January 13, 2010 Explore Minnesota Events Report

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January 13, 2010 Explore Minnesota Events Report
   
Just some of the highlights this weekend include the Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run & Ice Box Days celebration in International Falls, a Wedding Expo at the St. Cloud Civic Center, the 2010 Sportsmen's Boat, Camping and Vacation Show at the St. Paul RiverCentre, and the 56th Annual Eagles Cancer Telethon at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.

Northern Minnesota

The Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run & Ice Box Days celebration will be held in the city of International Falls, Thursday through Sunday, January 14-17. Both spectators and participants will enjoy four days of quirky, crazy events, including the 5K & 10K Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run, fun snow sculptures, a moonlight ski, smoosh races, a beach party, turkey bowling, and outdoor family night in the park - seeing is believing! For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or check out www.rainylake.org

The city of Bemidji will hold their annual Brrrrmidji Polar Days Festival, Saturday, January 16. Highlights of this annual festival celebrating winter include a Polar Plunge, sled derby, broomball, and the 5K Polar Run & Walk. And, the 2nd Annual Beaver Pride Hard Water Classic Fishing Tournament will also be offered January 16. When the shotgun is heard, anglers will race by foot to fishing holes on Lake Bemidji, and compete for cash and prizes, including a fish house. There will also be a Kid's Fishing Fun House, on-ice concessions, and a raffle. Shuttles will be available. For further information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or visit www.bemidji.org

Back to Hack will take place on Birch Lake and throughout the city of Hackensack, Friday through Sunday, January 22-24. This celebration of winter includes a community bonfire, fireworks display, a lighted parade, Snowflake Pageant, ice racing, snowmobile radar runs, a craft show, treasure hunt, free movie matinee, a chili feed, a Penguin Plunge, and more! For more information, please dial 1-800-279-6932, or check out www.hackensackchamber.com

On Saturday, January 23, head to Deer River for the Deer River Winter Fest. Highlights include a pancake breakfast, human sled dog race, chili cook-off, a cake walk, face painting, antique snowmobile rally, a medallion hunt, children's games, hay rides, ice racing on Little White Oak Lake, and broomball and volleyball tournaments. To find out more, dial 1-888-701-2226, or visit www.deerriver.org

The Volks Ski Fest will be held on trails throughout Cook County, Saturday, January 23 through Sunday, January 31, with a chance to ski 400 kilometers of professionally groomed cross-country ski trails. In addition, enjoy a candlelight ski, snowshoe hikes, bonfires and sleigh rides. Check out www.volksskifest.com, or dial 218/663-8058 for more information.

The North Shore of Lake Superior, running from Duluth to Grand Portage, will be the site of the 27th annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon on January 31. Beginning at the Ordean Middle School in Duluth, mushers and their dog sled teams race along a rugged 390-mile course. Race week events offered January 29 - February 4 include the Cutest Puppy Contest, Opening Ceremonies, a Mini Sled Dog Race, a Gala Dinner & Silent Auction, an ice lantern making class, and Winter Camping Village classes on camping and cooking, and a chance to 'Meet the Mushers' at the race start. To learn more, dial 1-800-4-duluth, or visit www.beargrease.com
Central Minnesota

The St. Cloud Civic Center will present the Wedding Expo, Sunday, January 17. Featured will be florists, caterers, musicians, bridal boutiques, and everything needed to plan the wedding of your dreams. To find out more, dial 1-800-264-2940, or check out www.granitecountry.com

The Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza will be held at Gull Lake?s Hole in the Day Bay in Brainerd on Saturday, January 23. This ice fishing contest pays out over $150,000 in cash and prizes! The tournament starts at noon, when the cannon is fired. For further information, or to enter, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com 

Charles A. Lindbergh State Park in Little Falls will host the Lindbergh Candlelight Ski and Snowshoe on January 23 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Come explore 1.5-miles of easy, candle-lit cross-country ski and snowshoe trails before relaxing with free refreshments in a wood-heated 1938 Works Progress Administration shelter building. The lit trails meander through stands of pine, oak and aspen and over Pike Creek. Ski rental is available in the city of Little Falls. Please contact the park for more information, by dialing 1-800-325-5916, or check out www.littlefallsmn.com 

WinterFest 2010 will be held throughout the city of Spicer, Saturday and Sunday, January 23 & 24, January 30 & 31, and February 6 & 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a wide array of fun and entertaining events, such the 6th annual Polar Plunge and Hot Tub Party. Just some of the events to be held January 23 include a fireworks display, the creation of the Ice Castle and Slide at Saulsbury Beach, children's characters, a Waffle Feed, the Frozen 5K Run & Walk, an Art Exhibit & Wine Tasting event, Chocolate & Wine event, an Ice Golf Challenge, horse and buggy rides, the WinterFest 2010 fireworks display, and a dance. To learn more, dial 320/796-8066, or visit www.spicermn.com
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

The Target Center in Minneapolis will present Sesame Street Live, 1-2-3 IMAGINE with Elmo and Friends, Wednesday, January 13 through Sunday, January 17. All ages will enjoy singing and dancing with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird, and all your favorite Sesame Street Live friends! This story of adventure and fun teaches children they can be anyone, do anything, and go anywhere with the power of imagination. To lean more, dial 612/673-1300, or visit www.targetcenter.com

