With winter in full swing, enjoy an evening of fun and entertainment under the northern sky by visiting WinterFest in Loring Park. The event will take place Thursday, February 11 from 6-8 pm at the Loring Park Community Center.
WinterFest will include FREE activities for all ages and abilities, including:
· Carriage Rides
· Skating with Goldy Gopher on the Downtown Skating Rink
· Kairos Alive! Dance Performances
· Snow Shoeing Demonstrations with Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Naturalist Staff
· An Outdoor Bonfire
· S’mores Roasting
· Indoor Valentine’s Day Craft-Making
· Illuminated Make & Take Crafts with In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre
· Refreshments and Food
The event is presented by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB), Citizens for a Loring Park Community, Friends of Loring Park and the Minneapolis Downtown Council (MDC).
“The winter season defines us as Minnesotans,” said Loring Community Arts Center Recreation Supervisor Julie Sandin. “Providing an evening to gather and enjoy our beautiful Loring Park community under the downtown skyline is a fantastic way to celebrate the winter and the upcoming Valentine’s Day weekend.”
The Downtown Skating Rink in Loring Park is open to the public for use throughout the winter skating season. The rink is sponsored by MDC, Minneapolis SafeZone Collaborative, MPRB, VEIT, Kraus-Anderson, Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades Council, Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District, U.S. Bank and Love Your Melon. Goldy Gopher will be on-site from 6-8:30 pm and will offer a chance for skaters of all ages to enjoy some time up close with the loveable University of Minnesota mascot. Some complimentary skates will be available for use on site.
“WinterFest is an opportunity for our community to come together and truly embrace our Minnesota winter,” said Leah Wong, Vice President of Events and Marketing, Minneapolis Downtown Council. “The variety of activities will provide something everyone can enjoy, whether it’s skating, crafts, entertainment or a carriage ride. We look forward to the community coming together downtown on February 11.”
Carriage rides just prior to Valentine’s Day make for an opportunity to enjoy downtown under the stars in a unique way. Multiple craft-making opportunities will be on-site as well offering ways to get creative. In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre (HOBT) will lead free illuminated make-and-take projects outdoors, and a Valentine’s Day craft station will be available inside the Loring Park Community Center. Kairos Alive! will perform their creative, participatory dance live in Loring Park. A MPRB naturalist will be providing a snow shoeing opportunity. Free hot cocoa, ciderand s’mores will be available on site, and Sweet Dreams Concessions will provide treats for purchase as well.
For more information on WinterFest, visit www.downtownmpls.com <http://www.downtownmpls.com> or follow the Minneapolis Downtown Council (@MplsDowntown) on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/mplsdowntown> , Twitter <http://www.twitter.com/mplsdowntown> and Instagram <http://www.instagram.com/mplsdowntown> by using the hashtag #DowntownMpls.
