What's Happening in Jefferson County? Through February 5, 2011

Swing on a Star - through February 27, 2011
Celebrate the time when swing was king in this new edition of the Fireside's wildly popular original revue. Sinatra, Crosby, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Fred Astaire, Abbott & Costello and more!
Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson, (800) 477-9505 - Fireside Dinner Theatre

Bearfoot - February 4, 2011
Bluegrass music from Alaska may SOUND a bit unusual, but Telluride Band Contest winner Bearfoot is proving that the two aren't unrelated. Bearfoot's rise from talented music camp counselors to an established national touring band has been nothing short of meteoric. Their fresh approach to acoustic music features twin fiddles, fast-picking mandolin and guitar, upright bass, and beautiful vocal harmony.
Young Auditorium - Whitewater - (262) 472-2222

Knickerbocker Ice Festival and Team Trivia Contest -
February 4-5, 2011
Attend the annual Knickerbocker Ice Festival in Lake Mills - Team Trivia on Friday night and lots of activities on Saturday, February 5. Ice golfing, chili cook-off, fish toss, IdiderDAD races, ice sculptures and a fisheree - there's something for everyone at the Knickerbocker Ice Festival!
Lake Mills Main Street Program, (920) 648-2344 - Lake Mills Main Street Program

The Knickerbocker Ice Festival Cometh!

The first weekend in February is always a blast of cold air and fun times in Lake Mills. From the Knickerbocker Trivia Contest on Friday night to the myriad daytime activities inside and out on Saturday, this annual festival brings area residents and eager visitors alike out into the cold Wisconsin winter to have a great time and celebrate all that our coldest season has to offer.

The weekend kicks off with a friendly rivalry on the Trivia Court Friday night. Every topic is game for this event, and teams of 6-8 players compete for prizes, a trophy and bragging rights. Saturday brings ice sculptures, and the Iceberg Open Golf Tournament and Ice Fisheree, both on the frozen waters of Rock Lake. Enjoy the Sno Ball eating contest, frozen fish toss and the IdiderDAD race in Commons Park. The frozen fish toss is like an old-fashioned egg toss, with teams of two tossing the fish back and forth across an ever-widening space. Drop the fish, and you are disqualified. The IdiderDAD race harnasses dads to sleds, with a kid of their choice on board.

Don't miss the wildly popular Fire and Ice Chili Cook-Off at Carp's Landing on Saturday. There are prizes for the white, green and red chili categories. The only thing better than entering a prize-winning chili is being a judge - and everyone who participates in taste-testing the chilis becomes a well-fed judge.

A special Main Street Event Menu will feature Knickerbocker food and drink items at the local restaurants, and many of the retailers will have special promotions for ice festival attendees.

For more information, go to Legendary Lake Mills.
Register for the Trivia Contest, Fisheree, Chili Cook-Off and Ice Golf here.

See you in Lake Mills on February 4th and 5th!

What's Happening in Jefferson County? Through January 30, 2011

Bring Back History Boxing Matches - January 29-30, 2011
Watertown brings history back to Turner Hall with the State Boxing Tournament.
(920) 253-8084 Augie Magestro

Best of Hospitality Award

Please join the Jefferson County Tourism Council in locating, nominating and honoring Jefferson County's BEST - the people that best promote our local businesses.

We need your help in nominating the individual that you believe best exemplifies the Spirit of Hospitality. This candidate believes in, promotes, and goes "above and beyond" in the promotion of tourism for Jefferson County. This individual should also demonstrate caring, empathy, love of service and a spirit of unparalleled giving.

It might be the waiter or waitress at your favorite cafe or restaurant - the one who knows your name and makes you feel special each time you come through the door. Or maybe it's your first visit to their establishment, but their service guarantees that you will return again. The store clerk who takes the time to find just what you are looking for. The receptionist who greets you at a hotel or bed & breakfast and ensures that your stay exceeds your expectations. Whether you are a returning customer or new to that business, the person you nominate stands out above the rest, and is a star in Jefferson County.

