Fondue Fest History:

The downtown Fall Festival began in 2000 when downtown merchants wanted to celebrate the reopening of Main Street following a lengthy construction project. Shops put sales on the street, and other vendors were invited. Since then, the festival has grown exponentially in every aspect: participation, attractions and attendance.

In 2007 the festival was given a new name – Fond du Lac Fondue Fest – and it attracted more than 15,000 attendees. The centerpiece for the festival became the World’s Largest Fondue Set, which was created by an engineering and fabrication team from Brenner Tank. The “World’s Largest” name was conferred by the Guinness Book of World Records, and presented to the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership. This re-styled event attracted visitors and vendors from throughout the Midwest, and was covered by media outlets from throughout Wisconsin and the Chicago Sun-Times. The festival was even covered nationally by CNN. Blogs and other Internet media sources provided additional buzz. The event was a great success, and raised more than $3,000 for the Fond du Lac AC Agribusiness Council.

This year the festival will have a number of different palate-pleasing fondues, prepared and presented by students of the Culinary Arts Program at Moraine Park Technical College and the Fond du Lac Optimists' Club. Other favorite events will return, including the Kids' Zone, music stages, plus great food and great fun!

Fondue Fest gives the downtown the opportunity to show their endurance, the strength of their friendships and a chance to celebrate community in the downtown.