So far this season, we’ve had two weeks of winter weather and that ended a few days ago with no deep freeze on radar for the foreseeable future. Being honest, I’m OK with warmer weather and no snow but I do enjoy some winter activities and this is the week when they all seem to happen. Today I got a chance to check out the first on the calendar, World Snow Sculpting Championship in Stillwater. The event was born of COVID need. Stillwater is a cute, tourist town and was hard hit by the pandemic. There’s a natural distancing in checking out snow sculptures!
The event started on January 15 – in the middle of our sub-freezing temperatures. Teams had until 2pm on Saturday to sculpt when winners were chosen. The next day moderate temperatures were back. It was 34 degrees, slightly misty and cloudy when we visited today. (So I may have taken some liberties with lightening some photos.) It was perfect weather for viewing but in the hour or two of strolling around we found some warm weather damage happening. You can see what we saw below. Tips for visiting: parking was easy, plenty of shops for lunch or drinks and if you walk across the old lift bridge you ca get an up-close-and-personal picture with the Welcome to Wisconsin sign.
Upcoming activities:
- Jan 25: Minneapolis Institute of Ice at the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Capitalizing on the cold weather for their monthly happy hour, the MiA is hosting a ice sculpture unveiling 5:30–8:30 pm on Thursday, January 25 as a Meet at Mia event. I attended last year but I went way too early. I did get to see the artists creating their works but never saw them finished. I’m hoping to see them tomorrow night. The sculptures will stay up until Mother Nature blows them down. (MiA is always free!) - St Paul Winter Carnival (Jan 25 to Feb 3)
The Winter Carnival has something for everyone – ice fishing contest, royal coronation and scavenger hunt and winter art. I have been following the scavenger hunt, where we get daily clues to find a medallion worth up to $10,000. (I have some ideas on locations if you want to hit me up.) But in terms of art, the Vulcan Snow Park on the State Fairgrounds will be open for the duration (or as long as if safe based on melting) with giant snow sculptures, a snow maze for little kids, a manmade mountain of snow and usually a food truck for donuts and hot chocolate. Then, the Ice Sculptures in Rice Park are gorgeous. There are often events happening and an ice bar on site. Parking is usually pretty easy and most people come and go fairly quickly. (Even 30 degrees feels cold in the midst of ice and standing around.) - Art Shanties (Jan 27 to Feb 11 weekends
Art shanties are super fancy ice fishing houses built on Bdé Umáŋ/Lake Harriet. I get a little spooked walking on a frozen lake, especially when it feels like it wasn’t frozen two weeks ago, but the art shanties are worth the scare. I can’t speak too much to the shanties this year since they open on Saturday but in the past, they have been interactive, beautiful, fun and/or thoughtful. The shanties are open all weekend. There’s also a host of events planned. I’m looking forward to Klezmer on Ice, The World’s Only Wearable ArtContraptions Parade on Ice, Prairie Fire Choir and very curious about Birds & Bees: Stories from Our Sex Talks. - Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival (Jan 27)
Everyone is invited to bring a kite and fly on Bdé Umáŋ/Lake Harriet. Careful readers will note that it’s happening adjacent and simultaneously as the Art Shanties on Saturday. I’ve never participated but I’ve enjoyed watching the kites in the past.
So here’s hoping we have enough winter to enjoy these events – theme I’m waiting on daisies!
Mostly Minnesota 