JanBoree says 'snow way' to winter blues

Whether you're a hardy polar bear or a fragile flower, Waukesha's JanBoree has an event for you.

Sponsored by the Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, the 25th annual event will take place Friday, Jan. 22 through Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010. The three-day festival, occurring throughout Waukesha County, will offer more than 30 free winter activities for adults and children alike.

The theme for southeastern Wisconsin's premier winter festival is "Winter Sparkle." New events this year include a Penguin Race, special edition of Friday Night Live, and an outdoor obstacle course for children. Additionally, the Waukesha JanBoree will host the live national radio broadcast of Michael Feldman's "Whad' Ya Know?" at Shattuck Auditorium, Carroll University. Returning favorites include a geocaching/treasure hunt event, dog pull, and free ice skating and tobogganing.

The following is the line-up for the Waukesha JanBoree 2010 and all events are free unless otherwise noted:

Friday, Jan. 22

3 - 6:30 p.m. - OPENING CEREMONIES: Lowell Park, Live broadcast by TODAY'S TMJ4 Chief Meteorologist John Malan. Hot dogs, hot chocolate, and coffee available from the Waukesha Citizen's Police Academy Alumni.

4:30- 6:30 p.m. - ICE SCULPTING DEMONSTRATION: Lowell Park,

4- 8 p.m. - WINTER WONDERLAND: Lowell Park, Enjoy the 350 Ft. lighted toboggan runs. Toboggan runs are free, but availability is limited. Supervised sledding and skating.

4 p.m. - midnight - FREEZIN' FOR HUNGER: Lowell Park Shelter, Monetary and food donations accepted during this time. Visit www.janboree.org to find out what items are appreciated. Benefiting the Waukesha Food Pantry

5:30 and 7:30 p.m. - JONNIE & BROOKIE CONCERT FOR KIDS: North High School, Winners of the national Radio Disney Next Best Thing contest and Summerfest's featured children's performers are back in Waukesha! Free tickets are required and can be picked up at the Waukesha Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Department, 1900 Aviation Drive or at Martha Merrell's Books and Cuddles, 231 West Main Street. Five free tickets per family please. Doors at North High School Auditorium open 30 minutes before showtime and feature a performance by the Salto Dance Studio Dancers. The concert is sponsored by the Education Association of Waukesha, Tri-Wauk UniServ Council, The Waukesha Arts Alliance, and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin.

6 - 8 p.m. - WAUKESHA OPTIMIST CLUB PENGUIN RACE: Lowell Park Shelter, Run like a parenting penguin as you protect your young egg on your feet and race to the finish. Race open to all ages.

6 - 8 p.m. - WAUKESHA YMCA OPEN GYM ACTIVITIES: Open gym, swim, crafts, dancing, games, sports, and the new Virtual Vault. Try the treadwall, Xerdance, Makoto, Expresso Bikes and Nintendo Wii. Free fun for grades 4 through 8. Contact Molly at the Waukesha YMCA at (262) 542-2557 for more information.

6 - 8 p.m. - SPECIAL EDITION OF FREEMAN FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE: Historic Downtown Waukesha, The popular FREE music event from summer returns for the opening night of the JanBoree. Enjoy five stages of live music at: Bieg Boutique, El Ranchito, Martha Merrell's Books and Cuddles, The Steaming Cup, and the Waukesha Antique Mall. Visit www.gmtoday.com/freemanfridaynightlive or call (262) 544-8030 for stage locations and bands. 8 - 8:15 p.m. - FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA!: Lowell Park, Finish the night with a bang!

Saturday, Jan. 23

7:30 - 10:30 a.m. - PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Schuetze Recreation Center, Enjoy all you can eat pancakes. Orange juice, milk, coffee, and sausage available. Adults $5.50, Seniors 65+ $4.50, Children I2 years. and under are $4. Children under one, free. 50 cents off advance tickets available at the WPRF Office. Featuring 4H/First Lego League demonstration and hands on fun. 8 - 10 a.m. - GEOCACHING/TREASURE HUNT EVENT: Schuetze Recreation Center, Coordinates will be given during this check in time for GPS users. 9 to 10 a.m., take part in the free geocaching lesson for families or individuals. At noon, log in at Mia's in downtown Waukesha and stay for a family priced meal. Sponsored by: Computer Shack, Cookies Galore & More, Krumrich Jewelers, Little Swiss Clock Shop, Poppin' On Broadway, The Potter's Shop, Leather Restoration Co., Rochester Deli, and Scott's Creative Trenz.

