Bundle up for this year’s winter festival fun

It is winter in Minnesota so it must be carnival time. Come enjoy what is in store to the north in St. Paul, to the southeast in Rochester, and to the southwest in Waseca. You might want to bundle up in lots of layers to explore all the outdoor activities awaiting you. They all start this week and run through mid-February.

The granddaddy of these popular winterfests is the St. Paul Winter Carnival, dating back to the late 1800s. In the January 2016 edition of the Saint Paul Magazine, Dana Bedingfield tells the story this way: “…in the winter of 1885, a visiting newspaper reporter declared Saint Paul in winter to be “another Siberia, unfit for human habitation.” The Chamber of Commerce took offense at this unfounded insult. They decided that Saint Paul should show the world that when you are blessed with this much winter there is only one thing to do—celebrate it! Winter Carnival!” And so they have, year after year after year. Over 130 years of carnivals, and each year adds something new to its traditions and history. Read about the history here and about the Legend behind the history here.

Signature events not to be missed take place or end at Rice Park. At the top of the list are the parades. There are a total of three—the Moon Glow Pedestrian walking parade for visitors, volunteers, and everyone; the King Grand Day Parade to welcome the newly crowned royalty and friends; and the Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade, full of light and fireworks. Go here for times and information. Special sights include the Ice Palace and Ice Sculpture Garden. To help you appreciate how special these palaces are, visit the ice palaces from the past dating back to the first in 1886. This carnival offers many activities and events for people of all ages from music to food to the Minnesota Made Market. For those on the prowl, take in the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt, or the Securian Winter Run or the cat show—this one is indoors—or cheer for your favorite robotic snowplow as they compete. If you want to feel like royalty yourself, go here to find out how to join the royalty, become a festival member or participate in fundraising. This winter festival has much to offer.

In the southeastern corner of the state is Rochester. Every winter, they invite their community to come together for citywide fun including all things ice, snow, and old-fashioned fun. For ice lovers you will find ice fishing, the Polar Plunge, ice skating, walking or running, mini-golf, skiing and snowshoeing, and curling. For snow fun there are snow activities at the nature center, a snowball softball tournament, a cardboard sled race, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. They invite you indoors as well to eat, play and be merry, to shop, volunteer, and donate. And, that’s just the beginning. Come be part of a giving community. This is the Rochester WinterFest.

Heading west to Waseca will take you to a small town where, since 1950, simple games indoor and out, have been remembered and celebrated. “The “Waseca Sleigh and Cutter Festival” has truly evolved into a community event attended by people of all ages. Horse owners from around the area bring their magnificent animals of every breed for the Saturday parade down Waseca’s State Street. Beautiful, sleighs, cutters, bobsleds, and various types of buggies, wagons and riders on horseback can be seen on the parade route. Only animal-powered units are allowed.” The parade is only one event. They feature music, food, and family fun as well as ICE—curling, golf, sculpting, hockey tournament, and vintage snowmobile rides, and tournaments for games from the past, or present, like bean bags, bridge, cribbage, euchre, pfeffer card, and poker. Treasure hunts and pageants add to the mystery and glamour.

Enjoy the weather and enjoy the winter while you enjoy the communities around you. May your New Year be full of adventure and friend making.

Credit: facebook.com/stpaulwinter/

Pmarkham at minnesotageek.net