Explore Minnesota Events Report for December 18

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Explore Minnesota Events Report for December 18

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NORTHERN MINNESOTA

The BENTLEYVILLE TOUR OF LIGHTS, located in the city of Cloquet, will be offered daily through Saturday, December 29. This free family event features several million Christmas lights, 600-plus snowflakes suspended from trees, and 230 lighted reindeer scattered throughout 3 acres of woods. Santa will greet kids daily through December 23. Cider, coffee and cookies are even free of charge. Donations are accepted, and visitors are encouraged to bring nonperishable food and toy donations for the Salvation Army. To learn more, dial 1-800-554-4350, or check out www.bentleyvilleusa.com or www.cloquet.com

The Northland Arboretum in Brainerd will be the site of the SERTOMA WINTER WONDERLAND each Wednesday through Sunday evening, through December 30, with over 50 colorfully lit, animated displays. There will also be a Holiday Village where children can have their picture taken with Santa Claus. To find out more, and for rates and times, dial 218/829-8770, or visit www.sertomawinterwonderland.com

The 2ND ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS will be held each Friday, Saturday and Sunday, through December 30, at Paul Bunyan Land, located just east of Brainerd. Featured will be 40 traditional Christmas scenes and music, animated pioneer villagers and elves, a large collection of nutcrackers and dolls, historic village stores, a train depot, church, old-time school house, and much more! For further information, dial 218/764-2524, or check out www.thisoldfarm.net

The Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud will be the site of numerous holiday performances, including HANDEL'S MESSIAH on Friday and Saturday, December 21 & 22, with The Messiah Chorus, soloists and orchestra, and a showing of the 1970 holiday classic movie SCROOGE on Sunday afternoon, December 23. For tickets and times, dial 320/259-5463, or visit www.paramountarts.org

NORTHERN LIGHTS IN THE NORTH WOODS-A WINTER FAMILY ESCAPE will be held Thursday, December 27 through Sunday, December 30, at the Audubon Center in Sandstone. Come learn about and discover the beauty of the Northern Lights, and participate in fun, exciting activities involving astronomy, dogsledding, wildlife, and winter survival in the North Woods. Just some of the highlights include a presentation by a professional dogsledder, a candlelight ski or snowshoe, astronomy programs, the Super Star Family Skit & Talent Show, a Silent Hunters raptor program, Aurora art projects, sleigh rides, a snow sculpture contest, snow shelter building, and much more. All meals, programs and lodging are included in one price. Please call for rates and availability, at 320/245-2648, or check out www.audubon-center.org

The Brainerd International Raceway will be the site of the WORLD POWER SPORTS ASSOCIATION REGIONAL SNOCROSS RACES, Saturday and Sunday, December 29 & 30, with more than 300 riders from throughout the Upper Midwest and Canada competing. For more information, dial 1-866-444-4455, or visit www.brainerdraceway.com/index.html

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

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 give 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 check out 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 visit 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. For further information, dial 1-800-450-2838, or check out www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

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TWIN CITIES GREATER METROPOLITAN VICINITY

MACY'S HOLIDAZZLE PARADES will be offered each Thursday through Sunday, through December 23, along Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. Each parade will feature brightly lit floats, marching bands, celebrity grand marshals and nearly 250 costumed characters from popular children's stories. Before or after the parade, head to Macy's in downtown Minneapolis for their annual ANIMATED HOLIDAY DISPLAY featuring the Nutcracker story. The display will be open during regular store hours through December 31. Both events are free! For further information, dial 612/376-SNOW, or check out www.macysholidazzle.com

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. And enjoy live holiday music performances on December 22 & 29. 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

KWANZAA will be celebrated at the History Center in St. Paul on Saturday, December 29. Activities will center on the fourth principle and value of Kwanzaa, "cooperative economics." This concept stresses that dignity, self-reliance and responsibility of work, and engaging in it cooperatively, is for the common good of the community. Visitors will enjoy art activities, shopping for treasures at the marketplace, a drumming workshop and performance, true stories from black entrepreneurs, and African folktales based on the principles of Kwanzaa. To learn more, dial 651/296-6126, or visit www.mnhs.org

Buck Hill Ski Area in Burnsville will hold their annual NEW YEAR'S EVE BASH on Monday, 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

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
R. KELLY at the Target Center in Minneapolis, December 20
LOYCE HOULTON'S NUTCRACKER FANTASY at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, December 20-24
SOUL ASYLUM at First Avenue in Minneapolis, December 21
PETER OSTROUSHKO at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, December 22
DAVE PIRNER & THE VOLUNTEERS at The Cabooze in Minneapolis, December 28
The GEAR DADDIES at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, December 28
DON RICKLES at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, December 30 & 31
SINBAD at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel, December 30 & 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, January 16, 2008
BILL ENGVALL at the Historic State Theatre, January 18, 2008
THE 2008 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS at the Xcel Energy Center, January 20-27, 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 in Minneapolis, 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
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 through 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

Lanesboro Tours & Treasures in the city of Lanesboro will offer HORSE-DRAWN RIDES each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 23, with a chance to get an old-fashioned look at scenic and historic Lanesboro all decked out for the holidays. For rates and times, dial 507/467-7000, or check out www.lanesboro-horse-drawn-rides.com

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

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