Blue Water Business Consortium Members!

Excited to have joined River Alliance of Wisconsin's Blue Water Business Consortium! The group is Wisconsin's Small Business Voice for Clean and Plentiful Water and we're excited to assist River Alliance with their important mission.

The River Alliance of Wisconsin organized the Blue Water Business Consortium to:

• Promote the economic and environmental benefits of good water quality and show how thousands of small businesses depend on clean and plentiful water.
• Advocate for policies that value the economic and social contribution of all businesses, regardless of size or political influence.
• Unite diverse water businesses under the common interest of healthy water.

If you know a Wisconsin business that would be interested in joining and making a difference as well please share this with them as River Alliance is looking for more members! 

For more information about the Blue Water Business Consortium please click here.

Join us for our 2016 HIKE-A-THON!

For more information or to sign up please click here.

3rd Annual Headlamp Hustle is 2 weeks away!

    Our 3rd Annual Headlamp Hustle is only a couple weeks away already! Join us Friday, May 20th for a very fun event on the Table Bluff Segment of the Ice Age Trail that supports the Ice Age Trail Alliance. You can run a 10K or run or walk a 5K. We start at dusk so it's a nice, quiet time to be out on the trail. Bring your headlamp for the after party! Below are some pictures of the segment the run is on. It's gorgeous and peaceful out there! For more info check out our Facebook Event Page!

WIN $500 of SmartWool during our When In Roam Contest!

How would you like to WIN A $500 SmartWool Gift Card! Pick up a SmartWool #flatlittleguy, post a pic with him to Instagram & you're entered to WIN! We have a limited number of #flatlittleguys to give out so get in quickly! No limit to photo entries! Contest runs through 5/15/16. Visit here for more info on the #flatlittleguy contest!

We're also offering a FREE insulated Klean Kanteen bottle with any $30.00 SmartWool purchase while supplies last! .

See in-stores for more info on both promotions. Good luck!

2016 Boy Scout Backpack Camporee

Fontana Sports once again attended the yearly Boy Scout Backpack Camporee. It moved to Indian Lake this year which is a beautiful park in Cross Plains. Fontana Sports employees Kevin and Bridger attended and we heard back that the event was lots of fun and the Scouts are ready for their next adventures! A reminder to all that Fontana Sports offers a Boy Scout 10% off camping discount year round! Just show your Boy Scout membership card and we'll take care of you!

Congrats to our #outdoorphotocontest Winners!

Congrats to our ‪#‎outdoorphotocontest‬ Winners! It was a very hard decision for our voting panel as there were many awesome outdoor photos. Thanks to all who participated! Look for the winning photo on the homepage of FontanaSports.com!

1st – Gros Ventre Mountains
2nd – Devil’s Lake Climbing Warm Up
3rd – Mountain Unicyclist

Don't forget we have another great photo contest going on now - 

Stop in at either location and pick up your ‪#‎flatlittleguy‬, post a photo with him on Instagram and be entered for a chance to WIN $500 in SmartWool! 1 winner announced the week of May 16th.

Visit here for more info on this and many more events and contests! 

Spring Ladies Night is May 4th!

Ladies, get ready for Fontana Sports Spring Ladies Night! Enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded outdoor friends, brand representatives and Fontana Sports staff while enjoying free wine, cheese and great deals on the best apparel and gear. Learn how to get involved with local organizations as well as upcoming events and lessons from Fontana Sports. Please 

 join us!

 

Event Highlights (more to follow as we add them!):
- Door prize drawings every 15 minutes including one lucky lady winning a pair of Chaco's!
- Gift for each lady in attendance!
- Merrell Trunk Show - check out the Merrell Women's footwear line and speak with our awesome Rep Mark about any footwear questions you may have - 2 lucky ladies win Merrell shoes or sandals!
- Columbia Sportswear will be in attendance giving away 2 Arcadia Casual Jackets!
- SmartWool When in Roam Kickoff - a chance to win $500 in SmartWool apparel!
- The North Face Fuseform Try On Event -1 lucky lady wins a $200 Fuseform rain jacket!

- Humble Studio Yoga Demo - Participate & get entered to win a gift!

- Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Challenge - 1 lucky lady wins their very own Black Hole Duffel!
- Learn about Tasc - a great, all natural, organic product line - 2 ladies win Tasc tops!
- Sanuk Try-On Event - Try on a pair of Sanuk Yoga Sling's & get entered to win a free pair! 2 winners! 
- Industry Expert advice on Camping + a Sleeping Bag Stuffing Contest with 1 lucky winner winning an Osprey Daylite pack!
- Meet & Greet with local organizations (Ice Age Trail Alliance & River Alliance of Wisconsin)
- Try your hand at casting a fly rod or show us how to do it and earn a prize!

