Coon Rapids Invites Residents to Shape Winter Art as Snowflake Days Marks 62 Years

COON RAPIDS, Minn. — As winter settles in across the northern suburbs, the City of Coon Rapids is once again inviting residents to transform snowbanks into storytelling, artistry, and civic pride through the 2026 Snow Sculpture Contest, a signature feature of the city’s 62nd annual Snowflake Days celebration.

Founded in 1964, Snowflake Days was conceived as a community rooted alternative to summer festivals in neighboring cities. More than six decades later, it remains one of Coon Rapids’ most enduring traditions, designed to bring neighbors outdoors, foster hometown identity, and celebrate winter rather than retreat from it.

Turning Front Yards Into Art Galleries

The Snow Sculpture Contest stands out as one of Snowflake Days’ most accessible and beloved events. Participation happens at home, with residents invited to build sculptures in their front yards and register online so judges can visit during the official judging window.

2026 Snow Sculpture Contest Details

• Registration deadline: Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 (online)
• Construction period: Beginning Friday, Jan. 30, with sculptures completed by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 2
• Judging: Tuesday, Feb. 3
• Location requirement: Front yard of a Coon Rapids household
• Judging criteria: Originality, quality of work, design, and overall effect
• Prizes: Cash awards of up to $200

After judging concludes, the city typically publishes a map of registered sculpture locations, inviting residents to take a self guided driving tour through neighborhoods turned temporary outdoor galleries.

Participants should note that the city may photograph sculptures during judging, with image rights retained by the City of Coon Rapids for promotional use.

Snowflake Days 2026: Jan. 30 to Feb. 8

The sculpture contest unfolds alongside a full calendar of athletic, family, and community events that define Snowflake Days as a citywide celebration.

Festival highlights include:

• Community Medallion Hunt (Jan. 30 to Feb. 8): Daily clues lead to a hidden medallion on city property. The finder wins $500 and must have a 2026 Snowflake Days button.
• Mayor’s Cup Golf Finals (Jan. 31): Hosted at Bunker Hills Golf Club.
• Royal Ambassador Coronation (Jan. 31, 1:00 p.m.): Held at the Civic Center, continuing a tradition that dates back to the 1970s.
• Police vs. Fire Hockey Game (Feb. 1, noon to 3:00 p.m.): A charity “Guns and Hoses” matchup at the Coon Rapids Ice Center.
• Chili Challenge (Feb. 5, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.): Public tasting and voting at the Civic Center.
• Senior Snowflake Party (Feb. 6, 11:00 a.m.): Lunch and live music at the Civic Center.
• Winter Fun at Sand Creek (Feb. 7, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.): Includes a kids medallion hunt and snow painting.
• Waffle Breakfast and Awards (Feb. 8, 8:00 a.m. to noon): Final awards ceremony follows at the Civic Center.
• Family Fun Day (Feb. 8, 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.): Free indoor and outdoor skating at the Coon Rapids Ice Center.

The Snowflake Days Button

A small button plays an outsized role in sustaining the festival. Sold for a few dollars, the Snowflake Days button helps fund events and is required to claim the $500 Medallion Hunt prize. Each year’s design is created by local students. The 2026 button features the city mascot, Rocky the Raccoon, selected through a student design contest that concluded in early January.

A Festival Born of Local Vision

Snowflake Days traces its roots to Chuck Austin and the Coon Rapids Jaycees, who in the early 1960s envisioned a winter celebration that would help the city define itself as a hometown rather than a pass through suburb. The first festival in 1964 featured pop up campers on Crooked Lake, popcorn, and hot chocolate. What began modestly has grown into a 10 day celebration that still centers community participation over spectacle.

In 2026, the Snow Sculpture Contest carries that legacy forward, reminding residents that some of the city’s most meaningful winter moments begin not on a stage, but in their own front yards, shaped by imagination, snow, and shared civic pride.

MinneapoliMedia