Hodag Heritage - Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce, WI

Hodag Heritage Days 2021

May 17-22, 2021

The Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce Rhinelander’s newest event: Hodag Heritage Days! The event will run from Monday, May 17^th through Saturday May 22nd. The week will feature art contests, scavenger hunts, Hodag decoration contests, Hodag heritage videos, promoted citywide Hodag foods and beverages, ending with a ‘parked parade’ and Hodag Day Designation ceremony on Friday May 21^st.

Learn more about each fun activity below!
- Hodag Mini Statue Scavenger Hunt
- ‘Hodags Throughout the City’ Scavenger Hunt
- ‘All Things Hodag’ Items List-Celebrate with Hodag themed Beverages, Foods, and Retail Items from All Over Town
- Hodag Heritage Videos
- 3D Hodag Art Contest
- Flat Medium Hodag Art Contest
- Business Hodag Spirit Décor Contest
- Home Hodag Spirit Décor Contest
- Personal Hodag Spirit Contest-Get dressed up!
- Tour de Hodag Bike Ride– All ages and abilities welcome
- Spirit Day-Wear Your Hodag Garb on Friday! (May 21st)
- Parked Parade at Pioneer Park 3-5pm Friday May 21st
- Hodag Day Designation Ceremony – 4pm Friday May 21st
For more information please contact assistant@rhinelanderchamber.com or call 715-365-7464.
Hodag Mini Statue Scavenger Hunt
- 1 Statue will be hidden per day, Monday-Friday the week of May 17th
- A clue will be released on the Chamber’s Facebook page daily at 10am.
- The person to bring that day’s statue to the chamber will receive sweet treat coupons for local businesses
- If no one has claimed the prize, another clue will be released at noon.
- If still no one has claimed the prize, yet another clue will be released at 2pm.
Happy Hunting!
‘Hodags Throughout the City’ Scavenger Hunt

Take advantage of our chamber’s traditional scavenger hunt around town. Pickup an information sheet at the chamber the week of May 17th, or print one here and have fun combing the city for Hodag murals and statues. Not all statues look the same so keep your eyes peeled! Bring your checked off form to the chamber between May 17th and May 21st (by noon) and receive a Hodag prize bundle complete with a Hodag frisbee, mini Hodag beach ball, and Hodag keychain flashlight!

Scavenger Hunt Form Here
All Things Hodag Items List

Check back to this page the week of May 17th or the Northwoods Star Journal’s May 12th issue for the complete list of all Hodag related food, beverage, and retail items throughout town! You can also pick up a physical copy at the Hodag Store! Some Hodag items are permanent; some are for a limited time so hurry in and check out your local businesses! Hodags love it when you shop local!

Are you a business with a Hodag item? Email it to assistant@rhinelanderchamber.com by May 3rd to be included!

“All Things Hodag” List Here!
Hodag Heritage Videos

Videos by Kerry Bloedorn of the Pioneer Park Historical Complex and Ben Brunell of the Hodag Store

Can’t get enough of the hodag? This creative duo is teaming up to create and share more heritage with you! A new video showcasing the area’s history will be released on Facebook each weekday the week of May 17th. You don’t want to miss this!
3D Hodag Art Contest

Showcase your creativity by decorating a 6” Hodag Statue! Starting April 22nd fill out the form below and turn in to the chamber to receive your ‘blank’ Hodag statue. Decorate it according to this year’s theme. Then return the statue to Tom’s Drawing Board by May 14th at noon. All artwork will be on display there from May 17th through May 21st. Judges from Tom’s Drawing Board, Diane’s Frame Shoppe, and ArtStart will choose a first and second place winner from the children’s category (age 1-11) and the adult’s category (age 12+).

Children’s first place winner will receive an Imaginuity gift certificate and trophy, second place a trophy. Adult’s first place winner will receive $50 in Chamber Bucks and a trophy, second place a trophy. Winners will be announced at the May 21st Hodag ceremony at Pioneer Park, need not be present to win.

More specific details located on the form below. Have fun and good luck!
- 3D Art Contest Form
Flat Medium Art Contest

Use watercolor, oil, pastels, pencil/colored pencil, acrylics, etc (no photography) to create your version of this year’s theme: The History of the Hodag. Fill out the entry form below and return to the Rhinelander Chamber by May 3rd for your chance to be included. Turn in your art to Diane's Frame Shoppe by May 14th noon.

