Cedarburg kicks off festival season
with weekend of winter fun

HISTORIC CEDARBURG, just 20 minutes north of Milwaukee, kicks off the 2012 festival season with the perfect antidote for cabin fever – the 38th Annual Winter Festival. Held Saturday, Feb. 4, and Sunday, Feb. 5, the festival features the theme “The Brothers Grimm.”

After this month’s Winter Festival, the fun continues with the 27th Annual Strawberry Festival, June 23-24; 40th Annual Wine & Harvest Festival, Sept. 15-16 and 5th Annual German Festival, Oct. 13-14. These family-friendly events, sponsored by Festivals of Cedarburg, Inc., are known for rollicking good times, terrific music and entertainment, juried arts and crafts fairs and wacky contests.

The beautifully preserved 19th century architecture of Cedarburg creates the perfect background for the festivals, and makes Cedarburg a popular destination year-round. The entire downtown was named to the National Register of Historic Places in the mid-1980s. Stone buildings, picturesque churches and Victorian homes create a delightful spot for strolling, shopping and dining.

This year, Winter Festival showcases a fairy tales theme, “The Brothers Grimm,” in Cedarburg’s storybook setting. Events include the “Ice-Burg Open Golf Tournament” in Cedar Creek Park and the coed Sno-Ball Tournament, both Saturday at 9 a.m. Visitors can hop aboard the “Tom Thumb Travels” tractor-drawn hay wagon to view the “Mother Goose Ice Carving Contest” entries along Washington Avenue.

Also on Saturday at the Cedarburg Community Center, W63 N641 Washington Ave., it’s the “Three Little Pigs” Chili-Contest. Festival attendees can sample and vote for their favorite restaurant entries from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Food and beverages will be served all day, and the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts hosts a coffee/cocoa and sweets bar. Upstairs, there will be a marketplace and special entertainment.

A Cupcake Challenge will be held from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. at the Cedarburg Cultural Center, W62 N546 Washington Ave. For $5, sample the goodies.

The Winter Festival parade kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday, heading down Washington Avenue to frozen Cedar Creek for the Sleeping Beauty Bed Racing Competition at 1:30 p.m., followed by the Rumpelstiltzken Barrel Races on Ice at 2 p.m. Throughout the weekend, there is Snow White’s Family Skating on the Mill Pond.

Also on Saturday, Riveredge Nature Center sponsors a snowshoe outing 2-4 p.m. along Cedar Creek. Camel rides ($5) and a petting zoo intrigue families at the Community Center from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Top dogs compete in the Little Red Riding Hood Weight Pull Competition 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Grown-up fun is on tap Saturday at “Cool Brews & UnCultural Night with Pat McCurdy,” with sampling of assorted specialty beers and appetizers from area restaurants 6-7:15 p.m., followed by the music and comedy of Pat McCurdy at the Cedarburg Cultural Center at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door, $24 or $14 for concert only.

Sunday morning, enjoy the Goldilocks and the Three Bears Pancake Breakfast at the Community Center, 8 a.m.-noon. At 10:30 a.m., the “under 7 set” ventures outdoors to hunt for treats during the Little Red Hen Egg Hunt.

The Shops of Cedar Creek Settlement will have live family folk music with Fox and Branch, Saturday, 1:30-4:30 p.m. and Sunday, 12-3 p.m. Free goodie bag treats add to the fun. Cedar Creek Winery offers wine sampling and the Anvil Pub & Grille features an outdoor “snow bar” and chili bar.

Throughout Cedarburg, merchants will feature special crafts, live music and family activities.

Harris Bank is the premier sponsor. For more information, phone 262-377-9620 or 888-894-4001 or visit www.cedarburgfestivals.org.

Be sure to mark your calendar and plan to attend Cedarburg’s upcoming festivals throughout 2012:

27th Annual Strawberry Festival June 23-24
Strawberry Festival is all about the “Arts on the Avenue” arts and crafts shows, the Plein Air Painting competition and of course, everything strawberry. Cedar Creek Winery highlights Strawberry Blush wine and delicacies include strawberry shortcake, strawberry slush, chocolate-covered strawberries and even strawberry brats. Lots of kids activities, strawberry contests and live music are planned.

40th Annual Wine & Harvest Festival Sept. 15-16
Wine & Harvest Festival highlights include a farmer’s market, “Arts on the Avenue,” Cedar Creek Winery’s award-winning wines, scarecrow contest, Giant Pumpkin Regatta, live bands, food courts, grape stomping, hayrides and other great family fun.

5th Annual German Festival Oct. 13-14
German Festival celebrates the heritage of Cedarburg’s founding fathers. Crowds gather for authentic German bands and dancers, live Cuckoo Clock shows and contests (think Wife Carrying, Outhouse Racing and Beer Carrying). German foods, desserts and specialty beers are a highlight, as well as a Merchant’s Marketplace. On Sunday morning, an ecumenical worship service is open to all.

For more information about the festivals, phone 262-377-9620 or 888-894-4001 or visit www.cedarburgfestivals.org.

For more information about Cedarburg, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 800-237-2874, 262-377-5856 or visit www.cedarburg.org