Parks and Recreation Links
Winter Fete
Winter Fete 2024
Join Bloomington Parks and Recreation along with community partners this winter as we embrace the season during the 20th Annual Winter Fete celebration. See below for a list of activities taking place beginning in December 2023, and check back often as new events and other details may be added. All Winter Fete activities are free unless otherwise noted, and fun for the whole family!
Fat tire biking season is finally here in Bloomington! Join Minnesota Off Road Cyclists (MORC) for some outdoor fun this winter biking along the Minnesota River Valley in celebration of Global Fat Bike Day. MORC is one of the organizations that supports trail work volunteers on mountain bike trails throughout the Twin Cities, including the Minnesota River Trail in Bloomington.
Fat biking is one of the most popular winter recreational activities in Minnesota. Fat bikes have thick tires that safely handle frosty, woodsy, snow-covered trails, providing an excellent winter recreation option for Minnesotans. No experience is required to try a fat bike. It's an easy, low-impact, fun activity for you and your family and friends!
An opportunity like this is the perfect way to get involved with the fat tire biking community and enjoy wintertime in the Minnesota River Valley. We hope to see you there!
- Where: Minnesota River Bottoms Lyndale Avenue Lot, 11115 Lyndale Avenue South.
- When: December 2, 2023, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Weather: Ride is weather dependent.
- Equipment: A limited number of bikes will be provided. Participants are welcome to bring their own bikes. Helmets required.
Enjoy the Second Annual Citywide Winter Lights Tour by basking in the glow (literally!) of your neighbor's holiday season spirit and experience their illuminative decorating skills!
Visit the official Winter Lights Tour page for the interactive online map and tour map of Bloomington participating addresses.
Questions? Call Bloomington Parks and Recreation at 952-563-8877 or email parksrec@bloomingtonmn.gov.
Lace-up your skates and join us at Bloomington Ice Garden for a New Year’s Eve Open Skate! Multiple sheets of ice will be open for skating with music. Families can also enjoy a kid-friendly New Year's Eve Countdown at 6:30 p.m. Concessions will be available. All ages are welcome. Skate rental included in admission price.
- Where: Bloomington Ice Garden, 3600 W. 98th Street
- When: December 31, 2023, 4 - 7 p.m.
- Fee: $8/person
- Registration: blm.mn/webtrac or pay at the door
- A RecTrac Household Account is required in order to register online. If you have an account, log in after clicking the link above. If you do not have an account, create a new one.
Fishing isn’t just a summer activity! Once our lakes freeze over, we can venture out and catch fish through the ice. We will show you how to use the equipment, understand and find where the fish live in winter, and practice reeling in the different species that call Bush Lake home. All equipment will be provided.
- Where: Bush Lake Beach
- Dates:
January 14, 21, 28, February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 3, 2024.(*) - Times: 1 - 3 p.m.
- Fee: $20 per person
- Registration: blm.mn/webtrac
- Maximum of 15 participants per event. Children must have adult supervision.
- A RecTrac Household Account is required in order to register. If you have an account, log in after clicking the link above. If you do not have an account, create a new one.
*Due to unseasonably warm weather conditions, all 2024 ice fishing dates have been canceled.
Enjoy a staff-led snowshoe hike, exploring Bush Lake Park from a new perspective. Participants will be guided through a hike along park trails. Afterwards, warm up with refreshments and conversation. Beginners welcome! The event is free to participate, but registration is required.
- Where: Bush Lake Beach, 9140 East Bush Lake Road
- Who: Adults 18+
- When: January 13, 2024, 1 - 2:30 p.m.
- Fee: Free!
- Equipment: A limited number of snowshoes are provided. Participants are welcome to bring their own snowshoes.
- Registration: blm.mn/webtrac
- A RecTrac Household Account is required in order to register online. If you have an account, log in after clicking the link above. If you do not have an account, create a new one.
If conditions do not allow snowshoe use, staff will lead a walking hike through the park.
Enjoy free open skating at Bloomington Ice Garden. All ages are welcome. Free skate rental included!
- Where: Bloomington Ice Garden, 3600 W. 98th Street
- When: January 14, 2024, 4 - 6:45 p.m.
- Fee: Free
- Registration: None required
FIFTH ANNUAL MEDALLION HUNT
The FIFTH Annual Bloomington Parks and Recreation Medallion Hunt will take place in January and February 2024 as part of Winter Fete. The first clue will be announced on January 16. The hunt will end when someone finds the commemorative medallion. The medallion will be hidden in one of Bloomington's 97 parks.
The Medallion
An example picture of the medallion is shown below. It's about as big across as a hockey puck or a typical coffee table drink coaster.
Clues and Timing
Clues will be provided on this web page and on the Facebook home of Bloomington Parks and Recreation. NOTE: The first clue is on Tuesday, January 16 due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. All subsequent clues will be posted on Mondays and Thursdays with the final clue announced on February 15.
Medallion Hunt Winners!
Congratulations to the Schuldt Family! With the help of only four clues, Lacy, Bill and their son Kolby found the 2024 Winter Fete Medallion on Thursday, January 25 in its hiding spot near the tennis courts at Bryant Park.
