A Historic Kick-Off

This year’s festivities opened with a playful nod to history—a recreation of the famous 1936 “snow dump,” when the Two Rivers city manager placed a bucket of snow on the Mayor of Manitowoc’s desk. Armed with snowballs and plenty of laughter, the SnowFest team brought the tradition to life on video, setting the tone for the weekend.

Friday Night Fun

The Seehafer News Stage lit up Friday evening with Jim Gaff and the Coyote Posse Band, delivering outlaw-country favorites, followed by Mae Simpson, whose blend of funk, soul, and rock had the crowd moving. Families enjoyed K-9 demonstrations from the Two Rivers Police Department, carnival games, line dancing, a wintry photo booth, and endless inflatable jumping. The debut Polar Bear Art Silent Auction showcased incredible creativity from local artists.

Saturday Parade & Park Festivities

Saturday morning’s SnowFest Parade rolled down Columbus Street with floats, music, and smiling faces lining the route. The SnowFest float featured Chiller popping in and out of a giant cake, toasting “Cheers to 50 Years!” Santa Claus and Chiller ended the parade with playful snowball tosses into the crowd. Six float entries took home trophies for outstanding creativity.

After the parade, Neshotah Park buzzed with activity—vendor booths, sizzling burgers, brats, and cheese curds from the SnowFest food tent, plus an array of food trucks. Entertainment highlights included Sheboygan’s Chinese C-Pop, the whimsical Bombastic Bubble Show, and all-day carnival fun. The Two Rivers Historical Society served Cedar Crest ice cream, while Gracious Givers of Manitowoc tempted visitors with fresh-baked treats.

The Seehafer News Stage lineup featured Aubrey Marie and band, The Bogsurfers, The Nix, and headliner Sam Llanas (formerly of the BoDeans), closing the night with his iconic acoustic sound.

Sunday’s Grand Finale

Sunday began warm and humid, perfect for learning to polka before the bands took the stage. Performances included the Two Rivers High School Polka Band, Biscuit Creek Bluegrass, and Gone 2 Paradise, whose Jimmy Buffett tribute transported the crowd to a tropical state of mind.

The family zone stayed lively with bingo, snowball fights, inflatables, the vendor fair, balloon animals from Jean’s Balloon Animals, and a hands-on wildlife experience from the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Thank You!

A huge thank you to our volunteers, sponsors, partners, and the community for making SnowFest 2025 a success. We can’t wait to see everyone back for SnowFest 2026!