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Ice Box Days


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A wacky winter festival

Icebox Days, a nod to our moniker, "Icebox of the Nation," is our annual celebration staged in the middle of winter.

Events through the years have been covered by networks including CBS, NBC and ABC as well as The Travel Channel, The Weather Channel, MSNBC, Lifetime and dozens of national and international publications. A few years ago, Emmy Award-winning television journalist JuJu Chang visited with her son and producer, resulting in a feature of International Falls on the ABC program “Nightline.”

Icebox Days is packed full of fun and zany games for all people, including frozen turkey bowling; the locally invented “smoosh” races; moonlight skiing in Voyageurs National Park; the infamous “Gizzard” runs and much more.

Coordinated by the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, IceBox Days wouldn't be possible without the support of generous sponsors and dozens of volunteers.

Grab a jacket and join us in the Ice Box!

Schedule of Events
Schedule of Events

2025 Icebox Days Schedule of Events

Schedule of Events for January 17–25, 2025

Weekend 1: January 17–19, 2025

Friday, January 17

  • 6:00–8:00 PM – History On Tap @ Cantilever Distillery
  • 7:00 PM – Beer Pong @ Loony’s Brew (Limited to 10 teams of 2. Call 218-540-1001 to register. Prizes awarded.)
  • 7:00 PM – Open Mic Music @ Loony’s Brew
  • 7:30 PM – Bargo @ On the Rocks in Downtown I.Falls
  • 9:00 PM – Karaoke @ VFW, International Falls

Saturday, January 18

  • 10:00 AM–3:00 PM – Story Stations @ International Falls Public Library Families with children under 10 are invited to explore winter-themed fun and games. Enjoy stories, a (mock) snowball fight, and more!
  • 11:00 AM–1:00 PM – Friends of the Library Book Sale @ International Falls Public Library Basement A wide variety of titles for all ages available by donation. Proceeds support library programming.
  • 11:00 AM-2:00 PM: Mimosa Bar and $5 Bottomless Chips and Salsa at Sammy's. Craft your own mimosa with fresh fruit.  Also, enjoy $5 Bottomless chips and salsa.
  • 12:00–4:00 PM – Snowman Building Contest @ Loony’s Brew Build a village of snow people on the north deck. Judging starts at 4:00 PM. Prizes awarded.
  • 1:00–4:00 PM – Paint Your Family Member @ Backus Conference Room 101 Limited to 20 teams of 2. Cost: $20/pair. RSVP by Friday, Jan. 17 at 218-285-7225.
  • 2:00–4:00 PM – Free Game Time in the Gym @ Backus Features “Minute to Win It” challenges, a Bounce House and other games. Kids under 16 must be accompanied by a parent.  Concessions will be available for purchase.
  • 4:00–7:00 PM – Paper Airplane Contest @ Loony’s Brew Build your airplane using provided materials and see who flies furthest. Prizes awarded.
  • 7:00 PM – Open Mic Music @ Loony’s Brew
  • 9:00 PM – Karaoke @ VFW, International Falls

Sunday, January 19

  • 11:00 AM-2:00 PM: Mimosa Bar and $5 Bottomless Chips and Salsa at Sammy's. Craft your own mimosa with fresh fruit.  Also, enjoy $5 Bottomless chips and salsa.
  • 1:00–4:00 PM – Chili Cook-Off @ Loony’s Brew Bring your best chili recipe and compete for prizes in taste, creativity, and presentation. No pre-registration required.
  • 1:00 PM – Final Round: Cribbage Tourney @ Ranier Muni
  • 1:00 PM: Bridge Tourney @ First Lutheran Church

Midweek Events: January 20–23, 2025

Monday, January 20

  • 12:00–8:00 PM – Open Swimming @ AmericInn by Wyndham $5 per person per session. Kids under 3 free with paid adult. Call 218-598-8510 to reserve.

