Ice Box Days are well underway in International Falls.
The signature event of the annual winter carnival is the Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run.
A five-kilometre run goes on at 9 a.m. Saturday with the 10K starting at 10 a.m.
Falls Chamber of Commerce Administrator Shannon Arnold says the warmer-than-usual weather could attract a large number of runners this year.
“It should be interesting. You’d be surprised at what kind of running attire people show up in on the coldest of years. When it’s a warm year, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw people in swim shorts and bikinis,” says Arnold.
The forecast for Saturday calls for temperatures of minus 3 Celsius at the start of the races.
There is still time to take part.
Registration is on Friday from 5-7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8-9:30 a.m. at the Backus Community Center.
Ice Box Days is celebrating its 44th anniversary.
Activities started last Friday and wrap up on Sunday.
Many favourites are back, such as frozen turkey bowling, toilet seat tossing, and smoosh races.
“It’s a racing event. You need about four people, all ages, and you strap your boots to a two-by-four, and then everybody has to go in tandem to get to the finish line.”
A fireworks display will be lit from Smoky Bear Park at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Arnold encourages area residents to take part.
“Let’s show some support to all the people who have put in time and effort into these events. Let’s be out there for them and come together as two communities and enjoy what we have in our own backyard.”
The full list of events can be found here.
