It was an honor to partner with The Great Northern Festival and Target and spend last Friday exploring some of the Twin Cities' most exciting winter activities!

The Great Northern Festival encompasses many of the winter-themed events that occur over a 10 day span in the heart of winter. The collaborative celebration across St Paul and Minneapolis is all about embracing winter, getting outside and having fun! It is a way of showcasing how we do winter in the north!

Some of the Great Northern activities include the Loppet, the Winter Carnival in St Paul, the Vulcan Snow Park at the State Fairgrounds, horse drawn trollies, giant snow slides, an outdoor Winter feast and the US Championship Pond Hockey Tournament.

We spent the day at the US Pond Hockey Tournament on Lake Nokomis. There are 25 ice rinks with hockey games being played - on a frozen lake! It was pretty amazing. We loved being outside on a beautiful sunny day. (All that sun probably was not good for the ice though!) There was a DJ, food, and tons of people having fun. An electric atmosphere.

That evening we headed into St Paul and checked out the beautiful Ice Palace at the St Paul Winter Carnival. It was absolutely magical to me. Twinkle lights, music, and ice ice ice!

It was a wonderful day. We went to sleep with rosy cheeks and bellies filled with hot cocoa.

Thanks for the fun Great Northern Festival!!

Learn more on their site: www.thegreatnorthernfestival.com

Hello! I just love working as the Art Shanty Projects photographer! Fresh air, high energy and lots of creative ideas. Community on ice!

It is such a great activity for families too.

In my previous post I wrote down a few logistics in case you'd like to go. You can read about festival dates, hours, food, bathrooms and policies by clicking here.

This post is a photo guide to all 20 of the shanties:

2018 ART SHANTY PHOTO GUIDE

10,000 Lakes Twister Shanty: This eye-appealing shanty pays homage to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Play Twister on ice and learn about our lakes!

Atlachinolli: The Fire & Water Shanty is a "Sculptural Performance" shanty that is a visually stunning tribute to an indigenous concept that hails from central Mexico.

The Archive Shanty: Some of the beloved Art Shanty artists from previous years are back and this year they're making you smile in the Archive Shanty. This Shanty will make you scratch your head in wonder at the "specimens" and laugh at the same time. Very clever!

BINGO! Shanty: Last year's Chef Shanty has a new roof and a new theme! A giant ball wheel has been installed and guests are invited to play a rousing game of Bingo! This is probably the only place in the entire world where you can play BINGO on a frozen lake!

Cinema Shanty and Ice box Studios: Watch a Zoetrope in action and then slide over next door to create one on your own!

The Department of Everything Else: Exactly as named. A home base for many of the performance artists and small groups.

Fyr Minnesota Shanty: An off-kilter plaid lighthouse with a rainbow stairwell and bird-themed interactions on the second floor. This shanty was created by teens from Leonardo's Basement!

Get In Feel With Your Touchings: Didn't everyone love this game as a kid? Put your hand in if you dare! You may find out that you are the one being probed!

The Lonely Whale Shanty: A fascinating shanty and story. Inspired by the true story that scientists have been recording a lonely whale's calls in the Pacific Ocean for over 20 years now. Enter the belly of the whale and learn more.

Monarch Butterfly Migration Shanty: This colorful shanty provides eye candy and warmth in the grey of winter. It is so fun to learn about the path of the Monarch while on a frozen lake. Take one of their butterfly bikes out for a spin!

The Notary Shanty (or, The Cold Hard Truth Shanty) My son learned a lot in this fun faux wood-paneled office on ice. He had never heard of a notary! He even made a declaration and had it notarized. The people working the shanty are actual notaries! Word is a couple got married there on Sunday. For real!

Phone Valet This little shanty encourages you to leave behind modern connectivity and enjoy some shanty time in analog form.

Revolution Shanty: This shanty was created by artists and students at Southwest High School. It looks at Minnesota's history of revolution and invites you to write your own revolution poetry.

Sonic Shanty: Another great shanty created by returning ASP artists. This shanty invites you to interact with the sounds of a frozen lake. An added bonus is the experience of light reflected from ice. Beautiful in sight and sound.

Team Engine at Cooperation Station: The game shanty. This was my son's favorite shanty. We stayed there for nearly an hour! We played a puzzle that truly had us "puzzled." My son and I left without solving this difficult puzzle that involved all 4 of our wrists in rope. We asked them not to tell us the solution so we could try again next weekend! A fun for all ages shanty!

The Theatre of the Tiny Clandestines: We heard loud laughter coming from the inside of this ornate shanty. I can't wait to return and witness one of their 5-10 minute storytelling skits.

The Thwing: Group swing on the Thwing! To witness 4 people simultaneously swinging on a frozen lake is sure to make you smile! Give it a try! Take the Thwing for a swing! It is fun for all who dare!

The Tomb of the Unknown Minnow: Enter the Tomb of the Unknown Minnow. Pay your respect to one of Minnesota's most popular fishing baits and thank him/her for their service.

Twin Cities Sailing Club's (or TCSC) Sea Shanty: This shanty rocks. Literally. Feel the motion of the lake even when it is frozen.

The Welcome Shanty: The ASP has a new Welcome Shanty this year! It has indoor and outdoor space. This year it includes a large board that has a map and performance schedule posted. Be sure to grab an official program here. This is also where you can become a member and help support this free festival! Members have access to private evening events and other perks!

Why Not Knit! Enter this shanty to meet friendly faces who enjoy teaching others about their craft. This shanty is colorful and cozy and full of interesting stories!

Wish Factory: Make a wish, write it down and put it into the Wish Factory Machine where it is transformed into a token! This cozy shanty is decorated with all things wish-centric: genie lamps, birthday candles, the first star, coins in a fountain, wishbones and more.