The 2010 Sportsmen's Boat, Camping and Vacation Show will take place Wednesday through Sunday, January 13-17, at the St. Paul RiverCentre. Featured will be daily seminars by some of the most renowned fishing and hunting experts, live trout fishing, a DNR Lasershot Booth, special stage events, and exhibitors offering nearly everything for the outdoor enthusiast! For more information, dial 763/755-8111, or check out www.cenaiko.com/sports/sports_sp.html

The North Star Roller Girls Ice Breaker will take place Saturday, January 16 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis, when the North Star Roller Girls heat up the track and take the chill off in a derbypalooza of action, athleticism, and polar exploits. Get $2.00 off your ticket when you donate a book during the January Charity Book Drive. To learn more, visit www.northstarrollergirls.com/Season4.html

An Animals, Books, and Children Weekend will be offered at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Saturday through Monday, January 16-18. Come celebrate reading and wildlife fun with children's activities focusing on animal stories. There will also be costume characters, and families will have a chance to make their own pop-up books. For rates and times, dial 952/431-9500, or visit www.mnzoo.org

The Millennium Hotel Minneapolis in downtown Minneapolis will offer a Wedding Open House on Sunday, January 17, with tour of the unique reception and ceremony banquet space, as well as exhibits by many of the preferred vendors offering floral designs, entertainment, audiovisual enhancements, bridal party spa ideas, wedding cakes, photography, decorations and more. Refreshments and wedding cake will be served. To reserve a spot, dial 612/359-2227. To find out more, check out www.millenniumhotels.com/minneapolis

Wagon Rides and Ice Harvest Day will be held Saturday, January 23, at Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington. Come learn about the days before electric refrigerators, when hardy ice harvesters sawed massive blocks of ice out of frozen lakes and ponds to keep food chilled. In addition, meet an ice harvesting historian, costumed interpreters. use real ice harvesting tools, pull an antique plow to mark the ice, make ice cubes, watch an ice harvesting video. and take a wagon ride pulled by Percheron horses through the prairie. Afterwards, warm up by an outdoor campfire. The DNR's MinnAqua staff will also be on hand to talk about ice fishing and ice safety. For further information, and for rates and times, dial 763/694-7676, or visit www.threeriversparks.org

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
Dreamgirls at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, January 12-17
Larry the Cable Guy at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, January 15
Everclear at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, January 28
American Carnage Tour: Slayer and Megadeth with Testament at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at the St. Paul RiverCentre, February 4
The Music of Led Zeppelin & Queen at the Target Center in Minneapolis, February 4
A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, February 4, 13 & 20
Abba - the Music at the Historic State Theatre, February 6
Young Frankenstein at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, February 9-14
The Pink Floyd Experience at the Fitzgerald Theater, February 11
The Wailin? Jennys at The O?Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, February 19
B.B. King and Buddy Guy at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, February 20
A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, February 20
Rickie Lee Jones at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, February 22
Jeff Foxworthy at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, February 27
John Mayer with Special Guest Michael Franti & Spearhead at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, March 2
Pat Donahue at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, March 6
Mamma Mia! (Touring) at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, March 9-14
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, March 14
Experience Hendrix featuring Joe Satriani, Billy Cox & Sacred Steel at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, March 17
Norah Jones at The O'Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul, March 17
Baby Wants Candy at The O?Shaughnessy Auditorium, March 19
Bill Engvall at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, March 20
Alice In Chains at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at St. Paul RiverCentre, March 21
The Black Eyed Peas at the Xcel Energy Center, March 22
Celtic Woman - Songs from the Heart at the Xcel Energy Center, March 24
Cheech & Chong at the Historic State Theatre, March 26
The Wizard of Oz at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, March 26-28
Michael Bubl? at the Xcel Energy Center, March 28
The Magnolias 25th Anniversary Show at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis, April 23
Pat Metheny at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, May 9
Smucker's Stars on Ice at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, May 9
Cats at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, May 14-16
U2 360? Tour at the TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, June 27
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151
Southern Minnesota

A Candlelight Ski & Walk will be offered Saturday evening, January 16, along the Harmony-Preston State Trail. Begin at the Preston Trail Head and walk or cross-country ski along candle-lit trails. Afterwards, warm up around a bonfire and enjoy free chili. For more information, dial 507/765-2153, or visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/blufflands/harmony_preston.html

The Mayo Civic Center in Rochester will be the site of the 56th Annual Eagles Cancer Telethon on Saturday and Sunday, January 16 & 17. This event will be televised at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, and features live music and other acts totaling about 130 performances, a dance, City Looks haircuts, massages, pork sandwiches, cotton candy, milk shakes, and more! All proceeds benefit cancer research. Admission is free. For further information, dial 507/358-4744, or check out www.mayociviccenter.com

1-2-3 Imagine With Elmo & Friends will be held at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato, Monday and Tuesday, January 19 & 20. To find out more, dial 507/389-3000, or visit www.verizonwirelesscentermn.com

A Prairie Home Companion, with host Garrison Keillor and special guests, will be broadcast live from the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester on Saturday, January 23. Featured will be performances and comical skits by Keillor and the "Prairie Home" cast. All guests attending should plan on being in their seats by 4:45 p.m. For rates and times, and for more information on either event, dial 1-800-422-2199, or check out www.mayociviccenter.com 

The Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato will host the Baby & Kids Expo on Saturday, February 6. Anyone planning a family, expecting a baby, or having children up to age 12, will enjoy this event. Come visit the Health & Wellness area, visit with exhibitors focused on health, nutrition, child products and services, clothing and toys, and enjoy the interactive area. Admission is free. To learn more, dial 507/345-3683, or visit www.eventsandexpos.com

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