Scandihoovian Winter Festival

media release: Thousands of people from Mount Horeb and beyond will once again don their red pointy hats as the area’s goofiest family-friendly festival will be held for the thirteenth year.

The Scandihoovian Winter Festival will take place on Feb. 9-11, bringing neighbors together and visitors to town, all with the goal of shaking off cabin fever and enjoying what winter in the Midwest has to offer. Outdoor and indoor activities ensure a good time no matter the weather. 

This year’s main events, organized by the Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce, will keep you busy all day Saturday. Start off cheering on your favorite fat-tire bike racer at the Scandi-Fatty Bike Race at Norsk Golf Club at 9:00am. For $25, you can register for the race online right up until the day of the event (bikereg.com/scandifatty). Next, make your way to downtown Mount Horeb and watch as artists turn snow into beautiful works of art outside of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The artists will begin sculpting at 10am. While you watch, the kids can learn some Norwegian games at Barnespill, hosted by our local Sons of Norway. At the Driftless Historium’s Kalscheur Family Foundation Community Education Room, you can watch the Norwegian delicacy Krumkake being made (you might even get a little taste)! 

Grab lunch somewhere in town and then head over to Martinson Hall at Buck & Honey’s for the Community Spelling Bee at 1pm. Watch as Scandihoovians compete for the coveted title and special prize. For $10, adults can register online or sign up at the event. After crowning the bee champion, head over to Garfield Park for a friendly game of Frozen Turkey Bowling. Free to participate, all are welcome to come and see how many pins you can knock down with a frozen turkey. The winner wins… well, a frozen turkey! (Not one of the ones being used as a bowling ball, though.) Wonder Cookie Food Truck will be on hand to make sure you keep warm during this fun family event! Wonder Cookie will be stationed at the Mount Horeb Welcome Center from 2pm – 4pm, and then at Frozen Turkey Bowling starting at 4pm. 

In addition to these chamber events, local businesses will host events that will get you into the Scandihoovian spirit! Details for all of these events and more can be found on the chamber’s Community Calendar at mounthorebchamber.com/events/calendar. 

The Scandihoovian Winter Festival wouldn’t be the same without the iconic red hats that flood the village all weekend long. You can pick yours up at the Mount Horeb Welcome Center Gift Shop or order online at mounthorebchamber.com/store. Wear your red hat while you are out and about and enjoy special discounts or giveaways at local shops, restaurants, lodging properties, and attractions. Check out all the local red hat specials by visiting the Hot Deals page on the chamber’s website at mounthorebchamber.com/hotdeals. 

For more information about the festival, visit trollway.com/scandihoovian-winter-festival or contact the Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce at 608-437-5914 or info@trollway.com.