FriluftFest
Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow, which means the country can expect below-average temperatures for the next six weeks. While this may evoke differing emotions, in Warroad, we view this news through the lens of “Friluftsliv”. This Nordic term literally translates as “open-air life” and means to embrace the outdoors, no matter the weather. And what better way to live the open-air life than to throw a party on the Riverbend Skate Path!
Did you know the state of MN has the highest population of Scandinavians in the country? It is home to nearly 1.6 million Scandinavians which accounts for over 32% of the state’s total population! We are digging down to these Scandinavian roots for our First Annual FriluftFest on Saturday, February 5th. From 11 am to 7 pm, visitors will be able to move along the Riverbend Skate Path and stop at various Scandinavian-inspired stations along the way, ending the night with a candlelight skate!
A great first stop on the path is at Doc’s Harbor Inn! Here you can rent skates, XC skis, and snowshoes starting at only $5, and enjoy their large river rink with easy access to the path! They will have a warm fire going and $1 S’more Kits available with all proceeds going toward the Path.
The high school robotics team will be on site from 11:30-1:30 serving hot dogs and cocoa for a free will offering out of the concession hut built by the high school construction class (see more on this here). They will provide activities for kids and will even bring a robot to skate with! Afterward, beginning at 2 pm until 6 pm, you can visit this hut to warm up with traditional non-alcoholic gløgg and Scandinavian baked goods, as well other sweet treats, popcorn, and cocoa!
Watch the Blazing Stars Figure Skaters practice their jumps and spins at noon or play a pick up game of hockey anytime throughout the day. Need a little more competition? A variety of speed, agility, and endurance races will take place beginning at 2 pm at Doc’s!
Local running group, Lake of the Woods Run Club, invites the community to join them for their weekly Saturday Morning Coffee Run. This just-for-fun run will begin at 12 pm at the city docks by Lake of the Woods Brewing Company. They will run a 2-mile course that heads upriver and turns back to end at Doc’s. Then they’ll finish it off with a warm drink from the concession huts! No preregistration is required.
The other concession hut will be open all day at Lake of the Woods Coffee Company. You can skate over or park and walk down their dock to warm up with hot coffee and cakes for a free will offering from 12-2 pm. All proceeds go to the Riverbend Skate Path Maintenance Fund.
You can also purchase Riverbend Skate Path merch all day, including exclusive “I was on the Riverbend Skate Path” tees that you can only buy on the path! Hats, caps, and stickers will also be available. If you are unable to make the trip up, you can get in on the online preorder by placing your order by February 6th here. And all orders will be automatically entered into a drawing for 2 FREE Tickets to Northborn Music Festival on June 11th!
Looking for something a little stronger than coffee? Look no further!
Lake of the Woods Brewing Company will be open all day and will have their growlers on a $15 special. Buy your favorite craft brew in store and bring right out on the ice to enjoy, and then refill again for only $15!
Fun Fact:
Utepils is derived from the Norwegian terms “ute” meaning out or outside, and “pils” short for Pilsner, the most common type of lager beer in Norway.
You can’t have a winter event without some good old fashioned fun in the snow!
Northern Toboggan, Warroad’s own handcrafted toboggan manufacturer, will be on site with their toboggans, kicksleds, and snowshoes for you to try. You can even catch a toboggan ride behind a snowmobile!
Local trucking company, Andrew J Stoskopf Trucking Inc. has created a bunny hill on government island, so bring your sleds and walk across the river to let your little ones take a ride down! Kids can also feel free to build snowmen or other snow creations around the bunny hill!
If you would like to try out some authentic Scandinavian dishes, Chef Richard from Doug’s Supermarket will be preparing a smörgåsbord from 4-6 pm at Lake of the Woods Brewing Company.
On the Menu:
Hascheeknödel - Potato Dumplings with Roast Beef,
Värmlandskorv/Potatiskorv - Swedish Potato Sausage
Rødkål - Norwegian Braised Red Cabbage
Joulutorttu - Finnish Christmas Cookies
With a busy day out in the elements, you need a spot to kick back and take a load off. A couple who lives along the skate path is one step ahead of you. They have created a perfect little rest area with lighting and benches and we’ll make sure it’s complete with a nice blazing fire for you to relax and get cozy!
As you are skating along the path, check out Memory Lane. This line of trees were donated in memory of loved ones and each has a informational placard in front of it. You will also spot some ice sculptures along the path and at some of the stations! At the end of the night, stop by the concession hut at Doc’s to pick up a battery operated candle to participate in the candlelight skate!
