This is the Explore Minnesota Events Report as of Tuesday, December 30, brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Check out our events calendar for more information on many of these and other upcoming events.

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Just some of this week’s highlights include First Night, the 2009 Land O’Lakes Kennel Club Dog Show, Grease at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, the 10th Annual Whitewater River Valley Christmas Bird Count, a Birding Field Trip, and Winter Bird Feeding Tips.

Northern Minnesota

First Night will take place Wednesday, December 31, throughout downtown Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. Beginning at 6:00pm, this alcohol-free family event includes live entertainment and activities, such as concerts, comedians, magicians, dancers, storytellers, a traveling kids’ show, ice sculptures, concessions, and fireworks at midnight. For further information, dial 218/230-4231, or check out www.firstnightggf.org

Lake Bemidji State Park in Bemidji will be the site of a Candlelight Ski Tour, Friday evening, January 3. Come tour the park trails by the warm glow of candlelight, with up to 5 kilometers of easy and intermediate-level groomed ski trails. Participants will also have a chance to warm by a winter campfire and roast marshmallows. Return to the visitor center for additional refreshments and possible musical entertainment. For more information, dial 218/308-2300, or visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lake_bemidji/index.html

An Introduction to Winter Camping will be offered January 3 at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park in Onamia, with a chance to learn how to stay warm and have fun while winter camping. Discussions will include clothing, shelters, sleeping gear, campfires, cooking, cook stoves and more. To find out more, dial 320/532-3523, or check out www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/mille_lacs_kathio/index.html

Breezy Point Resort and the city of Breezy Point will be the site of the annual Ice Fest on Friday and Saturday, January 9 & 10. Festivities and highlights include sleigh rides, bonfires, live entertainment, a pancake breakfast, dog sled rides, radar runs, a kids’ fishing program, helicopter rides, snow golf, an ice slide, ice sculptures, fireworks, the Power Ice Auger Competitions, new product displays, and more. For rates and times, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth will be the site of the 10th Annual Warmer By the Lake on Saturday, January 10. Highlights include ice skating, snowshoeing, marshmallow roasting, hayrides, free hot chocolate and cookies, and festive music in a large warming tent. To learn more, dial 218/730-4300, or check out www.visitduluth.com

The Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run & Ice Box Days festivities will be held throughout International Falls from Thursday, January 15 through Sunday, January 18. This fun and zany winter festival includes smoosh racing, Night Light Snowshoe Hikes, snowshoe challenges, 5- & 10-kilometer Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Runs, snow sculptures, a moonlight ski, outdoor family night in the park, a beach party, and turkey bowling! For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit www.freezeyergizzardrun.com

The city of Bemidji will host the annual Brrrrmidji Polar Days Festival on Saturday, January 17 through Sunday, January 25. This annual celebration of winter features family activities, such as golf on ice, broomball, a sled derby, the 5K Polar Challenge run & walk, turkey bowling, a bridal show, the Vocalmotive Dinner Show, Lighted Trail Night Ski Race, and the Taste of Northern Minnesota with samples from over 22 local restaurants and exhibitors. For further information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.bemidji.org

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

The Macy’s Minneapolis 46th Annual Animated Holiday Show will be open daily, during regular store hours, through Wednesday, December 31. The annual Macy’s 8th Floor Auditorium Show, “A Day in the Life of an Elf,” will tell the story of Santa’s elves at the North Pole as they prepare for Christmas. To find out more, dial 612/375-2200, or check out www.macys.com

Holiday Traditions will be offered at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, each Tuesday through Sunday, through January 11. Come see decorations from holidays past, with nine of the MIA’s period rooms decorated to reflect eighteenth-, nineteenth-, and twentieth-century holiday traditions and social events in England and the United States. Tours of the fully decorated Purcell-Cutts House will be offered through January 4. For rates and times, dial 612/870-3131, or visit www.artsmia.org

A Folkssport New Year’s Eve Candlelight Walk will be offered at Fort Snelling State Park in St. Paul on Wednesday, December 31. Come welcome the New Year with some healthy exercise. If conditions permit, an old-fashioned skating pond will be located near the fishing pier, with a fire to warm hands and toes. To learn more, dial 612/725-2724, or visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fort_snelling/index.html

The 2009 Land O’Lakes Kennel Club Dog Show will take place Friday through Sunday, January 2-4, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium. More than 2,500 dogs will compete for American Kennel Club honors. In addition, there will be more than 60 vendors offering high-quality dog-related items, collectibles, and art. For more information, dial 651/770-3279, or visit www.onofrio.com.

