Emmet Kenney, Olivia Watson and Eli Harvala rent cross-country skis and snowshoes at the Parks Department site in the Hjemkomst Center. Photo/Russ Hanson

Nancy Edmonds Hanson

It’s about that time when being housebound is driving Fargo-Moorhead people up the walls – so says Trevor Magnuson, recreation coordinator for the Moorhead Parks Department. That’s the inspiration for Frostival: Get out and enjoy the best of winter.

Since 2016, the tri-city event has been sponsored by the Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau, going from two packed days in its first years to, in 2021, six weeks of special events staged by the parks departments of Moorhead, Fargo and West Fargo. Mostly free or at nominal cost, the highlights encompass whatever can be comfortably done in the Great Outdoors – from cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to outdoor yoga, firepits for melting S’Mores and overnight camping no matter the weather at M.B. Johnson Park.

“Most of West Fargo’s events are clustered at the start of the festival,” Trevor explains. “Fargo’s are scattered throughout the six weeks. Here in Moorhead, most of ours lean toward the second half, starting with the Frozen Fortress Saturday, Jan. 30.”

But preparations begin much earlier. By mid-month, city crews were scavenging loads of nice clean snow for the raw material for the snow sculptures that local artists will shape next week. Miles of trails have been groomed, as they are throughout the winter, for trekking along the Red River. Firepits are being moved into the vicinity of Mary’s Tunnel, where bonfires invite families to toast marshmallows in the flickering light.

The Frozen Fortress outside the Hjemkomst Center marks the big Moorhead kick-off Jan. 30. At 11 a.m., River Keepers lead a snowshoe hike to explore life along the riverbanks. A session of Snowga – yoga performed in the snow – is at noon, followed by the outdoor Dance Attack at 1. Nature of the North leads a series of mini winter survival workshops that afternoon. The Ice Bowl Disc Golf Tournament starts at 8 a.m. in Woodlawn Park.

“In past years, we’ve had classes and activities both inside and outside the Hjemkomst,” Trevor notes. “This year, thanks to the pandemic, we’re holding everything outside.” In line with social distancing guidelines, they now require pre-registration on the park district’s website so that participation can be limited to manageable numbers. Details plus the sign-up forms are on the parks website, moorheadparks.com.

That’s just the first of three action-packed weekends. There’s much more: Free skating, workshops in bonfire building and winter camping, broomball and kickball tournaments, sleigh rides, For the complete list of Moorhead events and links for registration, visit cityofmoorhead.com/departments/parks-recreation/frostival.