The wildly popular TWINterfest event, presented by Fareway Meat and Grocery, is set for Saturday,, and will feature a slate of fun that could rival any Winter Olympic Games.

The full schedule includes a lake poker run, ice races for ultra and all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, broom ball, ice skating, tobogganing, barrel rides, a rock-climbing wall, a giant inflatable slide, snow yoga, a polar plunge, and fireworks on the ice.

There are also opportunities to make your own jewelry, take in a Segway UTV demo, visit Traditions at the Lil’ Store, and check out various warm-up stations for cookies, hot chocolate, hot cider, and more over the festival.

The menu of culinary delights is just as impressive. Attendees can check out a chili-and-cinnamon-roll dinner the night before at Twin Lakes Bible Camp. The following day, a pancake breakfast, the Stay Grounded Cafe, a Bloody Mary and hot cocoa bar, mini doughnuts, Lucky Wife wine slushies, a tailgate and DJ party, an ultimate hot dog bar, and a barbecue lunch spotlight a menu of tastes for any palate.

-Messenger file photo by Britt Kudla
Isaac Lursen, of Fort Dodge, flies through the air before plunging into 33-degree water during the Polar Plunge at the 2023 TWINterfest at Twin Lakes.

Individuals in attendance are encouraged to buy their raffle tickets for the auto plunge sponsored by Mid-Iowa Towing. Tickets can be bought online through twinterfest.org through March 15. The winning time is determined by a clock inside the vehicle that stops when it falls through the ice. If a ticket with the exact time is not purchased, the winner will be determined by the closest time prior.

TWINterfest was started in 2022 by Bill Stephenson and Mike Murphy.

“People get stir crazy in the winter,” Stephenson said in an article posted on the Calhoun County Economic Development web page.

“A bunch of us started brainstorming ideas that could offer fun, family-friendly outdoor activities that adults and kids can enjoy,” he said.

Additional event sponsors are Bemrich Electric, Traditions at the Lil’ Store, Brown’s Shoe Fit Co., HUDU, and KHI Solutions. Complete information about the 2026 TWINterfest celebration is available at https://twinterfest.org/.

-Messenger file photo by Britt Kudla
Dawson Leach, then 9 months, of Waukee, goes sledding around Twin Lakes during TWINterfest in February 2025.