December 28, 2010 Explore Minnesota Events Report
Highlights this week and weekend include the 15th Annual Whitewater River Valley Christmas Bird Count at Whitewater State Park near St. Charles, a New Year's Eve Candlelight Walk at Fort Snelling State Park in St. Paul, Sertoma's Winter Wonderland at the Northland Arboretum in Brainerd, a New Year's Eve Comedy Bash at Blueberry Pines in Park Rapids, and a New Year's Eve Fireworks Display at the IRA Civic Center in Grand Rapids.
Southern Minnesota
Whitewater State Park, located 3 miles south of Elba on State Highway 74 and just north of St. Charles, will be the site of the 15th Annual Whitewater River Valley Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, January 1. Participants will explore the area's winter wonderland on foot and/or by car as they document wintering birds. Anyone with an interest in birds, regardless of birding experience, is invited to participate. Counters should meet at the Whitewater Valley Visitor Center in Whitewater State Park starting at 7:30 a.m. There will be a fire in the wood stove - hot beverages and homemade treats will be provided. What a great way to start the New Year! 507/932-3007;
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/whitewater/index.htmlThe Natural Health Expo: Experience Health & Wellness! will be held Saturday, January 8, at Sargent's Nursery in Red Wing. Experience a variety of fun and different ways to improve and maintain mental, physical and emotional health, and learn to lead a healthy life naturally. Just some of areas covered include natural foods, acupuncture, classical homeopathy, air and water purification, massage, natural cleaning, fitness, healing touch, and yoga. 651/388-3847;
www.sargentsnursery.comOn Saturday, January 8, the Mayo Civic Center will be the site of the Wedding Extravaganza, considered to be southeastern Minnesota's ultimate bridal show. 1-800-634-8277;
www.VisitRochesterMN.comThe Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro will offer Dinner on the Bluff with Neil Rettig on January 8. Come learn about the raptors of the Tropical Rainforest with Emmy winning cinematographer, Neil Rettig, and see his rare and magnificent Harpy Eagle, as well as an engaging presentation proceeding a buffet dinner. 507/467-2437;
www.eagle-bluff.orgA performance of The Good Body will be offered at the Rochester Repertory Theatre at 8:00 p.m. each Thursday, Friday and Saturday from January 14-29. Centered on the personal journey of turning self-loathing into self-acceptance, thirteen women of diverse cultures and backgrounds will provide an enlightening exploration of women?s compulsion to change the way they look in order to fit in, be accepted and be loved. 507-289-1737;
http://www.rochesterrep.orgThe Trail Head in Preston will be the starting point of a Candlelight Ski & Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, January 15. Come ski or walk 1 1/2-miles of the Harmony-Preston trail lined with luminaries. A chili cook-off will also be offered. Please note that while the event is free, a DNR ski pass is required. 507/765-2153;
www.prestonmn.orgTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
The American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis currently offers a number of special holiday exhibits, including A Nordic Christmas, with beautifully decorated trees and tables settings representing the five Nordic countries, as well as musical performances, dancing, and a Holiday Storytime. Also check out Santa Claus, Coca-Cola, and Swedish Design, with original Coca-Cola Santa Claus oil paintings by Haddon Sundblom, and Coca-Cola memorabilia. The Illumination of a Saint - The Legend of Sankta Lucia will explore the legend of Saint Lucia. All three exhibits will be open to the public through January 16. 612/871-4907;
www.AmericanSwedishInst.orgFort Snelling State Park in St. Paul will host a New Year's Eve Candlelight Walk on Friday, December 31, with an evening walk on trails lit with luminaries. Trails will be approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) long, with a special shorter 2 kilometer trail available - good for walkers of all ages. Please register at the Visitor Center after 3:00 p.m., and finish by 9:00 p.m. Warm beverages and snacks will be available. And, a National Winter Trails Day Celebration will be held Saturday, January 8, at Fort Snelling State Park. Come celebrate winter with free activities that show how fun winter can be. The event will be held on Picnic Island, Shelter A. 612/725-2389;
www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fort_snelling/index.htmlThe annual Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival will be held January 8, with kites of all shapes, sizes, colors and themes flying over frozen Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. In addition, enjoy other fun family activities such as ice fishing, horse-drawn wagon rides, snowshoeing, a kid?s medallion hunt, and a marshmallow roast. The festival will take place on the north end of Lake Harriet near the Bandshell. 612/370-4948;
