The unique Madison festival, Kites on Ice, will take place this Saturday and Sunday just off the Memorial Union Terrace on the ice of Lake Mendota.

The event traditionally takes place on Lake Monona near the Monona Terrace, but it switched locations partly due to renovations ongoing in Monona Terrace.

The festival includes kite flying and skiing, ground displays, giant kites, a wind garden and many more activities. Most events take place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and will include a musically choreographed flight of kites ending with fireworks, according to a University of Wisconsin press release.

The Hoofers will participate in the festival by holding their winter carnival on Lake Mendota. They will offer a student broomball tournament, ice golfing and more.

UW academic staff are getting involved, too, with Zoology professor emeritus John Magnuson presenting “The Physics of Ice,” and Engineering Professional Development Professor Emeritus, C. Allen Wortley telling listeners how “Ice is Nice.”

Other workshops, programs and exhibits will take place inside the Union where food services will be offered. A hospitality tent on the lake will provide refreshments.

UW Transportation services will offer free parking at many of the University-owned lots this weekend. Free buses are also offered between Lot 60 and the Union, while the Lakeshore path remains closed between Marsh Lane and the Limnology Lab Building.

Lake Street north of Langdon Street will be closed to traffic, and Lake Mendota will also be closed to thoroughfare. A donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children is asked for attending the event and workshops.

More information on the event, presented by Charter Communications, is available at http://www.madfest.org/kites/index.html.