Source: Heather Sairs
Feb 20, 2025, 10:16 AM CST
Nekoosa, Wis. (WFHR, WIRI) – Mr. Wakley’s Winter Feast on February 15, 2025 brings guests from all around for the annual celebration. Around 120 brave souls ventured out to the Nekoosa Community Center on one of the snowiest days we’ve seen so far this winter. This event happens yearly around Valentines Day with great food and entertainment.
Around a dozen volunteers worked to prepare the feast. Historic Point Basse works with a couple of trappers who provide the wild game for the feast. This year the wild game dishes included racoon, beaver, and venison. There were also squirrel dishes on the menu which was new this year.
It was a veritable feast at The Nekoosa Community Center with dishes covering a twenty-four foot spread. The wild game dishes are clearly marked for guests. The crew also provided chicken and ham for those with less adventurous palettes. There was even a lamb shank under a heat lamp with fresh cuts from the chef.
The event is a big fundraiser for Historic Point Basse. It happens annually since 1989. Volunteer Mike Hittner said it started in the Biron Community Hall. After the hall was taken down, the feast moved to the Knights of Columbus Hall on Highway 73 West, and now moved to the Nekoosa Community Center. The feast helped keep attention on Historic Point Basse in the early years when they didn’t have a site readily available to the public. Now, it’s become an annual tradition enjoyed by all.
Work is moving forward at the Historic Point Basse site on the newly donated Saratoga Town Hall and the historic Wakley House. The cold weather has slowed work on the Town Hall. The Wakley House is still up in the air while they’re working on the new foundation and basement. Once it’s set on the new foundation, the Wakley House will open to the public in spring. The Saratoga Town Hall will have more work during the next year before it will be opened.
There are many upcoming events at Historic Point Basse. You can also get involved by volunteering. If you would like to hear more about Mr. Wakley’s Winter Feast, you can listen to James J. Malouf and the interview with Mike Hittner and Tom Brehmer on Mid-Day Magazine from February 4, 2025.
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