For their efforts, they'll receive a prize package that includes a Nespresso Vertuo Deluxe Coffee and Espresso machine, a sherpa fleece king-sized blanket, two insulated coffee mugs, wireless earbuds, a rechargeable hand warmer, hot chocolate, a milk frothing set, and more. They also have exclusive bragging rights over friends, family and neighbors for the next year!
Just for fun, see below for a list of all of this year's clues, with explanations of what each one means.
MEDALLION HUNT CLUES
Clues that were used this year
- Clue #1 - Tuesday, January 16
97 Parks we have and one of them calls your number. The medallion is out there somewhere, no time to slumber!
Meaning: Go out to one of our 97 parks.
- Clue #2 - Thursday, January 18
The finder of the medallion will surely earn themselves a treat. Don’t dig, don’t destroy, and please peacefully compete.
Meaning: The medallion is in plain site. No need to excavate, move or destroy anything to find it.
- Clue #3 - Monday, January 22
This park is sometimes used as a place to teach. You can walk or run there with its 1,600-foot reach.
Meaning: The park in which the medallion resides is 1,600 feet from corner to corner.
- Clue #4 - Thursday, January 25
Basic math operations may help with this clue. But you'll need three pieces to interpret the brew. 100, 45, 2, 35 and 5 might show you what to do.
Meaning: The first of three clues that give away the address to the park. 100(+)45(-)2(x)35(/)5 = 1001 , which is part one of the address.
Clues that were not used this year
- Clue #5 - Monday, January 29
On the first light of the 5th day you may want to look this way. But conversely they say will allow the medallion to play.
Meaning: In the Lord of the Rings film, the wizard Gandalf says, "On the first light of the 5th day at dawn, look to the EAST." The converse of east is West, which is part two of the address. 1001 West...
- Clue #6 - Thursday, February 1:
Look to Andromeda for some help with this next task. Copeland’s Lenticular galaxy should be the spot for your first ask.
Meaning: NGC 85 is a spiral lenticular galaxy located in the andromeda constellation, discovered by Ralph Copeland in 1873. The number 85 is part 3 of the address to this park. Put it all together and it is 1001 West 85th Street.
- Clue #7 - Monday, February 5:
In 1854 Joe moved to this place. He set up a home that taught children in the space.
Meaning: Bloomington First Public School was in the Harrison Home. Joseph Harrison and his family came to Bloomington in 1854 from Wolf Island, Canada. He built a house on the west bank of a small lake, which is now Bryant Park. The site of the house was approximately the 8500 Block and Emerson Avenue. Records indicate that one of the 10 daughters taught school in her father's house in 1855 and this was the first public school in Bloomington which was not affiliated with the religious mission schools.
- Clue #8 - Thursday, February 8:
This park is due for a large makeover this year, come check it out and the medallion will certainly be near.
Meaning: Bryant park will be getting a makeover in 2024.
- Clue #9 - Monday, February 12:
One of the greatest of all time, #4 in points scored. Use the mamba to help you find your reward.
Meaning: Kobe Bryant is #4 in points scored all time and has the last name of Bryant, same as the park the medallion is hidden in.
- Clue #10 - Thursday, February 15:
The last clue is here, this one will surely get you the prize. Head to 44.848529, -93.291742 and open your eyes.
Meaning: Okay, fine, so this isn't really a clue. It's just GPS directions to within a few feet of the medallion's location. We've never made it to Clue 10 in the five year history of the Medallion Hunt. Guess we'll just have to try harder next year!
Previous Medallion Hunt Winners
Thanks to all of our past participants!
2023 - Adrian Koester
2022 - Stephanie & Casey Auen
2020/2021 - The Hoffman Family
Kick the winter blues and enjoy an afternoon of fun at the First Annual Blades and Bites event! Join us for food, skating, games, and fun for the whole family!
Food will be available for purchase through Brick Oven Bus and Taqueria Victor Hugo.
Attendees will be eligible for fun giveaways, while supplies last.
- Where: Westwood Park, 3490 West 109th Street, Bloomington, MN 55431
- When: January 20, 2024, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Weather: Event is weather dependent. Please call (952-563-8878 option 3) for updates.
- Equipment: A limited number of ice skates will be available to rent for free. Participants are welcome to bring their own skates.
- Fee: Free to participate in activities. Food available for purchase. No registration required.
Download the Blades and Bites Flyer.
2024 Ice Harvesting Day
Courtesy of Three Rivers Park District, experience the adventures of Minnesota’s hardy ice harvesters at the 26th Annual Ice Harvest. This is a great event for families, grandparents and people interested in Minnesota’s ice harvesting history. Event activities may be modified to occur on land depending on ice conditions. Activities will close at the end of the program time.
- Cut blocks of ice out of the pond with a vintage ice saw and pull an antique ice plow.
- Weigh blocks of ice, use chipping tools, and make ice cubes.
- Discover food preservation techniques with costumed interpreters from The Landing and hear stories from ice harvesting historians.
