Winter Festival in Apple Valley Gives Residents Mid-Season Lift

This winter season, at times, hasn't seemed very wintery at all.

But residents of Apple Valley and the surrounding area will get to celebrate the city's annual Mid-Winter Fest—intended to show residents all the winter activities available to them through the city, and give them something fun to do as the winter doldrums hit—all the same this coming weekend.

"[It's] lots of fun," Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland said at Thursday's Apple Valley City Council meeting. A few people even come from Wisconsin to participate, she said.

The festival began in 1978 with just a few events, and has since grown to its current size; attendance was up to 5,000 people during the festivals of the early 1990s, according to the city website.

New this year is an introduction to ice fishing for kids, scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at , said city Recreation Supervisor Matthew Bilek.

Dance-Twirl Minnesota will also be at the festival giving baton-twirling demonstrations. A boot hockey tournament, in its second year, has about 25 teams signed up, Bilek said.

The , featuring Michael Monroe, will top off Saturday's festivities.

Returning to the festival is the "ever popular" medallion hunt, Bilek said, as will snow softball and the Saturday vocal performance by the Velvetones senior citizen group. A bonfire and marshmallow roast are planned for on Sunday, along with snowtubing at Valleywood Golf Course and ski and snowshoe lessons from the District 196 cross country ski team if there's enough snow.

The mild winter already has put a damper on some of the planned activities. Because of lack of snow, the sled dog races and wagon rides are canceled this year, Bilek said.

Those planning to attend will need a Mid-Winter Fest button, which are $2 at the door or $1 in advance at the , , , , Apple Valley Sports Arena, Hayes Park Arena, liquor stores , 2 and and .

junior Sarah Reagan designed this year's button.

The complete schedule and locations of events is attached, and can also be found on the city's website. Also, check out Apple Valley Patch's .

Do you plan to participate in Mid-Winter Fest this weekend? Tell us in the comments.