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Other stories in "Festivals"

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• Great fall festivals
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• Critter races
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• Great holiday festivals
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• Toasting Oktoberfest
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• A German Mardi Gras
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• Owl aboard
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• Birding in spring
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• Waking the dragon
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• Tulip Time in Pella
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• A feast of festivals
  At small-town shindigs, get your fill of strawberries and sauerkraut, kolacky and sweet corn.
• Home of the eelpout
  In February, a Minnesota fishing town lets loose.
• Polish for a day
  At Milwaukee's lakefront festivals, visitors get a big helping of another culture.
• The coolest days of winter
  Ditch the indoors to watch ski-jumpers, dog-mushers and snow-sculptors.
• Horror around the corner
  Spoiling for a fright? In October, ghouls lurk at historic forts, boats, mills and lighthouses.
• Jolly Cedarburg
  In southeastern Wisconsin, a historic village has perfected the art of the party.
• Cozying up to the Cornish
  A fall festival honors the miners who left their mark on Mineral Point.
• Great grape stomps
  At harvest festivals, compete with your feet.
• Bash on a bike trail
  Kick up your wheels at a small-town fall festival.
• Everyone loves a parade
  When a town marches, its entire history unrolls before your eyes.
• Agate stampede
  Every year, Moose Lake introduces budding rockhounds to the thrill of the hunt.
• Dancing on the Yellow Medicine
  In history-filled river valley, a wacipi celebrates Dakota culture.
• Nordic nirvana
  Every July, Decorah puts on one of the best fests in the Midwest.

Great winter festivals

Enjoy the chilly season with snow sculptures, ice castles, sleigh rides and lots of hot chocolate.

True northerners don't let cold weather keep them indoors, not when they could be out on the ice playing broomball and bowling turkeys. 

Many festivals in winter are held on frozen lakes, the best place for kite-flying, ice golf and hot-air balloon lift-offs. In northern Minnesota, an ice-house city goes up on Leech Lake for the goofy Eelpout Festival in February.

In parks, elaborate ice and snow sculptures entertain passersby. On rivers, buses take tourists to see bald eagles. Bonfires and hot chocolate are offered everywhere.

Below are some of the fun festivals going on around the region in 2010. Always check before you go to verify dates and to make sure you catch the best parts of a festival, especially the parades.

For candlelight events, see Ski or snowshoe by candlelight. For more about eagle-watching events, see Where eagles land.

For events year-round, see the Events Calendar.

New Year's Eve celebrations

Look for fireworks everywhere New Year's Eve, especially in La Crosse, where the Skyrockers are famous for their pyrotechnics from Grandad Bluff (midnight, with a kids' show at 6 p.m.).

Carp Fest in Prairie du Chien culminates with the Droppin' of the Carp, a frozen Mississippi River rough fish, on New Year's Eve. There's also carp snow sculptures, carp-building arts and crafts, hot-air balloon rides and a torchlight ski and hike in LaRiviere Park. Dec. 29-31.

For the Big Cheese Drop in the eastern Wisconsin town of Plymouth, an 80-pound wedge of cheese is dropped 100 feet at midnight.The sponsoring Plymouth Arts Center also holds a Build Your Own New Year's Eve Party, with live music and prizes. Dec. 31.

New Year's Eve also is a good time to snowshoe or hike by the light of the full moon, a rare blue moon.

Second weekend of January

Sleigh & Cutter Rally in Ashland, Wis. Gathering of antique sleighs and drivers in 19th-century costumes at Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. Jan. 9.

Winter Trails Day. At Fort Snelling State Park in the Twin Cities, there will be guided hikes, geocaching, snowshoeing demos, animal-tracking and fort-building. At Camp 10 ski area near Rhinelander, Wis., there will be cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Jan. 9.

Third weekend of January

Polar Daze in Bemidji, Minn. There's broomball, golf on ice, a polar plunge and a build-your-own-sled derby. Jan. 16.

Ice Box Days in International Falls, Minn. In the "Ice Box of the Nation'' on the Canadian border, there will be turkey bowling, snow sculptures, a night snowshoe hike in Voyageurs National Park and the famous Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run. Jan. 13-16. 

Eagle Watching Days in Sauk City and Prairie du Sac, Wis. Many eagles spend the winter  near this town on the Wisconsin River, which offers guided bus tours, eagle and raptor programs and a radio-tracking demonstration. Jan. 15-16.

