Following back-to-back years where ice conditions forced modifications to Chetek’s biggest winter event, Winter Fest 2025 returns with action-packed entertainment slated for all ages. Poor ice conditions forced the Chetek Chamber of Commerce to modify activities in 2023 and 2024; however, this year’s event aims to break attendance records in the upwards of 4,000-plus people who attended in 2021 and 2022.
Winter Fest will, once again, take place on Lake Chetek on Saturday, Feb. 22, and includes the National Straightline Snowmobile Racing Radar Run, a bikini run, Kids Ice Pro Racing, kids’ games and activities and more. New this year, there will be a vintage snowmobile ride as well. The one-day event will be held on the ice of Lake Chetek in front of the Chetek City Beach, located on Lakeview Drive. Cost is $5 for adults, and kids 12 and under are free. Parking will be available on the ice as well as on land by the Chetek beach pavilion.
“The Vintage snowmobile ride will take place this Friday during the day and we have a fun route picked out for those attending the excursion,” stated event organizer Rob Licht. “It’s a new event but it’s something many have inquired about adding for years. We do know the ride will start and end at Red’s Grill & Bar since that is where the Winter Fest pre-party is Friday evening.”
There will also be a vintage snowmobile show at The Chetek Marina during the day on Saturday.
The Winter Fest kickoff party takes place the night prior to the main on-ice celebration, on Friday, Feb. 21, at Red’s. The pre-party will feature numerous raffle prizes, door prizes and an opportunity to sign up for the bikini run, along with music, food and drink specials.
Attendees this year can expect snowmobilers zipping down the lake for 700-plus runs. Ryan Enzor put Chetek on the snowmobile racing map in 2020 when he made the Winter Fest track the fastest track in the world, topping 194 mph for a new world record.
Registration for the NSSR Radar Run begins at 8 a.m. on the lake in front of the city beach, with racing to follow from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Racers will reach top speeds down the 1,000-foot track. There will also be a fun run available at a fee for nonsanctioned participants. Trophies will be awarded at the completion of the event.
Returning to the Winter Fest lineup will be Kids Ice Pro Racing. Kids ages 4 to 14 will compete against one another on an oval track. There will be various classes, including Kitty Kat, 120s and modified snowmobiles. Those interested in signing up for the kids races should contact event organizer Rob Licht at 715-551-4035.
A short intermission will take place from 1-1:30 p.m., before another fan favorite returns. The 10th annual bikini run—one of the few events that has taken place each year despite ice conditions—will begin at 1 p.m. In 2024, four racers raised pledge money for Barron County Pink Ribbon Advocacy and competed in the bikini run. A total of $10,240 was raised with anticipation for more in 2025, as ice conditions will allow for the normal full-day Winter Fest activities to resume with thousands of spectators.
Participants will race/ride an 800cc or smaller stock snowmobile 500 feet on a snow-packed track in swimwear. All bikini run participants must wear a helmet, gloves and boots. Snowmobiles and helmets will be available to use. Participants need to turn in forms on the ice by 11 a.m. The top male and female to raise the most money will be crowned king and queen of Winter Fest. Prizes will also be awarded for the fastest time. All proceeds go to Barron County Pink Ribbon Advocacy.
Entry forms are available online at www.chetekwinterfest.org.
Kids attending Winter Fest will enjoy a variety of games and activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There will be a large heated shelter that will remain on the ice for the entire event. Food and beverages will also be available throughout the event.
Along with the awards/trophy ceremony for the racers Saturday evening, a raffle drawing will also take place at Pokegama Cantina for a first-place prize of $1,500. Numerous other prizes to be raffled off. Tickets are $5 each or five tickets for $20 and available at most local businesses throughout town. The business include: Red’s Grill and Bar, Gilligans, Phill’s, Wolf’s Den and Mel’s Lakeshore to name a few.
The drawing will begin at approximately 6 p.m. Winners do not need to be present to win. Raffle tickets are being sold at many local businesses in Chetek.
For more information on events, contact Licht at 715-551-4035 or visit www.chetekwinterfest.org or the Chetek Chamber of Commerce website at www.chetekwi.net. Look for updates on the Chetek Winter Fest page on Facebook. Winter Fest is once again sponsored by the Chetek Chamber of Commerce.