New Year’s Winter

In Driftless Wisconsin, the New Year ushers in more than college football bowl games, New Year’s resolutions, and a new calendar on the wall. It welcomes winter. Winter arrived officially on December 22, yet with holiday shopping, giving, and celebrating, no one really took notice. Awaiting colder weather, even the Mississippi River has not frozen completely, causing restless days for ice fishermen itching to get out on the ice.On a recent trip up the Great River Road, the warmer river fought with the cooling air, throwing a blanket of fog over its surface. Trees from hidden islands poked up through the mist like a forest in a mystical landscape. January will not be so subtle. Winter’s unofficial arrival lays the groundwork for some serious frosty fun. But not before we welcome the New Year’s arrival.

Few events will mark the year as uniquely as the Droppin’ of the Carp in Prairie du Chien. To welcome midnight, the good people of Prairie du Chien have discovered that gravity works just as well on a 25-pound carp in Lucky Park as it does on the crystal ball in New York’s Time Square. The Droppin’ of Lucky the Carp also marks the culmination of a week-long celebration of Carp Fest.

In the days leading up to Lucky’s plunge, the community will host swim and walking contests, arts and crafts activities, and a torchlight ski and hike at La Riviere Park on December 30. New Year’s Eve day features the Carp Run Walk, the annual Carp Bowl Football Game, hot air balloon rides, concluding with the Carp Drop and pyrotechnics show at midnight.

The Kickapoo Valley Reserve near La Farge welcomes the New Year season with Winter Fest on Saturday, January 7. The all-day family event offers plenty of winter fun. The scenic nature area located in the scenic Kickapoo River Valley serves as the perfect setting to host a celebration of winter.

Activities include skating, sledding, skiing, archery, snow sculpture, chain saw carving, birds of prey demos, and horse-drawn bobsled rides. The Tristate Alaskan Malamute Club will host a Sled Dog Race & Weight Pull between 10 am and 4 pm. You can also tour the pristine Kickapoo Reserve on the Natural Ice Caves Guided Hike at 10:30 am.

The New Year is upon us. Grab the kids – and the grandkids too – and come celebrates winter’s offerings with us in Driftless Wisconsin.