www.minneapolisparks.orgThe St. Paul Rivercentre will host the 41st Annual Minnesota Sportsmen's, Boat, Camping & Vacation Show from Thursday, January 13 through Sunday, January 16. Enjoy five great shows in one location, with boating, fishing, hunting, camping, and vacation equipment and information! There will also be live entertainment, sales on gear and equipment, daily seminars, children's activities and outdoor education! 763/755-8111;
http://stpaulsportshow.comAnd just some of the upcoming concerts and performances include:
The Santaland Diaries at the Hennepin Stages in Minneapolis, December 28-31
A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol at the Hennepin Stages, December 30-January 2
Donny & Marie at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, December 31
New Year's Eve Danceteria at First Avenue in Minneapolis, December 31
Tina and the B-Sides at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, December 31
Bye Bye Liver at Camp Bar in St. Paul, January 7
A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor at the Fitzgerald Theater each Saturday, January 8-February 12
Trampled By Turtles at First Avenue in Minneapolis, January 14
Ms. Lauryn Hill at First Avenue in Minneapolis, January 18
Sesame Street Live : Elmo's Healthy Heroes at the Target Center in Minneapolis, January 19
JCPenney presents Rascal Flatts w/ Luke Bryan and Chris Young at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, January 21
School of Seven Bells at 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis, January 24
Garrison Keillor with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra at the Fitzgerald Theater, January 25
Miranda Cosgrove at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, January 25
Guster at the Historic State Theatre, January 28
The 5th Annual TC Hip Hop Awards at First Avenue, January 28
Shrek the Musical at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, February 1
World's Toughest Rodeo featuring Toughest Cowboy at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, February 4
WWE Raw Live at the Target Center. February 4
Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt at the Historic State Theatre, February 7
Boz Scaggs at the Historic State Theatre, February 12
Jeff Dunham at the Target Center, February 13
Lily Tomlin at the Historic State Theatre, February 13
Voice Match at the Fitzgerald Theater, February 13
Chris Tomlin at the Xcel Energy Center, February 16
Ethan Bortnick and His Musical Time Machine at the Fitzgerald Theater, February 16
Cirque D'Or - The Golden Dragon Acrobats Company at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, February 19 & 20
Gipsy Kings at the Historic State Theatre, February 20
Gaelic Storm at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, February 24
Merle Haggard at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, February 27
Clay Aiken at the Historic State Theatre, March 5
Pat Donohue at the Fitzgerald Theater, March 12
Smucker's Stars on Ice at the Xcel Energy Center, March 13
Riverdance at the Historic State Theatre, March 18-20
Imagination Movers "In A Big Warehouse" Tour at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, March 19
Amos Lee at the Historic State Theatre, March 24
Madagascar Live! at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, April 1
Harlem Globetrotters at the Target Center, April 2
Jersey Boys at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, April 21-May 5
Celtic Woman: Songs From The Heart Tour at the Historic State Theatre, April 22
Colin Hay at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, May 7
Daniel O'Donnell at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, May 18
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151, or visit
www.ticketmaster.comCentral Minnesota
The Northland Arboretum in Brainerd will be the site of Sertoma's Winter Wonderland, Wednesday through Saturday, through January 1, with a driving tour of more than 60 colorfully lit displays, including many new displays. The Holiday Village featuring Santa Claus is open Friday and Saturday nights. 218/829-8770;
www.sertomawinterwonderland.comThe 16th Annual Breezy Point Ice Fest will be held Friday and Saturday, January 7 & 8, at Breezy Point Resort in the town of Breezy Point. An adult men and women's pond hockey tournament has been added - register a team or come and watch all the action on more than 10 rinks just outside the Dock Side Bar! Other festivities and highlights include dogsled rides, bonfires, live entertainment, specials, a pancake breakfast, Kids' Fishing Program, a craft fair, an Ice Fishing & Winter Safety program, an Ice Slide, snow golf, Power Ice Auger World Championship and fireworks! 1-800-950-9610;
