Frozen Assets 2025 – Save the dates!
DATES: Monday, February 3rd – Sunday, February 9th, 2025
WHERE: The Edgewater
Please reach out to Marketing & Development Manager Sarah Skwirut for information on sponsorship packages.
Join Clean Lakes Alliance at Frozen Assets!
Every year, Frozen Assets raises the profile of our lakes as one of our community’s greatest assets. The lakes truly are the center of our community all year long — not just in the summer. In the winter, our lakes become our community’s largest parks. Since 2012, Frozen Assets has raised more than $1,200,000 for lake improvement projects, educational programs, and water quality monitoring.
13th Annual Frozen Assets Festival – Save the date!
Saturday, February 8th, 2025 (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.) – All events
Sunday, February 9th, 2025 (11 a.m. – 2 p.m.) – Kites on Mendota
The Edgewater
FREE, open to the public
About the 2025 Festival
Join Clean Lakes Alliance on Saturday, February 8th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Frozen Assets, with Hosting Sponsor The Edgewater! The family-friendly festival at The Edgewater helps connect the community with the lake through free winter activities.
Festival attendees can see figure skating, dance, and science demonstrations. Festival goers can also enjoy free hot chocolate and more!
The day will start with the Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk on frozen Lake Mendota. Registration includes a soft t-shirt and a post-race beer/seltzer (21+). Kids 10 and under can participate for free with a registered adult.
Each year, this FUNraiser, FRIENDraiser, and FUNDraiser highlights the year-round value of our lakes, while raising money to protect our waters through lake improvement projects, educational programming, and our volunteer water quality monitoring program.
When the lakes freeze in Greater Madison, they become our largest parks. Clean Lakes Alliance hopes community members and visiting guests can interact with our “frozen assets” and appreciate their importance, even in the middle of the winter. For more information about Frozen Assets, including events and times, visit:
Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk
Saturday, February 8th, 2025
The Edgewater (1001 Wisconsin Place, Madison)
8 – 9:30 a.m. check in
10 a.m. start
The event that raises funds for our lakes
Join Clean Lakes Alliance for our Frozen Assets and run or walk ENTIRELY on a frozen lake!
Take a break from the hilly pavement and bring your stride to the ice. In this 5K, participants will run or walk across the ice on iconic Lake Mendota with beautiful views of downtown Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Campus. The course will start and end at The Edgewater, right in the heart of the Frozen Assets Festival!
Your registration in this event raises important funds for lake improvement projects, water quality monitoring, and education!
REGISTER – 2025 FROZEN ASSETS 5K RUN/WALK
Your registration to this event includes admission to the 5K, an event t-shirt, and post-race beverage! The registration pricing schedule is below:
- $45 for Walk/Untimed Participants
- $55 for Chip-Timed Participants
- FREE for children 10 & under with purchase of adult registration – Discount applied automatically
Best of all, your registration supports work to protect and improve water quality in our lakes!
Packet Pick Up
Early Packet Pick Up #1: Wednesday, February 5th, 3 – 7 p.m. INSIDE The Edgewater on Level 5 (immediately inside The Edgewater’s entrance from the parking garage on the ice rink level).
Early Packet Pick Up #2: Friday, February 7th, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. INSIDE The Edgewater on Level 5 (immediately inside The Edgewater’s entrance from the parking garage on the ice rink level).
Day-Of Packet Pick Up: Saturday, February 8th, 8-9:45 a.m. INSIDE The Edgewater on Level 5 (immediately inside The Edgewater’s entrance from the parking garage on the ice rink level).
Terms & Conditions of Entry
By registering for this event, you agree to the Terms & Conditions of Entry. All entrants must read and agree to this declaration.
Weather
Race organizers reserve the right to alter the event location due to factors including, but not limited to, ice conditions and weather. If conditions are deemed inadequate, the event will be moved to an alternate location on land. Participants will be notified of any changes ahead of the event.
Free Post-Workout Beverage
All participants 21+ will receive a ticket for a free beer or seltzer from 10:30 a.m. – noon. on The Edgewater’s Grand Plaza.
The Market Café and The Boathouse at the Edgewater
The Market Café on the 7th floor of The Edgewater will be open starting at 7 a.m. on Saturday, February 8th for coffee and grab-n-go breakfast items before the event. The Boathouse will offer coffee and breakfast items beginning at 9 a.m.
Sponsorships
If you would like to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, email our Marketing & Development Manager Sarah Skwirut at sarah@cleanlakesalliance.org.
FAQs
Is there parking available? Participants may pay to park at The Edgewater parking ramp. Parking in the ramp fills up quickly, so arrive early. You may also find street parking or use City of Madison parking ramps.
When can I check-in or pick up my event packet? Participant check-in and registration the day of the event will begin at 8 a.m. on LEVEL 5 of The Edgewater. The 5K will begin promptly at 10 a.m. on frozen Lake Mendota at The Edgewater.
