Some like it frozen

You have to admiT – it’s kind of amusing that the thing making Winona (and the rest of Minnesota) famous right now is the fact that we can survive. In case you haven’t heard, it’s been a little cool in these parts lately. OK, that’s kind of a lie. Saying it’s been “a little cool” is like saying a Bengal tiger is a little kitty, or Charles Manson is a little crazy. It’s been freakishly cold – the kind of frigidity that makes your lungs to collapse when you breathe in and makes you cry bitter tears, which promptly freeze your eyes shut.

Yeah, I know, great sell job. But hear me out~

First, I’d just like to point out that Winona is like the Miami of Minnesota – down here in the Southeastern corner we have the undisputed warmest climate in the state. On especially cold winter days, that fact warms our hearts just a little.

And the reality is that, with the exception of the occasional hellish polar vortex, winters in Winona are mild (when compared to the rest of Minnesota, not, say, Tampa). We have rocking trails and a big, frozen river to play on, and though I know it sounds incomprehensible to people from warmer climates, people here actually enjoy being outdoors in the winter. As my Swedish grandmother born and raised in Minnesota would say, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. Ha.

But let’s face it – 15 degrees below zero isn’t ideal for outdoor fun. However, if you only know one thing about Winona, know this: We are exceptionally good at finding ways to entertain ourselves. Winter is no exception. Cold? So what. Throw up a big tent on the levee, fill it with some heaters, music all day, food and a little beer and a lot of hot chocolate – and let ‘er rip. Here’s what the one in December looked like, complete with Santa and some caroling:

 

We laugh in the face of cold weather and turn it into awesomeness.You have a chance to get in on some of that coming up very soon…

Of course, I am talking about the Frozen River Film Festival from January 22nd to the 26th. If you think you’re not a “film festival type,” I’m here to tell you you’re wrong. The festival does feature a lineup of some 40 documentaries – some so big they’ve been to gigantic film festivals around the world. The films span every genre, from animated shorts for children to current event topics for big people. Films that are touching, funny, provocative, and just plain entertaining roll for four glorious days here, but that’s not all. Music, food, and people selling their wares, workshops, stuff for kids – it all creates such a rich experience at an event that embraces winter in Winona, celebrates it. Come embrace it with us — I’m going to help you do it for free.

That’s right folks – it’s a blog contest! I’m going to give away two bundles of tickets – each with six tickets in it – that can be used for any of the films (or film sets if the films are shorts), presentations or workshops at the Frozen River Film Festival. Each bundle is a $48 value – and they are so, so easy to win.

Here’s how you enter: Look at the list of 2014 films at http://www.frff.org, and post in the comments section on this blog any one film you’d like to see. I will draw two winners on Friday, January 17, at noon, and I’ll announce them through this blog and Facebook. You can enter once a day. You can even enter the same film once a day, but I promise, there is more than one film you’ll want to see.

I’ll go first – I want to see The Fabulous Ice Age, because it’s a story about Minnesota and the polar vortex. I’m kidding – it’s about ice skaters, but it sounds interesting. Your turn – go!