Contributed by the Kickapoo Valley Reserve
Join the Kickapoo Valley Reserve and celebrate winter in Wisconsin at the 23rd annual Winter Festival.
The KVR’s Winter Festival will be Saturday, Jan. 13, with activities beginning at 10 a.m. to delight all ages, including guided hikes, sled dog fun and mutt fun run (bring your dog), a snow sculpture demo, children’s adventures and games, horse-drawn sleigh rides, sledding and hiking with the llamas of Midwest Llama Packing. The La Farge Lions will host their famous chili and bread contest. Enter the contest by visiting the KVR website or calling the KVR Visitor Center.
The Winter Festival will have raffles, warming fires, winter sports demos, old time ice skating on the pond. The Ho-Chunk Nation will provide traditional programming and a snow snake game for everyone to experience.
Celebrate yourself and your health by registering for an outdoor race during the event. A 5K Resolution Run/Walk will be at 9 a.m. Saturday and Smoosh Races at noon.
Fireside talks will take place throughout the day, including a morning and afternoon raptor presentation with live birds, beaver ecology talk and guided tour, and llamas and leave no trace. There will be a meet and greet with the sled dogs, winter camping demo by Snowtrekker and children’s story time and crafts.
Concessions provided by Friends of Kickapoo Valley Reserve will be for sale throughout the day.
Additionally, there will be a candlelight hike/ski/snowshoe at Wildcat Mountain State Park beginning at 5 p.m.
Admission to the festival is free and open to the public. Everyone is encouraged and welcome.
Bundle up and head to the Kickapoo Valley Reserve for a day of winter adventure for the whole family.
For more information and an up-to-date schedule of all activities, visit kickapoovalley.wi.gov or the KVR Facebook Winter Festival page, or call the Visitor Center at (608) 625-2960.
The Kickapoo Valley Reserve is an 8,600-acre tract of public land located between the villages of La Farge and Ontario in southwestern Wisconsin. Proceeds from the Winter Festival event support stewardship and programs on the KVR.