Art Shanty Projects in Plymouth, Minn. Frozen Medicine Lake in this western Minneapolis suburb hosts 20 artist-designed ice houses and lots of activities for kids and adults. The ArtCar Taxi Shanty takes you there. 10 to 2 p.m. weekends from Jan. 16 to Feb. 7.

Jack Frost Fest in Spooner, Wis. There's turkey bowling, minnow races, dog sled rides, watercolor snow painting and a 4K snowshoe race in this western Wisconsin town. Jan. 16.

Fourth weekend of January

Winterfest in Iowa's Amana Colonies. Go on a wine walk or scavenger hunt or compete in ham-throwing, log-sawing, the Amana Freezer Run/Walk, snowshoeing or for the best beard. There will be ice sculptures, storytelling and schnitzel-sampling, too. Jan. 23.

Flake Out Festival in the Wisconsin Dells. Watch snow-sculptors compete, go tubing and into the ice maze, watch a dog weight-pulling contest, take a pony ride and see fireworks at 9 p.m. Saturday. Jan. 22-24.

Winter Carnival in St. Paul. Carvers create glittering ice sculptures in Rice Park, and there are many new events, including the Beer Dabbler in Mears Park Jan. 23 and a kite festival on Lake Phalen Jan. 30. See or walk in four parades: the Moon Glow Pedestrian at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 22; Grande Day at 2 p.m. Jan. 23; Kids' at 2 p.m. Jan. 24; and the Torchlight at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 30. Jan. 21-31.

Volks Ski Fest on the North Shore and Gunflint Trail. There's a candlelight ski from Cascade Lodge, free snowshoe use and guided hikes, sleigh rides, dog-sled rides, music, bonfires and s'mores. Jan. 23-31.

SchneeFest 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 snow sculpting. Jan. 22-24.

Bald Eagle Day in Dubuque, Iowa.  Live-eagle programs and free trolley rides from the Grand River Center downtown to the National Mississippi River Museum and Lock & Dam 11. Jan. 23.

Bald Eagle Watch Weekend around Ottawa, Ill. This town in northern Illinois will feature activities at the Starved Rock Lodge near Utica and the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center in Ottawa. Jan. 23-24.

Fifth weekend of January

Pine Mountain Ski Jumping Tournament in Iron Mountain, Mich. This Upper Peninsula town across the Wisconsin border is where the international jumpers go; it's a stop on the Continental Cup circuit. Jan. 29-31.

Bald Eagle Days in Cassville, Wis. This Mississippi River town in southwest Wisconsin will offer raptor programs and viewing with spotting scopes in Riverside Park. Jan. 30-31.

John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in Duluth. Watch the start of the marathon to the Gunflint Trail and the mid-distance race to Tofte. The Cutest Puppy Contest is at noon Saturday at Fitger's. Jan. 31.

Winter Games in Lake Okoboji, Iowa. This resort area in northwest Iowa will offer broomball, softball and flag football on ice, indoor golf, a Freeze Yer Fanny Bike Ride, a wienie toss, a chili cookoff and fireworks at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Jan. 29-31.

Celebration of the Lakes in Center City, Minn. This Chisago Lakes festival on North Center Lake includes hot-air balloon launches, $5 dog-sled rides, helicopter and horse-drawn sleigh rides, a chili cookoff, a medallion hunt, a kiddie parade at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and a snowmobile torchlight parade at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Jan. 30-31.

Snow Days Chicago in Grant Park. There'll be an international snow-sculpting tournament, snowboarding competition and sled-dog racing. Jan. 29-31.

Groundhog Days in Woodstock, Ill. The 1993 movie "Groundhog Day'' was filmed in this town an hour northwest of Chicago, and it celebrates with storytelling, a bachelor auction and tours of movie sites, including the 1889 Opera House, where Bill Murray jumped from the belfry. At 7:07 a.m., Woodstock Willie will look for his shadow. Jan. 28-Feb. 2.

First weekend of February

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. 5-7.

Winter Frolic in Two Harbors, Minn. This North Shore town celebrates winter on Lake Superior with free sleigh rides, sled-dog rides, snow sculptures, free s'mores, outhouse and smoosh races and a parade at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Feb. 5-7.

