A City Carved in Snow: Coon Rapids Extends Its Snowflake Days Tradition

COON RAPIDS, MN

As winter tightened its hold on the North Metro, fresh snowfall did more than blanket lawns and sidewalks in Coon Rapids. It extended a tradition.

City officials announced that the Snow Sculpture Contest, one of the most visible and participatory pillars of Snowflake Days, has been extended through Wednesday, February 4, following new snow that fell on Sunday. The decision gives residents additional time to build and register their creations and keeps the contest on track, provided a minimum of five entries is reached.

The extension arrives during a milestone year for Coon Rapids, as Snowflake Days celebrates its 62nd anniversary, marking more than six decades of a winter festival rooted in civic imagination and community pride.

A winter tradition born in 1964

Snowflake Days was established in 1964 by the Coon Rapids Jaycees, who envisioned a winter celebration that would distinguish the city rather than compete with the summer festivals common across Minnesota. What began as a modest local gathering has grown into a 10 day, city wide festival, running this year from January 30 through February 8, 2026, coordinated by the Snowflake Days Committee in partnership with the Coon Rapids Community Strength Foundation.

Over the decades, the festival has evolved while preserving its central purpose: turning winter into a shared civic experience.

Snow sculptures as neighborhood galleries

Among all Snowflake Days events, the Snow Sculpture Contest is perhaps the most intimate. It transforms front yards into temporary public art spaces and invites neighbors to experience the city block by block.

Originally set to close earlier in the week, the contest deadline has now been extended through Wednesday, February 4, allowing households to take advantage of improved snow conditions.

Participation guidelines are straightforward:

• Eligibility: Open to all Coon Rapids households.
• Location: Sculptures must be built in front yards.
• Registration: Households must register online through the city’s official Snowflake Days entry form.
• Minimum requirement: At least five registered entries are required for the contest to proceed.

Judging is scheduled for Thursday, February 5, with entries evaluated on originality, quality of work, design, and overall effect. Winners will be announced on Friday, ahead of the festival’s closing weekend.

Top entries receive cash awards, with $200 for first place, $150 for second, and $100 for third. As in past years, the city is expected to publish a digital map of sculpture locations, encouraging residents to take self guided driving tours and experience the creativity spread across the community.

Part of something larger

The Snow Sculpture Contest is one thread in a broader tapestry of events that define Snowflake Days.

The Community Medallion Hunt remains a perennial highlight, offering a $500 prize to the finder of a hidden medallion located somewhere on city property. To claim the full reward, participants must possess the official 2026 Snowflake Days button, which often features artwork designed by a local student and includes the festival mascot, Rocky the Raccoon.

The Police vs. Fire Hockey Game, commonly known as the Guns ’n Hoses matchup, brings first responders to the ice at the Coon Rapids Ice Center. The game raises funds for community initiatives and has, in recent years, featured participation from players associated with the Minnesota Blue Ox.

On February 5, residents will gather at the Civic Center for the Chili Challenge, a public tasting event where attendees vote on their favorite recipes in support of the Community Strength Foundation.

The festival concludes on Sunday, February 8, with a Waffle Breakfast hosted by the North Star Lions, followed by the official awards ceremony at noon honoring winners across Snowflake Days events, including the Snow Sculpture Contest.

A brief window, a lasting imprint

Snow sculptures melt. Snowflake Days ends. But the purpose of the festival has always extended beyond its calendar.

By stretching the contest deadline to meet the moment created by fresh snowfall, organizers reaffirmed the spirit that has sustained Snowflake Days for more than six decades. Participation matters. So does adaptability. In Coon Rapids, winter is not simply endured. It is shaped, sculpted, and shared.

MinneapoliMedia