Clean Lakes Alliance: Frozen Assets is BACK!

MADISON, Wis., January 20, 2022 – After a year off, Clean Lakes Alliance is excited to announce the return of its popular Frozen Assets Festival! Set on Lake Mendota at The Edgewater on Saturday, February 5th, Frozen Assets reminds everyone the lakes are the center of the community.  

“We’re so excited to bring people together outdoors to celebrate our lakes, said Clean Lakes Alliance Founder and Executive Director James Tye. “Frozen Assets really highlights how these large frozen lakes become our community’s largest parks with something to do for everyone!”

The Festival & 5K

Madison’s most popular outdoor festival will offer people a wide variety of activities throughout the day. The festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., kicks off with the Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk. Held on Lake Mendota, it’s the only 5K in North America held entirely on a frozen lake. All participants receive a shirt, provided by Lands’ End, and kids 10 and under participate free with a paid adult. Register online or at the event.

Other festival activities on Lake Mendota and The Edgewater Grand Plaza include:

·       Free skating & skate rental

·       Ice Science Lab run by the UW Center for Limnology

·       Kites on Mendota featuring large show kites flown by the Wisconsin Kiters Club

·       Skydivers landing on the ice from the Seven Hills Skydiving Club

·       Speedskating demonstration from the Madison Speedskating Club

·       Performance by the Madison Figure Skating Club

·       Free snowshoeing

·       Free pond hockey rink

·       Bucky Badger appearance

·       Chalkboard snowperson decoration

·       Free hot chocolate

“Hosting Frozen Assets is something we look forward to all year,” said The Edgewater Vice President and COO Amy Supple. “Whether it’s looking at the large kites on the lake, skating on our rink, or just enjoying the view, we’re happy to help connect so many community members to the lakes.”

Weekly Events

            Throughout the week leading up to the Frozen Assets Festival and 5K, Clean Lakes Alliance and its partners will offer exciting ways to learn more about or engage with the lakes.

Monday 1/31: Women in Water & Sustainability Panel – A virtual event featuring three sustainability thought leaders who will share stories related to water.

Tuesday 2/1: Lake Conversations – Join Clean Lakes Alliance board members from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. for a networking event outside on The Edgewater Plaza.

Wednesday 2/2: Clean Lakes 101 Science Café & Date Night – Start off the day with a virtual science talk that will highlight the reproductive strategies of several species important to Madison’s lakes. End the day with a 2-for-1 ice skate admission and burger at The Edgewater.

Thursday 2/4: DMI’s New Faces, New Places – From 4-5 p.m., hear a panel of community leaders engage in conversation about the importance of the lakes to the health of the downtown and economy of the city. Stay from 5-6 p.m. for a networking event following the presentation. 

Friday 2/4: Night ICE – Head to The Edgewater’s Grand Plaza for an evening of outdoor music, lights, and more.