Celebrating Snow
I am not a Minnesota native. And although after 7 years I still get jokes from friends and family about living in the land of frozen tundra, I've actually come to love the winters that Minnesotans are so proud of. Proud enough that they throw a party in honor of them: The St. Paul Winter Carnival.
Believe it or not, the Saint Paul Winter Carnival is the oldest winter festival in the United States. It pre-dates the Tournament of Roses Festival by two years.
Several Eastern newspaper correspondents kindled the start of the Winter Carnival by visiting Saint Paul in the fall of 1885 and returning home to report that Minnesota, in general, was another Siberia, unfit for human habitation (a sentiment I agreed with when I first arrived here as well). A group of business owners decided to retaliate by creating a wintertime festival which would showcase all the beauty of Minnesota winters.
The carnival is truly family oriented making it a perfect destination for a kid-friendly weekend outing. The majority of activities for this year's Winter Carnival take place at Harriet Island on the banks of the Mississippi, including an ice maze, ice and snow sculpting competitions, and a Hot Dish tent (another Minnesota staple) with food and live entertainment.
Back by popular demand, a giant snow slide that has thrilled and chilled thousands will return. This years slide is 15 feet tall, with a 150 foot run! One ride on the Giant Snow Slide will be $2.00, with helmets and sleds provided.
Winter Carnival Buttons provide discounts and admission to many of the events, including the slide, and can be purchased at Cub, SuperAmerica, and Snyders locations for $5 each, or $17 for a family pack of four.
Benefitting another kid-friendly Minnesota destination, a portion of this years button sales will go toward developing a new Polar Bear Exhibit at Como Zoo. The new Polar Bear habitat will provide state-of-the-art facilities for managing and exhibiting the world's largest terrestrial carnivore. The new exhibit, which will provide seven times the space of the current Polar Bear Exhibit, will open in 2010.
So bundle up and revel in all things winter this weekend in honor of the Great White North. With so many warm-hearted Minnesotans working to put on this event, it doesnt feel nearly as cold as you would think.
St. Paul Winter Carnival
January 26th February 4th
651.223.4700
www.winter-carnival.com
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