An Icy Disappointment

It claims to be the oldest and largest winter carnival in the world, and this year more than 350,000 people attended the "coolest celebration on earth" in Downtown St. Paul... including Dave and I.

After experiencing Mardi Gras in Louisiana, Spring Break in Cancun, and SEC football maina in the South, the only thing Dave and I could do when we attended this much-hyped event was shrug our shoulders and say, "Is this it?"

We waited in traffic for more than an hour, searched for a parking place on downtown streets, and wound up walking several blocks. Then, we fought crushing crowds to see the ice sculptures, which acutally were pretty impressive. But, then we looked for more.... we looked for the carnival food, the bands, the random exhibits and booths....but all we saw was an overcrowded ice rink, an overcrowded style show, and an overcrowded "hot dish tent" that didn't offer much. "I don't think we're in the South anymore, Toto."

St. Paul business leaders created in Carnival in 1886 to celebrate the city as being the "fastest growing U.S. city." Their population jumped from 39,000 residents in 1880 to 120,000 residents in 1886. A nasty New York newspaper reporter described the city during this time as "another Siberia, unfit for human habitation in the winter." So, the business leaders came up with parades, an ice castle, royality, and toboggan slides to attract people outside... and the Carnival was born.

It's a two-week deal and it does offer a host of outdoor events citywide...but I can't help but be disappointed. If this is their idea of a good time... it's no wonder people flock to the frozen lakes to see if the fish are biting. ..