Explore Minnesota Events Report for January 15 2008

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Explore Minnesota Events Report for January 15

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NORTHERN MINNESOTA

The FREEZE YER GIZZARD BLIZZARD RUN & ICE BOX DAYS will be held throughout the city of International Falls, Thursday through Sunday, January 17-20, with four days of fun and excitement! In addition to the 5K and 10K FREEZE YER GIZZARD BLIZZARD RUNS, there will be snow sculptures, a Moonlight Ski, Outdoor Family Night in the Park, a Smoosh Race, beach party, and turkey bowling! And while in International Falls, head to Voyageurs National Park on January 18 for a NIGHT LIGHT SNOWSHOE HIKE, followed by a warm fire and hot cider. Snowshoes will be provided--please bring a headlamp if available. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit www.rainylake.org

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 check out 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 visit www.bemidji.org

Glendalough State Park in Battle Lake will offer a CELEBRATE WINTER program on Saturday, January 19. Highlights include a Kids' Ice Fishing program and a Candlelight Ski, when children can learn about fishing in the winter and winter safety through hands-on activities, and the entire family can enjoy skiing by moonlight and candlelight. Ski rentals are available. To find out more about either event, dial 218/864-0110, or check out http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/index.php/2008/01/08/celebrate-winter-at-glendalough-state-park-on-jan-19/#more-42189

BACK TO HACK will be held Friday through Sunday, January 25–27, throughout the city of Hackensack, with a craft show, community bonfire, fireworks display, lighted parade, the Snowflake Pageant, ice racing, snowmobile radar runs and more! For further information, dial 1-800-279-6932, or visit www.hackensackchamber.com

Angle Inlet will hold a WINTER FEST, Friday through Sunday, February 1-3, with a weekend filled with fabulous food, live entertainment, snowmobiling and fishing fun in Minnesota's Northwest Angle and Islands area. To learn more, dial 1-800-692-6453, or check out www.lakeofthewoodsresorts.com

The annual LASKIAINEN FINNISH SLIDING FESTIVAL will be held February 1–3 at the Loon Lake Community Center in the town of Palo, located just south of the city of Aurora. This sliding festival celebrates the ethnic heritage of area residents, with Finnish customs, crafts, music, sports and foods, as well as a Finnish marketplace. To find out more, dial 218/638-2551, or visit www.ironrange.org

Fergus Falls will be the site of the annual FROSTBITE FESTIVAL from Friday through Sunday, February 1-3. Just some of the highlights include a comedy night, music by Fat Daddy's Band, a scrap-booking day, Businesses Bowling Tournament, Jaycees Chili Cook-Off, a fishing tournament, pancake feed, the Frostbite Carnival, a craft show, and a Better Living Show. For more information, dial 218/736-6951, or check out www.fergusfalls.com

The PALISADE MID-WINTER FESTIVAL will be held Saturday, February 2, throughout the town of Palisade, with a craft fair, live music, door prizes, great food, fun games for all ages, hourly raffles, and fireworks at dusk. For further information, dial 218/845-2650, or visit www.mcgregormn.com

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TWIN CITIES GREATER METROPOLITAN VICINITY

A WOMEN'S EXPO will be held Friday through Sunday, January 18-20, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis, with information on every aspect of a woman's life. Highlights include exhibits, seminars, health information, celebrities, shopping, and fun entertainment! To find out more, dial 612/309-8545, visit www.mplswomensexpo.com

The Mill City Museum in Minneapolis will be the site of a WASHBURN A-MILL TOUR on Saturday, January 19 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 February 2 and February 16. Reservations are required. To reserve a spot, dial 612/341-7555, or check out www.millcitymuseum.org for more information.

The 2008 WINTER LECTURE SERIES-ALL ABOUT OWLS will be held at the Raptor Center in St. Paul on Sunday, January 20, with a chance to meet the education owls face-to-face, and learn about their behavior, how they hunt, what they eat, how to identify them in the wild, what they sound like and where to find them. And on Saturdays and Sundays, from 1-2 p.m., head to the Raptor Center for THE RAPTORS OF MINNESOTA, to meet a variety of live raptors and learn what you can do to help the environment we share. This program includes a tour of The Raptor Center and the outdoor housing area, home of 30 education raptors. The Raptors Of Minnesota will not be offered on holidays or on days of other special events or lectures. To register, and for rates and times, dial 612/624-4745, or visit www.TheRaptorCenter.org

The Minneapolis Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis will be the site of the 36TH ANNUAL MINNEAPOLIS BOAT SHOW, Wednesday, January 23 through Sunday, January 27, with hundreds of boats, exhibits, and special attractions, as well as a Discover Boating Center, a SailFest, antique and classic boats, Boat Show prizes, and the 2008 "Bling My Boat" makeover contest winners. For rates and times, dial 612/332-8330, or check out www.minneapolisboatshow.com

The 122ND SAINT PAUL WINTER CARNIVAL will be held Wednesday, January 23 through Sunday, February 3. The majority of events will take place in and around the Landmark Center and Rice Park in downtown Saint Paul. Just some of the highlights include the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt for the Medallion, ice carvings and carving competitions, snow sculptures, the Minnesota Hotdish Tent, the Royal Coronation and Welcome Reception, King Boreas Grande Day Parade, Torchlight Parade & Fireworks Show, and arts, crafts, games and entertainment for the entire family. For more information, please dial 651/223-4700, or visit www.winter-carnival.com.

