West Bend's Winter Warm Up celebration highlights local businesses

By: Emerson Lehmann

Posted: Jan 23, 2022 3:23 PM CDT

NOW: West Bend’s Winter Warm Up celebration highlights local businesses

WEST BEND, Wis. (CBS 58) -- West Bend's third annual Winter Warm-up celebration wraps up Sunday night, Jan. 23.

The weekend event held in downtown West Bend featured music, magic shows, a fat tire bike race and more, encouraging people to visit downtown and help support local businesses.

More than 70 businesses participated, and some sponsored the more than 50 ice sculptures that decorate Main Street.

The event's organizer expects this winter tradition to keep growing.

"Everybody's got ideas of how next year's going to change a little bit already," said Gena Biertzer, executive director of Downtown West Bend Association. "This is a collaboration of so many different entities, so it is just a great way to get outside and enjoy your community."

Many shops that participated had special sales and activities for customers to enjoy.

Biertzer tells CBS 58 thousands of people attended the event throughout the course of the weekend.