We reached out to 20 lakefront restaurants to find out what they felt makes them special – besides their great food and drinks! The following are the responses we received and included in our 2023 Greater Madison Lake Guide.
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!
Lake enthusiasts from near and far joined us at Frozen Assets 2023 for science demonstrations, music, a 5K on a frozen lake, and more!
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.
Friday Night Brewgrass Concert, 6-8 p.m.
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.
Do you want to build a snowman? Join us for a “Frozen” Skate as part of Frozen Assets week, sponsored by Cassin Wolfe, Modern Woodmen of America, at The Edgewater, with special guests Elsa and Anna and a few of their friends! Stop in the Icehouse for some “Frozen” treats including snow cones (adult versions too!) and more. Warm up with sip of hot cocoa and munch on The Edgewater’s Snowman Snack Mix.
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
3rd Course
Warm chocolate cake, hazelnut gelato, dark chocolate sauce, hazelnut praline
Winter Warmer Cocktail
Celebrate the year-round beauty of Greater Madison with a “Frozen Night Out” on Thursday, February 2nd!
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
Venue sponsor: The Edgewater
