Spicer WinterFest in January and February

The Spicer Commercial Club is gearing up to host a multi-weekend long list of events for their annual WinterFest.

Note: this web article was re-arranged on January 26 to reflect additional coverage of the forthcoming activities in Spicer. We are saddened to report that the ice castle was torn down early Monday morning this week (January 22) due to warm weekend weather making the structure unstable and unsafe to walk around. Don't let that dampen your enthusiasm to come to Spicer and enjoy all their events!

Events continue on the weekend of January 26-27-28 and are outlined in a feature story in the January 11 issue of the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper. The January 18 issue of the Voice will include the full Spicer WinterFest schedule that has events running into February.

Friday, January 26 and beyond activities!

On Friday, Jan. 26, Soup and Music by Ava Hanson will be at 5 p.m. at Glacial Ridge Winery. Also that night is pre-registration for the Polar Plunge, with sign-ups at the Spicer Legion from 6 to 8 p.m.

A WinterFest comedy show is at O'Neil's at 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26, featuring opening by Bobby Rae Bunch, followed by Josh Alton, stand up comedian. Dinner and show is $30, with advance tickets available at O'Neil's.

Saturday, Jan. 27 brings the 14th annual Polar Plunge and a host of other WinterFest activities, including Spa Day at Glacial Ridge Winery from 3 to 6 p.m., plus the start of the two-day WinterFest Green Lake Pond Hockey (4-on-4) tournament at Pirrotta Park.

Registration for the Polar Plunge is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Spicer Legion. The location will be off of Zorbas on Green Lake, and this is a benefit for the Special Olympics Minnesota. The plunge begins at 1 p.m., and it will be emceed by 94.1 The Loon radio broadcaster Nate Thomas. Registration can be done online at http://plungemn.org

. The Spicer Lions WinterFest Raffle drawing will be held following the Polar Plunge.

Cheers for Beers at O'Neil's Event Center is from 5 to 8 p.m. Jeff James at O'Neil's and DJ and dancing at Zorbas wrap up the Saturday activities. Jeff James will be at O'Neil's from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. a DeeJay and dancing will be at Zorbas from 10 p.m. to closing.

An Omelete breakfast fundraiser for the Sons of the American Legion will be on Sunday, Jan. 28 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Spicer Legion.

Michael Shynes at O'Neil's is Sunday afternoon from 3 to 6 p.m.

The full schedule of events was published in color on the back page of the January 18 issue of the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper.

From the Spicer Commercial Club's Facebook page: "Minnesota's coolest winter event is coming to Willmar/Spicer. Get bold in the cold for a great cause and join us for the Polar Plunge!" The Polar Plunge, presented by Minnesota law enforcement, is a unique opportunity for individuals, organizations and businesses to support more than 8,000 Special Olympics Minnesota athletes by jumping into Minnesota's frigid waters.

Note: the Spicer Commercial Club adds, "Spicer is so lucky to have these hard working men to build our Winterfest Castle! Thank you Wee Kut and all of the volunteers. We would also like to thank Westwood Cafe, The Spicer Legion, O'Neil's Green Lake Liquor and Zorbaz for providing meals to the volunteers during the build. A special thank you to Annie Larson for providing cookies and donuts to the group!"

Below, the initial part of the story:

O'Neil's in downtown Spicer hosts live music by Jeff James this Sunday, January 14, from 3 to 6 p.m. as one of the first of many entertainment options. 

On Thursday, Jan. 18, the Spicer Legion holds bingo from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

Friday, Jan. 19 has Soup and Music by the 3D Band at Glacial Ridge Winery at 5 p.m .; later that night, Zorbas on Green Lake holds karaoke from 10 p.m. to closing. Everyone is also invited to an art exhibit and wine tasting at Glacial Ridge Winery from noon to 9 p.m. on both  Friday and  Saturday, Jan. 19-20.

Saturday, January 20 kicks off with a Frozen 5K Run/Walk at 9 a.m., starting at Zorbas. Ice golf for the whole family is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Little Crow Country Club. A DJ and dancing takes place at Zorbas that night from 10 p.m. to close.

The big highlight for Saturday, Jan. 20 is the lighting ceremony and fireworks at 7 p.m for the Spicer Ice Castle on Green Lake (fireworks weather permitting). A Spicer WinterFest bonfire at the beach with hot cocoa precedes the lighting ceremony from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Disney characters will greet kids of all ages at 6 p.m.

Sunday, January 21 brings more outdoor fun on Green Lake with kids' fishing, sponsored by New London Real Estate, from 1 to 3 p.m. with a free lunch for participants to follow at O'Neil's Event Center. Also from 1 to 3 p.m. is a dark house angling experience, seeing Green Lake from a Darkhouse (must be accompanied by an adult).

Live music by Gig Noonan at O'Neil's is from 3 to 6 p.m. for the final event of Sunday, January 21.