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Prairie du Chien Carp Fest

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Event:
Prairie du Chien Carp Fest
Start:
December 31, 2022 5:00 pm
End:
December 31, 2022 11:55 pm
Cost:
Free
Category:
Updated:
December 22, 2015
Venue:
Downtown Prairie du Chien
Phone:
608-326-8602
Address:
400 W. Blackhawk, Prairie du Chien, WI, 53821, United States

Carp Fest: New York drops a lit ball at New Years’ Eve; Prairie du Chien drops a carp!

Yes, Prairie du Chien drops a real carp on New Year’s Eve. The carp, caught in the Mississippi, is named “Lucky”, and then frozen until New Years’ Eve. Lucky is then adorned with makeup and lights and lowered via crane. As soon as they ring in the New Year, people can kiss Lucky for good luck.

How’s that for a New Years’ Eve fish story?

Prairie du Chien, always down for a good, expanded party, has taken the original New Year’s Eve “Droppin’ of the Carp” and expanded it to a multi-day event with a variety of activities, many of which are quite family-friendly.

New Year's 2017 carp fest drop

The BIG party for Carp Fest is the New Year’s Eve party that takes place on the west edge of downtown Prairie du Chien on St. Feriole Island Park by the Mississippi River. It starts at 9pm and culminates with the “Droppin’ of the Carp” a little before midnight to ring in 2020!

A earlier version of the carp drop for children and families – featuring “Lucky Carp Jr.” – takes place indoors at Hoffman Hall (1600 Wacouta Street.) The Family “Droppin of the Carp” takes place New Year’s Eve from 5pm – 6:30pm at Hoffman Hall featuring Arts & Crafts, Face Painting, Miniature Dairy Goats, and Carnival Games. You can also meet the Carp King & Queen, meet Master Gardeners & Bixby The Rabbit, and Exotic Animals from Ridgetop Rescue. Of course they’ll have noisemakers and hats, plus Carp Corn, Pizza, and Hot Carp Chocolate (yes, we’re curious too…) for $1 each. This event is sponsored by Valley Fish & Cheese, a State Trunk Tour favorite located just east of the Mississippi River bridge where eastbound Highway 27 begins. Check out the shop, owned by “Sturgeon General” Mike Valley, and its incredible selection of fresh fish, meats, cheeses, uniquely Wisconsin items, and more!

Hit U.S. 18 or Highways 27, 35, or 60 and check this out!

Carp Fest Address:

St. Feriole Island
900 W. Blackhawk Avenue
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
(608) 326-8602
Website





New Year's Eve Droppin' of the Carp in Prairie du Chien

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