The world was watching as the Winter Olympics opened Friday in Vancouver.
Here in the Northland, everyone will be able to celebrate the Olympic spirit by participating in -- or watching -- any of the 23 events presented by "Snowlympics" during the next two weeks.
This is our "Duluth-style" version of the Winter Olympics, inspiring us to be the best that we can be.
The opening ceremony is Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Warmer by the Lake community event and includes former Duluth Olympic participants George Hovland and Adrian Watt.
Chester Bowl's Winter Carnival will present the closing ceremony from 11:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27.
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In between the opening ceremony and closing ceremony, there will be numerous events geared for all ages to engage area residents in a winter sport. All events are family friendly: tobacco-free and cost-free. In all, nine local businesses, seven non-profits and seven winter sports clubs will be hosting 23 events.
All events are free unless otherwise indicated.
Saturday, Feb. 13
2-5 p.m. Opening ceremony at Bayfront Festival Park. Snowlympic parade at 3 p.m. Lighting of the torch and skating performances by Kjerstyn Hall, Allison Hall and Annika Hall.
Sunday, Feb. 14
12:30 to 2:30 p.m., with registration at 11:30 a.m. Learn the first steps in ski jumping at Chester Bowl, 1801 E. Skyline Parkway. Bring your own alpine skis. Helmet required.
Monday, Feb. 15
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Toddler Trek at Woodland Community Center, 3211 Allendale Ave. Toddlers will climb, slide and crawl in a tot-sized outdoor obstacle course, race in the snowball-carrying contest and build snowmen with parents.
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12-1:30 p.m. Free family skating at Heritage Sports Center, 120 N. 30th Ave. W.
Tuesday, Feb. 16
12 to 3 p.m. Alpine ski race clinics at Chester Bowl, sponsored by UMD's Alpine Ski Team. The racing clinic is free; lift tickets cost $5. Bring your own ski helmet.
12 to 3 p.m. Nordic ski celebration at Snowflake Nordic Ski Center, 4348 Rice Lake Road. Free trail passes, free rentals from Ski Hut (numbers limited, mostly for children second through fifth grade). Volunteers will be on hand to offer basic instruction. Youth must be accompanied by an adult.
12 to 1:30 p.m. Free family skating at Heritage Sports Center.
Wednesday, Feb. 17
12 to 3 p.m. Rail Jam at Chester Bowl. Sponsored by Freestyle of Duluth, Lake Effect Board Shop and Chester Bowl Improvement Club. The event is free to enter and will have features big and small but, please, no beginners. There will be prize packs for the winners, but a fun day of riding guaranteed for all. Bring your own equipment.
12 to 1:30 p.m. Free family skating at Heritage Sports Center.
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7 to 9 p.m. Learn to curl at the Duluth Curling Club at Pioneer Hall in the DECC All equipment supplied. Must bring clean shoes.
Friday, Feb. 19
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sledding party at Lake Superior Zoo, 7210 Fremont St. (Free admission to the zoo.) Bring your own sled. Explore and discover the "all-star sport animals."
12 to 1:30 p.m. Free family skating at Heritage Sports Center.
Saturday, Feb. 20
12 to 4 p.m. Broomball at Norton Park, Coleman Street and 81st Avenue West. All equipment supplied, except footwear.
12 to 3 p.m. Snow sculpting and snowshoeing at Grant Recreation Center, 901 E. 11th St.
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Learn to skate and exhibition by the Duluth/Superior Figure Skating Club at the Heritage Sports Center. Watch our area's figure skaters perform their favorite routines (20 minutes) and learn to skate afterwards (40 minutes). Free skate rentals will be available.
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Sunday, Feb. 21
7 to 9 p.m.
Learn to Curl with the Duluth Curling Club at Pioneer Hall at the DECC, 327 Harbor Drive. All equipment supplied. Must bring clean shoes.
Wednesday, Feb. 24
7 to 9 p.m.
Learn to Curl with the Duluth Curling Club at Pioneer Hall at the DECC, 327 Harbor Drive. All equipment supplied. Must bring clean shoes.
7-8:30 p.m.
FREE Family Skating
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Heritage Sports Center, 120 N. 30th Ave. W.
Friday, Feb. 26
SPECIAL SPECTATOR EVENT
Mono-Ski Race, sponsored by Courage Duluth at Spirit Mountain. Courage Duluth, over the past 7 years, has conducted a mono-ski camp at Spirit Mountain. Paralympic hopefuls from around the USA come to Duluth to further their skills at this camp in preparation for one day making the USA Paralympic mono ski team.
For times, visit www.couragecenter.org/ContentPages/monoskimaddness.aspx
Saturday, Feb. 27
1 to 7 p.m.
Chester Bowl Winter Carnival & Closing Ceremony
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Chester Bowl (1801 East Skyline Parkway)
Winter Carnival 1-5 p.m.;
Family Winter Picnic 5-6 p.m.;
Closing Ceremony 6-6:20 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Celebration of Multicultural New Year's Fire Works
Sponsored by College of Saint Scholastica's Kaleidoscope Multi-Cultural Club 6:30 p.m.
All events are Family Friendly - Tobacco Free
