Recent snow just what Owatonna Bold & Cold needed

Last year’s Bold & Cold event in Owatonna brought a little too much cold, canceling some events for the late January celebration.

This year, there appeared that there might be a shortage of snow. But last weekend’s storm has changed all that to the liking of snow lovers.

Bold & Cold, held Jan. 26-28, “is always about embracing the cold,” said Karen Hale, speaking for the Owatonna Business Partnership. Local businesses get in on the fun by offering special deals and discounts during the week. Find the list at owatonnabusiness.org.

Previously, one popular activity was in risk of being canceled by the lack of snow. But not the case any longer. Asnow sculpture contest in Central Park, which typically starts at the beginning of the week and concludes with online judging Sunday.

While areas farther south picked up 6-8 inches late last week, snowfall totals in Owatonna ranged from 2-4 inches.

City of Owatonna recreation supervisor Thomas Gorycki said sculpting snow typically comes from Morehouse Park or other big piles around town. City workers load the snow into a flatbed truck, then pack it into 8-foot-by-8-foot wooden molds.

If the event goes on, there’s a new twist this year: Sculptors will be able to use food coloring to enhance their creations. The idea came from some of last year’s participants.

“It’s just another way for them to express themselves creatively,” he said.

The late winter blast will probably scuttle a family ice fishing event planned January 28 at Lake Kohlmeier. It’s typically held every other year. Gear is provided and fishing licenses are covered for the activity, which is open to all ages.

Gorycki said he’ll know more this week about whether the event will go forward, but he’s not optimistic.

“Right now, it doesn’t look like the ice will be thick enough,” he said.

However, there’s plenty of other Bold & Cold fun to be had.

The weekend kicks off with the Steele County Historical Society’s annual carry-out soup supper. Call 507-451-1420 by noon on Jan. 23 to reserve your wild rice soup or chili ($7 a bowl) and pick up your order between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday.

Also on Friday, there’s a family swim, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Owatonna Middle School. Gorycki said a twist has been added to this year’s event: pool bingo, where the pool is the game board and swimming skills earn tickets for prizes.

“We’ve got a thousand floating balls that we’ll be putting in the pool,” he said. “If you’re familiar with the Rubber Duck Regatta, this is going to be just as much fun. We’re excited about it.”

Brooktree Golf Course will host snowshoeing Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with snowshoes available for use. That evening, luminaries will light up a path of packed snow on the course.

“That was by far the most popular event last year,” Gorycki said. “We’re hoping to see three-to-four hundred people show up this year.”

To make the event even more family friendly, he added, there’ll be a storybook to read on the trail, and “we’re also working on making the trail a little more ADA accessible… so there’s a longer walk on the packed snow.”

Saturday also brings Rock on Ice, held 6-8 p.m. at Morehouse Park Skating Rink. This year’s theme, Gorycki said, is a glow skate. There’s no cost for the event, except for skate rentals (available in The Chalet).

Another big difference this year is the name usually attached to the city events. In keeping with the Owatonna branding initiative, the Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department has left the “Winter Weekend Out” moniker behind; all activities are now part of the Bold & Cold event.

For additional information about Bold & Cold events, including a Medallion Hunt, open skating, and outdoor dining opportunities, go to visitowatonna.org/boldandcold.