What shoes should I wear? Participants are encouraged to choose their preferred footwear with weather, ice, and snow conditions in mind. Past runners and walkers have worn spikes, boots, snowshoes, and regular running/tennis shoes.
What is the course like? The 5K course begins off the end of The Edgewater’s pier. Runners and walkers will head out toward Picnic Point, past the Memorial Union, before looping back and finishing at The Edgewater.
Where can I leave personal items during the event? We strongly encourage you to only bring items you will use while exercising. Any bags or gear left at The Edgewater or on Lake Mendota will not be locked or supervised. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
What happens if ice conditions are inadequate? Clean Lakes Alliance will make every effort to hold this event, while keeping safety in mind for all competitors. If conditions are deemed inadequate, the event will be moved to an alternate location on land. Participants will be notified of any changes ahead of the event.
What is the refund policy? Registrations are transferrable but not refundable if you become unable to attend.
Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships
Monday, February 3rd – Saturday, February 8th, 2025
Viewing from The Edgewater (1001 Wisconsin Place, Madison) and from frozen Lake Mendota
New this year — the Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships are coming to the United States for the first time, and it will be a part of our 2025 Frozen Assets Festival! Mark your calendars to visit frozen Lake Mendota from February 3-8, 2025. There will be viewing from The Edgewater Madison and from on the ice! We hope to see you there!
2024 Frozen Assets Festival
Saturday, February 3rd, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (All events will be inside and outside The Edgewater on land)
The Edgewater
FREE, open to the public
All Day Events: (Saturday, February 3rd, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
- Free hot chocolate, Grand Plaza
- Free ice skating and skate rental, The Edgewater Ice Rink and Skate Shop
- Slapshot inflatable game, courtesy of the Madison Capitols Hockey Team, The Langdon Landing
- Explore how UW-Madison Center for Limnology monitors our lakes in the winter months, Grand Plaza
- Winter craft stations, The Grand Ballroom
- Modern 21′ dugout canoe made by Ho-Chunk Youth Services and Ho-Chunk Nation Culture Resources Division, The Edgewater Autocourt
Scheduled Activities (Saturday, February 3rd):
- 8 – 9:30 a.m. Check in for Frozen Assets Winter Workout, 5th Floor Registration Tables
- 10 a.m. Frozen Assets Winter Workout begins, Grand Plaza
- 10 a.m. – Noon What’s Colder Than Ice? – UW-Madison Physics Department demonstrations with liquid nitrogen, Grand Plaza
- 11 .m. Dance demonstration with Central Midwest Ballet, The Grand Ballroom Stage
- 11:30 a.m. Movie showing, March of the Penguins, The Grand Ballroom Theatre
- 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Come learn about IceCube which uses ice to help look for signals from almost invisible cosmic messengers known as neutrinos, Grand Plaza
- 12 p.m. (Noon) Mad Science: Up, Up and Away, The Grand Ballroom Stage
- 1 p.m. Figure skating demonstrations with Figure Skating Club of Madison, The Edgewater Ice Rink
- 1:30 p.m. Movie showing, Disney Nature: Oceans, The Grand Ballroom Theatre
- 2 p.m. Mad Science: Fire & Ice, The Grand Ballroom Stage
About the Festival
Join Clean Lakes Alliance at The Edgewater for the Frozen Assets Festival! We’ll have FREE, family-friendly activities at The Edgewater overlooking Lake Mendota! Thank you to our presenting sponsors Associated Bank and The Edgewater, and our other sponsors for making this community event possible.
The Frozen Assets Festival will kick off with the Frozen Assets Winter Workout, held in front of The Edgewater. The rest of the day will include family-friendly activities inside and on The Edgewater’s Grand Plaza.
2024 Frozen Assets Festival Daily Events
Saturday, January 27th – Sunday, February 4th, 2024
The Edgewater & Lake Mendota
Saturday, January 27th – Frozen Assets Fundraiser
- Madison’s most fashionable fundraiser will be held Saturday, January 27th, from 8 p.m. – Midnight.
- Become a VIP Sponsor to join us for an early access event from 6 – 8 p.m.
Monday, January 29th – “Frozen Lakes” 101 Science Café and networking event
- This in-person “Frozen Lakes” 101 Science Café will be held in The Edgewater‘s Grand Ballroom (1001 Wisconsin Pl, Madison, WI 53703, Level 5). Doors open at 3:30 p.m. The program runs from 4 – 5 p.m. A Q/A session will follow the presentation as time allows. Participants are then invited to join the Ice Happy Hour and enjoy a complimentary drink in The Edgewater’s Augie’s Tavern from 5 – 6.
