A closer look at flyover land

February Festivals

We’re getting there, folks—winter’s chugging along, and although it’s not over, Groundhog’s Day is this week, and it’s the shortest month of the year, and it’s practically March…hang in there. Here are some fun things to do.

Note: over at Wander Minnesota, I posted some Valentine’s weekend suggestions. Also, there are numerous Polar Bear Plunges around the state, which I haven't detailed here; you can learn more at Explore Minnesota.

St. Paul
St. Paul Winter Carnival
Feb. 1-6
Take that, you stupid New York reporters of the late 1800’s; Minnesota is not “another Siberia, unfit for human habitation in the winter.” And with that, a cherished annual festival was created. Coronations, ice-carving contests, snow-block building, snow sculptures, a lavish torchlight parade, hockey tournaments, a 5k and half-marathon, maybe even snow soccer. Don’t be a wimp. 

Ely
Winter Festival
Feb. 3-13
If you can’t find something to do at this festival, you’re a curmudgeon indeed. Learn how to sculpt snow, take a dog sled ride, attend a dance, enjoy live music, visit the Dorothy Molter Museum, go snowshoeing or skiing, and attend the Mukluk Ball.

Waseca
Sleigh and Cutter Festival
Feb. 4-6, 8-13, 18-20
Waseca celebrates its heritage with some fun old-time activities. A kickball tournament (yes, outdoors), vintage snowmobile ride, old-fashioned ice harvest, a golf tournament, and snowmobile races.

Grand Marais
Winter Tracks Festival
Feb. 4-13
View outdoor art, including snow sculptures, and watch hardy artists painting in the elements; take a guided snowshoe hike; take the kids to the family festival; go downhill or cross-country skiing or ice skating; or take in a variety of live entertainment and dining options in the Lutsen area.

Whalan
Candlelight Ski
Feb. 5
Ski along the Root River Trail, which will be lined with candles. What could be lovelier?

Zimmerman
Winterfest
Feb. 5
Check out the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday to learn about how people and animals survive the winter. Snowshoeing and cross-country guided trips will be offered, and be sure to make a reservation for the nature photography workshop. There’ll be crafts, a bonfire, and sleigh rides too.

Palo
Laskiainen Finnish Sliding Festival
Feb. 5-6
A festival celebrating the area’s Finnish heritage, with vintage sledding options and foods, crafts, and music.

Spicer
Winter Fest
Feb. 5-6
This is the last weekend of Spicer’s annual celebration of the season. Enjoy a wine tasting at Glacial Ridge Winery, snowmobile drag racing, a poker tournament, and snowmobile radar runs.
http://www.glacialridgewinery.com/

St. Paul
A Scottish Ramble
Feb. 19-20
Stop by the Landmark Center and enjoy bagpipes, dancing, shopping, traditional foods, and, of course, kilts.

Apple Valley
Tropical Beach Party
Feb. 19-21
If you’ve had about enough of winter, then head out to the Minnesota Zoo over President’s Day weekend. It’s beach time. Yes, really—there’ll be plenty of sand for everyone to play with.

Bemidji
Logging Days
Feb. 26
Horse-drawn sleigh rides, logging activities, and skiing.

Making weather, bammers and variations

Oh, those wacky folks over at Kare 11, they used the recent abominable cold snap to make weather, bammers, twammers, cammers...see for yourself.

 

This will be worth watching

Leif Petterson is going to spend the next two weeks living his life completely indoors, courtesy of the Minneapolis skyways.

Friday food

What is our great state known for, culinarily? Is it our Scandinavian heritage, with lefse and lutefisk and various decadent pastries? The rich (and increasing) ethnic variety, including eastern European groups, Asian, and Hmong? Is it the rising stars of the foodie corner, people like Tim McKee and Isaac Becker?

Apparently not. 

January festivals

Sure, it's cold. Sure, there's snow. But really, you'll feel better about it all if you get out of the house.

St. Paul
Wells Fargo WinterSkate in Rice Park
Daily through Feb. 6; check the website for hours and weather cancellations
Enjoy one of winter’s most charming rituals in one of the Twin Cities’ most charming locations. Ice skate rental available for $2 on a first-come, first-served basis (free for Wells Fargo customers).

Minneapolis
Winter Kite Festival
Jan. 8 (or Jan. 15, if weather/ice aren’t favorable on the 10th)
The Minnesota Kite Society struts its stuff at this annual tradition on Lake Harriet. Beautiful, elaborate kites are flown, but newbies can get tips from the experts and buy inexpensive kits on the spot. Or bring your own. Or just watch the others while enjoying toasted marshmallows and ice-fishing demos.

International Falls
Icebox Days
Jan. 12-16
It was Icebox Days, then it was Blast on the Border, and now it’s—Icebox Days. Whatever you call it, the good people up on the Canadian border show that they have extreme stamina for the cold with this festival, including the “Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard” 5k and 10k runs, snow creations, poker, bridge, and darts tournaments, a chili cook-off, snowmobile races, and lighted snowshoe hikes in Voyageurs National Park.

Pine City
Winter Frolic
Jan. 15
Dogsled rides, games of snow snake, snowshoeing, curling, and hot cocoa by a warm fire at the North West Company Fur Post.

Bemidji
Brrrrmidji Polar Daze
Jan. 15-23
Broomball, sled derbies, jumping in the lake (definitely not for the faint of heart), a 5k run/walk, even a lighted night trail cross-country ski race. Oh, and lots and lots of food.  

St. Paul
St. Paul Winter Carnival
Jan. 27-Feb. 6
Take that, you stupid New York reporters of the late 1800’s; Minnesota is not “another Siberia, unfit for human habitation in the winter.” And with that, a cherished annual festival was created. Coronations, ice-carving contests, snow-block building, snow sculptures, a lavish torchlight parade, hockey tournaments, a 5k and half-marathon, maybe even snow soccer. Don’t be a wimp. 

Winona
Frozen River Film Festival
Jan. 26-30
Independent and foreign films abound in this annual festival. Besides an extensive film list, enjoy live music performances and programs lead by leading environmentalists and locavores.

Duluth
Robert Burns’ Night Dinner
Jan. 29
The Duluth Scottish Heritage Association sponsors this annual event, this year falling on the 250th anniversary of the Scottish poet’s birth. Dinner, poetic revelry, traditional music and dancing. No mention of whether or not haggis is on the menu. Reservations required.

Brainerd
Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza
Jan. 22
The prize? $150k. The goal? The biggest fish. The best part? Proceeds go to more than 50 local charities, with this year’s primary charity the Confidence Learning Center. Oh—and no, they don’t sell beer on the ice. Just so you know. There’s also a Youth Ice Olympics that day.
 
Duluth
John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
Jan. 28-Feb. 3
The 28th running of this race commemorates, as always, the life of John Beargrease, Chippewa native who delivered mail by dog sled along the frozen North Shore in the late 1800s. It’s the longest race in the lower 48, and acts as a qualifying run for Alaska’s Iditarod. Several days of events surround the actual race, which starts on Jan. 30.

Happy 2011!

Highway 2, south of Bemidji.