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30th Annual Freeze yer Gizzard Blizzard Run and Icebox Days
January 6 – 18, 2010
13-Day Events

Wednesday, January 6 – Wednesday, January 13, 2010

  • NEW THIS YEAR!! The DQ BLIZZARD is 25 years old in 2010 and the Freeze yer Gizzard Blizzard Run is 30 years old in 2010. You can help the fine folks at the Dairy Queen Grill & Chill celebrate these two monumentus occasions by voting for the official BLIZZARD of the “Freeze yer Gizzard Blizzard” run. Barry, Kim and staff have come up with some new and exciting combinations to tantalize your palette. Stop in anytime during store hours for a Free sample and vote on this years’ choices for the official BLIZZARD of the “Freeze yer Gizzard Blizzard” Run. Voting and Sampling begins January 6 and runs through January 13th. The winning BLIZZARD will be announced Friday, January 15th and will become the official flavor for the 30th running of the Freeze yer Gizzard Blizzard Run. The Dairy Queen will offer this BLIZZARD at half price on January 16th. Contact the Dairy Queen at 283-3428 with any questions.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

  • A village of Snow people will start appearing at Smokey Bear Park. Weather permitting; area students will be creating magical snow people at Smokey Bear Park. Spectators and helpers are welcome.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

  • 5:30PM-7:30 PM Business After Hours at Ranier Municipal Liquor Store.  Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bar.  Everyone is welcome to attend. Contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information at 218-283-9400.
  • 5:30PM-9:30 PM St. Thomas Aquinas Bingo night at St. Thomas Aquinas Hall.  Doors open at 5:30 pm and bingo starts at 7:00 pm.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  Sponsored by St. Thomas School. Contact Jackie Glowack at 218-283-3430.

Friday, January 15, 2010

  • 2:30 PM   Hot Chocolate Social at Good Samaritan Society - International Falls in the center's Pinecone Grill (main dining room).  Everyone is welcome to come and visit with the folks at the Falls Good Samaritan Center. Come in from the cold and warm up with good friends and a steaming cup of hot chocolate!  Contact Brenda Jones at 218-283-8313 for more information. 
  • NEW THIS YEAR!! 4:00PM – 7:00PM National Guard Open House – serving juice, coffee and cookies. Join in the action at the National Guard Laser Shot Simulator. Kids can jump in the drivers’ seat (parental consent required for those under 17 years of age) in the biggest and best video game available. Simulator will be at the Army National Guard office all day (located next to City Drug). Contact Zach Lee 218-689-1138 for more information.
  • 5:00- ?? Spaghetti Dinner - This FANTASTIC Spaghetti Dinner is held at Rainy River Community College Commons area.  Whether you’re a runner who needs to carb up for the Freeze Yer gizzard Blizzard Run or just plain hungry, you won't want to miss this yummy spaghetti feed with a free will offering.  Sponsored by St. Thomas School. For more information call Jackie Glowack at 218-283-3430.
  • 5:00-8:00PM "'Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run" 10K and 5K Registration at Rainy River Community College. Contact the Chamber of Commerce at 218- 283-9400 or 800-325-5766. $35 pre-registered before December 31, 2009 ($40 after December 31) and includes a long sleeve fleece pullover.  Packets will also be available for participants before the run on Saturday morning.
  • 6:00-8:00PM Nightlight Snowshoe Hike in Voyageurs National Park.  Meet at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Sponsored by Voyageurs National Park. Contact Tawnya Schoewei, 286-5258. Break out the snowshoes and join a Voyageurs National Park naturalist for a 1- mile hike on the Oberholzer Trail. Snowshoes will be provided but you have to bring your own headlamp. Warm up afterwards for a bonfire and cider.  This event promises to be lots of fun for the entire family.
  • 9:00 PM- 1:00 AM Dance to Fired Up! at Rumors Up North. Contact Rosie at 283-2868 for more information.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

