Rentals of cross-country skis and snowshoes are free during the Frozen Fortress event Saturday, Feb. 1.
Youngsters enjoy the thrill of a hill in Viking Ship Park during Frostival’s Frozen Fortress events. This year’s event is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1.
When it’s Cool to be Cold
Nancy Edmonds Hanson
Is it cool to be cold? That’s what the FMCVB is proclaiming, just in time for the community’s annual nine-day excuse to savor fresh air, survey frosty scenes, and celebrate all the fun that the Red River Valley winter has to offer.
Frostival returns for its 10th run with a shorter nine-day format packed with plenty to do in Moorhead, Fargo and West Fargo. Marissa Weidemann, sports account manager with the convention and visitors bureau, says the tighter agenda – down from six weeks in 2024 – offers entertaining outdoor options for residents and visitors alike. Starting with the Kick Off Party from 7 to 10 p.m. In Fargo’s Lindenwood Park, participants can choose pursuits ranging from the Winter Birding Festival Saturday at Forest River Park and West Fargo’s Silver Snowflake Search at Rustad Recreation Center, both on Saturday, Feb. 1, to Moorhead’s traditional Frozen Fortress and Junkyard Brewing’s Winter Dash 5K.
The full three-city schedule is online at www.frostival.com/schedule.
Here in Moorhead, the Frozen Fortress has been thrilling and chilling families since 2016. Viking Ship Park is the site for the festivities, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1. Sponsored by Moorhead Parks and Recreation, the event is designed to appeal to all ages. The young and flexible can slip down the park’s modest slopes and warm up with hot chocolate, fire-roasted marshmallows and hot dogs.
Their somewhat-elders can enjoy Swing Barrel Brewing’s introduction to “beer poking,” a European winter tradition in which a red-hot metal poker is submerged for a few seconds in a stein of beer, caramelizing its malt sugars. Admission to the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County’s museum is free that day.
A few blocks away, the Rourke Art Gallery + Museum welcomes visitors to its Winter Warm-up from 1 to 6 p.m. The museum is serving free cocoa around the fire pits in its outdoor M. Dorian Clemedtson Memorial Sculpture Court. Inside, browse the market featuring handmade mugs by area artists.
Moorhead Parks is offering free loans of cross-county skis and snowshoes to trek the riverside trail on Saturday. The North Country Trail Association takes over from 11 to 4 on Sunday – more free equipment, along with instruction by members of the Dakota Prairie Chapter plus warm beverages and treats. Meanwhile, skaters can enjoy the glassy ice of the new Skate Street.
The Moorhead Business Association is sponsoring an indoor golf tournament at The Clubhouse on Tuesday, Feb. 4, with the memorable title “Freeze Your Balls.” Sponsored by Choice Bank, the tourney pits teams of three on a 9-hole video course. Two time slots are available – from 11 to 12:30 and 12:30 to2. Par 3 games are from 3:30 to 5:30 along with Happy Hour. To register, go to https://mhdmba.org/events/freeze-your-balls.
The Moorhead American Legion hosts two other events central to Frostival. The fourth annual “Uff Da It’s Cold Out – It’s Hotdish Time!” casserole contest anticipates the festival by a week. Set for Sunday, Jan. 26, the hearty eating focuses on area cooks’ best recipes. Their hotdishes will be judged at 12:30 p.m. When the judges have had their say, by about 2 p.m., the competing crockpots will be uncovered for the tasting and eating pleasure of guests.
The FM Legion Riders, too, have put together a big event for the fourth year. Freezin’ for a Reason brings awareness to the plight of homeless veterans with a frigid 44-hour tent campou. Inside the club, music, games and good eating reign throughout the entire weekend.
