A fat tire race at 2015’s Northwest Wisconsin Winter Fest & Games.

It’s been an odd winter thus far: bouts of warmth followed by our familiar Wisconsin cold, rinse and repeat. The uncertainty of the weather won’t lessen our winter spirit, and the Chippewa Valley’s Second Annual Winter Fest and Games is still going to be one of the biggest events of the season, but a small change in venue is in order. Winter Fest, which runs Jan. 29-31, originally slated for the ice of Lake Wissota, is now going to be held at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds in Chippewa Falls. All dates, times, band schedules, games and activities will take place as previously planned except for ice racing, which will no longer be held. Winter Fest is about more than snowy competitions and live entertainment, it’s about “helping non-profits large or small [to] raise money for their organizations,” says Winter Fest organizer Brian Sandy. Even if you’d rather bundle up indoors until spring comes calling, consider coming out to be a part of something special and to garner support for the non-profits Winter Fest supports, which include United Cerebral Palsy of West Central Wisconsin and the YMCA.. For a full schedule of Winter Fest fun, which will include everything from disc golf to a 5K run to a fat tire bike race, go to winterfestandgames.com. 

Northwest Wisconsin Winter Fest & Games • Jan. 29-31 • Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, 225 Edward St., Chippewa Falls • $5 (children 10 and under free) • winterfestandgames.com