The sky over Lake Koshkonong will be bursting with color when Ice Cold Fireworks take place Saturday, Feb. 20.
The 17-minute fireworks display choreographed to music was rescheduled from last weekend due to the frigid temperature and windchill.
The event, presented by Boomfest and Spectrum Pyrotechnics, will be held at Royce-Dallman Park in the Town of Milton from 5 to 7 p.m., with the fireworks beginning at 6 p.m.
There will be a few surprises starting at 5:30 p.m., and at 5:45 p.m., the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2708 in Edgerton will post the colors to the “Star-Spangled Banner” extended version.
Prior to the fireworks, a grilled brat and apple cider or bottled water will be available for a $5 donation. Fixings for s’mores also will be sold. Due to COVID-19, exact change would be appreciated.
Chad Green, founder of boomfests.com and the Ice Cold Fireworks’ organizer, noted that fireworks sound different with snow on the ground and look different in the clear, cold winter air.
“The acoustics are amazing,” he said. “The pitch black of night, cold air, snow in the trees … you’ve got to be there to witness this with your own eyes and ears.”
Spectators will be on the ice — which is about 3 feet thick — although they also may watch from the park. They should bring lawnchairs as seating is not available.
He added that due to the limited shoreline, viewing the fireworks from a parked car is not an option.
He reminds spectators of all ages to bundle up in warm clothes and maintain adequate social distancing. Facemasks are encouraged, but not required.
“Mask wearing is twofold: It keeps you safe during COVID and keeps your face from freezing,” Green said.
He encourages attendees to carpool, as parking at the park is limited. Snowmobilers and ATV riders are welcome, as well.
People are asked to leave their pets home, although leashed service dogs are welcome to accompany their owners.
While the fireworks display likely will be visible from other vantage points on Lake Koshkonong, in particular south of Thibault Point, Green said the best place to watch them is right at Royce-Dallman Park.
“There will be a lot of ground displays you won’t want to miss,” he said.
A U.S. Navy veteran of Operation Desert Storm and a life member of VFW Post 2708, Green is employed at the William S. Middleton Veterans Administration Hospital in Madison.
He originally came up with Boomfest to draw attention to veterans’ needs and the problem of veteran suicide. He said winter can be a depressing time, and he hopes the event gives people something to look forward to.
That is particularly important this year due to the widespread isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am putting this out there to spread awareness for this awful epidemic that plagues so many of our veterans,” he said of veteran suicide. “Even one is too many.
“I take veteran suicide personally,” Green added. “It’s tough to know that there isn’t a helping hand. I want to be that helping hand, and with the entire community getting involved, we can make a difference.”
Proceeds from the food and donations will go to hold other activities designed to draw veterans and area community members outside to enjoy Mother Nature and each other. Among the ideas are hiking activities and boat rides.
“I want to create events to get people out, involved,” Green said. “Everyone needs to interact with people. People are stuck in their home, especially now during COVID, which can be bad for their mental health.”
Editor’s note: this story has been updated.
Fireworks in winter, taken in an unknown location. Courtesy of unsplashed.com, a public domain photography site.
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