Pauline Schreiber
Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 12:11 am

A horse-drawn sleigh ride is one of many different activities offered Sunday at Winterfest ’09 at River Bend Nature Center. The event is noon to 4 p.m. (Daily News file photo)

pschreiber@faribault.com

FARIBAULT — Talk with Leah Penn Boris about Winterfest ’09 and she’ll convince you missing River Bend Nature Center’s annual celebration of winter would be a travesty.

“It’s been so fun planning this,” said Penn Boris, a River Bend intern who worked with Nature Center naturalist Heather Rickerl to organize the event’s activities.

Returning to the festival after several years absence because of lack of snow is a “quinzee,” a cave-like snow shelter Winterfest-goers can crawl into.

Snow snake throwing returns for a second year as participants can race wooden snakes down a snowy track just like American Indian children once did. And snowshoe rentals offer families the chance to explore River Bend on top of the snow.

And new this year is snow bowling with alley lanes carved into the snow, down which youngsters will throw balls to strike pop-can pins.

Then, there is horse-drawn sleigh rides, kid sledding on packed snow on Prairie Pond, a guided animal track hike and a campfire around which people can roast marshmallows, Penn Boris said.

“And for those who prefer indoor activities, there are crafts in the building and people can bird watch from indoors and look at what birds come to the feeders,” Penn Boris said. “So there’s activities indoors and out, and it’s going to be such a great time for those who come.”


Soup in a bread bowl, hot dogs, cookies and warm beverages will be sold during the day, also inside the building.

River Bend staff is aware Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday. However, Rickerl said, Winterfest activities end a good hour before kickoff. Families can come out and enjoy themselves and be home in plenty of time to watch the game.

— Staff writer Pauline Schreiber may be reached at 333-3127.