Explore Minnesota Events Report February 3, 2010

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February 3, 2010 Explore Minnesota Events Report
   
Highlights this week and weekend include the 60th Annual Sleigh & Cutter Festival in Waseca, the International Motorcycle Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis, Abba - the Music at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, the 7th Annual Crosslake Winterfest in Crosslake, and the annual Two Harbors Winter Frolic held throughout the city of Two Harbors.

This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Southern Minnesota

The city of Waseca will be the site of the 60th Annual Sleigh & Cutter Festival from Friday, February 5 through Sunday, February 21. Highlights this weekend, February 5-7, include the annual Squirts Hockey Tournament, annual Hobo Chili Lunch & Contest, the annual Scotch Doubles Traveling Pool Tournament, the Waseca Fireman's Kickball Tournament on Clear Lake, a Bridge Card Tournament, and a Polar Ice Plunge on Clear Lake. And, don't miss the 60th Annual Sleigh & Cutter Parade, featuring sleighs, cutters, bob sleds, wagons, buggies, horseback riders, and the "Jesse James Gang" on Saturday, February 13. To find out more, dial 507/835-7711, or visit www.sleighandcutter.org

The 40th Annual Eskimo Day will take place Saturday, February 6 at the Henderson Fire Hall and Wild's Edge in Henderson. Come enjoy live music, dancing, bingo, raffles, a pork sandwiches, and a raffle for cash prizes. A snowmobile ride is also scheduled, weather permitting. Henderson is located roughly 45 minutes southwest of the Twin Cites, just off of Hwy 169. To find out more, dial 507/248-3827, or check out www.hendersonmn.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 Big Bobber Ice Fishing Contest will be held February 6 on Lake Washington in Mankato. Participants can register up until 10:00 a.m. the day of the contest, and head out to claim their pre-drilled fishing spots. Registration is limited to 3,000 participants. The fishing contest will begin at noon and conclude at 3:00 p.m. as anglers compete for a $2,500 cash prize for the largest catch. There will be a total of 100 prizes awarded, determined by fish weight and time entered, not necessarily in the order expected! In addition, various food vendors and exhibitors will be on hand, along with a Schell?s Brewery?s On The Ice Bean Bag Tournament. Tickets for the Big Bobber Ice Fishing Contest are $35. To participate, check out www.msumavericks.com For more information, dial 507/389-6010

The Mayo Civic Center in Rochester will present the 31st Annual Rochester Area Builders Home Show, Friday through Sunday, February 12-14, with over 300 exhibitors, as well as a Friday Happy Hour, a Family Fun Day and free seminars on Saturday, and a Taste of Rochester on Sunday. For further information, dial 1-800-422-2199, or check out www.mayociviccenter.com
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

The International Motorcycle Show will be held Friday through Sunday, February 5-7, at the Minneapolis ConventionCenter in downtown Minneapolis, Friday through Sunday, February 5-7. In addition to the newest bikes and products by the hottest manufacturers, enjoy live music, custom cycles, a marketplace, celebrities, high action demonstrations, and a fashion show. For rates and times, dial 1-800-331-5706, or check out www.motorcycleshows.com 

The Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium at RiverCentre in St. Paul will be the site of hard-hitting entertainment by the Minnesota RollerGirls on Saturday, February 6. Fans are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite team?s colors. Pre-bout happy hours will be held at O?Gara?s and Station 4, each with free parking and shuttle buses. For details, dial 612/208-9411, or visit www.NorthStarRollerGirls.com

Visit Korea during Urban Expedition! at the Landmark Center in St. Paul on Sunday, February 7. Spend the afternoon celebrating Korea's rich culture, music, food and dance, with demonstrations and even a marketplace. Come discover another continent without leaving your own backyard. There will also be an opportunity to "visit" Hungary on February 21, and Colombia on February 28. Admission is free! For further information, dial 651/292-3225, or check out www.landmarkcenter.org

The 43rd Annual Minneapolis/St. Paul RV, Vacation and Camping Show will be held Thursday, February 11, through Sunday, February 14, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis. This is the largest consumer show in the five-state area, and features an amazing selection of pop-ups, travel trailers, conversion vans, park models, and Class A, B and C motorhomes. In addition, learn about campgrounds from across the region, shop for camping and RV gear and accessories, gather great ideas, and enjoy a variety of entertainment for the entire family: For more information, dila 763/383-4400, or visit www.agievents.com

Central Park in North Branch will be the site of Winter Fest on Saturday, February 13. Activities will include ice sculpting demonstrations, the Chili Show Down & Healthiest Chili Contest, turkey bowling, vintage snowmobile ride & expo, and family ice skating with Frosty! To learn more, dial 651/674-4077, or check out www.NorthBranchChamber.com

The annual Scottish Ramble will take place at the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul on Saturday and Sunday, February 13 & 14. Bring out your tartan, and enjoy bagpipes, Highland dance competitions, Scottish meat pies, shopping, educational presentations, information on area Scottish organizations, activities and music! To find out more, dial 651/292-3225, or visit www.landmarkcenter.org 