Tuesday, January 21

  • 6:00 PM – Bingo @ VFW, International Falls

Wednesday, January 22

  • 7:00 PM – Icebox Trivia @ Loony’s Brew Test your knowledge with team competition and fun trivia. No pre-registration required. Prizes awarded.

Thursday, January 23

  • 10:30 AM – Storytime @ International Falls Public Library Preschoolers and caregivers are invited for winter-themed stories, rhymes, and playtime.
  • 6:00 PM – Bingo Fundraiser @ VFW Supports Rainy Lake Medical Center.
  • 7:00 PM – Icebox Idol @ Loony’s Brew Compete in a singing competition! Pre-register at 218-540-1001. Open registration begins at 6:00 PM (space not guaranteed). Grand prize: 1/2 day fishing trip with Woody.

Weekend 2: January 24–26, 2025

Friday, January 24

  • 5:00PM - Candlelight Snowshoe Hike @ Voyageurs Natl Park
  • 5:00–7:30 PM – Freeze Yer Gizzard Race Registration @ Backus Community Center
  • 7:00 PM – Open Mic Music @ Loony’s Brew
  • 7:00 PM – Bargo @ On the Rocks
  • 9:00 PM – DJ @ On the Rocks
  • 9:00 PM – Karaoke @ VFW

Saturday, January 25

  • 8:00–9:30 AM – Pre-registration for Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard 5K/10K Run @ Backus Community Center
  • 8:00–11:30 AM – Pancake Feed by Falls Education Foundation @ Backus Community Center (Free-will offering.)
  • 9:00 AM – Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard 5K Run Starts
  • 10:00 AM – Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard 10K Run Starts
  • 11:00 AM-2:00 PM: Mimosa Bar and $5 Bottomless Chips and Salsa at Sammy's. Craft your own mimosa with fresh fruit.  Also, enjoy $5 Bottomless chips and salsa.
  • 10:00 AM: Bloody Mary Bar at On the Rocks
  • 10:00 AM–3:00 PM – Vendor/Craft Fair @ Union Hall
  • 11:00 AM-Finals - Bags Tourney @ On The Rocks
  • 11:00 AM – Signup for Dart Tourney @ Border Bar
  • 11:00–2:00 PM – Hot Cocoa Bar @ Union Hall
  • 11:30 AM – Freeze Yer Gizzard Race Awards @ Backus
  • 12:00–1:30 PM – Turkey Bowling (Adults/Kids) @ 4th Ave near On the Rocks
  • 12:00–1:30 PM – Toilet Seat Toss (Adults/Kids) @ 4th Ave near On the Rocks
  • 12:00–4:00 PM – Sloppy Joe Feed Fundraiser @ Union Hall
  • 12:00–4:00 PM – Kids Coloring Contest and Games @ Union Hall Ages 4–6, 7–9, and 10–12. Prizes awarded by the VFW.
  • 1:00 PM – Finals: Dart Tourney @ Border Bar
  • 1:00 PM – Finals: Dodgeball Tourney @ Loony’s Brew (Limit 8 teams. Must have 2 females on court at all times. Contact Ed to register at 807-271-5374.)
  • 1:30–3:00 PM – Smoosh Races (Adults/Kids) @ 4th Ave near On the Rocks
  • 1:00–3:00 PM – Kids Snowmobile Rides @ Smokey Bear Park
  • 6:00 PM – FIREWORKS @ Smokey Bear Park
  • 7:00 PM – Live Music @ Loony’s Brew
  • 8:00 PM–1:00 AM – Beach Party @ Border Bar

Sunday, January 26th

  • 11:00 AM-2:00 PM: Mimosa Bar and $5 Bottomless Chips and Salsa at Sammy's. Craft your own mimosa with fresh fruit.  Also, enjoy $5 Bottomless chips and salsa.

Sponsors
Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run
2025 Sponsorship Form
Icebox Days Vendor Form
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