Icebox Days Winter Festival in the “Icebox of the Nation”

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — Just in time for the coldest temperatures of the season, the 44th annual Icebox Days returns on Friday to the “Icebox of the Nation.”

The annual event in International Falls will stretch ten days in length, featuring everything from boot hockey and cribbage tournaments to wacky winter festivities like smoosh races and turkey bowling. Additionally, the iconic Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run will take place, drawing in competitors from across the country.

Along with community connection — the winter festival also serves as a boon to local business. “This is why the chamber of commerce is here; to do everything we can to try and bring these opportunities to our local businesses and Icebox Days and the Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run is just one aspect that we have in our arsenal,” said International Falls Chamber of Commerce Administrator Shannon Arnold.

But with any big event comes the need for more helping hands. Arnold went on to explain, some of their biggest sponsors have stepped back this year and volunteers have been quiet.

“People think that there’s enough help out there and they don’t need to step up, but that’s not true. I appreciate the few people that have stepped in and I know that there probably will be more. Again, one of the classic things is people tend to sign up at the last minute. So I’m not saying that people aren’t intending to do that, but early birds aren’t necessarily flocking in right now.”

Icebox Days runs from Friday, Jan. 19 through Sunday, Jan. 28. To volunteer you just need to show up to one of the many events taking place. More information can be found here.