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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

EVENTS HAPPENING ALL ICEBOX DAYS LONG! January 17-25

  • Snow Fort Building: Have fun with snow piles at Smokey Bear Park by carving, digging, and creating a cool snow fort with friends and family!
  • Sledding Hill @ Smokey Bear Park: Gather your sleds and friends and ride down Smokey’s sledding hill to see who can go the farthest!

 

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 Boot Hockey Tournament @ Ranier Muni. Contact Jen at the Ranier Muni to Pre-Register 218-286-3343
  • 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: Pool Tournament @ The VFW
  • 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.
  • 12:00—3:00 PM —Soups for Troops @ Elks Lodge. Vote for your favorite soup at this heartwarming fundraiser serving our servicemen and women.
  • 1:00 PM-4:00 PM: Speed Puzzle Tournament @ Cobblestone Hotel. The contest is open for teams of up to 4 people. 1000-piece puzzles will be provided and players will get to keep the puzzle they work on. There will be prizes for the 3 top teams. Entry fee is $25/team.
  • 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—Tropical Beach Party Style! @ AmericInn by Wyndham. $5 Per Swimmer. Swimmers will enjoy a free Taco in a Bag and beverage! Call 218-598-8510 to reserve your spot and experience a pool party in the Icebox of the Nation!
  • 7 PM-10PM: Chess Tournament @ Loony's Brew

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.
  • 5:00 PM – Bingo Fundraiser @ VFW Supports Rainy Lake Medical Center. Card Sales begin at 5PM, Games begin at 7 PM.
  • 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

  • 5:00–7:30 PM – Freeze Yer Gizzard Race Registration @ Backus Community Center
  • 5:00 PM - Candlelight Snowshoe Hike @ Voyageurs Natl Park, The Oberholtzer Trail
  • 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
  • 10:00 AM Boy Scouts Winter Camping @ Smokey Bear Park: Learn from the Boy Scouts about how to create a snow “tent” and stay warm overnight!
  • 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
  • 11:00 AM–2:00 PM – Pulled Pork Feed Fundraiser by St. Thomas Aquinas School @ Union Hall
  • 12:00–4:00 PM – Kids Coloring Contest and Games sponsored by the AmericInn by Wyndham @ Union Hall
  • 1:00 PM – Finals: Dart Tourney @ Border Bar
  • 1:30–3:00 PM – Smoosh Races (Adults/Kids) @ 4th Ave near On the Rocks
  • 1:00–3:00 PM – Snowmobile Rides @ Smokey Bear Park
  • 6:00 PM – FIREWORKS @ Smokey Bear Park
  • 7:00 PM – Live Music @ Loony’s Brew
  • 7:30 PM | Comedy @ the Thunderbird Lodge Tickets: $18 advance, $25 at the door. Seating limited - don't wait!
  • 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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