Artwork will be on display at Diane’s Frame Shoppe from May 17th-May 21st. Judges from Tom’s Drawing Board, Diane’s Frame Shoppe, and ArtStart will choose a first and second place winner from the children’s category (age 1-11) and the adult’s category (age 12+).

Children’s first place winner will receive an Imaginuity gift certificate and trophy, second place a trophy. Adult’s first place winner will receive $50 in Chamber Bucks and a trophy, second place a trophy. Winners will be announced at the May 21st Hodag ceremony at Pioneer Park, need not be present to win.

More specific details located on the form below. Have fun and good luck!
- Flat Medium Contest Form
Hodag Spirit Contests

Business Hodag Spirit Contest

Feeling the spirit?? Decorate your business inside or out, and submit just 1 photo by email to assistant@rhinelanderchamber.com by May 19th at noon and be entered to win the coveted Golden Hodag Trophy, $50 in Chamber Bucks, a certificate for free popcorn from the Fun Factory Sweet Shoppe and bragging rights of course. Winners will be announced at the Hodag Ceremony at 4pm on Friday May 21st at Pioneer Park. Don’t worry, we want everyone to stop by your business and see your handiwork, so we will publish a map on May 19th so all can visit!

Home Hodag Spirit Contest

Want to feel the Hodag Spirit at Home too? Decorate your home inside or out, and submit just 1 photo and address by email to assistant@rhinelanderchamber.com by May 19th at noon and be entered to win a Golden Hodag Trophy, $25 in Chamber Bucks, a certificate for free popcorn from the Fun Factory Sweet Shoppe! Winners will be announced at the Hodag Ceremony at 4pm on Friday May 21st at Pioneer Park. A map will be published of Hodag themed homes and businesses on May 19th (optional) so be sure to leave your décor up for all to see!

Personal Hodag Spirit Contest

A green tutu, some horns, a toothy grin…wear anything and everything to give yourself the most Hodag spirit. Take a selfie and email it to assistant@rhinelanderchamber.com by May 19th at noon and be entered to win a Golden Hodag Trophy, $25 in Chamber Bucks, a certificate for free popcorn from the Fun Factory Sweet Shoppe! Can you top everyone in town? Be sure to wear your garb again on Friday, May 21st for Hodag Spirit Day!
Tour de Hodag Bike Ride

Get out and enjoy the beautiful countryside by participating in the first ever Tour de Hodag group bike trail ride. Lead by Val Foley, the group will depart from the Hwy K Bearskin Trailhead at 10am Saturday, May 22nd. They plan to bike 3 miles out and 3 miles back for a total of 6 miles; about an hour ride at leisure pace. All levels of bikers welcome as you can turn around at any time if you prefer. Helmets required.
Wear Your Hodag Garb on Friday!

In true Hodag fashion, we invite everyone from all ages to wear as much green and white as you can on Friday, May 21st! This announcement is being shared with the school district as well so have the whole family dress up for the occasion!
Parked Parade

Join the Rhinelander Chamber for their first ever Hodag Heritage ‘Parked’ Parade! Going the non-traditional route this year, floats will be lined up on Martin Lynch Drive in Pioneer Park from 3pm to 5pm on May 21st. Drive by or take the walking route past the world’s greatest Hodag themed floats! For the young and the young at heart you have never seen floats like this before!

Want to join in on the fun? Fill out a parade entry form below and enter a float for FREE! Everyone would love to see your creativity! Set up is from 1 to 3pm Friday, May 21st. 2021 Theme is ‘History of the Hodag’. Must stay set up until 5pm.
- Parade Entry Form
Hodag Heritage Ceremony

The first of its kind, the Hodag Heritage Ceremony will be something never seen in the history of the Hodag. Big Dog DJ Service will kick it off with some pre-ceremony music. At 4 o’clock the official Hodag will make his entrance and the ceremony will begin. Following the week’s contest winner announcements, the crowd will hear from co-sponsors Kerry Bloedorn of the Pioneer Park Historical Complex and Ben Brunell from the Hodag Store. Lastly, the official Hodag Day Designation will take place. Stop by for this one-of-a-kind event! Social distancing is appreciated.

Upcoming Events

Event Partners
Pioneer Park Historical Complex

The Hodag Store
2021 Media Sponsors
Day Sponsors
Activity Sponsors
Event Sponsors

AmericInn by Wyndham
ArtStart
Big Dog DJ Service
Culver's
Diane's Frame Shoppe
Fun Factory Sweet Shoppe
Imaginuity
Pizza Ranch
Rhinelander Flying Service
Tom's Drawing Board