We had so much fun throughout the nine days of Frozen Assets 2023 and we hope you did too! More than 8,000 lake enthusiasts from near and far joined us for science demonstrations, musical performances, ice skating, food and drinks, ice sculpture carving, a chance to try new winter activities, face painting, networking, a chance to run or walk in the only 5K on a frozen lake in North America, and more! We THANK YOU for supporting lakes Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa!
NEW! Join us for the first ever Frozen Assets Pond Hockey Tournament on rinks built right on frozen Lake Mendota! Come early for a stop at The Boathouse at The Edgewater for a brew from the beer garden and then gather round the rinks. Teams will play from 4 – 8 p.m., with the finals on Friday, February 3rd.
Surprise! We’ve planned a pop-up Winter Friday Night Brewgrass concert. Summer concert goers wear their favorite flannel and get ready for Friday Fish Fry from the Icehouse at 5 p.m., music at 6 p.m. – and don’t forget your favorite brews on tap.
Kites on Mendota – Night Fly, Dusk
For the first time, large show kites from the Wisconsin Kiter’s Club will dot the sky over Lake Mendota at night! These LED-lit kites will fly high in the air for a unique nighttime display.
Ice Sculpture Display Lighting, 6 p.m.
After a week of work, we’ll have the Art Below Zero sculptures finished and ready to light for the night!
All events are part of the nine-day Frozen Assets week celebration. The festival celebrates our community’s lakes as a year-round asset.
Wear your youth hockey jersey and skate for free as we celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day. Head over to The Boathouse at The Edgewater to watch the UW Badger Women’s Basketball team take on Ohio State. This event is part of the nine-day Frozen Assets week, which celebrates our lakes as one of community’s greatest assets.
Our Tropical Tuesday skate will have you on island time! Grab a lei and feel the cool Lake Mendota breeze as you jam to Jimmy Buffet around the rink.
Warm up with our Lakeside Luau with the Madison Downtowners, Madison Magnet, Smart Growth, and NAIOP in The Boathouse at The Edgewater with some of our summer favorites including The Boathouse Margarita and the Mendota Colada, Hawaiian pizzas and our favorite steel drum duo. This event is part of the nine-day Frozen Assets Festival, which celebrates our lakes as a year-round asset.
It’s time for a Frozen Assets Sunday Funday! Head over to the Grand Plaza at The Edgewater for ice skating and the inaugural Ice Block delivery — each sculpture will weigh more than 1,000 pounds! These massive slabs will be the home to live sculpture carvings for the week, showcasing ice carvers from Art Below Zero.
Enjoy brunch from The Statehouse or join the watch party for NFL Championship games in the Boathouse.
Chill out with us on the Grand Plaza and Ice Rink for Night ICE 2023, an outdoor party featuring Milwaukee Bucks official DJ and Producer, DJ Shawna, live in the booth overlooking Lake Mendota from 7-9 p.m. Her talent has been heard as the NCAA Women’s Final Four Official DJ, the NBA All-Star Game, and the 2020 Official DJ for the Ryder Cup. She’s also opened for major acts such as Lizzo, Ani DiFranco, Shaq (AKA DJ Diesel), and Jonas Blue to name a few.
You won’t want to miss the sights and sounds of Night ICE, kicking off the festival week. Events kick off with opening DJ’s at 5 p.m. Warm up with a hot drink or cool down with a spin around the rink…you’re sure to have a “nICE” night!
If you’d rather start out your night inside, support the lakes and reserve tickets for dinner at The Statehouse, which will feature a three-course prix-fixe menu (menu below). Tickets are $150 with 50% of all ticket sales going to Clean Lakes Alliance.
1st Course Organic kale & roasted apple salad, pomegranate, spiced pecans, cider vinaigrette Or Tomato basil bisque, miniature Wisconsin cheddar grilled cheese
Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs
2nd Course Petite cut prime rib au jus, truffled mashed potato, brussels sprouts Or Butternut squash ravioli, braised Swiss chard, parmesan broth, grated SarVecchio
Cambria Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley, California or Ravel & Stitch Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, California
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Clean Lakes Alliance for this free-for-members event at The Edgewater that coincides with the 2023 Frozen Assets Festival. Join us for networking, drinks, s’mores and games in a community that never really freezes.
In addition to Frozen Night Out inside The Edgewater, there will be outdoor activities as part of the weeklong Frozen Assets Festival including ice sculptures and games, skating and more. Attendees are encouraged to look the part by wearing your best winter themed attire!
Game Ticket Pricing: $20 for a pack of 5 (available for purchase during registration or at the event) Tickets can be used for: “Price is Right” Wheel, Plinko, Punch Wall, Raffles
Prizes include a foursome of golf at Nakoma Golf Club, a stay at The Edgewater, gift cards and more!
