The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales at Cedarburg, Wisconsin's 38th Annual Winter Festival

Once Upon a Time, circa 1812, just 33 years before Cedarburg, Wisconsin was settled by German entrepreneurs, German brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm took quill to paper and began to create fanciful and frightening cautionary tales with witches and princesses and talking animals and children in jeopardy. So we’ll cheerfully celebrate the waning dark days of winter by giving a nod to that clever duo by titling the 38th Annual Cedarburg Winter Festival: “The Brothers Grimm” Fairy Tales, February 4 & 5 in Historic Cedarburg.  

Tom Thumbs Travels tractor-drawn hay wagon is the perfect way to view the creative Mother Goose Ice Carving Contest entries along Washington Avenue. The Three Little Pigs Chili Contest, Saturday at the Community Center features both Individual and Restaurant participants. Judging begins at 11 a.m. for Individual Entries. Festival attendees can sample and vote for their favorite Restaurant Entries from 11-4. Food and beverages will be served all day.  

The Winter Festival Parade, full of naughty and nice storybook characters, as well as fire trucks and fairy tale themed bed racing teams begins at 1 p.m. Saturday. The parade heads down Washington Avenue to frozen Cedar Creek for the start of the Sleeping Beauty Costumed Bed Racing Competition at 1:30 p.m. This hilarious cutthroat competition will be followed by Rumpelstiltzken Barrel Races on Ice at 2 p.m. and Snow White’s Family Skating on the Mill Pond.

Sporting types can sign up for Saturday’s Co-ed Sno-Ball Tournament at 9 a.m. by calling 262-375-7611. Entry is $50 per team. Cedarburg Lion’s will tee-off in the snow with yellow tennis balls during the Ice-Burg Open Golf Tournament in Cedar Creek Park, Saturday at 9 a.m. Top dogs will compete in the Little Red Riding Hood Alaskan Malamute Dog Weight Pull Competition. And my, what big teeth they have!

For grown-up fun, head to the Cedarburg Cultural Center for the Cool Brews & UnCultural Night with Pat McCurdy. Sample assorted specialty beers and appetizers from area restaurants from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, followed by the music and comedy of McCurdy. Tickets purchased in advance or at the door. ($24 or $14 for concert only).

Cedarburg Cultural Center will be the site of the Cedarburg Education Foundation’s Cupcake Challenge on Saturday from 11-5. The cupcake design, flavor and display must reflect The Children’s Book theme the entrant has chosen. The entry fee is $25 and prizes will be awarded. Attendee’s $5 fee includes a small sampling of cupcakes.

Sunday’s Goldilocks and the Three Bears Pancake Breakfast will be “just right” at the Community Center from 8-Noon sponsored by Coldwell Bankers. At 10:30, the “under 7 set” will venture outdoors to hunt for treats during the Little Red Hen Egg Hunt.

The Shops of Cedar Creek Settlement will have live music and Cedar Creek Winery wine sampling. Anvil Pub & Grille will have an outdoor “snow bar” and Morton’s WisconsInn will celebrate with live bluegrass. Historic Cedarburg’s charming shops offer visitors splendid shopping opportunities, special crafts and family activities.

All events are open to the public and most are free. Info: 262-377-9620 or 888-894-4001

www.cedarburgfestivals.org