A Winter Weekend Trip to Marinette County, Wisconsin

Located on the shores of Green Bay and bordering the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Marinette County, Wisconsin, is a year-round paradise for outdoor adventurers of every stripe. Boasting over 600 miles of scenic and clearly marked snowmobile trails, many of which take you right to the door of your lodging accommodations, there is no need to wait for the summer in order to visit this beautiful county.

Find a Marinette County event that’s your speed this winter!

On January 18, take part in the High Falls Radar Run. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Racing starts at 9 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m. on the 800-foot-long track. Trophies will be awarded for top speeds in all classes, which include non-studded, studded, stock, modified, and antique snowmobiles, motorcycles, ATVs, and UTVs. The Iron Snow Shoe Associate Club will be selling refreshments to keep you fueled throughout the day. This event, sponsored by the Twin Bridge Waterski Team, will be held on High Falls Flowage, just off Boat Landing 3 Road, on the Iron Snow Shoe Recreational Trail, 12 miles northwest of Crivitz. On-land parking is available. For more information, contact Popps Resort at 715-757-3511.

Ice fishers, on January 25, don’t miss the Ice-A-Derby at High Falls Flowage, in front of Party Island. The registration fee is $15. Placement is determined as follows: 1st: longest fish, 2nd: second-longest fish, 3rd: most fish, 4th: second-most fish, 5th: smallest fish. Ties will split the payout. This is a catch-and-release derby, and only northern bass and walleye will be accepted. You must bring your live fish to register yourself. You must man your own tip-up, and all DNR rules apply. Ice conditions will be confirmed on the Thursday prior to the event. For more information, contact Mike Joachim at 920-373-4173. In addition to great fishing, there will be a 50/50 raffle every hour, an ice auger race, delicious food for sale, and broomball and bowling for the kids.

As we mentioned before, Marinette County is the place for outdoor recreation lovers of every type…even those whose preferred racing vehicle is an outhouse! Don’t miss the Sixth Annual Outhouse Races on February 1, starting at 11 a.m. at Dawn & Bob’s Firelane Bar & Grill, located at W10876 Cty Rd C in Athelstane. You can build your own racing outhouse or use one of theirs to race. The registration fee is $20 for each two-person team. There will be prizes for fastest outhouse and top three best-decorated outhouses. This is one of the most popular fundraisers for the area’s first responders, so come and have a laugh as you enjoy the entertaining races, raffles, live music, food, and drink specials. All proceeds go to the Athelstane Fire Department and Silver Cliff Rescue.

Here’s yet another unique event you’ll find in Marinette County: the Third Annual Softball on Ice Tournament, which will be held on February 1, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Lake Noquebay at Timberline Resort (W6296 Circle Drive in Crivitz). Enter your co-ed team of family, friends, and coworkers for $100 for unforgettable five-inning games. There will be raffles and cash prizes. Call Joe Fendryk at 715-789-2430 to register. Proceeds from the event will go to the St. Vincent de Paul conference of St. Agnes, St. Augustine, and St. Mary.

On February 15, join the Candlelight Ski and Hike at Governor Thompson State Park (N10008 Paust Lane, Crivitz) from 6 to 9 p.m. to be enchanted by ice sculptures and more than 800 candle luminaries illuminating the park and trails. Classic and skate skiers will have access to a groomed, easy one-mile candlelit trail loop. Hikers, snowshoers, and pets are not allowed on the ski trail, but they may hike on another scenic, candlelit, one-mile trail with beautiful views over Woods Lake. All participants can warm up by the fire and sip hot cocoa in the Woods Lake Shelter. A park sticker is required for vehicle admission; that can be purchased at the park office on the day of this event. For more information, contact Maggie Kailhofer at 715-757-3979.

UTV enthusiasts, you won’t want to miss the Twin Bridge Takedown SXS Ice Race at the Town of Stephenson Park to watch SXS drivers compete on the ice of High Falls Flowage on February 29. Twin Bridge Takedown is a track-concept race, modeled after a traditional short course, with split lanes, turns, and jumps. Inside track speeds can reach up to 85 mph. Parking, food, and beverages will be available. For more information, contact Johnny Greaves at johnnygreaves4@yahoo.com.

Looking for a quick snack to refuel without missing a beat of the excitement?

Cheese lovers, rejoice! Sweet Cheese Loft, a small, family-run business in Crivitz, carries local cheese and sausages that you’ll love. But go ahead and let yourself be tempted by Sweet Cheese Loft’s homemade fudge, chocolates, and popcorn, and you won’t be sorry! Find Sweet Cheese Loft at 915 N Hwy 141 in Crivitz and visit them online at sweetcheeseloft.com.

If you’re jonesing for jerky or snack sticks (as well as a wide variety of other smoked meat products), stock up at Pelkin’s Smokey Meat Market, in Crivitz. With a large selection of jerky—from teriyaki to cracked pepper & garlic—and snack sticks—from bloody mary to honey BBQ & pineapple—you’re bound to find the flavor you’re craving.

Before you hit the road, be sure to fuel up the truck and the collection of snacks for your trip back home at Gudowicz’s Marathon at 8017 State Hwy 101 in Armstrong Creek. This family-owned gas station and convenience store was established in 1951 and has been providing the community and its visitors with groceries, gasoline, and top-notch customer service ever since.