Winter Carnival in Houghton, Mich. The two-week snow fest at Michigan Tech University gets going with a human dog-sled race, snow volleyball, ice fishing and other sports and continues with all-night snow sculptures, a tug of war and torchlight parade and fireworks at Mont Ripley ski hill. Feb. 3-6.

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. 3-7.

Winter Festival in Ely, Minn. There's a voyageur encampment, snow-sculpting contest, arts fair and Mukluk Ball Feb. 6-7 and a free snowshoe hike to the Hegman Pictographs Feb. 12, led by Outward Bound. Feb. 4-14.

Michigan Ice Fest in Munising, Mich. Ice-climbing demos, slide shows and clinics for beginners at Grand Island Recreation Area. Feb. 5-7.

Knickerbocker Ice Festival in Lake Mills, Wis. The fest in this darling town east of Madison, named for the company that once harvested ice from Rock Lake, holds a fish toss, Sno Ball-eating contest, dad-sled race, chili cook-off and Iceberg Open golf tournament. There's ice carving, too. Feb. 5-6.

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. 5-6. For more, see A jumpin' joint.

Artigras in Green Bay, Wis. This fine arts festival in Shopko Hall includes artist demonstrations, children's activities, dance, jazz and classical music. Feb. 6-7.

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. 5-7.

WinterFest in Spicer, Minn. The festivities are along and on Green Lake in this lake town west of the Twin Cities: a snow-kite race and demos, helicopter rides, skating lessons, a bonfire, buggy rides and fireworks at 7 p.m. Saturday. Feb. 6-7.

Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race in Bayfield, Wis. Watch four races over two days and get in some skiing on the side. Feb. 6-7.

Winter Festival in Fish Creek, Wis. This Door County village lets loose with events that include bed racing, a toilet-seat throw, a bike toss and a snowshoe dance contest. There's also sleigh and trolley rides and a parade. Feb. 5-7.

Second weekend of February

Winter Festival in Cedarburg, Wis. In its 36th year, this festival just north of Milwaukee features bed and barrel races, snow golf, an ice-carving contest, a dog weight pull competition, an arts show. The grand parade is at 1 p.m. and Cool Brews & Blues at 6 p.m. Saturday. Feb. 13-14.

Festival du Voyageur in Winnipeg. Snow sculptures, an Aboriginal encampment, a fiddling and jigging contest and music are part of this large festival in the French-speaking St. Boniface neighborhood. Feb. 12-21.

Sax Zim Bog Festival of Birds south of Eveleth, Minn. Listen to programs and go on field trips to see such boreal species as evening grosbeak, northern hawk owl, gray jay and particularly snowy owls. Feb. 12-14.

Winter Jubilee in Nisswa, Minn.: This town in central Minnesota lakes country is quiet in winter, but it still has fun. Festivities include a medallion hunt, tug-of-war, ice-fishing derby, helicopter rides, a parade at noon Saturday and lots of contests: wood-splitting, volleyball, broomball and snow sculpture. Feb. 12-14.

Chicago Auto Show. It's the largest car show in the nation and third-largest in the world. Feb. 12-21.

Voyageur Winter Festival in Thunder Bay, Ont. The fest at Fort William Historical Park includes a snow maze, sleigh and dog-sled rides and contests in snow-sculpting, log-sawing, snowman-making, pond hockey and for cutest baby. Feb. 13-15.

Bock Fest at Schell Brewery in New Ulm, Minn. There's a parade of mythical Germanic characters, a hunt for stag heads on the brewery grounds and beyond and a big party afterward with beer, live music and a bonfire. Feb. 13. For more, see A German Mardi Gras.

Third weekend of February

Color the Wind Kite Festival in Clear Lake, Iowa: This town in north-central Iowa draws kiters from eight states for its festival, the largest in the Midwest, and the kite-ballet team Fire and Ice will perform routines choreographed to music. Feb. 20.

Klondike Days in Eagle River, Wis.: This northeast Wisconsin sports town has a small ice castle and great skiing and snowmobiling. Its big festival features a voyageur encampment, lumberjack competition, chainsaw carving, dog-sled rides, snowshoe races and dog and horse weight pulls. Feb. 20-21.

Winter Festival in Madison. See Capitol Square turn into a sports venue, with cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing plus music, family games and ice and snow sculptures. Feb. 19-21.

