By the time March rolls around, the people of Bayfield are starting to get a little antsy. Despite still being in the thick of winter, the longer days and the warm sun are enough of a reason to enjoy a weekend of shenanigans as part of the 2023 Bayfield Winter Festival.

No matter where you live in the Upper Midwest, March brings the promise of spring, warmer days, and milder temperatures.

At Seagull Bay, we’ve been busy working on renovating our East Building. And our business conversations are starting to turn toward the summer season.

But until then, we’re eager to shake off our cabin fever and celebrate the snow and ice at the Bayfield Winter Festival taking place March 3rd – 5th, 2023.

The Bayfield Winter Festival is an ideal family-friendly event for those wishing to get away from their normal routine. At this year’s festival, you and your family can participate in one-of-a-kind events and create memories that last a lifetime.

If you’re simply looking for things to do when visiting Bayfield, Wisconsin, this is an event-packed weekend just for you. You’ll find special events at area businesses and plenty of outdoor winter activities for everyone.

Bayfield Winter Festival Friday Night Kickoff

Howl Adventure Center’s Candlelight Ski/Snowshoe Event

There’s no better way to start the Bayfield Winter Festival than a candlelight ski or snowshoe.

Howl Adventure Center’s Candlelight Ski and Snowshoe is the highly anticipated event to kick off the Bayfield Winter Festival.

Located one mile south of Seagull Bay, Howl Adventure Center decorates its wooded trails with ice luminaries to guide you under the night sky.

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., you can venture out on their groomed trails for:

• Classic skiers
• Skate skiers
• Snowshoers
• Fat bikers

Howl invites you to bring your own equipment or demo theirs as you weave your way through their trail system.

Here you’ll get to enjoy:

• The calm dark sky brilliantly filled with stars
• The warm glow of ice luminaries
• The laughter of people warming themselves by the campfire

After you’ve explored the trails at Howl Adventure Center, head on over to Adventure Club Brewing. This local brewery invites you to enjoy s’mores, freshly brewed beer, and hot chocolate while you sit around the campfire.

Saturday’s Premier Event at the 2023 Bayfield Winter Festival

The calendar of events of the Bayfield Winter Festival is still evolving. But the premier event scheduled for Saturday, March 4th, 2023, is the Jack Beagan Memorial Polar Plunge.

This is the event that kicked off the Bayfield Winter Festival 16 years ago and has anchored this fun-filled weekend ever since. So make sure you carve out time on Saturday, March 4th, at 2 p.m. to watch the 16th annual Polar Plunge at the Bayfield City Dock.

The Polar Plunge (named after a beloved board member who helped kick off this event, Jack Beagan) is a fundraising event for the Bayfield Rec Center or the charity of your choice.

Jack was known for his sense of humor, his laugh, and his dedication to the Bayfield community.

So if you’re one of the brave souls to take the Polar Plunge, we invite you to dress in your wildest costume, show off some crazy antics, and be a part of this famed event.

And don’t worry if jumping off the ice into 32° water isn’t quite your thing. Standing on the shores of the Bayfield City Dock and Memorial Park, you’ll be sure to enjoy the spectacle of the Polar Plunge. It’s an entertaining event you won’t want to miss!

Celebrate Sunday at Mt. Ashwabay and Bayfield’s Playground Fundraising Event

Long Jon Color Run at Mt. Ashwabay

A new event to hit the calendar this year is the Long Jon Color Run hosted by the Bayfield Rec Center at Mt. Ashwabay, Sunday morning on March 5th, at 9:00 a.m.

The Long Jon Color Run will take place at beautiful Mt. Ashwabay. The snowy backdrop of the Ski and Recreation Area, accented by the bright color dust, is sure to be a favorite and reoccurring event for some time to come.

Pre-registration is required, and all proceeds will go towards the benefit of the Bayfield Rec Center. The details about this event are still in the works, so stay tuned for more details and register soon to secure your spot.

Might we suggest finding a pair of the classic white waffle style long johns as the best way to wear the color dust as you run along the short snowy path?

Bayfield Winter Festival Playground Fundraiser

For over a year, a group of dedicated Bayfield parents have been working on fundraising money to help renovate Bayfield’s community playgrounds.

And to wrap up this year’s Bayfield Winter Festival, we invite you to the Bayfield Winterfest Playground Fundraiser held at Adventure Club Brewing and Howl Adventure Center on Sunday, March 5th, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

At this family-friendly event, you can participate in:

• A snow sculpture contest
• Warm yourself with soup and hot chocolate
• Enjoy freshly brewed beer from Adventure Club Brewing
• Satisfy your sweet tooth by roasting s’mores over the campfire

These events are just the tip of the iceberg of what you can expect as part of this year’s Bayfield Winter Festival 2023.

As the calendar of events continues to grow, one thing you can be sure of is they’ll be an event perfect for anyone looking to:

• Get outdoors
• Make memories
• Have a good laugh or two
• Celebrate the last days of winter

Make sure to check out the quick links below to learn what other events are scheduled for this fun-filled winter weekend.

Stay at Seagull Bay While Enjoying the Bayfield Winter Festival 2023

We encourage you to put the 2023 Bayfield Winter Festival on the calendar and join the Bayfield community for an action-packed weekend.

• The kids will love pulling on the giant wolf at Howl
• The Jack Beagan Memorial Polar Plunge is always a sight to see
• Top that off with Sunday morning’s colorful Long Jon Run

And when planning your stay in Bayfield, we want you to know we have family-friendly accommodations from traditional-style motel rooms, family suites, and cottages to meet all of your needs.

Plus, we’re conveniently located on the edge of town, creating easy access to the events of the 2023 Bayfield Winter Festival.

BOOK NOW and start planning your winter family getaway.

We can’t wait to see you!

The Carrier family,

Mollie, Isaac, Axel, Ridge, and Banks

QUICK LINKS:

Bayfield Rec Center – Bayfield Winter Festival

Bayfield Winter Festival 2023

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