Join Washington County Parks from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb.18 for Blizzard Bash at Ravine Regional Park. Winter family- friendly activities like snowshoeing, kick-sledding and “How to Make an Ice Luminary” are provided free of charge with purchase of a vehicle permit ($7/daily and $30/annual).

Blizzard Bash is an opportunity for the public to try a variety of winter recreation activities.

According to Washington County Parks Coordinator Sara Armstrong, “The goal of Blizzard Bash is to highlight that winter is a very fun season in Minnesota and to provide the public new things to try, which is a common request.”

Two food trucks, YOUniverse Foodie Waffles and Chef Lucas Pizza, will be onsite. Outdoor activities will also include a Story Stroll and Scavenger Hunt provided by the Washington County Library, as well as a bonfire. Snowshoes will be free for use and a kick-sledding demonstration will be provided.

This is the second year of the annual Blizzard Bash.

Julie Prior-Miller, Cottage Grove Marketing and Communications Specialist said, “My family and I participated last year and it was a lot of fun. My son loved the ice fishing demo and going with my husband on the kick-sled. Neither one of us knew what that was until we got there and we had a blast doing it. I love that they added ‘how to make an ice luminary’ this year. I’ve always wanted to learn!”

Kick-sledding is an old Scandinavian method of winter transit. Armstrong described kick-sledding as, “a cross between skis and a dog sled, but without the dogs. The kick-sled frame has a seat for carrying a passenger or gear and is on steel runners.”

Ice fishing demonstrations were going to be available, but due to poor ice conditions, there will be no demonstrations on Ravine Lake this year.

Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park is located at 9653 Keats Ave. S. in Cottage Grove.

Ravine Regional Park Visitor Center. Photo by Nerissa Solovitz

Families digging in the snow. Photo courtesy of the City of Cottage Grove

Kick-sled rides. Photo courtesy of the City of Cottage Grove

Residents warming at the bonfire. Photo courtesy of the City of Cottage Grove