The Minneapolis Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis will present the Log and Timber Home Show, Friday through Sunday, January 9-11, with everything you’ll ever need to build a log and timber dream home. Featured will be log or timber home packages, finishing materials, furniture, lighting, and free educational workshops. For rates and times, contact the Log Home Living Institute at 1-800-782-1253, or check out www.thelogandtimberhomeshow.com

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances will include:
Grease at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, December 30 through January 4
Reel Big Fish at The Epic in Minneapolis, January 10
Three Redneck Tenors at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, January 11
Sesame Street Live–Elmo’s Green Thumb at the Target Center in Minneapolis, January 14-18
Adele at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, January 20
Jewel at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, January 27
Spring Awakening at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, January 27
Big Head Todd and the Monsters at First Avenue in Minneapolis, January 29
Bill Engvall at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center in Burnsville, January 30
The World’s Toughest Rodeo presents Toughest Cowboy at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, January 30
Bob the Builder Live at the Historic State Theatre, January 31
A Prairie Home Companion at the Fitzgerald Theater, each Saturday, January 31 through February 21
Gabriel Iglesias at the Pantages Theatre, February 6
Freestyle Motocross at the Target Center, February 7
Annie at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, February 12
Celtic Woman–Isle of Hope at the Xcel Energy Center, February 13
Motley Crue with Hinder & Theory of a Deadman at the Xcel Energy Center, February 18
The Pretenders at First Avenue in Minneapolis, February 20
Smucker’s Stars on Ice at the Xcel Energy Center, February 22
Fiddler On the Roof at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, February 24
Fleetwood Mac Unleashed: Hits Tour 2009 at the Xcel Energy Center, March 3
Movin’ Out–Music By Billy Joel at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, March 6
Rent at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, March 25-29
Britney Spears at the Target Center, April 3
Nickelback, Seether & Saving Abel at the Target Center in Minneapolis, April 7
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151

Southern Minnesota

The city of Blue Earth will host Christmas Wonderland on the Town through New Years Eve, December 31. Come drive through this charming city and see spectacular animated holiday light displays. For further information, dial 507/526-2916, or visit www.blueearthchamber.com

A Christmas Lights Drive-Thru Light Tour will be offered daily in the city of Hayfield through December 31, with a large display of Christmas lights, along with animation and music. For more information, dial 507/477-3359.

The 10th Annual Whitewater River Valley Christmas Bird Count will be held Thursday, January 1 at Whitewater State Park in Elba. Come explore the area’s winter wonderland on foot and by car as you document wintering birds. Hot beverages and treats will be available by the wood fire in the visitor center. For specific locations and times, dial 507/932-3007, or check out www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/whitewater/index.html

The Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester will offer a Birding Field Trip on Saturday morning, January 3. To find out more, dial 507/365-8091, or visit www.zumbrovalleyaudubon.org. Also in Rochester, the Mayo Civic Center will host a Wedding Extravaganza on January 3, with over 150 exhibitors, two fashion shows, live musical entertainment and fabulous prizes. To find out more, dial 507/876-2187, or check out www.weddingXtravaganza.com

Sibley State Park in New London will offer Winter Bird Feeding Tips on Saturday and Sunday, January 3 & 4, with a chance to learn about the best foods and feeders to attract birds to your backyard. There will also be information about bird identification and behavior, as well as free bird feeder designs. For more information, dial 320/354-2055, or visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/sibley/index.html

The Great Outdoor Expo will be held Friday and Saturday, January 9 & 10, at the Mayo Civic Center Auditorium in Rochester, with products and services for outdoor activities. To learn more, dial 507/328-2220, or check out www.mayociviccenter.com

The city of Spicer will hold their annual WinterFest celebration each Saturday and Sunday, from January 17 through February 8. Participants will enjoy a breathtaking ice structure and slide, snowmobile runs, ice fishing tournaments, fireworks, Hawkeye Helicopter Rides, an All-You-Can-Eat Fish Fry, Melvin’s 4th Annual Art Exhibit & Wine Tasting, a craft sale, the 5th annual Polar Plunge, a Hot Tub Party, and much more! For further information, dial 320/796-8066, or visit www.spicermn.com

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Please Note: Information has been provided by event contacts. Please confirm dates, location and event status prior to travel. Explore Minnesota Tourism grants you permission to distribute this information freely to friends, family and others for personal use. However, any republication of the materials, full or partial, in electronic, print or other format, must prominently include the following statement: “The information in this report is provided courtesy of Explore Minnesota Tourism.

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