WAUPUN — It’s been a busy year in Waupun with a long list of changes in the community.
One of the most exciting new things in Waupun was the first annual IceFest and Sculpture Tour. The first Waupun IceFest was held on February 17 and 18, 2024 with many activities and displays of over fifty ice sculptures throughout the community. Funds from the event were used to rent sculptures for the year through the new Sculpture Tour Program, which Jeni Maly presented to the City Council in the fall of 2023.
- Narrow Escape (near Horicon Bank) sponsored by Horicon Bank.
- The Farmer (near Farmer’s Elevator) sponsored by Destination Lake Winnebago Region, Waupun Community Fund, and Fond du Lac Area Foundation.
- We Can Do It (located near National Rivet) sponsored by Waupun Historical Society
- The World’s Her Canvas sponsored by Create Waupun and Imagine That! (400 Block of E Main).
- Monarchy (in Food Truck Alley – 400 Block of E Main) sponsored by Waupun Fine Arts.
The “We Can Do It” Sculpture is also the subject of a fundraiser to purchase and permanently add it to Waupun’s collection of outdoor sculptures. It was chosen specifically for its historical connection to the community in the partnership between National Rivet and the Shaler Company, which was originally owned by Clarence Shaler who donated or sculpted Waupun’s collection.
Both events are set to return for 2025, with IceFest scheduled for February 15 and 16.
Throughout the year were a number of new businesses and business changes, starting with the opening of the Madeline Clothing Company at 425 E Main, used book store Charming Reads at 20 S Madison and next door florist Kartechner and Girls Flower Co at 18 S Madison all in March. The Clothing Pallet celebrated five years in business, and Chic Tique celebrated their first year in Waupun. Alan Verhage, who ran Verhage’s Furniture for 50 years, retired, and sold the business to brothers Luke and Logan Ganz. In the fall, two new businesses opened in the area, with Fox Lake Lounge at 213 W State St in Fox Lake and The Graceful Nest in the former Fletcher Studio building at 11 N Madison St in Waupun.
And while it hasn’t been opened yet, the community has been closely watching the progress at Hoyahophousebrewing, a new brewpub that will be opening soon at 520 E Main.
There was also a lot of prison news this year, with the first half of the year remaining in lockdown until nine Waupun Correctional Institution employees were charged with misconduct on June 5 following four inmate deaths in the facility over the preceding year. A small protest was held outside The Walls on June 9, along with increased scrutiny from federal investigators and national media attention.
Perhaps the most unique event of the last year, the Waupun Mill Pond was inadvertently drained from a damaged valve, drying out “Harris Lake” and lowering the water level of the river upstream from the dam. This lowered water made it possible for the waterway cleanup to cover more area than they would have normally been able to, along with several locals who took an interest in digging stuff out of the river much, including some interesting treasures. The damage was thought to have been caused by the flooding that occurred over the summer, which sparked an interest in conducting more stormwater studies on the community.
The saddest part of 2024 was that it was the 35th and final year for the Waupun Truck-n-Show. Started in 1989 as the Truckers Jamboree, the event drew hundreds of trucks to display in two parades along with exhibitions and food trucks throughout Tanner Park and the Ice Arena. While it was sad for the volunteers to let it go, there wasn’t enough help to continue the ‘Show so it has been retired, leaving memories throughout the community for years to come.
And last but certainly not least, the City opened the new Waupun Community Center at 520 McKinley St. The New Community Center first opened on October 22, was the location of the November 5 General Election, and held its Grand Opening and Open House on December 3, 2024. It is the new location for the Waupun Recreation Department and Senior Center, along with being the new home of the Waupun Food Pantry and REACH Waupun.
Waupun is certainly seeing a resurgence with all these changes, and hopefully the community can maintain this momentum for the next year!
