St. Paul's Packed With Winter Carnival Events This Weekend
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- From ice carvings to Crashed Ice and icy-cold beer, winter fun is in full swing this weekend in St. Paul.
And even better, most events are free.
Red Bull's Crashed Ice has skated into town for the fourth-consecutive year. As many 100,000 people will pack into the hillside in front of the Cathedral of St. Paul.
Races began Thursday, but Saturday will be the biggest event with the championship races beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The Winter Carnival is taking place just down the street. Most events, such as ice carvings, ice skating and the Royal Courtyard are in Rice Park.
The Grand Day Parade will march down West Seventh Street Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Singer Kat Perkins is holding a free concert at Rice Park that night at 7 p.m.
Additional events -- including the snow carving contest and Beer Dabbler -- are taking place at the State Fairgrounds.
Hockey fans will head to the Xcel Energy Center Friday and Saturday night for the 2015 North Star College Cup.
Hundreds are expected to attend the Saintly City Cat Show at Roy Wilkins Auditorium Saturday morning, where singer Sam Smith will perform to a sold-out crowd later that night.
Businesses along West Seventh say they're expecting twice the normal concert crowd at their establishments.
All those visitors to the city mean the roads will be busy. To help ease concerns, Visit St. Paul is encouraging people to take advantage of free rides.
It says more than 40 bars are offering free shuttles to Crashed Ice. Metro Transit is also providing free rides on buses and light rail lines. You will need to print a transit pass.
If you are driving, the Visitor's Bureau has listed suggested driving and parking routes.
Click here for a full list of events.