Winter Events Across the U.S.: From Pirates to Polar Bears, Turkey Bowling to Ballooning

Don't let a bit of cold weather keep you indoors this winter. From Florida to Alaska, and Minnesota to Colorado, you'll find a diverse and interesting range of festivals to experience this frosty season.

Pirates in Paradise, Key West, FL -- November 29 to December 7, 2008

You don't need an excuse to visit Key West during the winter, but Pirates in Paradise is certainly an added incentive. Celebrating the isle's maritime heritage and not-so-salubrious pirate past, this nine-day festival, takes over the historic seaport area. Highlights include daily tall ship pirate sails and sea battles; pirate pub strolls; fight circles; sea story-telling; the; Walk the Plank National Championships; Conch Republic Pirates' Shipwreck Ball; historic re-enactments; costumed performers aplenty; and the Pirate Fest, Village Thieves' Market and Pirate Tavern at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. For more information, visit www.piratesinparadise.com.

For the three weekends leading up to Christmas, the animals of New York's beloved mini zoo get to celebrate the festive season and the receiving of delicious edible gifts. Join the feeding frenzy at 1pm each Saturday and Sunday. There's no fruitcake or eggnog at this holiday party, but fishsicles, fruit, and peanut butter covered balls are just a few of the tasty treats that the polar bears and the other animals like seals, monkeys, and penguins will unwrap and enjoy. And if it gets too chilly, warm up in the Rainforest, with its year-round tropical climate. Admission is $8 for adult and $3 for children and that includes entry to the Tisch Children's zoo full of adorable animals that the kids can pet and feed next door. For more information and to buy tickets in advance, visit www.centralparkzoo.com.

Ullr Festival and the International Snow Sculpture Championships, Breckenridge, CO -- January 2 to 9 and January 20 to February 1, 2009

The entire month of January is a celebration in Breckenridge. It starts with the almost five-decade old annual snow festival, a week-long carnival paying homage to Ullr, the Norse God of snow and the bringer of a bountiful ski season. The schedule of festivities includes a Nordic event, burning of old skis in the Ullr Bonfire, the famous Ullr Fest Parade down Main Street, the Ullympics, an ice skating party, and a series of other excuses to drink plenty of schnapps by a fireplace. A week later, they start making giant snow blocks that are used for the International Snow Sculpture Championships which starts on January 20. The Championships are held in and around the Riverwalk Center, located in the heart of Breckenridge, on South Park Avenue between Ski Hill Road and Adams Avenue. Teams hail from countries as diverse as Russia, Morocco, Belize, China, Japan, Finland, France, New Zealand, Switzerland, Sweden, Mexico, Wales, and Canada, to compete in five-people teams carving unique sculptures, often depicting cultural influences, heritage and aspirations. At the end of the five-day carving period, a panel of artists award prizes on the basis of theme, style and technique plus there's a People's Choice, Kids' Choice and Artists' Choice award. For more information, visit www.townofbreckenridge.com.

Icebox Days, International Falls, MN -- January 15 to 18, 2008

The 29th annual Icebox Days at International Falls promises four days and nights of brrrreathtaking events and activities. Highlights of this cold weather festival include frozen turkey bowling; snow sculpting; smoosh races; nighttime snowshoeing in Voyageurs National Park; the famous Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run (ten-kilometer and five kilometer races in extreme weather conditions); ice skating; snowmobile races; ice rink croquet; Texas Hold 'em, darts and bridge tournaments; concerts; and a bonfire in Smokey Bear Park For more information, visit www.internationalfallsmn.us/iceboxdays.shtml.

The Seward Polar Bear Jumpoff, Seward, AK -- January 18 to 20, 2009

Now in its 23rd year, this Alaskan festival focuses on the icy waters of Resurrection Bay but there are also some indoor activities like a craft fair and flea market; a children's winter carnival; karaoke contest; charity auctions; theatrical performances; a book sale; a museum open house; an oyster slurping contest; and a show by the Alaska Air Force Band. But the highlight is certainly the plunge into the bay by the Polar Bear jumpers from Harbor boardwalk that sees dozens of brave costumed volunteers diving into the frigid water, all in the name of charity. Other outdoor events include the Ugly Fish Toss, frozen turkey bowling, ice golf, cross-country ski races, snow machine rides and dog sled races. Most events are held to raise money to benefit local non-profit groups as well as helping children with cancer. For more information, visit www.sewardak.org/news-events/polarbear.htm.

Hudson Hot Air Affair, Hudson, WI -- February 6 to 8, 2008

The view of 50 multi-colored hot air balloons hovering over snow-covered plains is spectacular in the St. Croix Valley in west central Wisconsin. The event also boasts a costumed torchlight parade, a craft fair, geocaching, a mini Olympic Games, kiting, karaoke, marching kazoo bands, smoosh-boarding, and a huge chili cook-off -- all on the same weekend. Balloons take off by day and at night, providing an illuminated night sky of colors and shapes. This year's theme, coinciding with the event's 20th celebration, is "The Roaring 20's: Putting on the Ritz" so balloons and costumes will be designed accordingly. For more information, visit www.hudsonhotairaffair.com.