MANITOWOC, Wis. (WFRV) — More than 60 years after a piece of the Soviet satellite Sputnik IV crash-landed in the middle of North Eighth Street, Manitowoc turned that moment of space history into one of Wisconsin’s quirkiest festivals.
The grounds of the Rahr-West Art Museum came alive Saturday with music, costumes and community spirit as Sputnikfest 2025 took over downtown Manitowoc.
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“This is Sputnikfest, and this is a celebration of an actual historical occurrence in 1962,” said Greg Vadney, Executive Director of the Rahr-West Art Museum. “The Sputnik Four spacecraft crash-landed here in Manitowoc and the largest recovered piece was right outside the museum.”
Vadney said the event has grown beyond its historical roots and is now about giving people a chance to be creative and have fun.
“It’s about the costumes,” Vadney said. “We have a contest for kids, adults, and even pets. This is an oddity no other place can claim — and all the proceeds go toward Rahr-West programming all year long.”
Dozens of contestants showed off original looks, like Mary Hamachek from Manitowoc, who has been attending the festival for years.
“I kinda just made it up,” Hamachek said, describing her costume. “I’m from the planet Omega Nine. I think people should embrace their weirdness, and this is the perfect place to do it.”
Beyond the costumes, the event featured live music, kids’ activities, skits by Masquers Inc., and even 3D-printed droids built by Matthew Duncan from Sherwood.
“How many other places have gotten hit by a chunk of Sputnik?” Duncan said. “So it’s nice to come out and show off your nerdiness for the day.”
Vadney said the festival also opens the doors of the Rahr-West Art Museum to the entire community.
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“Some people don’t feel like they belong in a museum,” Vadney said. “But this says to everyone, you belong. This is an event for everybody.”
Organizers say all proceeds from Sputnikfest will go toward arts and education programming at the Rahr-West Art Museum, ensuring the event continues to benefit the community year-round.