Lead sponsor: Johnson Financial Group
Accelerate sponsors: 1901 Inc., EUA, Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, US Bank
Small and Emerging Business Sponsor: Aberdean Consulting
Join Clean Lakes Alliance for our Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, February 4th, 2023 at 10 a.m. 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 race, participants will run, walk, or snowshoe across the ice on iconic Lake Mendota with beautiful views of downtown Madison. The course will start and end at The Edgewater, right in the heart of the Frozen Assets Festival!
Your registration to this event includes admission to the race, an event t-shirt, and optional chip timing! Online registration closes Monday, January 30th for in-person participants. Registration closes on Sunday, February 5th for virtual participants. The registration pricing schedule is below:
$45 In-Person Participant : Through Monday, January 30th at 11:59 p.m.
$50 Day-of Registration : Saturday, February 4th (Register at The Edgewater from 8 – 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 4th or at early packet pickup at The Edgewater on Wednesday, February 1st from 3-7 p.m.))
$55 Virtual Participant : Includes shipping charges for t-shirt and event materials
FREE for children 10 & under with purchase of adult registration
Best of all, your registration supports work to protect and improve water quality in our lakes!
The event will be chip-timed for runners, or sign up for the walk pass for an untimed event. The top three male and female finishers will receive awards. Or, register to participate virtually.
Packet Pick Up
Early Packet Pick Up: Wednesday, February 1st, 3-7 p.m. Beat the rush on race day and pick up your packet early on 5th floor of The Edgewater (immediately inside The Edgewater’s entrance from the parking garage).
Same-Day Packet Pick Up: Saturday, February 4th, 8-9:30 a.m. INSIDE The Edgewater on Level 5 (immediately inside The Edgewater’s entrance from the parking garage on the ice rink level).
Virtual Participants: Clean Lakes Alliance will mail your t-shirt(s) and event materials to you in mid-February.
T-Shirts
If you choose to participate virtually, your t-shirt(s) will be mailed to you in mid-February.
Ice Access
You may access the ice down The Edgewater outdoor stairs, indoors through The Edgewater, at the end of N. Carroll Street to the west, and from James Madison Park to the east.
The annual Frozen Assets Festival will take place on Saturday, February 4th at The Edgewater. As always, this family-friendly daytime event will be FREE and open to all. Learn more at cleanlakesalliance.org/frozen-assets.
Weather
Race organizers reserve the right to alter the course due to factors including, but not limited to, ice conditions and weather. If conditions are deemed unsafe, the event may be canceled or moved to an alternate location. Participants will be notified of any changes ahead of the event.
Free Post-race Beverage
All participants 21+ will receive a ticket for a free Michelob Ultra or Michelob Ultra Organic Seltzer compliments of Wisconsin Distributors. This complimentary beverage will be available on the Boathouse Deck from 10:30 a.m. – noon.
The Market Café and Icehouse at the Edgewater
The Market Café on the 7th floor and the Icehouse on the 5th floor will be open for coffee and grab-n-go breakfast starting at 7 a.m.
Sponsorships
If you would like to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, email our Development Director Alex Vitanye at alex@cleanlakesalliance.org.
FAQs
Is there parking available? Participants may pay to park at The Edgewater parking ramp. The ramp fills up quickly, so plan to arrive with plenty of time before the run/walk begins. You may also find street parking or use City of Madison parking ramps.
When can I check in or pick up my race packet? Participant check-in and registration the day of the event will begin at 8 a.m. on LEVEL 5 of The Edgewater. The run/walk will begin promptly at 10 a.m. on Lake Mendota.
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 5K? We strongly encourage you to only bring items you will use while walking or running. 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 unsafe? Clean Lakes Alliance will make every effort to hold this event, while keeping safety in mind for all competitors. If conditions are deemed unsafe, the event may be cancelled or moved to an alternate location, with entrance fees being considered a tax-deductible donation to support our lakes. Participants will be notified of any changes ahead of the event.
What is the refund policy? Registrations are transferrable if you become unable to attend.In the event the Frozen Assets 5k Run/Walk needs to be canceled for weather, ice conditions, or any other circumstance, registrants can request a full refund for the price of the participation fee, excluding eventbrite fees.
Join Clean Lakes Alliance on Saturday, February 4th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Frozen Assets! The family-friendly festival on frozen Lake Mendota and at The Edgewater helps connect the community with the lake through free winter activities.
Festival attendees can see skydiving, figure skating, dance, speed skating, science, and large show kite demonstrations. Festival goers can also try pond hockey, snowshoeing, and skating; meet Bucky Badger, see the Mary B. Iceboat up close, and more!
The day will start with the annual Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk on frozen Lake Mendota. Starting and finishing at The Edgewater, the run/walk is the only 5K in North America held entirely on a frozen lake. Registration includes a soft t-shirt compliments of Lands’ End and a post-race beer/seltzer (21+) compliments of Michelob Ultra. 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: cleanlakesalliance.org/frozen-assets.