The winner(s) will be recognized at a Best of Hospitality Award Dinner, which will be held at the JC Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in February. The winner(s) will receive a complimentary dinner and a "Best of Hospitality" award and prize(s).

This is your chance to nominate your favorite Jefferson County hospitality employee by providing their name and a short paragraph telling us why you believe they should be selected as the Best of Hospitality Award winner for 2011.

Let's honor those people on the front lines who take such good care of us!

Please submit nominations by visiting the awards nomination page at Enjoy Jefferson County, or by calling Butch Johnston at the JC Plaza Hotel and Conference Center at (920) 699-2800.

Nominations must be received by January 31, 2011.

Watertown Brings Back History

The Watertown Boxing Club is proud to bring history back to Watertown in January. Famous boxers like Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey and even Hulk Hogan have boxed at historic Turner Hall in Watertown in the past.

Saturday, January 29 from 4pm - 11pm, and Sunday, January 30 from 3pm - 8pm will be a return to the glory days of boxing in Watertown at Turner Hall, with many more boxing events planned for the future. The leaders of this two-day event will proceed to the Regional Tournament, sponsored by the US Olympic Committee, followed by the National Championship and finally, the World Amateur Title.

Watertown is excited to host the first of these events, and welcomes boxing fans to Turner Hall and to all of the restaurants and shops that grace the charming streets of their community. For additional information on attending this event, or to register to box in the tournament in January, contact Augie Magestro at 920-253-8084.

3 Olive Lounge - Grand Opening

An exciting new addition to the JC Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Johnson Creek is the 3 Olive Lounge - celebrating its grand opening today, Friday, January 14. The new martini lounge will be open 7 days a week - Mondays through Thursdays from 5pm to 10pm, and Fridays and Saturdays from 3pm to midnight. The lounge will be open on Sundays from 4pm to 10pm.

The bar will feature the JC Plaza Martini Club - boasting 21 different martinis for you to try! Plan to become a Charter member of the JC Plaza Martini Club. Enter the lounge on the east side of the building off of the conference center.

Here's to toasting to 2011!

What's Happening in Jefferson County? Through January 22, 2011

Swing on a Star - January 13, 2011 through February 27, 2011
Celebrate the time when swing was king in this new edition of the Fireside's wildly popular original revue. Sinatra, Crosby, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Fred Astaire, Abbott & Costello and more!
Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson, (800) 477-9505 - Fireside Dinner Theatre

Great Northern Snocross Series Snowmobile Races - January 22, 2011
Join the race - or the spectators - on January 22 at Jefferson County Fair Park for the Great Northern Snocross Series snowmobile races. (920) 419-2863 -
Great Northern Snocross


John McGivern's WINTER TALES - January 22, 2011
Wisconsin's own John McGivern serves up a steady stream of Winter Stories from his childhood. They recall an age of innocence bounded by snow days and family events. John's unique take on this season of our yesteryear is guaranteed to generate loads of laughs.
Council for the Performing Arts in Jefferson, (920) 674-2179 - Jefferson Council for the Performing Arts

The Roar of Snowmobiles

The Great Northern Snocross Series (GNSS) snowmobile races are coming to the Jefferson County Fair Park on Saturday, January 22, 2011. The Wilbur Betschler Memorial Grandstand area will be converted into a derby-style snocross track loaded with bumps and jumps. The event is a cumulative effort between the Jefferson County Fair Park, Fantasy Moto LLC and the Eagle River Derby Track.

Part of a new winter-long series of races held throughout the state of Wisconsin, GNSS offers a professionally run regional circuit where up and coming snocross racers have a place to hone their skills and showcase their talents. Racers ranging from as young as 4 to over 50 years of age can compete on machines ranging from 120cc to 600cc. Classes are broken down by racer age, machine size, rider skill level and/or a combination of all three. Practice begins at 8am on race day, with races following at 9am.

Food and beverages will be available on the grounds all day; carry-ins will not be allowed. Following the full day of racing, the event moves into the Activity Center for an awards ceremony and concert featuring one of the nation's top 80's rock tribute bands, "Hairball."

Race registration information and a complete schedule can be found at the GNSS website, or by calling Scott Biese at 920-419-2863.