Okay, it's cold. But that's life in Wisconsin, and the first weekend of 2018 is coming up. What to do??
Well, it's high time for winter sports, and it's an Olympic year! Check out the U.S. Olympic Long Track Speedskating Trials at the Pettit National Ice Center. This is an amazing facility, celebrating 25 years... and now through Sunday, you can see some of the best speedskaters in the world compete on their way to the Winter Olympics. Wisconsin's already a bastion of speedskating heritage of champs like Eric Heiden, Bonnie Blair, and Dan Jansen.... the Pettit is definitely a mecca for great speedskating to this day! The "Fan Zone" tent has food, beverages, and activities in between viewings of the oval where Olympic hopefuls tear up the ice.
Up for being athletic on a fat bike? The Hugh Jass Bike Series continues around Wisconsin, with Saturday's racing around the Northern Kettles in Kettle Moraine, around Kewaskum. I say this partially because I like biking, but I also like typing "Hugh Jass" and having you say it.
Something healthy, but lower-key? Check out the beautiful candlelit ski, hike, and snowshoe trails at Blue Mound State Park (yes, the ultimate western destination of Blue Mound Road) on Saturday, west of Madison along U.S. 18/151. Lit trails and a lot of fun activities at southern Wisconsin's highest point, including a bonfire that looks like and warm.
Planning a wedding? One of the program directors here is, trust me - we see it plenty on social media. The Wisconsin State Fair Park Expo Center holds the 50th annual Wonderful World of Weddings in West Allis this weekend. Over 175 exhibitors, from photographers, florists, and DJs to designers of wedding gowns and purveyors of elite-level events will be on hand to help you with everything whether you want a small ceremony or something that makes a Royal Wedding look like a game of Euchre in your cabin up north. Madison's own wedding show is next weekend at the Alliant Energy Center, too.
There's also a Milwaukee Bucks game vs. Toronto Friday night at BMO and the last of the holiday lights in various locales will be up for the final weekend. It might be mild, too... forecasts call for 20s and maybe 30 in some places for a brief spell, which will actually be welcomed!
Get more events at my road trip website, StateTrunkTour.com. You can catch my Discover Wisconsin episode, where we chase waterfalls up in the gorgeousness of Marinette County, on FOX Sports Wisconsin Saturday morning at 10am statewide, Channel 27 in Madison Saturday night at 6:30, or FOX6 in Milwaukee at 10am Sunday morning.
Whatever you do, have fun and take us along!