The Saint Paul Winter Carnival has officially started, and it’s lit. This year, for the 132nd annual Carnival, a 70-foot ice palace was built in the heart of Rice Park to exemplify the city’s winter festivities during Minnesota’s “super” year. This incredible palace is an exciting way for the city of Saint Paul to welcome the world to Minnesota for the Super Bowl and it was built with 4,000 ice blocks.

The Ice Palace lighting ceremony was accompanied by live music and entertainment and fireworks. Since 1886, the Saint Paul Winter has brought family-friendly events to the Twin Cities metro area. Most activities this year will take place in downtown Saint Paul, near Rice Park and Landmark Center, as well as the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. For a full list of events click here.

At the Ice Palace lighting ceremony I learned the 2018 Ice Palace stands for:

P: Pride for Saint Paul and the people
A: Amazing people
L: Legendary  — 132 years of the Winter Carnival — which is the longest running festival in the United States
A: Awesome support — the community had the exciting opportunity to be a part of the Ice Palace with the Buy A Block initiative. Individuals could purchase ice blocks to help the Carnival raise funds to support the community-driven project.
C: cold. Winter is cold, but the great people of Saint Paul still come together to celebrate.
E: Extraordinary Ice Palace.

The Ice Palace is free and open to the public. There are vendor booths, an ice bar and other activities happening daily in Rice Park. It’s a pretty walk downtown, be sure to check it out — open now from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily until February 10.