http://www.nisswa.comSibley State Park, located in New London, just north of Willmar, will offer a Snowshoe Hiking Program on Saturday, January 15. Following a brief talk, take a beautiful and exhilarating winter hike and experience the fun and excitement of one of winter's easiest types of recreation. Then on Sunday, January 16, Sibley State Park will present Minnesota's State Symbols. Do you know why Minnesota's state fish is the walleye and the muffin is the blueberry? Different Minnesota symbols will be introduced, and children will receive a free state symbol temporary tattoo. 320/354-2002;
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/sibley/index.htmlThe Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza will take place Saturday, January 22, at Hole In The Day Bay on Gull Lake in Brainerd. Anglers will compete for over $150,000 in cash and prizes, with 150 spots on the prize board and values distributed throughout the list, not in value-order. The tournament starts at noon, when the cannon fires. 1-800-450-2838;
http://icefishing.orgNorthwest Minnesota
A New Year's Eve Comedy Bash will be offered at Blueberry Pines in Park Rapids on Friday, December 31. Come ring in the New Year with three of Minnesota's funniest stand up's, Todd Andrews, Zach Coulter, & Wendy Maybury. Dinner and Show tickets are available. 1-800-652-4940;
www.blueberrypinesgolf.comThe Alerus Center in Downtown Grand Forks/East Grand Forks will be the site of the annual First Night New Year's Eve Celebration on December 31. This non-alcoholic, family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration features special live entertainment, beautiful ice sculptures, storytelling, face painting, delicious food, refreshments, an amazing fireworks display at midnight, and more! 1-800-866-4566;
www.visitgrandforks.comThe Brrrrmidji Polar Days Festival will be held all day Saturday, January 15, throughout the city of Bemidji. Highlights include a Polar Plunge, broomball games, sled derby, snowman-building contest, Winter Under the Ice program at Lake Bemidji State Park, a Club Hondo Dance Party, and 5K Polar run & walk. A Hard Water Classic Fishing Tournament will also be offered January 15 on Lake Bemidji, with gamefish and panfish categories, a foot traffic only shotgun start, and prizes throughout the tournament. 1-877-250-5959;
www.visitbemidji.comSaturday evening, January 15, head to Itasca State Park, located north of Park Rapids, for a Lantern Lit Ski and Snowshoe Event. Enjoy classic skiing, skate skiing or snowshoeing at your own pace along a kerosene lantern lit route. Marshmallows will be available for roasting around the fire! For added fun, bring along your s?mores fixings or hot dogs for cooking at the campfire. Park and begin at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center. 218/699-7251;
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/index.htmlNortheast Minnesota
The IRA Civic Center in Grand Rapids will be the site of a New Year's Eve Fireworks Display on December 31, beginning at 5:30 p.m. 1-800-355-9740;
www.visitgrandrapids.comThe White Oak Sled Dog Classic will take place Friday through Sunday, January 7-9, at the White Oak Fur Post in Deer River, with more than 100 sled dog teams racing through six towns, covering over 130 miles of snowmobile trails. In addition, enjoy a spaghetti feed, pancake breakfast, opening ceremonies, and evening awards ceremony. 218/246-9393;
http://www.whiteoakclassicsleddograce.comThe Duluth Entertainment Convention Center will host the 23rd Annual Duluth Bridal Show on Saturday, January 8, with nearly 150 exhibitors available to help you plan everything for your wedding. A runway Fashion Show concludes the day's activities. 218/727-1177;
http://www.duluthbridalshow.comA Discover Winter Snowshoe Hike will be offered at Jay Cooke State Park in Carlton on January 8, with a chance to discover the park in winter. After some "how to snowshoe" basics, head off in search of whatever's flying, creeping and running through the woods. Child and adult snowshoes are available. Please call ahead to reserve a pair. Meet at the River Inn Visitor Center at 1:00 p.m. 218/384-4610;
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/jay_cooke/index.htmlGiants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort in Biwabik will present the Pepsi Challenge XC Ski Race at Giants Ridge on Saturday, January 22, when skiers will compete in 48k, 24k, and 7k races. These are part of the American Ski Marathon Series and serve as a Birke Qualifier. 1-800-688-7669;
www.giantsridge.com "The information in this report is provided courtesy of Explore Minnesota Tourism."
