Waukesha JanBoree Full of Activities for Families

Are you missing all the festivals and fairs that come with the summer? Waukesha’s three-day winter festival involving dozens of organizations and sponsors is just around the corner. The 2012 Ice’Cape to JanBoree begins on Friday and lasts through Sunday as the community participates in sledding, music, dance, competitions and other winter activities throughout the community.

“I think winter has come to Wisconsin, so you might as well enjoy some of the winter activities that can only be done in the winter with the snow and the ice,” said Pat Grulke, with the Waukesha Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department.  “… It is a good chance to see different places and try different activities. “The majority of events are free – almost everything is free for families. Celebrate winter and celebrate all the wonderful things we have in Waukesha.”

The fun starts at 3 p.m. Friday when the opening ceremonies begin at Lowell Park. With ice skating, sledding and tobogganing on the schedule – weather permitting – it’s a chance for Waukesha families to spend time with other families enjoying the best parts of winter.

“We are thrilled that it is starting to snow,” Grulke said. “I think the forecast looks pretty good.”

New events are added to the JanBoree each year, and this winter is no different. The Freeze Frame event is an attempt to get “the state record of the most people doing the same dance at the same time,” Grulke said.

The current record is more than 2,000 people, Grulke said, and if people need to learn the dance, they should come to the tennis courts in Lowell Park by 5 p.m. Friday. The dance is being performed at 6 p.m.

“If we have a lot of people dancing, that will be good and they will stay warm,” Grulke said. “I think that is a big key – staying warm.”

Here is a full schedule of events provided to Patch via a news release:

Friday, January 20

Opening Ceremonies
, 2201 Michigan Ave.
3-8:30 p.m.
3-6:30 p.m. -Live television broadcasts with John Malan, Chief Meteorologist TODAY'S TMJ4
8 p.m. - Fireworks Extravaganza

Arctic Avalanche 
Lowell Park Shelter, 2201 Michigan Ave.
3-8 p.m.
Enjoy 350-foot toboggan runs for free. Availability is limited and supervised sledding and skating will be available. Warm up at the bonfire and enjoy hot food and beverages available for purchase.

Freeze Frame!
Lowell Park Shelter, 2201 Michigan Ave.
5 p.m. - 6:10 p.m.
JanBoree is going for a Wisconsin record - the most number of dancers performing the Freeze Frame dance together at one time! Info and registration forms are available at http://www.janboree.org. Youth and teen groups, school dance teams, private dance studios, YMCA's, and Rec Departments are all encouraged to attend this free event.  A short practice run will begin at 5:15 p.m. on the tennis courts where you'll learn this easy-to-follow dance and at 6 p.m. we'll go for the record and do it in front of the cameras!

Recyclable Sled Derby
Lowell Park Sledding Hill and Park Shelter, 2201 Michigan Ave.
5:30 p.m.
Wheeee…….  Come support students from seven area schools as they compete in the Recyclable Sled Derby. You won’t want to miss seeing the unique ideas and the engineering designs of the sleds.

Rockstar Kiddy-oke - Karaoke for Kids with The Gomers
Waukesha North High School, 2222 Michigan Ave.
Two 45 min. shows: 6 p.m. & 7:15 p.m.
The Gomers bring their kid-powered karaoke to JanBoree! Kids can rock the house a live rock band. The Waukesha Children's Choir will warm up the audience and then it's up to you. Seating is limited and free tickets are available at the Waukesha Public Library Children's desk starting Tues., Jan. 2, 2012.

Special Edition of Freeman Friday Night Live
6 - 8 p.m.                         
Downtown Waukesha
Join your friends at a special edition of Freeman Friday Night Live at several indoor sites in Downtown Waukesha for live music from your favorite local musicians.  Watch the Freeman for details or call 262-513-2607 or visit http://www.gmtoday.com/freemanfridaynightlive

Family Fun Night
Waukesha YMCA, 320 E. Broadway
6 – 8 p.m.
Kids and their families can come inside and enjoy a night of action at the Y for free. Relax in the pool or take on the family challenges such as a marshmallow building contest, cookie decorating, indoor cross country skiing, penguin waddle obstacle course, and much more.  Call the YMCA for more information at 262-409-2969.

