Come and spend the day in Horicon, Wisconsin! Winter activities await you on Saturday, January 19. Start your afternoon at the  Mueseum in Horicon by bringing your best chili for entry into a chili cookoff at the Satterlee Clark House from 1-3pm. You and your family can also participate in a snowman building contest there.

Then head to Discher Park for some ice skating starting at 3pm. There will be free hot chocolate available and bowls of chili for $1. Head to one of the local restaurants for supper and then bundle up for the Third Annual Candlelight Snowshoe/Hike on the trails of the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area and the activities at Horicon Marsh International Education Center.

Hiking and snowshoeing by candlelight, a roaring bonfire, and complimentary warm refreshments await couples, singles and families at the 3rd Annual Horicon Marsh Candlelight Hike/Snowshoe from 6:00-9:00 pm. The Education Center will also be open for people to warm up, view the 20 minute “Horicon Marsh Story”, visit the Flyway Gift Shop, or have the kids do a fun craft to bring home and explore winter hibernation in the Children’s Discover Area!

The Northern Cross Science Foundation astronomers will be on site to help you view the night sky through their giant telescopes. Horicon Marsh Bird Club members will be on the trail conducting short owl talks and calling for owls. You can learn about "Winter Adaptations" in one of our indoor classrooms! Warm beverages and light snacks will be available inside the center as well.

The trails will be lined with candle-powered luminaries to welcome and guide hikers and snowshoers. Volunteers will be on hand for assistance and information. New this year; there will be two trails available. One trail is 1.5 miles long and another “Family Loop” is only .36 miles. Don’t have your own snowshoes? Thanks to a generous Wisconsin Environmental Education Board grant and matching funds from the Friends group, snowshoes are available to the public on a first come first serve basis at no charge. There must be at least 6-8 inches of snow on the ground to loan out snowshoes. Pets on a leash are allowed on the trails but not in the building.

Also new this year is a mitten campaign and food drive. Mittens and gloves are being collected to be donated to local grade schools and non-perishable food will be given to local food pantries. Collection bins will be on the upper level of the Education Center.

Events in Horicon are sponsored by the Phoenix Group and events at Horicon Marsh International Education Center are sponsored by Friends of Horicon Marsh International Education Center and the DNR. For more information for events in Horicon you may email info@horiconphoenix.com or call 920-485-0216. For questions about the Candlelight Snowshoe/Hike call 920-387-7890 or 920-387-7893. You may also go to www.horiconmarsh.org. Horicon Marsh International Education Center is located at N7725 Hwy 28, Horicon, WI between Horicon and Mayville.