Friday, March 10, 2023
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
BigDaddy1992 Loved The Event- Thank You
"ICE Fest Sunny Zwilling memorial worlds largest ice carousel Little Falls MN with Amanda" Posted by Big Daddy 1992 on you tube
Great coverage of the event and activities
Monday, February 20, 2023
2023 Raffle Tickets & Winners
Raffle Tickets to benefit the Flyer Pride Pack will be available for purchase for $10 each. Prizes include a $500.00, $250.00 (2) , and/or a $100.00 (5)!
Note: you do NOT need to be present to win - Winner announced Sunday on the weekend of the event
Drumroll please... (Tickets drawn on Sunday Feb 12th, 2023 @ 4;07 pm)
The winners of the I.C.E. Fest 2023 Raffle are...
Congratulations to all of our winners and THANK YOU to everyone that purchased a ticket in support of Pay It Forward Foundation --> Flyer Pride Pack (a weekend food backpack program for kids that live at risk of not eating while not in school) and Kare Kloset (a resource for students that don't have their basic needs met at home).
Monday, February 13, 2023
The Kitchen & Food Galore
"Lincoln Wedding and Events" — Tent Canopy was donated for the warming Tent and serving Kitchen. —
"The Kitchen Crew"
"Free Food and Beverages plus more enjoyed by all" —
- Lincoln Wedding and Events - Food aka: Warming Tent
- Little Falls Bakery and Deli - (80 dozen cookies)
- Thelen Meats - Hot Dags
- Coborn's - Chicken Wild Rice and Chicken Noodle Soup
- Gift Card ( Walmart) - Cocoa, Coffee
- Gift Card (Costco) - Buns,
- Gift Card ( ) - Candies / Snacks -
- Culligan - supplied Drinking Water Bottles ( and the water needed for cocoa, coffee, warming up the soups etc...)
Shout out to Michelle Kuklok and Heather Brill with Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union, Little Falls,Mn. for volunteering in the kitchen this weekend. When we were running low on hot dogs they jumped right in and donated an additional $500 so we would have some for Sunday’s visitors.
Thank you so much, you went above and beyond and we truly appreciate YOU!
Lakeland News - I.C.E. Fest Sets Another World Record...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRTUU1lV5oY
Originally aired February 13, 2023 on Lakeland News
Originally aired February 13, 2023 on Lakeland News
2023 Guests (Facebook)
A collection of 2023 Ice Fest photos using the hastags #IceFest2023, #SpinningIceForKids from Facebook. (All images will open within Facebook Photo Viewer)
Nora Job - 18 Images & Video
Briana and Sabrina Dukowitz
37 Acres RV & Campground
Sunday, February 12, 2023
2023 Round-Up - Highlights
Weather is gorgeous this year finally!
Wrap-up on I.C.E. Fest 2023, and what a memorable one it was!
✔️ More visitors then ever before, by far!
☀️ Absolutely beautiful weather!
🙏🏻 So many amazing volunteers and sponsors that helped make this happen- a true team effort! Thank YOU to each and every one of you!
🪚 Dedicated cut crew that made the World’s Largest Ice Carousel WITHIN an Ice Carousel and in crazy fast timing- just 2 hours for the 820’ diameter and 48 minutes for the 366’ diameter carousel, and when I left tonight the big one was still spinning Sunday Evening! (Started spinning at noon on Saturday)
📸 Feel free to send us your pictures and videos and they may be featured on our wrap up video.
Stay tuned for the donation update after we finalize numbers.
👋 See you next year…from the Zwilling family!
Prep day Fridays forecast is 35 high / 19 low. Winds 10-15 mph
Saturday is 40 high / 17 low. Winds5-7 mph
Sunday's forecast is 38 high /19 low. Winds light and variable
International Competition, Cooperation & Comradery
The boys all got together in Finalnd this past January for a huge event... Chuck, Jason Zwilling and Ty from Minnesota, Brothe Kenny (Jen), from Illinois.
The boys all got together in Finalnd this past January for a huge event... Chuck, Jason Zwilling and Ty from Minnesota, Brothe Kenny (Jen), from Illinois.
2023 Goal is to spin a 366’ carousel WITHIN an 820’ carousel
✔️ More visitors then ever before, by far!
☀️ Absolutely beautiful weather!
🙏🏻 So many amazing volunteers and sponsors that helped make this happen- a true team effort! Thank YOU to each and every one of you!
🪚 Dedicated cut crew that made the World’s Largest Ice Carousel WITHIN an Ice Carousel and in crazy fast timing- just 2 hours for the 820’ diameter and 48 minutes for the 366’ diameter carousel, and when I left tonight the big one was still spinning Sunday Evening! (Started spinning at noon on Saturday)
📸 Feel free to send us your pictures and videos and they may be featured on our wrap up video.
