Area communities celebrate winter this weekend

This is winter festival weekend, with activities planned in Wanamingo and Cannon Falls in addition to the big Lake City Winter Fest.

Wanamingo is holding Midwinter Fun Day on Saturday. The Wanamingo Commercial Club plans indoor and outdoor activities for all ages.

A fun run snowmobile ride that will travel through local communities is open to all snowmobilers. Merlin Ring, who is organizing it, invites everyone to an 8 a.m. breakfast at Ringo's Bar and Grill. The ride will start at 10 a.m.

Also, the Radar Run for snowmobilers will be at 11 a.m. in the field across from SEMA Equipment on Highway 60, west of Wanamingo.

The Wanamingo Lions Club will hold a chili feed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Center on Main Street. Proceeds will go toward installing lights near the new community ice rink.

Activities for kids are planned at the ice rink, which is on the east side of the elementary school property. The rink will be dedicated and volunteer helpers recognized during the afternoon.

Cannon Falls

Cannon Falls no longer holds Cabin Fever Days, but some of the most popular events from the former midwinter celebration survive - indoor events including Putt Putt Mini Golf, alumni basketball and alumni volleyball.

The Parent Teacher Organization's annual Putt Putt tourney again will be held at Cannon Falls Elementary School, 1020 E. Minnesota St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Each year the different grades and departments come up with themes for a golf hole and decorate their areas.

The event is a fundraiser to support school activities. This year's proceeds will go toward the fourth-grade field trip to Eagle Bluff environmental center. Any excess funds will help finance other field trips and teacher requests.

Last year the event attracted 700 golfers.

The basketball tournament will start at 9 a.m. Saturday at Cannon Falls High School. The championship game will be at 4 p.m. Sunday. The volleyball tournament will be held at Cannon Community Center.

Lake City

Lake City's revived Winter Fest is Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday there'll be smoosh races, winter carnival games for kids, bowling contests, horse-drawn sleigh rides, rock music by Backlash and fireworks. Sunday's events are a waffle breakfast, craft market and the annual Polar Bear Plunge.

For a complete schedule, go online to www.lcbetterfutures.org.

Tags: arts and entertainment, lake city, cannon falls, lifestyle, communities, wanamingo