Explore Minnesota Events Report for December 31

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Explore Minnesota Events Report for December 31

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NORTHERN MINNESOTA

The Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth will be the site of ZOO YEAR'S EVE on Monday, December 31. Visitors will enjoy sliding, skating, zoo visits, cookies and a fireworks display. To learn more, dial 218/723-3748, or visit www.lszoo.org

The LAKE BEMIDJI CLASSIC VINTAGE SNOWMOBILE RACE will be held Saturday, January 5 on Lake Bemidji behind the Hampton Inn Hotel and Suites in downtown Bemidji. Hot Laps will begin at 9 a.m. and racing starts at noon. For further information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.sledsracing.com

Mille Lacs Kathio State Park, located just north of the city of Onamia, will offer a WINTER BIRDS program on Saturday, January 5. A presentation will be given at the picture windows where the bird feeders are visible, with information on the behavior of the birds that are seen, the food and shelter they need, and how to identify winter birds. To find out more, dial 320/532-3269, or visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/mille_lacs_kathio/index.html

The 9TH ANNUAL WARMER BY THE LAKE will be held January 5 at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth. Participants will enjoy ice skating, snow shoeing, marshmallow roasting, hayrides, live music in a large warming tent, and free hot chocolate and cookies. In addition, check out the wonderful light displays, and stay for the fireworks display at 5pm. For more information, dial 218/730-4300, or check out www.visitduluth.com

Breezy Point Resort, located in the town of Breezy Point, will hold their annual ICE FEST on Friday and Saturday, January 11 & 12, with horse-drawn sleigh rides, bonfires, an ice dance, live entertainment, snowmobile radar runs, children's events, fireworks, a karaoke contest, pancake breakfast, an ice slide, ice sculptures, an ice bar, snow golf, and the Power Ice Auger World Championship. To learn more, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

WEDDING EXPO 2008 will be held at the St. Cloud Civic Center in St. Cloud on Sunday, January 13. Highlights include over 60 exhibitors, fashion shows, live music, prize drawings, and more! For further information, dial 320/203-4860, or check out www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/CivicCenter/CCindex.htm

The North West Company Fur Post in Pine City will host their annual WINTER FROLIC on Saturday, January 19, with a chance to play a round of snow snake, try snowshoeing, learn about winter travel during the fur trade era, and learn about curling and the game's connection to the North West Company. Afterwards, warm up by the fireplace, sip a cup of cocoa or visit the exhibit gallery. To learn more, dial 320/629-6356, or visit www.mnhs.org/nwcfurpost

The BRRRRMIDJI POLAR DAYS FESTIVAL will be held January 19 throughout the city of Bemidji. This annual celebration of winter features turkey bowling, a sled derby, golf on ice, broomball, snowshoeing, a Polar Plunge, and the 5K Polar Challenge. For more information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.bemidji.org

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TWIN CITIES GREATER METROPOLITAN VICINITY

The American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis will be the site of A NORDIC CHRISTMAS through Sunday, January 6. Come discover the holiday traditions of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Finland, with decorated trees and table settings. The ILLUMINATION OF A SAINT: THE LEGEND OF SANTA LUCIA will also be offered through January 6, with photographs and story panels detailing Lucia's beginnings as a fourth-century Christian martyr, the legends surrounding her, and how the holiday is celebrated today. For more information, dial 612/871-4907, or visit www.americanswedishinst.org

The Minneapolis Institute of Art in Minneapolis will offer HOLIDAY TRADITIONS through January 13, with tours of the lavishly decorated Period Rooms, costumed guides, and wonderful holiday shopping at the Museum Shop. Weekend visitors will also want to consider a trip to the Purcell-Cutts House, a Prairie School-style home, specially decked-out in early 20th-century Christmas décor. To find out more, and for rates and times, dial 612/870-3030, or check out www.artsmia.org

A CANDLELIGHT WALK will be offered at Fort Snelling State Park in St. Paul on New Year’s Eve, Monday, December 31, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., with ice skating, a winter walk, and refreshments by a fire. The skating rink and hiking trails will be lined with candlelit luminaries, and all ingredients needed to make s’mores will be available! For further information, dial 612/725-2724, or visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fort_snelling/index.html

Buck Hill Ski Area in Burnsville will hold their annual NEW YEAR'S EVE BASH on December 31, with live music, food and drink specials, a fireworks display, torchlight parade, free Tarot readings, free Glitter Glam hair-dos, teathered hot air balloon rides, and of course plenty of skiing, snowtubing and snowboarding. For more information, dial 952/435-7174, or check out www.buckhill.com

A WASHBURN A-MILL TOUR will be offered at the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis on Saturday, January 5 at 1 p.m. This guided tour offers an in-depth look at the historic Washburn A-Mill complex, with information on the lives of the men and women who worked there, how the building functioned during its peak flour milling years, and the many changes to the building over time. The tour includes admission to the museum gallery, as well as the Flour Tower show and the new film "Minneapolis in 19 Minutes Flat." The tour will also be offered January 19, February 2 and February 16. Reservations are required. To reserve a spot, dial 612/341-7555, or visit www.millcitymuseum.org for more information.

