Free Winter Fun on the Ice This Weekend at ICE Fest in Little Falls

(KNSI) – If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, head to the lake.

The Sunny Zwilling Memorial 2026 Ice Carousel Extravaganza – ICE Fest returns to Green Prairie Fish Lake just north of Little Falls this weekend, bringing two full days of free, family-friendly outdoor activities and a massive spinning ice carousel.

Now in its ninth year, the event has grown from a small family gathering into a sprawling winter festival drawing crowds from across the region. Director of Marketing for ICE Fest and the Pay It Forward Foundation, Becca Ruegemer, told KNSI News about this year’s main attraction. “Our cut crew is going to cut a 714-foot carousel with a 221-foot marked out inside that, depending on weather, timing and volunteers, they may cut that one as well, but the 714 is what they’re going for this year.”

Beyond the carousel, festival-goers can expect nearly 20 activities spread across Saturday and Sunday. New this year, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Minnesota will be bringing kick sleds, snowshoes, and a fire-starting tutorial to the lineup. An expert will also be on hand for igloo building, and fishing tip-ups will make their ICE Fest debut.
Returning favorites include curling, human foosball and bowling, giant LEGOs and building blocks, and face painting. A youth hockey jamboree will also take place Saturday, featuring young players from Little Falls, St. Cloud, Long Prairie, Brainerd, and other area clubs.
For those needing to warm up, a heated tent with free food and beverages will be on site throughout the weekend.

And yes, it’s all free. Ruegemer explains why they do this year after year. “I love being able to give back to the community. And a lot of times people don’t know what to do in the winter, but being able to have somewhere that they can go and do all of these activities, maybe experience new things. I just watch for those smiles on faces that truly just makes my heart warm up so much.”

While admission and activities cost nothing, the event does raise money for children in need through free-will donations, a cash raffle, a $5 spin-to-win game, and onsite ICE Fest apparel available for purchase this year for the first time.

All proceeds benefit local youth food programs, including the Flyer Pride Pack, a weekend backpack food program for elementary students in Little Falls, and the Care Closet, which serves junior and senior high school students facing food and home insecurity. A third program, Always Central Minnesota, is being added as a recipient this year.
Since the event began, Pay It Forward Foundation has donated a total of $168,000 to those programs. This year, organizers are aiming to push past $200,000 in total giving.

As for the weather, organizers say there’s no cause for concern. Ice measurements on Wednesday showed 24 inches of solid ice on the lake, well above the 12-inch minimum required by the sheriff’s department and event insurance.

ICE Fest runs Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 12636 Forest Road, Little Falls.

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