— Pull in your snow boots, hats and gloves, zip up your parka and prepare to hit the highway for the thirty eighth annual race.
. Whether or not you are a severe winter sports activities fanatic or want your winter actions to be indoors relatively than outdoors, you need to be capable of discover one thing to do throughout WinterFest this yr.
“This WinterFest has a bit one thing for everybody,” mentioned Neila Duchene, administrator of the Spicer Commerce Membership, which has hosted WinterFest since 1985.
The month-long pageant kicks off this Saturday and runs till February 12, with actions, occasions and packages deliberate for the subsequent 4 weeks.
“We had a really busy weekend,” Duchene mentioned. “When you’re on the lookout for weekend occasions, we have you coated for nearly a month.”
This Saturday and Sunday will see the development of the annual ice fortress at Saulsbury Seashore, constructed from blocks of ice lower instantly from Inexperienced Lake. This yr’s fortress was designed by Jeff Travis of Travis Masonry; building might be led by Travis Masonry and Charles Development, whereas Wee Kut will lead the ice chopping.
However many of the work on constructing the fortress partitions might be carried out by volunteers.
Shelby Lindrud / West Central Tribune file photograph
“Saturday and Sunday is go time. They’re chopping ice, placing blocks,” Duchene mentioned. “I hope to have this carried out by Sunday night.”
Ice depth on Inexperienced Lake measured about 13 to 14 inches two weeks in the past, although it could be a bit thicker now. As a consequence of heavy snow over the vacations, a big space close to the shoreline was cleared to make sure the ice remained in excellent state of building.
This yr, occasion planners are asking guests to not climb the fortress as soon as it is constructed, to assist hold it in good situation, because it should come down resulting from security considerations as soon as it begins to deteriorate. Hopefully the climate might be form over the subsequent few weeks, permitting the finished fortress to face tall all through WinterFest and stay the proper selfie spot for pageant goers.
Shelby Lindrud / West Central Tribune file photograph
WinterFest is ramping up and heating up
The enjoyable actually begins on Saturday, January 21, with the WinterFest Spicer Velocity occasions all through the day at Inexperienced Lake. Along with the pace run on Inexperienced Lake, the Central Minnesota Pond races might be held. Anybody with a snowmobile and a necessity for pace can take part within the pace run.
“When you’re a snowmobile racer, go become involved,” Duchene mentioned.
Ice anglers will flock to Inexperienced Lake on each Saturday, January twenty first and Sunday, January twenty second. tenth annual
Tommy Swenson Memorial Ice Fishing Match
Saturday might be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Duchene mentioned fishing event organizers determined to raise the annual occasion this yr.
“It is large for our space,” Duchene mentioned. “It is a multi-fishing event.”
On Jan. 22 from 1 to three p.m., younger fishermen and ladies will be capable of moist their traces throughout the fifth annual children’ ice fishing derby, positioned in entrance of Pirrotta Park on Inexperienced Lake. The derby is open to all kids underneath the age of 15.
“My two daughters, who should not ice fishermen, are very captivated with it,” Duchene mentioned.
In all probability essentially the most thrilling day for WinterFest might be January twenty eighth with the 18th annual pageant.
, Household Enjoyable Day, fireworks and the fourth annual Fireplace on Ice Dance with Uncle Chunk’s band. Household enjoyable actions will embrace ice carving, snowboarding, and ice hockey
sledding, hayrides, Disney character visits, children’ crafts and indoor actions at O’Neil’s, stay music, bonfires on the seashore and scrumptious treats.
“It is an superior afternoon and night for the youngsters and the household,” Duchene mentioned. “If you are going to journey to Spicer, you need to be right here for the day. It should be plenty of enjoyable.”
Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune file photograph
On January 29, snowmobilers may have a second probability to compete. The
It is going to be held from 8:30 to fifteen:00
The
It’s scheduled to start out on February 4 at 9 a.m. in Zorbaz.
The WinterFest festivities will conclude with a Winter Household Enjoyable Day on February 12 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Prairie Woods Heart for Environmental Schooling.
There, households can attempt quite a lot of winter actions, similar to cross-country snowboarding, snowshoeing, fat-tired biking, or cross-country snowboarding. For individuals who wish to keep indoors, PWELC additionally has an indoor climbing wall, or you may take pleasure in a heat hearth and displays within the schooling constructing.
Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune file photograph
There will even be stay music all through WinterFest
and a DJ
Zorbaz Lake-on the Inexperienced Lake
.
The complete schedule for WinterFest will be discovered on-line
WinterFest would not be doable with out quite a lot of enterprise sponsors, and this yr had a file quantity, Duchene mentioned. The Spicer Commerce Membership appears ahead to the occasion, which not solely brings elevated enterprise to sponsors, but additionally brings nice crowds to Spicer to rejoice winter.
“Come out for a bit winter and luxuriate in what Spicer has to supply for WinterFest,” mentioned Duchene.
Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune file photograph