- Try a kick-sled, throw a snow snake and watch an ice rescue demonstration by Bloomington Fire and Rescue.
- Keep warm by a campfire.
Where: Richardson Nature Center, 8737 East Bush Lake Road
When: Saturday, January 20, 2024, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Fee: Free
Registration: Online beginning November 15
16th Annual Pond Dakota Winter History Festival
Experience beautiful Pond Dakota Mission Park in the winter at the 16th Annual Pond Dakota Winter History Festival. Enjoy these fun outdoor activities.
- Play frontier winter games outdoors like Graces, Stilts, and Hoop & Stick.
- Take a guided tour of the 1856 Pond House with a costumed reenactor and warm up by the fire.
- Learn about the Fur Trade with Voyageur reenactor Miles Jewell and Šišóka Dúta (Joe Bendickson) Dakota language expert.
- Explore Pond Dakota Mission Park on your own or on one of two guided hikes in the River Valley.
- Guided hike #1: 11 a.m.
- Guided hike #2: 1 p.m.
Sledding and snowshoe walks have been canceled due to unseasonably warm weather.
Limited free parking available in the Pond Dakota Mission Park lot. Additional free parking available at the adjacent Emmanuel Lutheran Church.
- Where: Pond Dakota Mission Park and the Historic Pond House, 401 E. 104th Street
- When: Saturday, February 3, 2024, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Fee: Free
- Registration: None required.
ORGANIZERS HAVE CANCELED THIS EVENT DUE TO UNEXPECTEDLY WARM WEATHER CONDITIONS
2024 Flyfest Ski Jumping Event
Minneapolis Ski Jumping Club presents the 2024 Flyfest Ski Jumping Event, taking place under the stadium lights on Saturday, Feb 3 at Bush Lake Ski Jump, 8401 East Bush Lake Road, Bloomington.
Don't miss the high-flying ski jumping action with former and future Olympians pushing the limits of Bloomington's ski jumps and soaring up to 300 feet for trophies and cash prizes!
Experience the show outdoors and tour the site, viewing the competition from up and down the landing slope and all around the non-groomed areas. Dress warmly and gather around a fire pit with your friends while catching the exciting action! The ski jump site is vast, with many great vantage points to view the jumpers in action.
The chalet is closed to the public, but food trucks will be available for food, beverages and snacks.
Questions? Contact Minneapolis Ski Jumping Club.
SCHEDULE
- 5 p.m. - Spectator entry opens
- 6 p.m. - Tournament begins
- Trial runs starts at 6 p.m. followed by competition runs at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
- Competition typically concludes by 9 p.m.
TICKETS
- $10 - Age 13 and up
- FREE - Age 12 and under
- Tickets available at the gate, but buying in advance online will save you time during entry
Tickets available for purchase here
Join family and friends together for a day of puzzling! Teams consisting of up to 4 people will receive the same 500-piece puzzle. Your team must have at least one person under age 18. Then the race is on to see who can finish first! Registration required.
- Where: Creekside Community Center, 9801 Penn Ave. South
- When: February 10, 2024. Check-in begins at 12:30 p.m. Contest runs 1 - 3 p.m.
- Fee: $15/team
- Registration: blm.mn/webtrac
- A WebTrac Household Account is required in order to register online. If you have an account, log in after clicking the link above. If you do not have an account, create a new one.
- Individual registering your team must be 18 years of age or older.
Get your glide on with your sweetie and join us at Bloomington Ice Garden for a Valentine's Date Skate! If you're looking for a fun activity for you and your special someone, Rink 3 will be open for the event. Concessions will be available. Couples 16 years and older are welcome to attend. The cost is $15 per couple. Skate rental included in admission price.
- Where: Bloomington Ice Garden, 3600 W. 98th Street
- When: February 14, 2024, 7 - 9 p.m.
- Fee: $15/couple
- Pay at the Door
Join us as we embrace winter during the Festival Event at Hyland Lake Park Reserve as a part of Three Rivers Parks District's Winter Play Day! There will be an abundance of outdoor winter activities and exploration opportunities for everyone from 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
LEARN AND PLAY
- Join free mini-lessons and attend demonstrations about snow-making and more.
- Try a new activity with free walk-up rentals for snowshoes, cross-country skis, kicksleds and adaptive sit-ski equipment.
- Join our nature center staff in the Snow Play Area! Climb a snow mountain, and play in a quinzhee (shelter built out of snow).
EXPLORE
- Participate in interactive nature education and exploration activities, including a trail ride, a winter fun walk and guided, winter-tree-identification hikes.
- Explore the park and look for the ice sculpture.
- Warm up at bonfires and enjoy free roasted marshmallows at bonfires throughout the festival.
EAT AND DRINK
- Warm up with warm beverages, food and local microbrews at North Star Donuts, Gastrotruck and the A'BriTin Hitch & Sip bar trailer.
INTERACT
- Connect with local community partners in the festival village. Bloomington Parks and Recreation staff will be there to share job opportunities and upcoming recreation opportunities.
- Enjoy fireside book readings by local authors, winter yoga and live music.
Winter Fete is Presented by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department