ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Titletown is getting ready to host the winter games this weekend.
The free event allows community members to compete in luge, curling, biathlon, figure skating and ski jumping activities alongside Olympians.
New this year is the Arctic Blast: An Ice + Music Festival which kicked off Friday. Music and entertainment will continue throughout the weekend.
Dawn Ruchala, US Venture Open manager, says organizers were pretty blown away last year by the community participation and they expect it be bigger this year.
“Again, it’s an opportunity to come and experience these Olympic sports, we have Olympians here, we have coaching staff from the different Olympic bodies and it’s an opportunity where kids could be seeded into the development teams, the junior team to get on the national team to compete in the Olympics,” Ruchala said.
Ruchala also shared a success story. She said last year, a girl who tried the luge challenge, fell in love with the sport and ended up going out to the Olympic training center in Lake Placid and is now training with the team.
Activities will start at noon on Saturday, with an opening ceremony, and the event will continue throughout the day until 7 p.m. Winter Games events will resume Sunday from noon until 5 p.m.
The public is encouraged to bring bike or ski helmets to wear while participating in the sporting activities; additional necessary equipment will be provided. All participants must complete a waiver onsite before beginning activities.
