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OR MORE THAN 40 YEARS, the annual Ice Bowling fundraiser at the Sheboygan Lakers Ice Center has brought together the local community for one of Wisconsin's most unique and successful ice arena events. Originally held outdoors, the event eventually moved inside the ice center to give organizers more control over weather conditions and overall event operations. Today, Ice Bowling has evolved into a major year-end fundraiser that attracts thousands of attendees and requires months of planning. A Massive Community Effort Planning for Ice Bowling begins each September with a dedicated committee of approximately 12 volunteers. Their responsibilities include securing major event sponsors, booking live entertainment, coordinating logistics, and organizing volunteers. The committee hires bands, staging crews, and sound and lighting companies to create a festival atmosphere throughout the weekend. A variety of musical acts are booked each year, and band announcements are released before team registration opens. This allows teams to strategically select game times based around the music acts they want to see, whether they prefer country, rock, or other genres. In addition to entertainment, the committee works with local businesses to secure donated materials and community support. Large sections of carpeting are donated each year and used to cover roughly half of the ice surface where the bowlers throw from. Local nonprofit organizations assist with parking operations and shuttle transportation from nearby overflow parking areas and charge $5 for parking on site. Area bars and restaurants also play a role in the event's success by running shuttle services to the arena and encouraging their patrons to participate. Participating establishments receive discounts for the teams they send to the event. Local radio station partners help promote Ice Bowling through public service announcements and live interviews with organizers. A Community Tradition at the Sheboygan Lakers Ice Center /// by CRAIG PETERSEN, CIRM REAL PROGRAMS Ice Bowling PHOTOS: SHEBOYGAN LAKERS ICE CENTER Ice Bowling 50 / JULY.AUGUST.2026 USICERINKS.COM Ice Bowling F k Sheboygan's annual Ice Bowling fundraiser requires months of planning and attracts thousands of attendees.

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