Fontana Sports Spring Ladies Night is being held on Wednesday, May 4th from 5 - 7 pm at our Westside Location - 231 Junction Rd., Madison, WI. We hope to see you there! Click here for more info.

Scout Week Continues through Sunday, April 10th!

Fontana Sports Scout Week has been going great so far! If you haven't been in to see us please stop by soon as the event ends this Sunday. We're recognizing all Scouts with their Boy Scout or Girl Scout card by giving them 20% OFF ALL NON-SALE PURCHASES during this promotion. See in-store for more details. Below are pictures from some of our events this week - Girl Scouts Outdoor Program, Cub Scout Outdoors Program and our Scout Night. We had fun at all the events and want to thank everyone who participated!

April 1^st – 30^th, 2016 - Another way to win great gear!
Just snap a photo of your Scout Troop enjoying the outdoors and post it to Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag “#FontanaSportsSCOUTWEEK2016” and tag “@FontanaSportsSpecialties”. We have first, second and third place prizes for the most creative entries. Winners will be announced on or around May 2^nd, 2016.

For more info on all the Scout Week happenings please visit here or follow us on Facebook. 

Win a $100 Fontana Sports Gift Card & Get your Photo on FontanaSports.com!

How would you like to win $100 Fontana Sports Gift Card AND have your photo featured on FontanaSports.com! Share an original photo of you doing your favorite spring or summer outdoor sport on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag “‪#‎OutdoorPhotoContest‬” and tag “@FontanaSports” to be entered to win! There will be 3 winners - 2nd place will win a $50 gift card & 3rd place a $25 gift card!

Visit our Facebook page for more info and to find out about all the other awesome things we've got going on!

*Sharing a photo constitutes your agreement for Fontana Sports to use it on their website if you’re a winner. Gift card can be used in-stores or online. No limit to entries. All entries must be received by 11:59 pm CST April 15, 2016. Winners announced on April 18, 2016.

April Events & Clinics!

Scout Week – April 4^th – 10^th:
Fontana Sports Scout Week will recognize all Scouts with their Boy Scout or Girl Scout card by giving them 20% OFF ALL NON-SALE PURCHASES. We will also be offering FREE clinics, contests & events to Scouts during the week. Your Troop, Scout individuals and friends/parents of Scouts are invited to attend. Look for more info on the separate Scout Week in-store signage.

Backpacking Basics/How to Set Up Camp
Tuesday, April 5^th at 6 pm/Westside location
Kelty and Slumberjack rep Shawn Thiele has years of experience with the best gear and he knows how to use it! If you are curious as to how to get started backpacking or just need some gear tips this is a great clinic for you. He will talk about how to properly fit and pack a pack as well as showcase some of the innovative new products Kelty has come out with. This is a free event.

Where to Backpack in the Upper Midwest  
Wednesday, April 6^th at 6:00 PM/Downtown Location
Backpacker and Eagle Scout, Todd McMahon (aka Tman) discusses the different places in the Midwest to go backpacking ranging from weekend to weeklong backpacking trips. Everything from Devil’s Lake State Park to the Superior Hiking Trail, Ice Age Trail and North Country Trail. He’ll also touch on the ultra-light backpacking options and strategies he uses including backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, cooking kits, first aid kits and more. Google “I Saw Tman” to learn more. This is a free event.

10^th Annual Fly Fishing Rendezvous –
Thursday, April 7^th from 4 - 7 pm/Westside location
A freebie for all in attendance! We’ll have the latest greatest in fly fishing gear, factory reps on hand, River Alliance of Wisconsin will be giving a talk on “Threats to Wisconsin’s Trout Streams… and What Citizens Can do About Them”, fly tying demos, women's specific products, contests, snacks & beverages. Door prizes given away every 15 minutes! Put your casting skills to the test in the Rio Gold Distance Shoot Out. Get once a year special pricing that day only! This is a free event. We hope you’ll join us!

Intro to Nordic Walking
Wednesday, April 13^th at 10 am/Downtown Location
Join Judith Hutchinson, trained Leki Instructor, as she shows you how to turn your walk into a total-body workout. Enjoy a nice walk outside while learning about the physical and mental benefits of Nordic walking. Please bring appropriate clothing and shoes for walking. Leki Nordic Walking poles will be provided. Space is limited. Contact Elizabeth at 608.662.9706 to reserve your space. This is a free event.

