Courtesy of World Snow Celebration
Visitors to Stillwater over the next couple of weeks can take part in one of Minnesota’s favorite pastimes: embracing winter, wholeheartedly. The city hosts the World Snow Celebration, which kicked off on Jan. 13 and exemplifies Minnesotans’ commitment to enjoying the outdoors, no matter the weather.
“It’s a 13-day celebration of winter, culture, and community,” Robin Anthony-Evenson, president of the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Foundation, said in a recent press release. “Stillwater is proud to host this global event and showcase the magic of Minnesota in winter.” The celebration wraps up on Jan. 25.
The centerpiece of the festival is the World Snow Sculpting Championship, which runs Jan. 14-17 and features teams from all over the world—Mexico, Lithuania, Taiwan, Turkey, and other environs (plus a U.S. team). Teams compete for awards in five categories, and prizes will be given at the closing ceremony in the Xcel Energy Powerhouse Hospitality Tent on Jan. 17.
Courtesy of World Snow Celebration
In addition to viewing the frosty sculptures, World Snow Celebration attendees can also take a gastronomic world tour at the Taste of the Nations hub, where local bars and restaurants offer globally inspired dishes. (Pick up a Taste of the Nations Passport at your first stop, and collect a punch from each of the 16 vendors to be entered to win a $20 gift card.) Watch for Ecuadorian cuisine from Brian’s Bar and Grill, Swiss dishes from Big Guys BBQ Roadhouse, Peruvian bites from Lolito Cantina, and more.
Other festival highlights include an indoor market at the Water Street Inn, a candlelight winter walk on Browns Creek Trail, the Frosty Fox 5K (and Dashing Through the Snow kids’ race), and a fat tire bike rally at Lowell Park.
Visit worldsnowcelebration.com for a full schedule and more details.
