Newsletter
January 8, 2015
Join us on Monument Square this weekend for Racine's Annual Ice and Snow Festival featuring the 25th Annual Wisconsin State Snow Sculpting Championship. The Big Chill is quickly becoming the state's premiere snow festival and this year, the event will be bigger than ever....starting with the snow blocks! The snow blocks will be larger than in previous years and will be carved by three-man teams rather than the historic two-man teams. Ten teams of talented snow carvers, from around the state, will be creating imaginative works of art from 6' x 6' x 10' blocks of snow. 

The competition gets under way at noon on Friday, January 9th, and is scheduled to conclude on Sunday at 11 a.m. Each three-man team will compete for the prestigious title of the Wisconsin State Snow Sculpting Champions. The winner of this completion will then advance to the 2016 United States National Snow Sculpting Competition. 

Help us pick the People's Choice Award! 
Downtown guests are asked to vote for their favorite snow sculpture. Voting will be available from noon Saturday from noon until at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. Winners of the snow sculpting competition will be announced around noon on Sunday. Just in time for you to enjoy the Packer Game at one of our great Downtown establishments! Learn more about this year's Big Chill. 

The snow sculptures will remain on exhibit for as long as mother nature will allow.

"Big Thrills"... All Weekend Long!          
Real Racine joins the DRC in putting big thrills into The Big Chill. Thanks to the help of Real Racine, AGA Nation's Downtown Rail Jam will be part of this year's snow and ice festival. 

Portable ramps will be placed on Fifth Street, just north of Monument Square, where snowboarders, skiers and sledders will have the opportunity to ride the park all weekend. Learn more about this action-packed event, the open ride and AGA Cash Cup Competition.

Downtown Racine...
The Place to Be. The Place to See.
Whether you live in the area or are from out of town, you are sure to find Downtown Racine the place to see...and the place to be. We hope it is a destination that you will continue to bring your family and friends for events and special occasions. They will love our unique shopping, fine dining and thriving visual and performing arts!

We hope that you will enjoy our vibrant Downtown and discover our diverse offerings From art and fine jewelry to fresh flowers and eyeglasses, Downtown Racine has it all for you. Many of our businesses have been in operation for decades and we are always welcoming new start-ups...thirteen this year alone. Besides the charm of historic buildings and beautiful walkways, downtown shops and restaurants offer some of the best customer service you will find. 

Don't forget to check out the ice sculptures that will be placed throughout the Downtown area. Ice carving begins at 10 a.m. Saturday and sculptures can be found at Racine Art Museum, Johnson Bank, Dimples Fine Imports, Copacetic and Humble Home.

If you are planning a day or weekend trip, below are some "trip tips" about Downtown Racine:
Thank you to our Big Chill Snow and Ice Block Sponsors:
Snow Blocks:
Johnson Outdoors
Lakeview Pharmacy
Modine
Robert W. Baird
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare

Ice Blocks:
Copacetic and Humble Home
Dimple Fine Imports
Johnson Bank 
Racine Art Museum
DOWNTOWN EVENTS

Razor Sharp's Better Together Group Exercise New Year's Party
January 10th
All Razor Sharp Locations
Don't put your hats, horns or noisemakers away because on Saturday, Razor Sharp is hosting a "Better Together Group Exercise New Year's Party." This party will include their new GroupCLASSES launch! Razor Sharp will also be offering 30-minute sample-sized classes of Step, Zumba, Yoga and Aquasize. Plus, they will be getting down with the newest (full-length) GroupRIDE and GroupPOWER classes, and premiering their brand new 30-minute R30 class! Learn more about this New Year's Party and all their new group classes.

 

BONK! Performance Series
January 10th
Racine Arts Council
This month's BONK! performance series will be held this Saturday at the Racine Arts Council. Featured performers include: Arlington, Virginia based poet, Daniel D'Angelo; Milwaukee slam poet, Darlin Nikki Janzen; and harpsichordist-composer, FumiNishikiori-Nakayama. To learn more about the performers, click now.

"Building Resiliency in Boys and Men of Color"
The Golden Rondelle Theater
January 15, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and Late seating until 6:10 p.m.
Join the Golden Rondelle Theater for the presentation of, "Building Resiliency in Boys and Men of Color."  When boys and men of color succeed, our community succeeds. So, how can we help make that happen? Two of Wisconsin's foremost experts on this important issue present ways those who work with black families can build resilience in men, young and old, with the goal of helping them succeed in spite of many unfavorable and unfortunate circumstances. A question-and-answer session will be held immediately following the program. Dr. Pat McManus, President/CEO Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin and W. Curtis Marshall MS, Healing Black Men, Minneapolis, MN are the evening's presenters. Download the event flier here.
DOWNTOWN ENTERTAINMENT jazz-clarinet-man.jpg

Downtown Racine is the place to be for live entertainment, dancing and great nightlife. While you are out admiring the snow sculptures and watching the Downtown Rail Jam this weekend, be sure to stop at the following Downtown destinations for their great live entertainment line up:


Warm up at Henry & Wanda's this weekend by enjoying great food, perfectly mixed drinks and award winning entertainment.
Try their Meatloaf Mignon. This succulent meatloaf is bacon wrapped and Chorizo stuffed. Served with roasted garlic smashed potatoes, asparagus and a red wine reduction, this meat loaf is like no other. Don't forget to complement this delectable meal with one of their $7 Martini Special. Stay to dance the night away. Their January entertainment line up is:

January  8  Open Mic/Jam Nite 
January  9  Group  Therapy 
January 10  Laurie Lewis & Co. 
January 16  DuoSonic 
January 17  Back to Maryland 

 

Stop by the Yardarm Bar and Grill, it's as close to an English pub as you'll find in Racine. The Yardarm also features great weekend entertainment from 6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Catch one of their upcoming shows:

January 10 - Studebaker John

January 14- Jacob Greene 

January 16- Acoustic Soul 
MORE THAN JUST BOOKS!
The Racine Public Library has an array of programs for people of all ages. From listening to stories and speakers, to learning more about technology, the Racine Public Library is your resource for great books, educational programming and fun! Take a look at all the great upcoming programs the Racine Public Library has in store for you and your family.

Downtown Racine is one of the Midwest's most unique and vibrant lakefront communities. Make downtown Racine your getaway destination for boating, dining, shopping, art and fun!

 

Our historic charm, boutiques, art galleries, international cuisine and museums are just a few of the reasons why Downtown Racine is the place to see. 

 

By experiencing our friendly downtown charisma, or attending one of our energetic events, you will see firsthand why Downtown Racine is the place to be!

 

DRC Logo

Downtown Racine is managed by the Downtown Racine Corporation

STAY CONNECTED

Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter