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Arts and Entertainment

Entertainment in Fond du Lac comes in a myriad of shapes and sizes, ranging from big events like Walleye Weekend to smaller gatherings like poetry readings at the new Windhover Center for the Arts. Whether large or small, amateur or professional, planned or spontaneous, all events keep Fond du Lac residents and visitors busy throughout the year.

Walleye Weekend is a three-day celebration of the Mercury National Walleye Fishing Tournament and stands as the biggest event of the summer season. Held in June at Lakeside Park, the weekend features live entertainment on five different stages, a youth art activity tent, volleyball and softball tournaments, 3-on-3 basketball, a youth soccer tournament and a Hole-in-One shootout. The festival’s Walleye Run attracts more than 3,000 participants and 80,000 attendees.

Downtown Fond du Lac hosts a successful Farmer’s Market, with more than 70 vendors selling fresh produce, flowers, herbs and more. Parades are held throughout the year in this central district, as is an annual Fall Festival.

Held at the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds in April, the Fond du Lac Jazz Festival continues to grow in attendance and prestige. Artists such as Ellis Marsalis, Kevin Eubanks and Diane Schuur have headlined the festival in recent years.

Founded in 1898 as the Fond du Lac Military Band, the Fond du Lac Symphonic Band is an adult concert organization of up to 75 members that presents approximately 20 performances annually. Its schedule includes a classical concert at St. Paul’s Cathedral in November and a pops concert in April. During the summer, the band organizes and hosts a music festival at Buttermilk Creek Park that alternates concerts by the band with regional touring attractions — including the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Kids From Wisconsin troupe.

The Fond du Lac Women’s Chorus performs pop tunes, spirituals and a variety of other music. The Oratorio Chorus presents well-known choral works accompanied by a professional orchestra on a bi-annual basis. Music lovers of all ages subscribe to the concert series organized by the Fond du Lac Concert Association, which brings symphony orchestras, vocal artists, well-known jazz bands and other ethnic and cultural ensembles to Fond du Lac audiences. Season ticket holders enjoy reciprocity with the neighboring communities of Beaver Dam and Watertown.

The recently constructed Performing Arts Center seats 1,025 people. The more than 1,550 parking spaces supply easy access to this community gem, while an elevator makes entry to the boxes and the mezzanine handicap accessible.

Sellout crowds come to see the three plays produced annually by the Fond du Lac Community Theater, a little theater group that has been performing for more than 40 years. Both the University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac and Marian College have theater groups that perform for the public.

Housed in an impressive historic building in the downtown area, the Windhover Center for the Arts is home of the Fond du Lac Arts Council, Inc. Windhover hosts a wide variety of musical venues, an art gallery, a Children’s Chorale, a literary program and workshops for children and adults.

The Fond du Lac Public Library is another example of the community building for the future. A 12,000-square foot addition was recently added, which is equipped with the latest technology (including self-service checkout stations). The facility features a large meeting hall, additional access to the Internet and electronic resources and an expanded children’s area. The library’s Homebound Service is operated by volunteers who organize and deliver books to patrons who cannot come to the library. A bookmobile operated by the library serves as a traveling branch library for Fond du Lac County. Preschool and family storytimes, summer reading programs for children and adults, book discussions, exhibits and other special events are offered by the library on a regular basis.

For the most part, Fond du Lac’s cultural pursuits are home-grown and receive generous applause from an appreciative community.