PADDLING BASICS
Wednesday, April 20^th at 6:00 pm/Westside Location
Before you head out on the water, be sure to learn the paddling basics. This class offers you an overview of info on Kayaks & Stand-up Paddleboards. Our expert staff will cover Equipment, Apparel, Trip Planning and Transportation. This is a free event.

BROWNIES OUTDOORS PROGRAMS
Tuesday, April  26^th, 4 – 6 PM
Wednesday, May 18^th, 4-6pm
Thursday, June 16^th, 4-6pm

Indian Lake County Park, Cross Plains
Have fun outdoors with Fontana Sports as you complete your Girl Scout Brownie Hiker Badge. Girls will receive their Girl Scout Brownie Hiker Badge at the program after learning more about the outdoors, making a trail snack and going on a hike. Cost of Program is $10.00 per girl.

Coming Up Next Month in May:

Headlamp Hustle 5K or 10K Trail Run/Walk supporting the Ice Age Trail Alliance
Friday, May 20th, 2016 at 7:30 pm/Table Bluff Segment of the Ice Age Trail, Cross Plains, WI
The Headlamp Hustle is all about having a great time & getting some exercise with other outdoor enthusiasts while raising funds for Ice Age Trail Alliance! Your registration includes a $10 donation to the IATA, T-shirt for the first 100 registrants, race bib, drawstring race bag, professional RFID timing, sports drink at the aid station, 1 beer in a Fontana Sports mug & trail snacks (fruit, energy bars, etc.) Weather Permitting there will be a bonfire & music going after event. Pre-registration is $45 before May 1^st & is required.

GET SET FOR SUMMER BIG TOP TENT SALE
STARTS MAY 12^TH through 15^th/Westside Location
We’re only doing 4 days this May for our Big Top Tent Sale! Come shop in our parking lot under the big top tent for great deals on all the products you love! Get in early for best selection!

 For more info about all these events please click here! We hope you can join us!

Announcing The Wild & Scenic Film Festival Lineup!

Join us on March 16th for The Wild & Scenic Film Festival at the Barrymore Theatre hosted by River Alliance of Wisconsin. We've sponsored this event for years and let us tell you that every year we walk away from the show feeling inspired and determined. It's not to be missed!  

 For more info about the event click here!

Looking for Young Artists!

Our product is their canvas.
Now’s the chance for your little aspiring artist or designer to see their work come to life.

The North Face Crowd Lab is looking for ten designs by young artists (ages 6 to 12) that represent what “Never Stop Exploring” means to them. Enter your child’s artwork and they could be featured in our Fall 2017 Youth collection. Ten winners will have their work appear on The North Face snowsports jackets, hoodies, or T-shirts and win a $200 gift card.

Here's how it works:

1. Download and print the 10x10" square template to have your child create a design on paper OR have them use a computer art program to create their 10"x10" design.

2. Scan and save their on-paper design or save their digitally-created design (jpg or pdf)

3. Submit your child’s design through the form below by February 29th. Don’t forget to have them tell you the inspiration behind their work (in their own words). 

4. On March 15th, twenty finalists - ten boys and ten girls - will be featured for open voting.

The ten designs with the most votes by March 21st will see their idea brought to life and sold online and in-store.

Visit here for more info on how to enter! 

Madison Winter Festival Next Weekend!

Join us next weekend, February 13th and 14th for the Madison Winter Festival! It takes place around the capitol square in downtown Madison. We'll be providing free cross country ski and snowshoe demos and there will be lots of other neat winter activities going on as well. Click here for more info and we hope to see you around our beautiful capitol for some fun Wisconsin winter activities!

Join Us For a Family-Friendly Snowshoe with NHLT!

On February 13th we will be leading a family-friendly snowshoe to Cherokee Marsh.  Bring along a friend and share your passion for conservation. This event offers a great opportunity to get out and about this winter, plus a chance to meet others who are investing in conservation where they live.

Saturday, February 13, 2016 

9:00 am - 11:00 am

What to Bring:  Please bring appropriate clothing, water and snowshoes if there is deep snow. Don't have snowshoes? Rent snowshoes at Fontana Sports and $15 of the $25 rental will be donated to Natural Heritage Land Trust!

Cherokee Marsh was named a “wetland gem” by The Wisconsin Wetlands Association in 2009. Mary Binkley, Natural Heritage Land Trust supporter and naturalist, will lead us along 1.5 miles of easy trails, with a warm beverage and snacks to be enjoyed at the end. If there is little or no snow cover, the event will be a hike instead of a snowshoe. Don't miss this opportunity to visit a place you've helped protect and meet other Natural Heritage Land Trust supporters who share your commitment to conservation where you live.

Thank you to our field trip sponsors:  Fontana Sports

Click here for more information and to register