Saturday, January 21

Pancake Breakfast
Schuetze Recreation Center, 1120 Baxter St.
7:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Enjoy all you can eat pancakes.  Advance tickets are available at the Parks, Recreation & Forestry office. Tickets are: Adults $6, Seniors 65+ $5, children under 12 years $4, and children under 1 free. Face painting, free hot chocolate and hands on fun plus booths from various partners and sponsors. 

Geocaching Event
Schuetze Recreation Center, 1120 Baxter St.
8 -10 a.m. Coordinates will be given during this check in time for GPS users; 9 – 10 a.m. Free introductory lesson
Follow satellite coordinates as you navigate throughout the downtown and surrounding area.  At noon, log in at Mia’s, 800 Clinton St. in downtown Waukesha after the event and stay for a family-priced meal. For more information call 414-507-7946.

Downtown Trolley
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Transportation between your favorite downtown events with departures every half  hour. Stops include:  Civic Theatre on Main, Waukesha Public Library (Cutler Park), Waukesha County Museum, and Schuetze Recreation Center. 

Downtown Waukesha Ice Sculpting Event
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.                  
Join us for the ice sculpting competition on the sidewalks of historic downtown Waukesha. Watch as the pros turn 300-pound blocks of ice into works of art. Judging at 2 p.m.

The Weird, Wacky, Wild World of Science!
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Waukesha County Museum, 101 W. Main St.
Families of all ages can enjoy a special performance of "Sensational Science" by our zany mad scientist Steve Belliveau of Getting Excited About Science! These shows will leave you in awe and amazement.  Show times are 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m..  The Museum Lab will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and families can perform wild experiments including slime making.

A.C.T. LIVE
Waukesha Civic Theatre, 264 W. Main St.
10 a.m. & 1 p.m.  (one hour show)
Family friendly sketch comedy written and performed by children. Free tickets for each show available at WCT box office.

Frosty 5K Run/Walk
Frame Park/Rotary Building, 1150 Baxter St.
11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Bring the whole family to Frame Park to enjoy this 5K run/walk.  Registration opens Jan. 1, 2012 at any Wisconsin Athletic Club location or forms available at http://www.janboree.org.  $20 pre-registration or $25 race day. For more info or to register call 262-544-4111. 

Cool Your Paws at HAWS
Humane Animal Welfare Society, 701 Northview Rd.
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
“K9 Cuisine with Dr. Claudeen” pet cooking class takes place at 11:30 a.m.  From noon-2:30 p.m., it's time to Dog Sled Ride with HAWS Exec. Director Lynn and her dog team (weather permitting). Both events are on a first-come, first-served basis and cost is a $5 donation to HAWS. Be sure to check out the scavenger hunt for kids and pet games such as Hot Dog Bobbing and Peanut Butter Lick-Off! Meet HAWS mascot Lucky and enter the raffle to win a flat screen TV or pet-themed goody baskets. Donate to the “HAWS CAUSE”- check the Wish List at http://www.hawspets.org for needed supplies.

Waukesha Community Art Project
WCA, 820 N. Grand Ave.
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.                              
Bring your friends and family to drop in and take park in creating a community sculpture that will travel and be on display throughout Waukesha. Materials and instruction provided. All ages and art ability levels are welcome.

Arctic Avalanche
Lowell Park, 2201 Michigan Ave.
Noon-5 p.m.
Enjoy 350-foot toboggan runs for free. Availability is limited and supervised sledding and skating will be available.

Cool Crafts: Make It Take It
Schuetze Recreation Center, 1120 Baxter St.
Noon to 2 p.m.          
Create a beaded icicle, glittery window cling, sparkling ice crystal, insta-snow and more!

