Winter Realms, the winter attraction from the creators of Ice Castles that debuted at Lake Geneva last winter has been put, well, on ice for now.
The event, which was doomed by weather in recent seasons, will not return for now, organizers say.
The Winter Realms debut opened Jan. 26 and closed Feb. 8 because of warm weather.
The previous year's Ice Castles closed after just three days for the same reason at the same venue, Geneva National Resort.
"This decision comes in light of the record-breaking warm weather experienced in the area over the last few years, which has posed challenges for delivering the magical experience that guests have come to love," organizers said in a statement issued Wednesday.
"The company will spend the next year focusing on innovating a concept that lives up to the standards guests expect and deserve and hope to return to Lake Geneva in the future."
Kyle Standifird, Ice Castles CEO, added, “It has been a true pleasure to host our enchanting winter attraction at Geneva National, where we have had the joy of creating lasting memories for families and friends over the years.
"We are incredibly thankful for the support received and the happiness we have shared with the thousands of guests.”
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