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
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 in Minneapolis, February 6
Young Frankenstein at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, 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, February 20
Rickie Lee Jones at the Fitzgerald Theater, 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
The Jagermeister Country Tour featuring Eric Church & Josh Thompson at the Historic State Theatre, March 25
Willie Nelson at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, March 26
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
Trampled By Turtles at First Avenue in Minneapolis, April 9
The Magnolias 25th Anniversary Show at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis, April 23
The Bangles at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, April 29
Pat Metheny at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, May 9
Smucker's Stars on Ice at the Xcel Energy Center, May 9
Cats at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, May 14-16
Daughtry at the Target Center, May 19
Nickelback with Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown & Sick Puppies at the Target Center in Minneapolis, May 24
Carole King / James Taylor - Troubadour Reunion at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, May 25
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
Central Minnesota

The 7th Annual Crosslake Winterfest will be held Friday and Saturday, February 5 & 6, throughout the city of Crosslake. Highlights include a medallion hunt, arts and crafts sale, bake sale, games, a bonfire, pond ice skating, s'mores, horse drawn hay rides, D.J. music, pancake breakfast, a Soupfest, ice sculpturing demonstrations, helicopter rides, radar runs, indoor children's games, ice car races, a snowman building contest, and human bowling. Some events may be cancelled due to poor weather conditions. For further information, dial 218/692-4027, or check out www.crosslake.com

The Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in Zimmerman will present Winterfest on Saturday, February 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Highlights will include a scavenger hunt, snowshoeing, nature crafts, face painting, a bonfire, brat and hot dog lunch, sleigh rides, exhibits, and presentations on wildlife. There will also be a celebration to honor the 106th anniversary of the National Refuge System. This event is free. To find out more, dial 763/389-3323, or visit www.fws.gov/midwest/sherburne 

The Nisswa Winter Jubilee will be held Friday through Sunday, February 12-14, throughout the city of Nisswa, with festivities including the Miss Nisswa Pageant, snow sculptures, a parade, wood-splitting contest, ice fishing derby on Nisswa Lake, and a tug-o-war! To learn more, dial 1-800-950-9610, or check out www.nisswa.com

Lake Minnewaska and the Lakeside Ballroom in Glenwood will be the site of the 13th Annual Winterama on Saturday, February 13. Just some of the highlights include the Poor Man's fishing tournament, a ring toss, long putt, turkey bowling, snow sculpture contest, a Waterama Polar Bear Plunge, minnow eating contest, chili cook-off, a D.J. and dancing, and a fireworks display. For further information, dial 1-866-634-3636, or check out www.GlenwoodLakesArea.org

A Winter Beach Party will be offered at the Falls Ballroom in Little Falls on Friday, February 19. Take a break from winter, and enjoy a night of summertime fun, with games, prizes, dancing, and music by Bob and the Beachcombers, Minnesota's own beach band. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5916, or visit www.LittleFallsMN.com 
Northern Minnesota

Downtown Two Harbors will be the site of the annual Two Harbors Winter Frolic, Thursday, February 4 through Sunday, February 7, with dog sled rides, sleigh rides, ethnic crafts, the Miss Winter Frolic Coronation, snow sculptures, sledding, a chili cook-off, parade, pancake breakfast, vintage snowmobiles, an outhouse race, smoosh race, a bonfire with free smore's, and Heads Up Texas Hold'em. To learn more, dial 1-800-777-7384, or check out www.twoharborswinterfrolic.com

The Ely Winter Festival will be held throughout the Ely vicinity, Thursday, February 4 through Sunday, February 14. This 10-day celebration highlights the unique culture, art, history and traditions of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The main attractions are the International Snow Sculpting Symposium, the Ely ArtWalk, Historic Voyageur Encampment, crafts fair, sled dog rides, concerts, and spaghetti dinner. To find out more, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.elywinterfestival.com

Buena Vista Ski Area in Bemidji will be the site of Logging Days on February 6, with old-time logging demonstrations, historic events, live music, sleigh rides, a lumberjack camp meal, and more. For further information, dial 1-800-777-7958, or check out www.bvskiarea.com 

The 12th Annual Park Rapids Legion Community Ice Fishing Derby will be held Saturday, February 6 on Fishhook Lake and at the American Legion in Park Rapids, with over $110,000 in prizes given away. In addition, there will be a grand prize raffle. Dial 1-800-247-0054, or visit www.parkrapids.com  for more information.

The Laskiainen Finnish Sliding Festival will be held at the Loon Lake Community Center in the town of Palo on Saturday and Sunday, February 6 & 7, with the heritage of Finnish customs, Finnish crafts, music and sports, a Finnish marketplace and foods, and of course sliding! The Loon Lake Community Center is located 10 miles south of Aurora on Hwy 100, and 1.4 miles north of Hwy 4. This is a true family event. Admission is free! To find out more, dial 218/638-2551, or check out www.ironrange.org

The city of Detroit Lakes will host their annual Polar Fest from Saturday, February 6 through Monday, February 15. Come experience more than a week filled with events to celebrate winter! Highlights include an Ice Tee Golf Tourney, theatre performances, hockey and curling tournaments, a Daddy's Little Sweetheart dance, the Freeze Your Buns Run, and a Polar Plunge into Little Detroit Lake. To learn more, dial 1-800-542-3992, or visit www.VisitDetroitLakes.com

The 5th Annual Audrey's Purple Dream Fishing Tournament will be held on the 11th Crow Wing Lake in Akeley on Saturday, February 13. In addition, enjoy a pancake breakfast, a raffle, and Purple Polar Plunge. Before or after the tournament, head to nearby Park Rapids for the Headwaters Animal Shelter Book Sale, with books, puzzles and more! For further information on either event go to www.parkrapids.com,  or dial 1-800-247-0054

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