Frozen Assets Festival

×

Expand

Karin Swanson

A family enjoys frozen Lake Mendota at a past Frozen Assets Festival.

A family enjoys frozen Lake Mendota at a past Frozen Assets Festival.

This annual day of winter recreation and entertainment for all ages has helped the Clean Lakes Alliance raise more than $1 million for lake monitoring, clean-up and educational projects during the past decade-plus. The day begins with a 5K run/walk and includes other active happenings like snowshoeing, lake hockey, ice skating, games and crafts. If you’re more into observing, there are performances by Central Midwest Ballet and David Landau, Seven Hills Skydivers jumps, Kites on Mendota (also from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday), IceCube project demonstrations, and much more. Find a schedule below and updates at cleanlakesalliance.org/frozen-assets.

media release: Join Clean Lakes Alliance on Saturday, February 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Frozen Assets, with Hosting Sponsor The Edgewater! The family-friendly festival on frozen Lake Mendota at The Edgewater connects the community with the lake through free winter activities.

Festival attendees can see skydiving, figure skating, dance, science, and large show kite demonstrations. Guests can also participate in an Indigenous Snow Snake Contest, try pond hockey and snowshoeing, and enjoy free ice skating and hot chocolate, among other activities.

The day begins with the annual Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk on frozen Lake Mendota. Whether you run, walk, ski, snowshoe, skate, or even ride in a sled, participants experience the thrill of crossing frozen Lake Mendota for a good cause. Registration includes admission to the 5K, a winter stocking hat, and post-race beer (21+) courtesy of Wisconsin Distributors. Kids ages 10 and under may participate for free with a registered adult. Proceeds support efforts to protect and improve the lakes, lands, and waters of the Yahara Watershed.

Each year, this FUNraiser, FRIENDraiser, and FUNDraiser highlights the year-round value of our lakes, while raising funds for lake improvement projects, educational programming, and volunteer water quality monitoring.

 This year, Clean Lakes Alliance is working to ensure everyone can experience winter on Lake Mendota. The organization has launched an accessibility campaign, A Ramp to the Ice: Making Frozen Assets Accessible to All, to fund the installation of an accessible ramp from The Edgewater Pier to the lake surface during the Frozen Assets Festival.

This ramp will remove barriers for people using wheelchairs, mobility aids, and adaptive equipment, as well as families with strollers, allowing more community members to access on-ice activities and experience the lake in winter.

“Our mission is to champion our lakes for the benefit of all, and that means making sure more people can experience them firsthand,” said Caitlin McAleavey, Watershed Programs Manager at Clean Lakes Alliance. “When people can get out on the ice and connect with the lake, it builds the sense of stewardship that drives protection. This ramp is about access, belonging, and giving everyone the opportunity to build a relationship with local lakes.”

Community members can support the effort through the public campaign: A Ramp to the Ice: Making Frozen Assets Accessible to All (https://www.gofundme.com/f/A-Ramp-to-the-Ice).

Volunteers are still needed for the event. Use the volunteer link to sign up to secure a spot and reserve your custom Frozen Assets winter stocking cap!

When the lakes freeze in Greater Madison, they become our largest parks. Clean Lakes Alliance encourages community members and visitors to experience these “frozen assets” and appreciate their importance, even in the middle of the winter. For more information about Frozen Assets, including event details and times, please visit: cleanlakesalliance.org/frozen-assets.

All Day Events: (Saturday, February 7th, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

• Kites on Mendota with Wisconsin Kiter’s Club, Lake Mendota
• Skydiving jumps over Lake Mendota with Seven Hills Skydivers, Lake Mendota
• Snow Snake Contest with members of Ho-Chunk Nation, Lake Mendota
• Free hot chocolate, Grand Plaza
• Free ice skating and free skate rental, The Edgewater Ice Rink and Skate Shop
• Try snowshoeing and lake hockey, Lake Mendota
• Explore how UW-Madison Center for Limnology monitors our lakes in the winter months, Lake Mendota
• Project IceCube demonstrates Space Dust & Neutrinos, Lake Mendota
• Aldo Leopold Nature Center demonstrates winter ecology, Lake Mendota
• Mary B. ice boat on display, courtesy of The Ice Boat Foundation
• Play Plinko (Lake-O), Nolen Gallery
• Spin the Price is Right Wheel, Nolen Gallery
• Winter craft stations, Grand Ballroom
• Winter Olympics Watch Station, Grand Ballroom
• More events to be announced!

Scheduled Activities (Saturday, February 7th):

• 8 – 9:45 a.m. Check in for Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk, 5th Floor Registration Tables
• 9:45 a.m. Winter warmup with barre3, Lake Mendota off The Edgewater Pier
• 10 a.m. Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk begins, Lake Mendota off The Edgewater Pier
• 10 a.m. Central Midwest Ballet presents Elements in Motion: Water, Clouds, Ice & Fire, Grand Ballroom
• 10:30 a.m. Movie showing — “Disney Nature: Penguins,” Grand Ballroom
• 11 a.m. Mad Science: Wacky Winter, Grand Ballroom Stage
• 12 p.m. Figure skating demonstrations with Figure Skating Club of Madison, Grand Plaza Ice Rink
• 12:15 p.m. Central Midwest Ballet presents Elements in Motion: Water, Clouds, Ice & Fire, Grand Ballroom
• 1 p.m. Winter Rhythms with David Landau, Grand Ballroom
• 1:45 p.m. Learn to Skate class with Southern Wisconsin Skating School, Grand Plaza Ice Rink
• 2 p.m. Learn to Skate class with Southern Wisconsin Skating School, Grand Plaza Ice Rink
• 2 p.m. Movie showing — “Disney Nature: Oceans,” Grand Ballroom
• 2:15 p.m. Learn to Skate class with Southern Wisconsin Skating School, Grand Plaza Ice Rink
• More events to be announced!