9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - DOWNTOWN TROLLEY: Transportation between your favorite downtown events. Departures every 30 minutes. Stops include: Civic Theatre, Waukesha Public Library (Cutler Park), E.B. Shurts Environmental Building; Waukesha County Museum, and Schuetze Recreation Center. Sponsored by: Waterstone Bank

10 a.m. and 1 p.m. - A.C.T. LIVE: Waukesha Civic Theatre, One hour sketch comedy show featuring children. Free tickets for each show available at the door, first come, first served.

10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - SNOW CRATS AND ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS: E.B. Shurts Environmental Building

Beginning at 10 a.m., for one hour, learn about Wisconsin forests and lumber-jack history, cut a log and make a tree cookie and then take a walk outside. The winter hike and exploration, using GPS will begin and 10:30 a.m. and take an hour. At 10:30, until 12:30, enjoy a snowflake and nature indoor activity.

10 a.m.- Noon - WHAD' YA KNOW?: Shattuck Auditorium, Carroll University, Michael Feldman's "Whad' Ya Know?" is a two- hour comedy, quiz, interview show that currently broadcasts on 300 US public radio stations. Come for a chance to play the "Quiz" and win fabulous prizes. Advanced tickets are $15 for Seniors (60+) and Students with ID; Adults, $20. At the door tickets are $20 for Seniors and Students; $25 for Adults. Tickets are available at the CU box office by calling (262) 524-7633 or by ordering online at www.janboree.org/events/Whad'YaKnow. NOTE: Because this is a live national broadcast, it is recommended that patrons be in their seats no later than 9:30 a.m. Locally, the show airs on 90.7 FM WHAD on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon and is rebroadcast on WGTD, 91.1 FM, on Sundays, 8 to 10 a.m.

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - ICE SCULPTING CONTEST: - Downtown Waukesha, Join us for the ice sculpting competition on the sidewalks of historic downtown Waukesha. Watch as international ice carvers, as well as beginning ice carvers, turn 300-pound blocks of ice into works of art. Pick up the location list at Generations at 5 Points, 294 W. Main Street, online at www.DowntownWaukesha.com, or on the trolley. Judging begins at 2 pm.

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - WAUKESHA OPTIMIST OBSTACLE COURSE: Cutler Park, Library, Test your skills in the cold. The Waukesha Optimist Club will sponsor two obstacle courses with varying difficulty: 3-6 years and 7-13 years. Compete with your friends to see who can get the best time. best times on each course will be reported on the JanBoree website, www.janboree.org. 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - SHOOT/DON'T SHOOT: Waukesha County Museum, Learn from hunters and fur traders about guns, traps, and tracking skill of the past and present. Kids learn safety tips. Special shows at 11:00 a.m. ad 2:00 p.m. See the White Deer and JanBoree historic posters display. Free activities for children under 12.

11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - FROSTY 5K RUN/WALK: Frame Park Rotary Building, The route begins and ends at Frame Park. $20 pre-registration, or $23 race day. Check the registration form online at www.janboree.org for more info or call 262-544-4111. Noon & 12:15 p.m. - WAUKESHA SUNRISE ROTARY PENGUIN EGG HUNT: Cutler Park, Library, Look for candy-filled eggs in the snow left by Lil' Chill himself! Noon, ages 3 and under; 12:15, ages 4 & 5.

Noon - 2 p.m. - TIME TO SPARKLE MAKE IT TAKE IT: Schuetze Recreation Center, Sparkle with energy and excitement as you create a glistening snowman, make a twinkling snowflake, shine with a science discovery, radiate in learning a new song, and make a beaming bag.

Noon - 3:30 p.m. - ARTS & CRAFTS: Martha Merrells' Bookstore & Cuddles, Arts & Crafts project that you take with you!

Noon -5 p.m. - WINTER WONDERLAND: Lowell Park, Enjoy the 350-foot lighted toboggan runs. Toboggan runs are free, but limited to availability. Supervised sledding and skating too!

1 - 2 p.m. - RADIO DISNEY ROADSHOW: Schuetze Recreation Center, Come dance and have fun Disney style! Themed give-a-ways and fun games with the Radio Disney Roadshow.