Book Across the Bay between Ashland and Washburn, Wis. Ski or snowshoe across Lake Superior's Chequamegon Bay on a 10-kilometer route lined by ice luminaries. If you're not too fast, fireworks will fill the sky as you're approaching Washburn; a bonfire, chili feed and blues music follow. Feb. 20.

International Eelpout Festival in Walker, Minn.: There may be more drinking than athletic ability on display here, but it’s always a memorable event. Goofy fishing encampments on Leech Lake vie for prizes, and chefs cook up tasty nuggets of the ugly 'pout, a bottom-dwelling relative of cod. There's the five-mile Eelpout Peel-Out run to warm up, and a Polar Plunge later to cool off. Feb. 19-21.

Restaurant Week in Chicago. Time to pack on the calories: More than 160 restaurants offer three-course prix-fixe menus for $22 at lunch and $32 at dinner. Feb. 19-28.

Fourth weekend of February

Grumpy Old Men Festival in Wabasha, Minn. There's always good eagle-viewing in this Mississippi River town, and during the festival, there will be an ice-fishing contest, a dog frisbee contest, a pet pageant and minnow races. Feb. 26-27.

Bald Eagle Appreciation Day in Prairie du Chien, Wis., and Effigy Mounds National Monument near Marquette, Iowa. Birding experts give programs and lead mini field trips, depending on weather. At the Wisconsin Travel Information Center, just off the bridge into town, volunteers man spotting scopes. Feb. 27.

Bockfest at Capital Brewery in Middleton, Wis. This Madison-area brewery celebrates with the Running of the Blondes, Kirby's Famous Fish Throw, music and, of course, beer. Feb. 27.

Winter Tracks Festival on Minnesota's Gunflint Trail. There's always lots of snow here for skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, snowmobiling, skijoring and mushing. No ski pass required. On Saturday, there's a dinner and dance at Windigo Lodge. Feb. 25-28. For more, see The best days of winter.

Perkinstown Outhouse Race near Medford, Wis. Bring your own throne to this race at the Perkinstown Winter Sports Area. Four pushers and one squatter compete for the titles "hardest pushers'' and "prettiest potty.'' Feb. 27.

First weekend of March

International Festival of Owls in Houston, Minn. This southeast Minnesota town offers owl prowls, hooting contests, pellet dissection, live-owl programs and children's activities. March 5-7. For more, see Owl aboard.

International Festival in Madison. Dancers, musicians, storytellers and puppeteers representing traditions from around the world converge on the Overture Center for the Arts on State Street for this free festival. There's also food and a global bazaar. March 6.

WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race in Ely, Minn. There's a dog weight pull competition and mushers lasagna feed Saturday and the race to Tower and back on Sunday. March 6-8.

Sock Monkey Madness Festival in Rockford, Ill. This town in northern Illinois made the red-heeled socks from which the famous stuffed toys were created during the Depression; make your own sock money or elephant and watch the Miss Sockford pageant and film fest. March 6-7.

Sleeping Giant Loppet in Thunder Bay, Ont. Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is the setting for this tour and race, which includes live entertainment, food and a choice of four distances, 10, 20, 35 and 50 kilometers. March 6.

Cornyval in Cornucopia, Wis. This festival at the top of the Bayfield Peninsula includes a snowman contest, winter golf, turkey bowling and bonfire on the beach. March 6.

Soar With Eagles in Wabasha, Minn. The National Eagle Center is sponsoring field trips, live-bird programs, homing-pigeon releases and nature-photography classes. Weekends in March.

Winter Carnival in Bayfield, Wis. The Lake Superior festival features the Run on Water to Madeline Island and back, human-pulled dog-sled races, sledding down Manypenny Avenue and a Polar Bear Plunge with prizes Saturday. March 5-7.

Indian Summer Festival Winter Powwow in Milwaukee. Drumming, singing, a marketplace and food at Wisconsin State Fair Park. Grand entries are 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. March 6-7.

Second weekend in March

Mush for a Cure on the Gunflint Trail in Minnesota. This event on Gunflint Lake begins with a "sourdough start'' — mushers wait inside sleeping bags for a shotgun blast, then race to put on boots and hook up teams for a 24-mile fun run. Everyone wears pink, including the dogs, and a party follows. March 13.

For the best events in spring, see Great spring festivals.

Last updated on March 1, 2010