The Minnesotan accent is well-known and easily mocked. Yah, sure we use phrases like “you betcha” and could easily trademark “ope, sorry,” but no place is more proud of the unique blend of German and Scandinavian heritage that contributed to the long vowels used so frequently in this northern dialect. The accent isn’t the only thing we held onto, though. Traditions keep us going through the long, slow end to winter. As we usher in spring, we’re one of the last places up north to see the ice disappear on the lake and the snow mounds melt for good. By gathering to celebrate spring holidays, we take time to reflect on a few traditions and soak up the last days of winter and the first days of spring.

Starting with a night-time hike on Friday, March 6, grab your snowshoes and hit the Oberholtzer Trail to explore the woods and wildlife that come out at night with the “Night Eyes Snowshoe Hike” from 7 to 8:30 PM. It’s a method of travel used for centuries and it’s a heck of a lot quieter than the engine of a snowmobile or the roar of an ATV. Get ready for some serious quiet time to connect with nature in a whole new way. This is a self-guided hike, so you’ll be free to go at your own pace and stop to see the owl or fox that share the trail. Start at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center and let your curiosity guide you deeper and deeper into the dim-lit woods that are humming with nocturnal creatures.

In mid-March, celebrate the Finnish or Irish Saint (or both) that are traditionally synonymous with the start of spring. St. Urho’s Day is quirky and just what we need to break our late-winter cabin fever. This holiday that takes place on March 16 celebrates a make-believe saint who is said to have driven away the grasshoppers from Finland in order to save their grape crop. Originating in Virginia, MN, Northern Minnesotans take this holiday pretty seriously and welcome anyone to celebrate this bizarre and fun holiday.

St. Patrick’s Day, on March 17, celebrates a saint who is said to have chased unwelcome snakes out of Ireland. This impressive feat was given an entire holiday celebrating Irish culture and history. Pack something green or risk being pinched, or so says tradition.

All of this foreshadows the first official day of spring in the northern hemisphere, March 19. It might not feel like spring up here, but this sweet spot between winter and spring means wildlife galore. Between the heavy walleye activity on Rainy River and wildlife that is just starting to come out of hibernation, there’s plenty to see and do. Whether you choose to celebrate a saint or discover one of the most beautiful landscapes in Minnesota by ​snowshoe, there’s an activity for you up here. It’s all waiting to be explored, don’t cha know?

The holidays are over and winter is now in full swing. The bitter cold seems less intense under the mid-day sun and the wind comes and goes leaving moments of stillness in between. The temps are low (or below zero) and daylight is short. But up north, we don’t let this slow us down. In fact, we embrace the cold. Not just because we’ve built up a tolerance to frigid air, but because staying active keeps the winter blues away and gives us a special, rare glimpse into nature’s stark beauty that comes only in the deepest part of winter.
What are the secrets to a perfect winter day? We’re glad you asked. Here’s how we’d spend every precious moment of daylight in our beautiful corner of Voyageurs National Park.

• 8:00 AM: We’d start with a hearty breakfast. After a restful night at one of our favorite lodges, we’d prepare a delicious meal that fills us up before embarking on our adventures. If we have any leftovers, we’d pack them up for a snack to eat later.
• 9:00 AM: Daylight is passing quickly, so after cleaning up from breakfast, we’d quickly layer on winter gear over our clothes, grab our fishing license and rod, and head to our best-kept secret fishing spot. New to ice fishing? Here are a few tips on what gear you’ll need and how to find your own best-kept secret fishing spot.
• 11:00 AM: Despite your best efforts, you might need to warm up after over an hour of fishing. It’s time to head back to our lodge and prep lunch.
• Noon: It’s as warm as it will be all day around noon. So, after lunch, we decide to take a new form of transportation: snowmobile. We grab our helmet and head out on sled to Rainy Lake Visitor Center.
• 1:00 PM: We spend a few minutes exploring the bookstore, exhibit area, displays, and activity table before borrowing a free pair or two of cross country skis at the visitor center. With trails nearby, we map out our route and get moving.
• 2:30 PM: It’s time for a quick snack break. Cross country skiing can make you break a sweat, so we unpack our snacks and sit down for a moment to soak in our surroundings. Not sure what to pack beyond your breakfast scraps? Here are our top suggestions. Then, after a quick break, it’s time to head back to the visitor center and beat the setting sun.
• 4:00 PM: After returning our skis, we head back to our lodge and get cozy. We rest our legs and prepare any fish caught from earlier in the day for our supper. As the sun sets, we pour a cup of hot cocoa, watch the sky closely for any glimpse of the Northern Lights, and reminisce about our favorite moments from the busy day.
  

