If there’s one thing Minnesota can count on in the winter, it’s cold weather, which makes it the ideal host for an annual ice festival. This year’s event, at Viking Lakes, funs from January 10th to February 16th.
This year’s festival will include an attempt at a Guinness record for world’s largest ice maze, a record that may last longer than the frozen puzzle. Judging from the archive photo supplied by Minnesota Ice, the festival’s operator, it’s going to have to be really big to be bigger than that. The goal is 18,000 square feet.
Minnesota Ice, by the way, is a leading supplier of ‘sculpture-grade ice,’ something most of us never heard of. Ice-sculpting competitions are also part of the festival, with the winning team going home with the Carver Cup.
Other events planned for the festival include
- Ice Slide – Featuring three lanes perfect for ice explorers of all ages
- Warming House – Warm up with hot cocoa, comfort foods, and regional specialties in the large hospitality space.
- Skating Rink – 3,500 square feet of ice with skates available for rent provided by Viking Lakes
- Food Trucks – A selection of twin-cities favorite local food trucks.
- Themed Ice Bars – Sip on handcrafted cocktails served with Pure & Clear Ice from Minnesota Ice.
- Additional features and entertainment to be announced.
