2011 Icebox Days event included returning favorites and new activities
“Fabulous” was the word an organizer used multiple times to describe facets of the 31st annual Icebox Days celebration in International Falls over the weekend.
Faye Whitbeck, International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce president, raved about the teamwork that went into making the events a success.
“It is mind blowing the cooperative effort of local people,” Whitbeck said. “I am just blown away by the local community effort.”
New events will likely be returning, she said, including the ice sculpture carving and the fireworks. Both were well received and executed, she said. Nearly 400 votes were cast for the ice sculpture contest, and Whitbeck said the Falls Fire Department did an excellent job on the winter fireworks.
Icebox Days was highlighted by the Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run, which had almost 300 runners participate in both 5K and 10K runs.
Participation was also high in other events. For example, registration was so good, boot hockey players had to use two outside rinks at Eighth Street and Eleventh Street.
People from all over Minnesota, and across the nation, came to participate in the winter festival. Each year, Icebox Days attracts visitors from out of town and some of the local characters to come out in top form for light-hearted fun.
Around town, participants in the races and other events could be seen in costume — including a variety of poultry-inspired hats and women running in dresses.
“You just couldn’t take it all in,” Whitbeck said.
She also said the area has received a lot of attention from the media — both national and even abroad — this year.
The race included two of four of the Durst identical quadruplets and a media crew, taping scenes for an upcoming Lifetime television network show about the Buffalo, Minn., teenagers.
In years past, Icebox Days and other winter activities has gained the attention of the national media. It also increases tourism in the winter months, when area businesses typically see a decline in sales, the Chamber has previously reported.
“I had such glowing reviews from everyone,” Whitbeck said of the calls and emails she had already received Monday.
Even the weather cooperated, Whitbeck said. Although the temperature was, as expected, well below freezing, the city was able to clear snow from the running path and the events were able to go off without impact from Mother Nature, she noted.
“It turned out beautifully,” Whitbeck said.
Icebox Days results
Ice Sculptures:
• $500 People Choice — Dale Whitehouse and cousin Jesse Lutgen for the dragon breathing fire into a knight, an epic battle, (under the tent with colored lights).
Judged sculptures, places 1-6:
• First place — Dale Whitehouse and cousin Jesse Lutgen.
• Second place — Cindy Servis for Bears in Canoe wilderness setting.
• Third place — Brian Arch for Mermaid.
• Fourth place — Bruce Trask for horses and sleigh.
• Fifth place: Tony Cole and Lisa Simon for eagle with flames.
Freeze Yer Gizzard
Blizzard Runs:
• 5K Male Champion FYGBR — Cameron Economy, 15, from Victoria, Minn.; time: 21:03.
• 5K Female Champion FYGBR — Serena Sullivan, 30, from Hibbing; Time: 21:59.
• 10K Male Champion FYGBR — Kyle Smith, 23, from Wright, Minn.; Time: 35:03.
• 10K Female Champion FYGBR — Serena Sullivan, 30, from Hibbing; Time: 43:38.
• Serena Sullivan, age 30, took female top place in both the 5K and 10K.
• Furthest distance traveled was a couple from Peyton, Colo.
• Youngest runner was 10-year-old Taylor Ladner of Grand Rapids.
• Oldest runner was 76-year-old Raymond Garrity from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
• Bob Conner of Bemidji ran again, and has competed in every race for 31 years.
Smoosh races:
Nine teams participated.
• First winner — Team Pearson.
• Second winner — Team Sam.
Chili cookoff at Backus:
• First place — The Coffee Landing
• Second place — Almost Lindy’s
• Third place — The Coffee Landing (another recipe)
Boot hockey:
• In the championship game, Canada beat the Pony Boys.
Moose Lodge
Cribbage tournament:
• Winner — Arnie Baumchen.
Radar Run for Cancer
• 599 cc and under:
-First — Eric Flansburg, Falls, 82 mph, Arctic Cat.
-Second — Christine Mettler, Falls, 78 mph, Arctic Cat.
• 600 to 799 cc:
-First — Randy Arnold, Falls, 93 mph, Arctic Cat.
-Second — Levi Thorstad, 88 mph, Arctic Cat.
• 800 to 999 cc:
-First — Anthony Amundson, Shakopee, 96 mph, Arctic Cat.
-Second — Lance Littwiller, Falls, 95 mph, Ski Doo.
• 1000 cc
-First — Anthony Amundson, Shakopee, 98 mph, Arctic Cat.
-Second — Steve Amundson, Owatonna, 95 mph, Arctic Cat.
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