The St. Paul RiverCentre in downtown St. Paul will be the site of the 46TH ANNUAL O'REILLY WORLD OF WHEELS, Friday through Sunday, January 25-27. This is one of Minnesota’s largest indoor automotive events, with over 300 exhibits including hot rods, racecars, customized motorcycles, antiques and feature vehicles. And, while at RiverCentre, January 26 & 27, head to the ballroom level of the St. Paul RiverCentre for the 32ND ANNUAL SAINTLY CITY CAT CLUB ANNUAL CHAMPIONSHIP CAT SHOW, and see more than 300 cats from the United States and Canada competing for the title of Best Cat. For rates and times, and for more information, dial 651/265-4800, or visit www.rivercentre.org

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
BILL ENGVALL at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, January 18
THE 2008 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, January 20-27
TODD RUNDGREN at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, January 22
LENNY KRAVITZ at The Myth in Maplewood, January 24
The MARTINA MCBRIDE WAKE UP LAUGHING TOUR at the Target Center in Minneapolis, January 26
QUEENSRYCHE at The Myth, January 26
DANIEL TOSH at the Pantages Theatre, February 1
MATCHBOX TWENTY at the Xcel Energy Center, February 4
B.B. KING at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, February 5
SWEENEY TODD at the Historic State Theatre, February 5-10
DAVE ATTELL at the Pantages Theatre, February 7
MARILYN MANSON at The Myth, February 8
THE CHAMBER BALLET OF ST. PAUL at the Fitzgerald Theater, February 14
FRANK CALIENDO at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, February 16
MY FAIR LADY at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, February 20-March 2
PLAYHOUSE DISNEY LIVE ON TOUR at the Target Center, February 23
CITIZEN COPE at the Fitzgerald Theater, February 24
The SMUCKER'S STARS ON ICE TOUR at the Xcel Energy Center, February 26
The FOO FIGHTERS at the Target Center, February 27
STEVE EARLE at the Pantages Theatre, March 9
JIM NORTON at the Pantages Theatre, March 15
BON JOVI at the Xcel Energy Center, March 18
JERSEY BOYS at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, March 19-April 20
AVRIL LAVIGNE at the Target Center, March 20
THREE DAYS GRACE & BREAKING BENJAMIN at the Target Center, March 24
THE CURRENT'S FAKEBOOK at the Fitzgerald Theater, March 28
DISNEY'S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL NATIONAL STAGE TOUR at the Historic State Theatre, April 1-6
THE KINGS COLLEGE CHOIR OF CAMBRIDGE at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, April 8
The HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS at the Target Center, April 11 & 12
RED HOUSE RECORDS 25TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT WITH LUCY KAPLANSKY & STORYHILL at the Fitzgerald Theater, April 12
GREG BROWN at the Fitzgerald Theater, May 2
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, May 2-4
DAN ZANES at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, May 4
MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, May 27-June 1
CELINE DION at the Target Center in Minneapolis, October 30
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

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

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 city of Spicer will hold its annual WINTERFEST celebration on Saturday and Sunday, 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 4TH ANNUAL POLAR PLUNGE & HOT TUB PARTY. For further information, dial 320/796-8066, or check out www.spicermn.com

Winona State University in Winona will be the site of the 3RD ANNUAL FROZEN RIVER FILM FESTIVAL from Thursday, January 24 through Sunday, January 27. The festival's goal is to inspire, educate and engage attendees about issues surrounding the environment, world cultures, adventure, and extreme sports through a broad range of multi-media experiences. Featured will be films, presentations, speakers, workshops, live music, social gatherings and other special events. To find out more, dial 507/459-8090, or visit http://FrozenRiver.org

The ROCHESTER SPORTS AND VACATION SHOW will be held Friday through Sunday, January 25–27, at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, with the latest products, boats and vehicles from marine, camper, ATV, motorcycle and accessories dealers. For further information, dial 507/387-7469, or check out www.mayociviccenter.com

The city of St. James will be the site of a WINTER CARNIVAL from Friday, January 25 through Sunday, February 3. Just some of the highlights include a parade, community dinner, horse-drawn sleigh rides, coronations, a Freeze Your Caboose Off Run & Walk, snow sculpture contest, ice fishing contest for all ages, WPSA Sno-Cross Snowmobile Races, turkey bowling, a Texas Hold'em Tournament, chili cook-off, bearded man contest, karaoke and lots of live entertainment. To learn more, dial 507/375-3333, or visit www.stjameschamberofcommerce.com/WinterCarnival.aspx

The 4TH ANNUAL HUTCHINSON AREA BRIDAL FAIR will be held Sunday, January 27 at the Hutchinson Event Center, with over 40 vendors, fashion shows, door prizes, and on-site concessions. For more information, dial 320/587-5252, or check out www.explorehutchinson.com

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