Bold and Cold is a nine-day long festival being held in Owatonna for the first time. Focused around getting out and about in the community and spending time outdoors, there are a variety of fun events and even shopping discounts available to the community throughout the week. Karen Pearson from Park and Rec in Owatonna said, “The community used to have lots of separate events around this time of year, but we decided to bring them together under one umbrella and see what winter activities can bring the communities together.” The opener events will occur at the Steele County Historical Society on Jan. 19.

The opener events on Jan. 19  include the S’more Family Fun and Tater Tot Bar. S’more Family Fun is an event with lots of family-friendly activities available as well as snack options available for a price. Events include crafts and a frozen t-shirt contest. It takes place from 2-5 p.m. The Tater Tot Bar is an event that is part of the Cabin Fever Reliever event. It features food and entertainment from Eric Koskinen with his band and Six Mile Grove. There is also a four-day snow sculpture competition held in Central Park starting on Jan. 17 if the weather allows. Pearson said, “I was hoping the snow sculpture competition would have lots of entries and that we would have lots of snow, but no snow will affect lots of the events.” The other event occurring on that Saturday is the Candlelight event at Rice Lake state park. The event is available to anyone who wishes to enjoy a candlelit walk along the trails at the park. If there is enough snow, visitors can also ski or snowshoe.

From Jan. 24-26 there is an event called Bold and Cold Crazy Days. During these days, there are numerous discounts available at certain stores around Owatonna. In order to receive these discounts, Bold and Cold buttons must be bought and be visible at the time of purchase. Buttons are available for purchase at these places. Some of the discounts include 10% off your entire purchase at Kristi’s Clothing, 10% off meals at Lava Burgers, $10 off a $50 or more purchase at Fareway and more. Bold and Cold buttons must be presented at the time of purchase or there will be no discount. These discounts are a way for participating businesses to promote their stores. Events later on in the week include the Thirsty Thursday fun run on Jan. 24, sledding at West Hills on Jan. 25, Icicle Dive at Lake Kohlmier, ice bocce ball and Rock on Ice all on Jan. 26 and ice fishing at Kohlmier on Jan. 27.

Bold and Cold is a fun festival to bring the community together and get people outdoors instead of sitting inside every day. For more details, you can go here, to the Bold and Cold website.