Winterfest making comeback in 2012

While there were still remnants of the Winterfest celebration held in 2011, it officially didn’t exist as an official celebration.
Now, after a one-year hiatus, Winterfest is officially back for 2012. The retooled winter celebration will feature some of the well-known favorites like the Medallion Hunt, Youth Ice Fishing Contest, the Kiwanis Chili Feed, Lion’s Club breakfast, plenty of activites at Patrick’s on Third and the annual Polar Plunge along with several new events to renew excitement.
“While we didn’t have Winterfest last year like we had in the past, there were still some things going on around that kept the spirit of the event going,” St. Peter Chamber Director/CEO Anders Ringdahl-Mayland said. “The whole purpose of restarting Winterfest is so we could bring these events all under one umbrella and do some joint things as far as promoting and advertising the events.
“We’re very excited to have Winterfest back and along with the favorites from the past celebrations we’ll have some very cool new things as part of the events.”
Most of the festivities will take place either the weekend of February 3-4 and February 10-12. Clues for this year’s Winterfest Medallion Hunt will be posted on the St. Peter Herald website (www.stpeterherald.com) starting at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4.
Some of the new events featured this year are the Free Poker Walk on Saturday, Feb. 4. Participants (age 21 and older) can register starting at noon at the Red Men Club and they will be able to visit six local establishments — American Legion, Embassy, Flame, Patrick’s, Red Men Club and Willy’s — for the chance to receive a poker card. The Walk ends around 4 p.m. at Patrick’s and the participants with the best poker hands will receive prizes.
Later that day, the Mankato Clinic will be sponsoring a Candlelight Hike from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Treaty Site History Center. If there is snow, participants are encouraged to bring skis or snowshoes.
Local touring comedian Michael Callahan will liven things up starting at 8 p.m. at the St. Peter Yoga Studio (112 Grace Street) with a comedy show featuring Callahan and Twin Cities-based comic Mark Poolos whose act, according to Callahan, is based upon the fact “he only dates single moms because they have the best snacks.” Poolos has opened for such famous comedians as Louie Anderson, Dave Mordal, Zach Galifianakis and Brett Butler.
Callahan, who delivers up tempo humor that has been mined from his very typical life as a dad and husband as well as mind-blowing illusions and magic, will cap the evening with the debut of his new Russian Roulette illusion.
Other new events include a wine tasting at Ecumen Prairie Hill will take place on Friday, Feb. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Patty Conlin will host a Snowman Building Contest from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 at her Stones Throw Gallery 420 North Minnesota Avenue.
“Our goal is to make this a jump off year and hopefully have this thing continue on and get more people and other organizations involved in the coming years,” Ringdahl-Mayland said.
For more information see www.stpeterchamber.org.

2012 Winterfest Schedule
Friday, Feb. 3
Kiwanis Chili Feed, noon to 7 p.m. - American Legion
Beer Lovers Firkin Friday, 6 p.m. - Patrick’s
Saturday, Feb. 4
Medallion Hunt begins, 12:01 a.m. (see www.stpeterherald.com for clues)
St. Peter Fire Department Youth Ice Fishing Contest, 1 to 2:30 p.m. - Hallett’s Pond
Free Poker Walk (must be 21 & older), starts at noon at Red Men Club & ends 4:30 p.m. - Patrick’s
Candlight Hike (sponsored by Mankato Clinic), 5 to 7 p.m., Treaty Site History Center
Ambassador’s Dinner & Dance, 7 p.m., Nicollet County Fairground’s Johnson Hall.
Michael Callahan Presents w/Mark Poolos, 8 p.m., St. Peter Yoga Studio.
Tombstone Trio Band (must be 21 & older), 9 p.m. - Patrick’s
Tuesday, Feb. 7
All-City Spelling Bee, 7 p.m. written round, 9 p.m. oral round - at Patrick’s.
Friday, Feb. 10
Wine Tasting, 5 to 7 p.m. - Ecumen Prairie Hill
Saturday, Feb. 11
Polar Plunge, 1 p.m. - Hallett’s Pond
Snowman Building Contest, 3 to 5:30 p.m. - Stones Throw Gallery
All-American Canned Beer Invitational (must be 21 & older), 4 p.m. to close - Patrick’s.
Rock, Scissors, Paper Contest, 7 p.m. - Patrick’s.
New Primitives Band, 9 p.m. - Patrick’s.
Hairy Legs Contest, 10 p.m. - Patrick’s.
Sunday, Feb. 12
Dad’s Belgian Waffle Breakfast (sponsored by St. Peter Lions Club), 8 a.m. to noon, St. Peter Community Center’s Senior Center.