Textile exhibit showcasing Hmong history at The Paine, Polar Plunge among can’t-miss events in Oshkosh

OSHKOSH — A textile exhibit showcasing Hmong history opens Feb. 10 at the Paine Art Center.

There's also a chance to plunge into the freezing waters of Lake Winnebago for the annual Polar Plunge (yes, it's still cold), or take part in festivities at EAA's Winter Flight Fest.

You might also like to visit downtown Oshkosh during the Chocolate Stroll to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Here are your can't-miss events happening in the community this week.

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1. New textile exhibit at The Paine features Hmong history

An exhibit by Green Bay artist and maker Mao Lor will open Feb. 10 at the Paine Art Center and Gardens. “Mao Lor: A Journey through Hmoob Paj Ntaub” will feature Hmong textile artworks spanning 40 years of Hmong history and culture.

According to a news release, Lor has been creating Hmoob paj ntaub (Hmong textiles) that convey the vitality of Hmong art, history and culture for more than 40 years. As a teenager, she was forced to flee her home country of Laos following the end of the Secret War in Laos and the Vietnam War in 1975. She had begun learning the skills and concepts for creating paj ntaub as a young girl from her mother, and she further developed her craft while living in a refugee camp in Thailand.

Since immigrating to Green Bay in 1984, Mao has created hundreds of textiles that she and her family have sold at art fairs throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest, including the Paine. The exhibition features two dozen of Lor’s intricately hand-sewn and embroidered artworks.

The exhibition is co-curated by historian Chong Ntxoo Moua and artist Ger Xiong/Ntxawg Xyooj and includes a documentary film by Soua Vang.

For more information, visit thepaine.org.

2. Brave the cold waters for a cause during Polar Plunge

The Special Olympics 2024 Polar Plunge will be Feb. 10 at Oshkosh’s Menominee Park.

The event begins with registration and plunger check-in from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Plunging begins at noon. The day will include live music, food and beverage options, souvenirs and Chilly Bear will be available for photos.

Participants also can pre-register from 4 to 8 p.m. Feb. 7 at The Bar, 825 N. Washburn St., Oshkosh.

Organizers are asking all donations be made online in an effort to reduce cash handling when checking in.

Register for the plunge or support a plunger online at plungeWI.org.

Polar Plunge is Special Olympics Wisconsin’s largest annual fundraiser, this winter celebrating its 25th anniversary. This year’s statewide goal is to raise $1 million. For more on Special Olympics, visit SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org.

3. Full day of events scheduled during Winter Flight Fest

The annual Winter Flight Fest will bring family activities and the popular skiplane fly-in to the EAA Aviation Museum Feb. 10. Activities will run 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Special events are included with regular museum admission. The day is designed for all ages.

Some of the hands-on activities include a Wright Flyer simulator, paper airplane launcher, aviator BINGO, pararescue challenge, indoor model airplane flying and rotorcrafting.

Open to all ages, with divisions for youth and adults, is an airplane model-building contest. There is no entry fee. Contestants can build their models prior to Feb. 10, but must have their models registered at the museum’s Air Racing Gallery by 1 p.m. Judging begins at 2 p.m., with winners announced immediately following judging.

Pilots from throughout the upper Midwest will join the Skiplane Fly-In at Pioneer Airport. Skiplane arrivals begin at 9 a.m. with all of them departing by 2 p.m. Museum visitors are welcome to walk among the parked airplanes. The fly-in is weather permitting. The makeup date is Feb. 17.

Shuttles will operate from the museum to Pioneer Airport throughout the day.

For more information, visit eaa.org.

4. Chocolate Stroll returns to downtown Oshkosh Feb. 10

The Downtown Oshkosh Chocolate Stroll returns Feb. 10. Stroll the 100 to 700 blocks of North Main Street to sample chocolate treats from 1 to 4 p.m.

Registration is required as there are limited tickets available. Participants will receive a map with each participating business marked. Tickets are $20 at eventbrite.com.

Registration will be open 1 to 2 p.m. at the Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau, 100 N. Main St., Suite 112.

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5. Fox Cities Golf Expo to run Feb. 9-11 at Sunnyview

The Fox Cities Golf Expo will take over the Sunnyview Expo Center Feb. 9-11.

The expo will include exhibitors from local golf shops, golf equipment companies and golf courses, demonstrations and door prizes.

Event hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 9; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 10; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 11.

Admission is $7 at the door. Youth 16 and younger are admitted free with a paid adult. Free admission for veterans.

The expo center is at 500 E. County Y. For more information, visit foxcitiesgolfexpo.com.

Contact Mara Wegner at mwegner@gannett.com or 920-996-7241.

This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh Paine museum opens Hmong exhibit, Polar Plunge at Menominee Park