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Other stories in "Fall"

• Eyes on the skies
  On bluffs and ridges, it's time to watch the hawk migration.
• Next weekend
  See hot-air balloons and ski under the full moon.
• Bash on a bike trail
  Kick up your wheels at small-town fall festivals.
• Remember the wrecks
  On Lake Superior, gales of November bring haunting memories.
• Welcome, Southwest
  Finally, low-cost air fares to Chicago have returned.
• All quiet up north
  Like the leaves, room rates have dropped.
• Big birds
  Eagles are flocking to a stretch of river best known for tundra swans.
• Join the fun
  With an outdoors club, make friends, see new places and save money.
• Homes for the holidays
  On tours, see where the rich and famous celebrated Christmas.
• Culture in the bluffs
  Follow musicians to four unusual venues near the Mississippi.
• Ghouls ahoy
  On Great Lakes, two haunted ships are spoiling for a fright.
• Scenery in the studios
  On autumn art tours, treasure hunters strike gold (and orange and red).
• Closing the deal
  Believe it or not, it's time to reserve hot dates for 2009.
• Ely's blue over hues
  Act now to keep town's future bright.
• Price check/A northwoods weekend
  Two Minnesota B&Bs offer a Boundary Waters adventure — is it a deal?
• On the ropes in Lanesboro
  Try walking a high wire on Halloween.
• In Iowa, a singular inn reopens
  Through December, snag a $99 room at the Hotel Pattee.
• Hunters on the North Shore
  A special deer season this weekend may put guns close to hikers.
• Hot tip/A different North Shore
  Didn't reserve for fall-color season? Thunder Bay has rooms.
• On the road/A fall drive along the St. Croix
  A stretch of river valley is packed with attractions.
• 10 great trails to ride in fall
  Here's where to get your fill of flora, fauna and fall colors.
• Go on a trail-clearing trip
  If you enjoy a hike, help make it possible for others.
• In river towns, favorites debut anew
  On the Red Cedar and in Red Wing, three inns and restaurants finally reopen.
• Home of horsepower
  In Wisconsin, see where race cars, snowmobiles, outboards and motorcycles were born.

This weekend

Ski under the full moon and see a hot-air balloon.

Winter Festival in Ely, Minn. There's an International Snow Sculpting Symposium (pictured), arts fair, Mukluk Ball hosted by Will Steger and voyageur encampment Feb. 7. Feb. 6-16.

Hot Air Affair in Hudson, Wis. There will be winter sports Olympics, a craft fair, chili cookoff, Friday night parade and fireworks plus morning balloon launches and evening moon glows. Feb. 6-8.

Winter Festival in Cedarburg, Wis. In its 35th year, this festival just north of Milwaukee features bed and barrel races, snow golf, an ice-carving contest, a dog weight pull competition and an arts show. The grand parade is at 1 p.m. and Cool Brews & Blues at 6 p.m. Saturday. Feb. 7-8.

Candlelight skis across Minnesota and Wisconsin, timed for the Feb. 9 full moon. Feb. 7.

Winterfest in St. Peter, Minn. This Minnesota River town southwest of the Twin Cities starts its festival with a 6 p.m. Feb. 6 parade, followed by fireworks. Then there's a medallion hunt, spelling bee, hairy legs contest, snow golf and Freeze Yer Buns Run. Feb. 6-15.

U.S. Nationals Snow Sculpting Competition and Winterfest in Lake Geneva, Wis. Watch artists shape snow into whimsical shapes or take a ride on a sleigh, wagon, helicopter or hot-air balloon. Feb. 4-8.

Snowflake Ski-Jumping Tournament in Westby, Wis. This Norwegian village in southwest Wisconsin hosts many of the best U.S. jumpers and some from Europe on its Olympic-sized hill. Spectactors watch from their cars at the bottom of the hill or trudge to the top along with competitors. Feb. 7-8.

Schnee Days in Elkhart Lake, Wis. The Snow Days festival in this town in east-central Wisconsin town, settled by Germans, includes sled-dog rides, a hunt for colored ice cubes and a sheepshead card tournament. Feb. 6-8.

Artigras in Green Bay, Wis. This fine arts festival in Shopko Hall includes artist demonstrations, children's activities, dance, jazz and classical music. Feb. 7-8.

Winterfest in Crosslake, Minn. This festival in the Brainerd Lakes area includes a bonfire and fireworks Friday, kids snowmobile rides, ice bowling and dog-sled races Saturday and car races on Trout Lake Sunday. Feb. 6-8.

For upcoming events, see Great winter festivals.

Last updated on February 2, 2009