Through the years, suffering the cold has become a sort of challenge that we celebrate. It’s a challenge that many accept excitedly and many more accept begrudgingly. For instance, do you remember the ice bucket challenge where you dump a bucket of ice over a friend (or victim) for charity? Or the various snowball fights you had as a child or maybe still have, because who ever really grows out of wanting to play in the snow? We take stock in knowing that we’ve embraced the cold and we’re always a little rosier and prouder for doing so. It goes beyond our backyard though, with communities around the country celebrating winter’s beauty and coming together to make something magical, memorable, and fulfilling. It’s not just that we’re trying to beat the cold, but find a reason to make something meaningful because of it. In Leavenworth, Washington, they celebrate winter with the Bavarian Icefest which includes outdoor games, treats, and a stroll down a stunning street adorned with holiday lights. In our neighbor state of Wisconsin, they celebrate Winter Fest with art, music, and various family events and friendly competitions.

In International Falls, we have our own winter celebrations and, not to brag, but we’ve become quite famous for them. With several national news stations and big-name writers coming to check out Icebox Days and watch runners shiver through the Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run, we proudly own the “Icebox of the Nation” nickname. You’ll be hard pressed to find a colder place in the US than International Falls, MN, on any given day in January. But it’s just that challenge that we accept gladly as we prepare to celebrate the 40th Annual Icebox Days Winter Festival.

If you’re ready to celebrate the cold with us, there’s a plethora of activities to choose from in order to stay warm, and most importantly, have fun in January. To help you get organized, here are a few suggestions to make the most out of your festival weekend:

1. Moonlight Snowshoe Hike: Luminaries to light your way, this is a romantic Friday night date activity. Pack a flashlight or headlamp, check in at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center around 7 PM for free snowshoe rentals, and make your way through the hushed and peaceful nighttime forest in Voyageurs National Park.
2. Icebox Days Pancake Breakfast: Feed your inner lumberjack with a thick stack of pancakes at Elk’s Lodge on Saturday morning. Free will offering will get your hands on some hot cakes, sausage, juice, and coffee.
3. Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run: Registration opens at 8 AM, the 5K race begins at 9 AM, and the 10K race begins at 10 AM. Lace up your shoes or cheer on the brave runners and walkers from the sidelines.
4. Frostbite Falls Open Ice Golf Tournament: If Santa played golf, this might be his favorite course. It’s a winter paradise with nine holes and golfers deck their “carts” out in a friendly competition for the “Best Sled” award. Registration opens at 11 AM.
5. Frozen Turkey Bowling or the Toilet Seat Toss: Take your pick as to what you’d like to throw across the frigid ice more: turkeys or toilet seats. The frozen turkey toss event is free and simply asks that participants toss a frozen turkey down a bowling lane in their best attempt at hitting as many pins as possible. If you’ve never seen a frozen turkey roll down a bowling lane and you like to laugh, this event might be for you. Head to the Backus Community Center at 1 PM and don’t miss a beat of this wacky event. On the other hand, if you’ve ever had plumbing issues and have unreleased aggression towards a toilet seat, the 1 PM Toilet Seat Toss at the Viking Bar and Lounge might be an even better fit.
6. Chili Feed: The cold means you burn more calories. So filling up on something warm and satisfying is a must. The Chili Feed starts at 2 PM at the Backus Community Center and you can purchase small or large bowls, depending on your appetite. You’ll sample from steamy pots of chili to choose your favorite. Over the years we’ve found that the winner is rarely the mouth-burning spicy variety but rather a really good hit for a variety of palates. But, if you like it hot, there’s always a pot or two of fire-alarm worthy chili to try.
7. Smoosh Races: Never played on a smoosh board? Make this day your first time and with any amount of beginner’s luck, you’ll have a shot at cash prizes from the Chamber. Smoosh racers strap four team members to a prepared two-by-four and then try to run, in unison (or more often in a state of complete confusion) down the course, negotiate a turn and race back to the finish line. If you want to compete but don’t have two-by-fours with some sort of strap or binder system, they can be provided. If you don’t want to compete, join the crowd of spectators having a laugh or two as teams do their best to compete in an intentionally clumsy contest.
8. Fireworks: Cuddle up with a loved one under a warm blanket and settle in along 3rd Street to listen to and watch the fireworks show.

If you’re staying in town through Sunday, the festivities continue with canoe races, a hot dog roast, and a figure skating competition and exhibition. For the full list of events and details, visit the Chamber’s website here.

Want to see what Icebox Days from years past looked like? Read on from our blog here.