Community

Fond du Lac is the community we call home.  “Fond du Lac” is French for the “bottom” or the “farthest point” of the lake, so named because of its location at the bottom (South end) of Lake Winnebago.  At 137,700 acres, Lake Winnebago is the largest freshwater lake in the United States and arguably the world.  Covering an area of approximately 30 miles by 10 miles, with 88 miles of shoreline, it offers enthusiasts a wonderful variety of ways to enjoy the ultimate Midwest lifestyle with a range of boating, fishing and outdoor recreational opportunities in one of the most beautiful settings in the entire Midwest.

​Fond du Lac is also host to Walleye Weekend; an annual summer festival centered around the Mercury Marine National Walleye Fishing Tournament.  It is usually hosted on the second weekend in June as a “Free Family Fun Festival” held in Lakeside Park on the south shore of Lake Winnebago.  This music event, held on multiple stages, has become a premier music festival, and compares with venues in any region of the country.  And what is winter in Wisconsin without a winter festival?  February in Fond du Lac means one thing, Sturgeon Spectacular…a celebration of winter and really big fish!  Always the 2nd weekend in February, this is a quirky and fun take on a winter festival featuring events on the ice and off the ice. You can enjoy activities indoors, outdoors, and throughout the community. Highlights include a kick-off parade, live musical performances and comedy acts, the state snow sculpting competition, ice carving, an outdoor curling competition, a sturgeon show-off station, and so much more.

The Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts is a beautiful, distinctive and newly-designed art center on par with the largest “big-city” venues, it offers a warm and friendly home for the arts, and continues to reflect our community values and celebrate the people who make Fond du Lac a truly special place.  THELMA features several unique and classic venues; intimate concerts in the Great Hall throughout fall, winter and spring, street concerts with major performers including the 11 Thursdays of Summer, indoor films and art from world-renowned artists.

​The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and Marian University teamed up in 2017 to create the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders minor league baseball team.   In their first season the team won the Northwoods League Championship.  More than 200 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC), Brandon Crawford (SFG) and Chris Sale (BOS), as well as, MLB All-Stars Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (MIA).  Dock Spiders baseball provides family-friendly fun for kids and parents alike, an inexpensive venue to enjoy great baseball, food and fun during our beautiful Fond du Lac summer nights!

We are also proud to support our community and business partners through charitable contributions.