  • 7:00-11:00AM Pancake Breakfast at the Elk's Lodge. Sponsored by Falls Education Foundation. Free will offering.   Contact Kay Herman at 218-283-4024 for more information. 
  • 8:00–10:00 AM Registration for the 5k and 10 Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run at Rainy River Community College Commons. (Registration closes at 9:00 AM for 5k and 10:00 AM for 10k) Showers and locker rooms are available.
  • 9:30AM 5K Fun Run "Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run" 5K run starts at Rainy River Community College and ends at Backus Community Center. Sponsored by Holiday Inn, KSDM/KGHS Radio, Daily Journal/North Star Publishing, Midcontinent, Rainy River Community College and Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Inc. Contact the Chamber of Commerce, 1-800-325-5766 or 218-283-9400. Entry Fee is $40 beginning January 1, 2010. The premiere event of Icebox Days! It has been featured nationally and internationally on television and in print. Runner's World Magazine has sent editors here to cover this challenge. No one can even begin to guess what the weather conditions might be for this famous run...and that's part of the adventure! We do know there has never been a casualty and gizzards suffer no permanent damage since runners return year after frosty year.  Only the BOLD Run the COLD!
  • 10:30AM 10K Race "Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run" 10K run starts and ends at Rainy River Community College. Sponsored by Holiday Inn, KSDM/KGHS Radio, Daily Journal/North Star Publishing, Midcontinent, Rainy River Community College and Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Inc. Contact the Chamber of Commerce, 1-800-325-5766 or 218-283-9400. Entry Fee is $40 beginning January 1, 2010 and includes a long sleeve fleece pullover. The premiere event of Icebox Days! It has been featured nationally and internationally on television and in print. Runner's World Magazine has sent editors here to cover this challenge. No one can even begin to guess what the weather conditions might be for this famous 10k run...and that's part of the adventure! We do know there has never been a casualty and gizzards suffer no permanent damage since runners return year after frosty year.  Only the BOLD Run the COLD!
  • 10:45 AM Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run 5K Awards Ceremony held at Rainy River Community College Theatre. Hosted by those infamous Gizzard Girls!
  • 11:45 AM Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run 10K Awards Ceremony held at Rainy River Community College Theatre. Hosted by those infamous Gizzard Girls!
  • ** NEW This Year 12:00PM - ? Icebox Boot Hockey Tournament at 8th Street Rink. Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Looking for some good old time winter fun? Then this is the event for you! Get a team of 10 gals and guys together (3 male & 2 female on the ice at all times) and join in the fun of the Icebox Boot Hockey Tournament. $50.00 participation fee. There is a 100% Payback – 1st, 2nd and Consolation!! Contact Chad Korpi at 218-324-1172 or email, korpichad@yahoo.com.
  • 12:00PM - 3:00 PM   The “Falls International Speed Run” against Cancer will be held at the Thunderbird Lodge.  Warm up your sleds! The International Voyageurs Snowmobile Club is teaming up with the Thunderbird Lodge to clock your snowmobiles.  This is a fundraiser for local community members’ transportation costs. Small fee charged - additional donations accepted.   The Radar machine will be set up on the lake in front of the Thunderbird and the Thunderbird crew will be set up inside with some fantastic specials. Contact Joe Mershon at 283-9290, Wayne Rasmussen at 285-7650, Jim Bigler at 218-286-3102 or Thunderbird Lodge at 218-286-3151 for more information.
  • ** NEW This Year   1:00-3:00PM “National Guard Fun Zone at Backus” The National Guard will host a Kids Fun Zone featuring a Football Toss and Basketball Shoot. All kids are invited to participate; activities are free and indoors at Backus. Call Zach Lee at 218-689-1138 with questions.
  • 1:00-3:00PM “Chili Throwdown at Backus” – Local restaurants will present their best chili in this “challenge” event at Backus. Sample all the chili you want and vote on your favorite. $6 includes chili, toppings, crackers and beverages. Reception Rooms 110 and 111 at Backus Community Center. If you have questions – call Backus at 218-285-7225.
  • 1:00-3:00PM “Kid’s Indoor Activities at Backus” – All activities are free and indoors and sponsored by the National Honor Society and Backus. All participating kids are welcome to eat Free at the Chili Challenge at Backus. Call Backus at 218-285-7225 for more information and to register ahead of time.
  • 2:00-3:00PM “Turkey Bowling” is one of our most famous events. This years’ make shift bowling lane will be set up at Backus Community Center. Take your chance at throwing a frozen turkey down the lane to knock down as many bowling pins as possible. A prize will be awarded to anyone getting a “strike”. If you have questions – call Backus at 218-285-7225.
  • 3:00 - 4:00PM SMOOSH Races at Viking Bar! Yes, those famous Smoosh Races will be held this year at the Viking Bar. Grab a team of 4 and show up at the Viking Bar by 2:30 PM. $100 to the winner! Contact Tammy @ 218-283-4000 for more information. Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
  • 4:00 - 6:00PM Runner's Reception held at the Holiday Inn Riverfront Lounge.  Enjoy a video of the race, snacks, beer and pop. Registered runners FREE.  Others are welcome - Admission.  
  • 8:00 PM- 12:00 AM The Famous Beach Party.  Located at Rumors Up North this year. Live Music by FIRED UP!  Contact Rosie at 218-286-3151. Limbo contest.   Come as you are or dress for the occasion. The dance, open to adults of legal drinking age.  It will knock your shades off!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

  • 1:00PM-?  Bridge Tournament at Backus Community Center.  Sponsored by Thunderbird Lodge, State Farm Insurance and the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. Cash prices will be awarded. Everyone is welcome to participate.  Contact Byrne & Carole Johnson at 218-286-5225.

Monday, January 18, 2010

  • 7:00PM-? Northern Minnesota Chautauqua Concert at Backus Community Center. Concert performance featuring: Rainy Lake Community Orchestra, Community Band, Faith & The Believers II, Local Soloists & Vocal Groups, “I am the Flag of the United States” Salute to The Armed Forces & VFW Color Guard. Adults - $10 and Students - $5 Tickets available at Backus Community Center, City Drug and at the door.

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