1:30 & 3:30 p.m. - KEN LONNQUIST: A BLIZZARD OF SONGS & LAUGHTER!: E.B. Shurts Environmental Center

Hold on to your hat: a Ken Lonnqust concert is going to blow you away! Ken's improvisational skills and impressive musical ability make for an entertaining time for the whole family.

2- 4 p.m. - INDOOR ICE SKATING: Eble Ice Arena, Free open skating 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.

4 & 7 p.m. - COMEDY "FISH STICKS": Waukesha Civic Theatre, Fish Sticks comedy troupe brings the tenderest, flakiest, funniest, squeaky-clean improv comedy to WCT. Tickle the funny bone in a family friendly format. Tickets are $8 for adults; $6 for seniors and students. Order your tickets by calling 262-547-0708.

6:30 - 11 p.m. - JANBOREE JAM: Waukesha South High School, JanBoree's 12th annual Jam with student generated bands. $8/person (Geared for 12 yrs+). Come for an evening of rock, pop & alternative rock music.

8:30- Midnight - SATURDAY NIGHT LIFE PUB CRAWL: Historic Downtown Waukesha, See the lighted ice sculptures downtown as you make your way to these fine establishments offering entertainment and JanBoree specials: Generations at 5 Points; House of Guinness; Magellan's, Nice Ash; People's Park; RedStone Pub & Grill; and Sprizzo Gallery Caffe. Sponsored by: Sprecher Brewery.

Sunday, Jan. 24

9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - LEGENDS OF THE WINTER SKY: Charles Horwitz Planetarium, Presenting your favorite constellation characters like Orion the Hunter, Taurus the Bull, and Gemini the Twins in fascinating stories of ancient winter evenings. FREE tickets issued in the lobby starting at 9 a.m. Seating limited to 90 per program. Shows begin at the top of the hour and last 45 minutes. Don't miss it! For more information call 262)-896-8423.

9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - AMCW DOG PULL: Minooka Park, Picnic Area 2, Free park entrance for the day. This will be an open competition with dogs pulling up to 3,000 lbs. (Snow not required). Visit www.amcw.org for info. Weigh-ins begin at 9 a.m. and pull is 11 a.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m.

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - ICE FISHING CLINIC: Minooka Park Beach Area, This hands-on clinic will teach kids lifetime fishing skills & ethics. Equipment and bait will be available for use. For additional information call (262) 548-7801.

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - NATURE CENTER ACTIVITIES: Retzer Nature Center, Hike on our nature trails, take advantage of the free use of snows hoes, and participate in various family nature activities. Bird-feeding program held at 11 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Winter Tracking program with slides and outdoor discovery at Noon and 2:30 p.m. Free hot cocoa and cookies. Sponsored by: Waukesha County Park System

11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - OPEN GYM & SWIM: YMCA, Pabst Farms, Oconomowoc, Got cabin fever? We have just the remedy! Bring your family to play basketball and swim. Enjoy the Aquatic Center including a zero-depth entry pool, lazy river, and water slide. For more information call 262-567-7251.

Noon - 5 p.m. - WINTER WONDERLAND: Lowell Park, Enjoy the 350-foot lighted toboggan runs for free. Availability limited. Supervised sledding and skating too!

1 - 3 p.m. WINTER JANBOREE VARIETY SHOW: Waukesha Civic Theatre, Singing! Comedy! And Lots More! WCT Senior Talent Search Finalists will perform their winning acts for family fun. Tickets available at WCT Box Office in advance for $5. 1 - 4 p.m. - POLKA JAM: Country Springs Ballroom, Bring your sweetie to dance and join Steve Meissner and musicians for a wonderful winter dance to cap off the JanBoree! Tickets are $8 at the door, $7 in advance at the WPRF Office. Beverages will be available for purchase.

1:30 p.m. - BARNELOPET: Children's Cross Country Ski Race, Minooka County Park Picnic Areas I & 2, Come share the excitement and tradition of cross-country skiing with family and friends at this children's event. Children ages 3-12 can slide and glide on a 1K or 2K groomed course. All skills & abilities welcome and parents can ski alongside. Registration begins at 12:30 pm. For additional information call 262-548-7801.

3 - 5 p.m. - INDOOR ICE SKATING: Naga-Waukee Ice Arena, Free open skating for the entire family. Limited skate rentals are available for $2.50 per rental, but quantities are limited so bring your own if you can! For more information, call Naga-Waukee Ice Arena at (262) 646-7072.

For more information on the Waukesha JanBoree, log on to the JanBoree website at www.JanBoree.org.