“This is an important economic financial boost for our business community,” said Cindy Myogeto, director of the Crosslake Chamber of Commerce.
The Crosslake Chamber of Commerce will still host the celebration Feb. 4-6, including SoupFest, fireworks and outdoor activities.
“When the governor came out allowing restaurants to be open at 50% capacity and continue outdoor service as well as the ability to have 250 people participate in an outdoor type of event, we decided that we can indeed do some of these things that we typically do,” Myogeto said.
A child enjoys sledding down a pile of snow during the 2012 Crosslake WinterFest. Submitted photo / Crosslake Chamber of Commerce
WinterFest will kick off Feb. 4 when the first of three daily clues will be released to guide friends or family to the hidden WinterFest medallion. Find it and cash in on a prize basket valued at hundreds courtesy of Crosslake Chamber member businesses.
“First and foremost, we’re not doing anything that’s not in compliance with the executive orders by the governor,” Myogeto said. “Second of all, we’re doing everything we can to ensure COVID safety protocol is followed, and this is a safe event for families that want to attend.”
Outdoor activities Feb. 5 at the Crosslake Community Center will include ice skating, sledding and a fireworks display.
“Crosslake is unique in that our main business district is 2 miles long, so the activities that take place during WinterFest, there’s no central place that activities take place. Instead, they take place at different venues all across the city,” Myogeto said of social distancing safety guidelines.
The annual Crosslake WinterFest fireworks will be launched behind the Crosslake Community Center. Submitted photo / Crosslake Chamber of Commerce
A full day of activities Feb. 6 will include kite flying, ice skating, helicopter rides, shopping, food and drink specials all over town and SoupFest tasting, which will begin at noon. (All events are subject to change.)
“So, for instance, any activities on Saturday are taking place at different locations all throughout Crosslake. And the businesses that are already open are already operating in the COVID safety protocol way,” Myogeto said.
WinterFest facemask buffs are available for $10, and will qualify buyers for deals and discounts all over Crosslake on Feb. 5-6.
“Traditionally, we have like a wristband people can purchase that helps fund the event, and then it gives them deals and discounts all over town. This year, that promotional item is a face mask,” Myogeto said.
Wearers of the cloth facemask buff for the 18th annual Crosslake WinterFest that is available for purchase for $10 will receive deals and discounts from Crosslake businesses. Submitted photo / Crosslake Chamber of Commerce
Some events will wait. For example, the Sno Barons radar on the bay as part of last year’s WinterFest outdoor activities at Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant & Bar will not take place in this year’s event.
“It would have to be a gated area where we would count the people, and we would screen them for COVID symptoms. And because of just straight-up staffing needs, there’s no way that we can staff that as well, so we’re nixing that,” Myogeto said of last year’s radar runs.
The kite flying is something new to this year’s WinterFest, according to Myogeto.
“People can come and fly a kite — their own kites, we’re not selling them. However, there will be kites available to purchase in Crosslake. You can go to the stores, purchase a kite and go out on the lake and fly a kite,” she said. “There’s no danger of being within 6 feet of one another.”
Andy’s Bar & Grill representatives hold a ladle for the SoupFest People’s Culinary Choice award in the 2020 Crosslake WinterFest competition. Submitted photo / Crosslake Chamber of Commerce
The buffalo chicken chowder from Andy’s Bar & Grill in Crosslake took first place in the People’s Choice Culinary category in the SoupFest soup-tasting contest in last year’s WinterFest.
“Instead of having paper ballots where people fill out a piece of paper and vote for their favorites, that’s all done now with strictly electronic voting, so if you want to taste the free soups and vote for your favorite, you’ll be downloading the Crosslake app,” Myogeto said.
Following is a list of activities:
9 a.m.: Find the hidden WinterFest medallion. The first of three daily clues will be released at local merchants, on the Crosslake app and at the Crosslake Chamber of Commerce page. The prize package is worth hundreds courtesy of chamber member businesses.
9 a.m.: Find the hidden WinterFest medallion. The second clue is revealed.
3:34-6 p.m.: Outdoor activities for kids. Live Music by Paper Covers Rock.
7-9 p.m.: The WinterFest celebration begins at the Crosslake Community Center. Participants are encouraged to bring their skates and sleds. There will be skating on the ice rink, a snow mountain, bonfire and s’mores, horse-drawn sleigh rides and Crosslake fire trucks on display. There will also be games and music with DJ “JP.” WinterFest gear will be for sale.
9 p.m.: WinterFest fireworks by Flashing Thunder will be launched behind the Crosslake Community Center.
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Kite flying throughout town.
9 a.m.: The third and final hidden WinterFest medallion clue will be released.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Open house and tours, Northern Minnesota Railroad Trackers.
11 a.m. to dusk: Helicopter rides (weather permitting) will take off from Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant and Bar.
11 a.m. to 10 p.m.: Dress in your best Nordic gear at Manhattan Beach Lodge for a chance to win a $250 gift card; and live patio music featuring Andy Fischer at noon and Shane Martin at 4 p.m.
Noon-3 p.m.: SoupFest will offer participants the chance to sample soups from businesses across Crosslake and vote for their favorite.
5-8 p.m.: Live Music at the Bourbon Room featuring Mike Derus.
FRANK LEE may be reached at 218-855-5863 or at frank.lee@brainerddispatch.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchFL.