Plenty of fresh snow sets the scene for outdoor Frostival fun.
The weather may be frigid this weekend, but it won’t dent the fun forecast for Moorhead’s biggest weekend of Frostival 2023.
Created to combat the notion that this is a frozen tundra in winter, the frosty festival, which kicked off in mid-January and continues until Feb. 24, offers a full schedule of outdoor — and indoor — fun. It’s organized by the Moorhead Parks and Recreation Department and their counterparts in Fargo and West Fargo, along with the Convention and Visitors Bureau, businesses and organizations throughout the three cities. Initially scheduled for just two days in 2016, in 2023 it offers six weeks of activities, most of them free.
The crown jewel of the coming weekend may be the announcement of winners in the Moorhead Business Association’s annual snow sculpture contest at 2:30 Saturday. The Hjemkomst Center and Viking Ship Park again host some of the other original attractions — Snowga (outdoor yoga), the Kiwanis chili and hot dog feed, a marshmallow roast, free ski and snowshoe rentals, and the “Uff Da — It’s Cold Outside” hot dish contest at the American Legion.
Others are new this year. Among them: an ice fort building competition and snowball fight, a planetarium show featuring the stars of PBS children’s programs, a presentation by Minnesota’s Arctic explorer Lonnie Dupre, an a candlelight trail walk near Mary’s Tunnel.
Special activities and events take place all over Moorhead for the next four weeks, wrapping up Feb. 25 with Winter Trails Day at M.B. Johnson Park. For a detailed schedule of events, go to https://frostival.com/schedule/
Friday
Winter Mixer for kids and adults at Harold’s on Main, with food, drinks, games for kids and adults, karaoke and live music. 3-10 p.m.
Beyond the Wonderland, ice fort building competition and snowball fight, sponsored by the Lotus Center on the grounds of First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Fifth St. S.. 5-10 p.m.
Friday &
Saturday
Brrr-illiant 10-minute Plays by the F-M Community Theatre, Hjemkomst Center,
Saturday
Fun at the Frozen Fortress — voting for winners of snow sculpture contest, outdoor games, free cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals, Snowga, scavenger hunt, Dance Attack, hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows — all outside. Indoors, Moorhead Kiwanis serve up their annual chili and hot dog feed.
Frost ‘n’ Bowl at Sunset Lanes, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
“Greenland, Then and Now,” presentation by Arctic explorer Lonnie Dupre at the Moorhead Public Library, 2 p.m.
Sunday
“Uff Da — It’s Cold Outside Hotdish Time,” hotdish competition and feed at American Legion, with proceeds going to Veterans Honor Flight. 1 p.m.
Monday
Winter Fun Day at Talecris Plasma Resources — plasma bottle bowling, craft tables and treats. 3-6 p.m.
Tuesday
Candlelight Trail Walk around Viking Ship Park, with presentation on constellations from local astronomy groups, FMCT caroling around a fire, outdoor games, and s’mores, hot dogs and hot chocolate. Free ski and snowshoe rentals. 6-8 p.m.
Friday – Sunday, Feb. 3-5
Freezin’ for a Good Reason — 44-hour camp-out at the American Legion hosted by FM Legion Riders, with special events each day.
Saturday, Feb. 4
Winter Warm-Up at the Rourke — Browse handmade mugs, mittens, hats and scarves in the gallery’s outdoor sculpture court and dive into the complimentary cocoa bar. 1-4 p.m.
Stonewall Sports Winter Kickball Tournament — The area’s first-ever winter kickball tournament on the field at M.B. Johnson Park. 11 a.m.
Sleigh Rides at M.B. Johnson Park. Noon – 4 p.m. (More sleigh rides on Sunday, Feb. 18.)
Sunday, Feb. 5
Cops vs. Kids Hockey Game, Moorhead Sports Center. 6 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 11
FrosTAKular — Musical concert featuring songs from children’s favorite musicals at TAK Events Center. 2 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 12
Open Skate at Cullen Hockey Center
Saturday, Feb. 25
Winter Trails Day at M.B. Johnson Park, with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and skishoeing, hosted by volunteers of the Dakota Prairie Chapter of North Country Trail Association. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