Penguin Egg Hunt
Cutler Park-Library, 321 Wisconsin Ave.
Noon & 12:15 p.m.   Look for candy filled eggs in the snow left by Lil’ Chill himself!
Noon (ages 3 and under)
12:15 p.m. (ages 4 & 5)

Indoor Ice Skating
Eble Ice Arena, 19400 W Bluemound Rd., Brookfield
2-4 p.m.
Free open skating admission for the entire family. Skate rentals are available for $2.50 per rental, but quantities are limited so bring your own if you can!  For more information call Eble Ice Arena at 262-784-7512.

JanBoree Jam
Waukesha South High School, 401 Roberta Ave.
7 - 11 p.m.
JanBoree’s 15th annual competition with eight or more student generated bands. $8 per person.  Come for an evening of rock, pop & alternative rock music. (Geared for 12 yrs+)

Teen Night-Ice Skating
Eble Park Ice Arena, 19400 W Bluemound Rd., Brookfield
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
A special event geared for 13-17 year olds (families are welcome)! Skate to a DJ's music and enjoy some friendly competitions and prizes!  Skate with Admiral's mascot, Roscoe, from 8 to 9 p.m. Admission is $5 and includes skate rental if needed.  Some rental sizes may be limited.

Sunday, January 22

Charles Horwitz Planetarium “Orion:  The Great Hunter”
Retzer Nature Center, S14W28167 Madison St.
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
This colorful sky-laser program takes a light-hearted and imaginative look at the myths and stories associated with the constellation Orion, The Great Hunter of the winter sky.  Admission is free and limited tickets are available in the lobby on show day.

Nature Activities
Retzer Nature Center, S14W28167 Madison St.
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
Hike on nature trails, take advantage of the free use of snowshoes, and participate in various family nature activities throughout the day.  Serving free hot cocoa and cookies.  11 & 1:15 p.m., Bird Feeding program; 12 and 2:30 p.m., Winter Tracking program.

Ice Fishing Clinic
Minooka Park Beach Area, 1927 E. Sunset Dr.
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
This hands-on clinic will teach kids lifetime fishing skills and ethics.  Equipment and bait will be available for use.  For additional information call 262-548-7801.

Horse Drawn Wagon Rides
Minooka Park Beach Area, 1927 E. Sunset Dr.
11 a.m.to 2 p.m.
Enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride around the Minooka Park pond while taking in the beautiful winter scenery

Alaskan Malamute Dog Pull Event
Minooka Park, Picnic Area 3, 1927 E. Sunset Dr.
11 a.m. - approximately 3 p.m.
Free Park Entrance for the day.  Stop by to watch an official Alaskan Malamute Dog Pull.  This will be an open competition with dogs pulling a cart on pavement up to 3,000 pounds (snow not required for event). For more information or to register your dog please visit www.amcw.org.  Registration/Weigh-ins 9-10:30 a.m.; Pull begins at 11 a.m.

Arctic Avalanche
Lowell Park, 2201 Michigan Ave.
Noon-5 p.m.
Enjoy 350-foot toboggan runs for free. Availability is limited and supervised sledding and skating will be available.

Barnelopet (Children’s Cross Country Ski Race)
Minooka Park Picnic Area 1 &2, 1927 E. Sunset Dr.
1:30 p.m. start for 1K and 2 K race to follow.
Come share the excitement and tradition of cross-country skiing with family and friends at this fun event.  Children ages 3-12 can slide and glide on a 1K or 2K groomed course.  All skills and abilities are welcome and parents can ski along their child if they’d like.  Registration begins at 12:30 p.m.. For additional information call 262-548-7801.

Indoor Ice Skating
Naga-Waukee Park Ice Arena, 2699 Golf Rd., Delafield
3 - 5 p.m.
Free admission for open skating for the entire family.  Limited skate rentals are available for $2.50 per rental or bring your own.