Fort Snelling State Park in St. Paul will present CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING BASICS on Saturday, January 5 at 10 a.m., with lessons on using your new or old skis. Ski rental is not available. And on Sunday, January 6 at 1 p.m., Fort Snelling will also offer LEARNING TO SNOWSHOE, with a guided snowshoe walk. Bring your own snowshoes, or use a pair from the park. Reservations are requested, by dialing 612/725-2724. To learn more, check out www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fort_snelling/index.html

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
DON RICKLES and SINBAD at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, December 31
TRAMPLED BY TURTLES at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, December 31
VH1'S ROCK OF LOVE NEW YEARS EVE with BRET MICHAELS at The Myth in Maplewood, December 31
BARRY MANILOW at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, January 11, 2008
SESAME STREET LIVE : WHEN ELMO GROWS UP at the Target Center in Minneapolis, January 16, 2008
BILL ENGVALL at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, January 18, 2008
THE 2008 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS at the Xcel Energy Center, January 20-27, 2008
TODD RUNDGREN at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, January 22, 2008
LENNY KRAVITZ at The Myth, January 24, 2008
The MARTINA MCBRIDE WAKE UP LAUGHING TOUR at the Target Center, January 26, 2008
QUEENSRYCHE at The Myth in Maplewood, January 26, 2008
DANIEL TOSH at the Pantages Theatre, February 1, 2008
MATCHBOX TWENTY at the Xcel Energy Center, February 4, 2008
B.B. KING at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, February 5, 2008
SWEENEY TODD at the Historic State Theatre, February 5-10, 2008
MARILYN MANSON at The Myth, February 8, 2008
FRANK CALIENDO at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, February 16, 2008
MY FAIR LADY at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, February 20-March 2, 2008
CITIZEN COPE at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, February 24, 2008
The SMUCKER'S STARS ON ICE TOUR at the Xcel Energy Center, February 26, 2008
The FOO FIGHTERS at the Target Center, February 27, 2008
STEVE EARLE at the Pantages Theatre, March 9, 2008
JIM NORTON at the Pantages Theatre, March 15, 2008
BON JOVI at the Xcel Energy Center, March 18, 2008
JERSEY BOYS at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, March 19-April 20, 2008
AVRIL LAVIGNE at the Target Center, March 20, 2008
DISNEY'S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL NATIONAL STAGE TOUR at the Historic State Theatre, April 1-6, 2008
The HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS at the Target Center, April 11 & 12, 2008
GREG BROWN at the Fitzgerald Theater, May 2, 2008
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, May 2-4, 2008
DAN ZANES at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, May 4, 2008
MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, May 27-June 1, 2008
CELINE DION at the Target Center in Minneapolis, October 30, 2008
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

A CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND ON THE TOWN will be offered in the city of Blue Earth through December 31. Come drive the 3-mile loop through Blue Earth and enjoy all of your favorite animated holiday light displays. For further information, dial 507/526-2916, or visit www.blueearthchamber.com

The National Eagle Center in Wabasha will offer EAGLE VIEWING each Saturday and Sunday through the end of March, when the viewing deck will be staffed with National Eagle Center volunteers to answer all of your questions. The deck is located at the end of Pembroke Avenue near the Mississippi River, adjacent to the new National Eagle Center location. To find out more, dial 651/565-4989, or check out www.nationaleaglecenter.org

NEW YEAR'S EVE AT QUARRY HILL will be offered at the Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester on Monday, December 31. Highlights include cave tours, animal encounters, crafts, a trivia contest, snack buffet, and skiing and snowshoeing, weather permitting. Pre-registration is required, and children must be accompanied by an adult. For further information, dial 507/281-6114, or visit www.qhnc.org

The Willmar Sr. High School and Civic Center will be the site of the 9TH ANNUAL NEW YEAR'S EVE FAMILY CELEBRATION on December 31, with inflatable games, ice skating, swimming, bingo, Karaoke, arcade games, arts and crafts, nature activities through the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, carnival games, Willmar Bucks Drawings every 15 minutes, and the Grand Finale Fireworks show. Food will be available for purchase. For more information, dial 320/222-9622, or check out www.kandiymca.org

THE WEDDING EXTRAVAGANZA-THE 15TH ANNUAL SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA BRIDAL SHOW will be held Saturday, January 5 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. Featured will be over 150 exhibitors, fashion shows, games and prizes, live entertainment, demonstrations, the Grooms’ Room, and more! For further information, dial 507/876-2187, or visit www.mayociviccenter.com

The Hubbard House in Mankato will offer a DISCOVERY DAYS PROGRAM: THE WONDERS & WOES OF WINTER on January 5, with a chance to learn about Blue Earth County's past through activities, storytelling and demonstrations. To find out more, dial 507/345-5566, or check out www.rootsweb.com/~mnbechs/programs.html

A WINTER BIRD FEEDING PROGRAM will be offered both Saturday and Sunday, January 5 & 6, at Sibley State Park in New London, with information on the foods, feeders and behavior of winter birds. Bird identification will also be covered, and bird feeder designs will be provided for free. And on Saturday, January 12, don't miss KIDS' ICE FISHING at Sibley State Park, when kids will learn how to ice fish, build their own ice fishing jiggle stick, and test their luck on the lake! Reservations are required. For more information, dial 320/354-2055, or visit http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/sibley/index.html

The city of Spicer will hold its annual WINTERFEST celebration on January 19 & 20. Highlights will include a breathtaking ice structure and slide, snow boarding on the ice with a sail, a waffle feed, snowmobile radar runs, free horse and buggy rides, the lighting of the castle and a fireworks display. On Saturday, January 26, visitors will also enjoy the fourth annual POLAR PLUNGE & HOT TUB PARTY. For further information, dial 320/796-8066, or check out www.spicermn.com

The MINNESOTA WEAPONS COLLECTORS SHOW will be held Saturday and Sunday, January 19 & 20 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, with firearms and accessories to be purchased from, sold to, and traded with exhibitors from all over the country. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To learn more, dial 612/721-8976, or visit www.mwca.org

 "The information in this report is provided courtesy of Explore Minnesota Tourism."