NORTHWEST REGION

Calendar

Feb. 5 Amery – Wanderoos Ice Fishing Contest Feb. 5 Balsam Lake – Winterfest Feb. 18-19 Balsam Lake – Iceman 500 Feb. 19 Ashland to Washburn – Book Across the Bay Feb. 19 Iron River – Northern Pines Sled Dog Race Feb. 19 Osceola – Big Lake Ice Fishing Contest Feb. 19 Drummond – Bar Stool races Feb. 20 Clayton – Lake Magnor Ice Fishing Contest Feb. 20 Tony – Frozen Flambeau Ice Fishing Contest Feb. 20 Iron River – Kids Fishing Contest Feb. 26 Chetek -- Winterfest Feb. 26 Cable/Hayward – American Birkebeiner March 4-5 Cable – Weenie Roast and Radar Races March 12 Cable – Fat Bike Birkie March 12-13 Cable – USSSA Snowshoe Nationals April 16 Clear Lake – Earth Day Celebration

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Who’s Ready for Some Winter Fun?

BALSAM LAKE – Winter excitement continues to build in Balsam Lake, as this Polk County community is on the cusp of fun activities for families and race fans. You’ll want to be there for the 2022 WinterFest on Saturday, Feb. 5 when they unleash the 4x4 ice drag races – the main draw of the annual festival.

Saturday, festivities will begin in the morning with the annual snowshoe race; then at 11 a.m., is the start of the truck drag races held on the ice. In addition, there will be kids games, ice skating rink, the “Fire and Ice” Plunge sponsored by the Balsam Lake Fire Department, snowmobile drag races and plenty of food and beverages. The event’s calendar of events can be found on the event’s Facebook page and also on the Balsam Lake Chamber website.

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Iceman 500

Further into the month will be the sixth annual Iceman 500 on Balsam Lake, billed as the world’s fastest SxS race. Racers on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-19 will compete for a large purse, all the while battling the blowing snow, tight turns and speeds clocked at over 100 mph. Starting Thursday, you can pick up vendor merchandise and event admission buttons (eligible for cash drawings) at the bar area located at the race headquarters, the Balsam Lake Lodge. Friday’s racing lineup opens at 1 p.m. with qualifying starts for Iceman 500 racers. At 2 p.m., the green flag will drop for the weekend warrior races (10 laps). Saturday’s Iceman 500 race, which begins at 9 a.m., will be a crowd pleaser for adrenaline-seeking fans. As the name says: Iceman 500 racers will have covered 500 miles if they complete all 50 laps. The race course roughly follows the lake’s exterior boundaries. The awards ceremony follows the race.

March Roars in with Races, Fun Activities

CABLE – The folks in the Cable area go to great lengths to ensure visitors and the locals have an enjoyable time in the Northwoods, no matter the season. As proof, check out “The World’s Longest Weenie Roast” events on Lake Namakagon on Friday and Saturday, March 4-5. The end-of-the-season bash is headquartered at Lakewoods Resort, 21540 County Highway M, Cable. The Snow Outlaws will bring their high horsepower screamers for thrilling snowmobile drag races during Weenie Roast weekend. The champions will be crowned at the World Finals on Saturday. (Outlaw racing under the lights Friday and Saturday evenings is a possibility. Check Lakewood’s Facebook for updates.) Fun runs for the public will take place on both Friday and Saturday. Saturday brings the weenie roast from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Over a thousand “dogs” will be grilled to perfection. This event holds the record for the longest line of hot dog cookers over one fire in the world! Other events include ice bowling, as well an obstacle course for ATVs, side-by-sides and snowmobiles. The local Scouts will have various games for all ages. Proceeds from the events will benefit local EMS, Great Divide Ambulance, Namakagon Volunteer Fire Department, and other community groups. Lakewoods Resort is also hosting the U.S. Snowshoe Association’s 21st annual Snowshoe National Championships on March 12-13. The weekend will kick off Saturday with the 11 a.m. kids kilo snowshoe and an evening snowshoe hike at 4 p.m. Sunday will feature the National Championship men’s and women’s 10K at 9 a.m. and an Open 5K at 11 a.m. There is no qualification needed, come on up north and join the fun!

Fat Bike Birkie

Also on tap is the Fat Bike Birkie on Saturday, March 12. Billed as the world’s largest fat bike race, some one thousand riders will tackle the Big Fat 47K, the Half Fat 21K, and the un-timed Fun Fat 10K Tour starting from the American Birkebeiner trailhead. This is the only time riders can ride on the groomed Birkie Trail. Course opens for pre-riding on Friday with the vendor expo, bib pick-up, and bike demos. Saturday is race day and is loaded with adventure, camaraderie, fun and excitement.

Bar Stool Races Provide a Zany Fun Day

DRUMMOND – The most outdoor fun you can have – on a bar stool? We’ve been there and laughed with the other spectators at the Drummond Bar Stool Races, where competitors on bar stool-mounted skis compete head-to-head down the man-made hill.

The event’s full name is Bar Stool Races and Chili Feed, so you know you won’t go hungry on Saturday, Feb. 19 when they celebrate the “22nd-ish” annual event with a special race of champions from the past two decades.

It all takes place on Brian Miller Hill, behind the Black Bear Inn on Hwy. 63 in Drummond. Sponsored by the Sno-Jacks Snowmobile Club as a club fundraiser, there will be chili and brats, raffles and drinks for purchase. On race day they will draw the winners for the big money raffle ($7,500 in cash payout) along with the 50-50 raffle draw. Races start at noon. There will be the general races, powder puff competition and openclass racing. New this year is a spectator class. The bar stools can be unique as “accessories” are added on. The best of the best will get an award for creativity. There are few rules in this event, but all bar stools must be mounted on skis and the rider’s feet must not touch the ground when going downhill. Each competitor has a “pusher” who gives the rider a mighty shove at the start signal. Some riders don’t make it to the finish line and tumble none-so-gracefully to the packed snow to the sympathetic cheers of the crowd.

Dress warm as this is a mid-February event in northern Wisconsin when the temps can be quite cold. A roaring bonfire will warm you up in any event, and you can duck into the restaurant too.