Tuesday, January 30th – Clean Lakes Alliance Donor Social
- Join us from 4 – 6 p.m. at The Edgewater for a donor social. Meet board members, Clean Lakes Alliance staff, and other lake enthusiasts.
Wednesday, January 31st – A Very Frozen Skate, Featuring Anna & Elsa
- The Edgewater is hosting a skate with your favorite Frozen characters, Anna and Elsa, from 6 – 8 p.m. on the Grand Plaza Ice Rink. Learn more and get tickets.
Friday, February 2nd
- Night Ice with DJ Nick Nice, 7 – 9 p.m.
Skate under the moonlit sky as DJ Nick Nice spins a mix that merges the thrill of ice skating with the infectious energy of a nightclub. The ice rink will be bathed in a spectrum of colors dancing to the music. Skaters of all levels can join in the fun, whether you’re a seasoned pro or taking your first strides on the ice. Learn more.
Saturday, February 3rd – Madison’s Largest Winter Workout & Frozen Assets Festival (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
- Madison’s Largest Winter Workout (formerly Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk) Packet Pickup, 8 – 9:30 a.m.
Pick up your packet on 5th floor of The Edgewater (immediately off entrance from parking garage). - Frozen Assets Festival & Madison’s Largest Winter Workout, 10 a.m.
We can’t race on the ice, but we can still get outside and move! Join us on Saturday, February 3rd at The Edgewater to pick up your event t-shirt (courtesy Lands’ End), receive your free beer/seltzer (courtesy Michelob Ultra), and participate in a barre3 workout – your registration supports work to protect and improve water quality in our lakes.
REGISTER – MADISON’S LARGEST WINTER WORKOUT
- Frozen Assets Festival, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Enjoy family-friendly activities on the Grand Plaza: dance and figure skating demonstrations, free skating and skate rental at the rink, and learn about the science of ice at our science stations. Find free hot chocolate on the Grand Plaza.
Volunteer at the Frozen Assets Fundraiser & Festival!
Every year, we depend on more than 100 volunteers to help make this free, family-friendly event possible and open to the public. Please reach out to Caitlin McAleavey to sign up as an outdoor activities helper, event assistant, greeter, and more. Help community members connect with our lakes!
Volunteer Details
Dates: Saturday, February 8th, 2025
Location: The Edgewater
Volunteer activities may include: activity attendants, greeters, event set up, event registration, and more!
Group Volunteering
Is your company or organization interested in volunteering at the Frozen Assets Festival? Contact Watershed Engagement Specialist, Caitlin McAleavey, to learn about group volunteer opportunities at caitlin@cleanlakesalliance.org.
Become a sponsor
Help support this community event benefitting our lakes! Sponsorships include marketing exposure throughout the weekend to 6,000+ attendees and tickets to the fundraiser party.
If you would like to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please email our Marketing & Development Manager, Sarah Skwirut, at sarah@cleanlakesalliance.org.
Thank you sponsors!
Contact
Frozen Assets Fundraiser – Mendota from the Mountaintop
Save the date for the return of the Frozen Assets Fundraiser in 2024! Madison’s most fashionable fundraiser will be held Saturday, January 27th, 2024 at The Edgewater in Madison.
Tickets are on sale now and will sell out fast!
PURCHASE A FROZEN ASSETS TICKET OR VIP EXPERIENCE
Frozen Assets Fundraiser details
Saturday, January 27th, 2024
8 p.m. – Midnight
The Edgewater (1001 Wisconsin Pl, Madison)
Frozen Assets Fundraiser theme
Step on the gondola at The Edgewater and transform yourself to a Madison you’ve never seen. You’re high in the mountains at the exclusive Mendota Moonlight Club with breathtaking views of the most studied lake in the world below. Get ready for an unforgettable night of drinks, dancing, and vibrant décor.
High above the capital city, this club will light up the sky with its energy and excitement. Join the elite crowd in the mountains of Madison for a night you’ll never forget!
What to wear
Wondering what to wear to the Frozen Assets Fundraiser on Saturday, January 27th? Pair a cool top or vest with tailored denim or trousers, OR a dress, skirt, or romper with sparkles and style. Take it a step further with faux-fur embellishments, subtle western prints, or boots of any kind!
For more women’s and men’s inspiration, check out Everyday M&K on Facebook or on Instagram (@everydaymandk), or visit their Frozen Assets Pinterest page.
Next Generation Host
The future of Frozen Assets is up to the next generation. Are you a young professional looking to get your friends involved in the lakes? Email engagement@cleanlakesalliance.
History of the Frozen Assets Fundraiser
Frozen Assets, held at The Edgewater, is one of Madison’s boldest fundraiser parties, known for its creative themes, unique décor, and the fashion of attendees. The Frozen Assets Fundraiser, along with the Frozen Assets Festival, highlights the status of our lakes as our community’s number one asset. Frozen Assets raised $130,000 for our lakes in 2020.