The festival that started 133 years ago when a New York Times reporter called St. Paul a “Siberia” and questioned why anyone would live here isn’t about to let record low temps hold it back now.
Especially since the forecast calls for climbing temps this weekend.
The “Coolest Celebration on Earth” continues through Sunday, with the iconic Torchlight Parade set to roll in downtown St. Paul on Saturday, ice sculptures that have remained crystalline-pristine in the cold in Kellogg Mall Park, a slick snow slide at the Vulcan Snow Park at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds (closed Tuesday and Wednesday) and more.
Frozen Family Fun Night is 5-8 p.m. Tuesday night at Landmark Center, featuring live entertainment from “Elsa and Anna.”
Here are some highlights:
Kellogg Mall Park (along Kellogg Boulevard next to the Mississippi) has the ice sculptures, live music, ice bars and more refreshments inside a 60-by-40 warming tent.
Through Feb. 17: Fire & Ice Winter Carnival Art Show at AZ Gallery in Lowertown St. Paul features more than 100 works by local artists.
Thursday: The Ice Bar in Kellogg Mall Park is open from 5 to 8:30 p.m. A new Minnesota Songwriter Showcase on the stage features new and veteran songwriters starting at 4:30 p.m.
Friday: Kellogg Mall Park is open from 4 to 10 p.m., with the songwriter showcase back on stage from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The Freeze Your Bags Off Bean Bag Tournament is at 5 and 7 p.m. and continues through the weekend. ’70s Magic Sunshine Band brings the hits of that decade to the stage starting at 7. Inside over at Landmark Center, Bouncing Girl tryouts start at 7 p.m. (registration at 6 p.m.)
Saturday: A boot hockey tourney starts at 7 a.m. at WinterSkate near Landmark Center and snow flag football starts at 9 a.m. at Vulcan Snow Park. Doggie Depot barks its way into Union Depot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and family fun is the focus for activities at Kellogg Mall Park and Landmark Center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There’s entertainment on the stage all day at Kellogg Mall Park, leading up to the Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade at 5:30 p.m., followed by the overthrow of Boreas and fireworks along the river.
Sunday: Festival events wrap up with a Cinco de Mayo Happy Hour and a new Hops and Hounds event, both at Kellogg Mall Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more details and events, go to wintercarnival.com or mnsnowpark.com.
Copyright 2019 Pioneer Press.