towners alike, and it’s definitely a crowd pleaser. During Winterfest there’s no shortage of fun, and there is something for everyone.
Make sure to beat the sun, and get to Lake Geneva before the sculptures melt.
For more information please visit:
http://www.travelwisconsin.com/events/fairs-festivals/winterfest-u-s-national-snow-sculpting-competition-40077
http://www.visitlakegeneva.com/winterfest/
Shown above: A snow sculpture in the U.S Snow Sculpture Competition in downtown Lake Geneva.