After seven years without one, former Polish Regatta-goers are in luck because this weekend Pitlik’s Resort in Eagle River is bringing back the event with a new winter twist.

This new event will have similar games as in the past and will focus on family fun. There will be games for children and adults of all ages including ice bowling, ice golf, ice pong and a ring toss challenge.

A two day pond hockey tournament featuring different teams from throughout the Midwest begins Friday, Jan. 27, at 10:30 a.m. Later in the evening there will be an ice fish fry from 5 to 9 p.m., accompanied by some soulful and higher energy music performed by Michael Saint.

Saturday’s events will begin at 11 a.m. with food and refreshments. According to Gary Pitlik, general manager, the highlight of the regatta will be the North Woods largest outdoor winter cornhole tournament starting Saturday at 11 a.m.

The tournament will consist of 64 two-person teams with a double elimination bracket, set for ages 14 and older. Teams have until 9 p.m. on Jan. 27 to register.

Regatta-style games will be brought back for adults inside the tent Saturday evening, accompanied by music from local DJ Justin Pitlik. The awards from the weekend festivities will also be handed out Saturday at 6 p.m.

“For the past seven years I have been asked more than a thousand times about when we are bringing the regatta back,” said Pitlik. “Well, we are bringing it back in a different format this winter.”

Although the event was a big success for 15 years, Pitlik’s stopped hosting the Polish regatta after the August, 2015, event due to the lack of volunteer help. This year however, Pitlik’s has enlisted the support of the Sugar Camp Safety Committee (SCSC), which will provide the volunteers needed to staff the event.

The SCSC was created amongst several resort patrons that began frequenting the Pitlik’s taproom more than a dozen years ago. As a charitable organization, the group has distributed more than $10,000 in the past seven years.

“The group’s many philanthropic efforts promoting goodwill have continued the ‘Pitlik’s Resort tradition of creating traditions’,” said Pitlik. “The proceeds from the 2023 winter regatta will be donated back to the SCSC.”

For more information or to donate to the event, visit pitliksresort.com.