February 2013
Take heart - snow’s the word
Play to your heart’s content in the Park Rapids Lakes Area
in February. What’s not to love! The days are getting longer, the average temps
are rising and hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails and cross country ski
trails are groomed and ready. Itasca State Park reports nine inches of snow
fell January 29! There is a Quick link on the home page of www.parkrapids.com to snowmobile trail reports.
You should contact a local bait shop or lakeside resort to
ask about ice conditions and check ice thickness once you arrive at your
destination, but with a string of subzero temperatures this winter, lake ice
has built up. So enjoy a day fishing on a quiet, frozen lake.
Whether
you want to fish or go for a quiet walk, you could see bald eagles cleaning up
after anglers, trumpeter swans flying gracefully overhead or other winged
winter birds.
With Valentine’s Day on February’s calendar, a winter
getaway “up north” may be the way to win your Valentine’s heart for the first
time or all over again. Many local restaurants are offering delightful Valentines packages.
Visit www.parkrapids.com for a full list and links to great local restaurants.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources updates snow
and trail conditions in weekly reports updated after 2 p.m. every Thursday at www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html.
And our Chamber Website provides information about trail riding and cross country
skiing possibilities as well as available lodging, dining and other things to
see and do while you’re here.
If you time your stay, you can sample one of the following
fun winter events:
It’s not too late to head north for the 15th Annual Park Rapids
American Legion Community Fishing Contest on Fish Hook Lake from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 2. The contest offers more than $110,000 in prizes. Grand
prizes in this year's raffle are a 2013 Chevy Silverado LS pickup truck and an
Ice Castle fish house. Other raffle prizes, including a $5,000 cash prize, will
be awarded. Polaris ATVs top the list of prizes in all four divisions: bluegill
& crappie; northern, walleye & largemouth bass; perch; and rock bass.
Tickets for the fishing contest at $40 each are available at the American
Legion or call 218-732-3360. For more information, go to www.parkrapidsamericanlegion.com.
Discover the history of early horse logging from 11 a.m. to
1 p.m. Saturday, February 9 at Itasca State Park. The demonstration location
will be chosen closer to the date of the event. Logging using horses was common
to this area in the late 1800s. Watch lumberjacks fell trees with a 2-man
cross-cut saw, buck the log into sections, skid the logs with the
teamster’s trained horses and cross-haul logs onto a
horse-drawn sled. Members of the Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers will be on
hand to demonstrate these early logging methods.
Arts Downtown PR (3rd Thursdays)
continue in downtown Park Rapids. The Park Rapids Lakes Area Council sponsors
painters, sculptors, musicians, writers and other artists the third Thursday of
the month. The evening events are free and open to the public. The program is
posted at www.prlaac.org.
Snowshoe by the light of the moon and lanterns along the
trail in Itasca State Park from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, February 23. Snowshoe at
your own pace along the kerosene lantern lit route during this drop-in program.
For added fun, bring along your s'mores fixings or hot dogs for cooking at the
campfire. Dress according to the weather. In case of poor weather, the event
will be canceled. Itasca State Park does have snowshoes to rent. The trail
location will be chosen closer to the date of the event.
The Hubbard Sleigh Festival will provide an unforgettable
winter festival in the scenic small town of Hubbard from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, February 24. Starting at 11 a.m. enjoy horse-drawn wagon (sleigh)
rides, sled dog rides behind the Community Center, and hot chocolate at the
Hilltop. Chili and cornbread will be served at the Community Center from noon
to 3 p.m. and “Incredibly Real” will entertain there. Find clues for a treasure
hunt and enjoy a cozy bonfire at the Community Center as well. At noon there
will be a Giddy-up Cart Race at the Old Hubbard General Store. The parade of
sleighs and horse drawn vehicles starts at 1 p.m. The Long Lake Theater will
host a Hubbard History Play at 2 p.m. followed by a performance by "County
20" at 2:30. Enjoy mulled wine and cider at the theater from 2 to 4 p.m.
If the abundant snow stays with us, there will be snow sculptures to view. A
trapper encampment is planned on historic Hubbard Lane by the Indian Mounds
with demonstrations of early life and games. This trip into yesteryear will
create wonderful memories for you and your family and guests.
The Dorothy Noeske Memorial Bluegill and Crappie Fishing
Derby will give anglers another fun event on Straight Lake in Osage from 1 to 3
p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24. Prizes include ice
augers, cash and more. The first 100 kids on the ice will receive a bag of
“goodies, there will be a drawing for a youth lifetime fishing license and the
largest fish caught by a kid will be mounted free of charge. Lunch will be
available on the ice. For more information, go to http://osagesportsmansclub.com.
If you need help planning a memorable and affordable visit,
need more information about these and other winter activities or if you have
questions, call our friendly staff at 800-247-0054 to learn more.