Stay tuned for the donation update after we finalize numbers.
👋 See you next year…from the Zwilling family!
Update: Video featuring Ice Fest 2023
Friday, February 10, 2023
2023 Newsletter Exerpts - Falls Radio
Newsletter: Tuesday, January 24th, 2023
--A group of Girls Scouts from Troop 887 stopped by Little Falls Radio yesterday. They spoke about scouts. Some of them started as early as Kindergarten and are still in scouts now as 6th through 8th graders. The scouts said they are more than camps and cookies they given back to the community, volunteer at the Humane Society and other events in ways to give back to the community. They attend camps to show their leadership, friendship and other skills. Yes, they also sell cookies and that will start February 1st and you can Google their troop game and get info to get cookies locally. They will also be part of the annual Ice Fest event with the Zwilling family on Green Prairie Fish Lake on February 11th and 12th. Thanks to the scouts for their work.
Newsletter: Tuesday, February 7th 2023
--Chuck Zwilling said there is 19 inches of ice on Green Prairie/Fish Lake and all is set for the annual Ice Fest event this Saturday and Sunday 10am-6pm. This year they will attempt a world record for the largest ice carousel inside another carousel as they already own the record still for largest ice carousel set in 2022. There will be many other snow and ice events, skating, dog sledding and others with groups and organizations working with the events from Girl Scout Troops to school groups and more taking part in the 2 day event. For the latest details on the event go to mnicefest.com. Donations from the event this week go to help Flyer Pride Pack and Kare Kloset at the schools where last year they raised $24,000 for the two programs.
Source: Little Falls Newsletter | https://fallsradio.com/news/
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Fun - Arctic Golf
Possible fun new Activity for I.C.E. Fest in the future
What requires no skill, no scoring, and only a sense of fun?
A mini golf event made of snow and ice of course.
A mini golf event made of snow and ice of course.
ARCTIC GOLF originally published FEBRUARY 5, 2016 on "A Couple of Putts.com" All photo credit goes to Bethany Birnie.
ARTathalon was an artist-created exercise course that was curated by Northern Lights.mn and part of the winter 4Play MSP event at Fort Snelling State Park on January 9, 2016. The Pink Putter was invited to participate, so she proposed and created Arctic Golf, a four-hole mini golf experience made completely from the snow. It was a huge hit, with hundreds of families and friends playing throughout the event.
ICE FEST 2023 - NEWS REVIEW
News clippings, advertisements, reports and video Reviews for the 6th Annual Sunny Zwilling Memorial Ice Carousel Extravaganza - I.C.E. Fest -
Little Falls residents win 'Good Neighbor' Award for ICE Fest work
Updated Oct 21, 2022
Little Falls residents and local realtors Becca Ruegemer and Chuck Zwilling were recently awarded the “Good Neighbor” award at the annual Minn…
Exchange Club donates $2,500 to 2023 I.C.E. Fest
Nov 25, 2022
The Exchange Club of Little Falls supported the 2023 ICE Fest with a $2,500 donation.
County Board approves 2023 budget and levy
Dec 23, 2022
• Approved a large assembly request for I.C.E. Fest, to be held Feb. 11 - 12, 2023, on Green Prairie Fish Lake;
Bayer Fund and Little Falls, Morrison County farmers team up to direct donations to nonprofits
Updated Jan 12, 2023
Local farmer, Brenda Stangl recently directed a $5,000 Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation to Pay It Forward Foundation. Th…
Guiness world record holders at it again - Here comes ICE Fest
Feb 3, 2023
The Zwilling family, the current Guinness World record holders for the largest ice carousel are at it again. PDF Archived
I.C.E. Fest Organizers Attempting Carousel Within A Carousel
LITTLE FALLS (WJON News) -- You can take a ride on a giant ice carousel this weekend. The 6th annual Sunny Zwilling Memorial Ice Carousel
Monday, February 6, 2023
Countdown To Event / Prep Week
I.C.E. Fest 2023 prep week is going great. So warm it reminds Chuck of 2018 when he was in extreme northern Maine helping the Ice Busters set that Ice Carousel World Record.
Sunday February 7th
- 6 days to go
Temp 18 to 28 °F Lows -4 to 6 °F
Temp 18 to 28 °F Lows -4 to 6 °F
Day 1 - Monday Feb 6th
5 days til the big weekend event for 2023
Temp 17 to 27 °F Lows -4 to 6 °F
THANK YOU to Tarah and her crew from Walmart Little Falls, Lup, and Robert for volunteering your time today, it was a HUGE help and very much appreciated.Temp 17 to 27 °F Lows -4 to 6 °F
✔️Storage unit cleaned out
✔️Hockey rink "boards" up
✔️Some cones are put out
✔️Flag pole put out
Day 2 - Tuesday Feb 7th
- 4 Days to go
Temp 18 to 28 °F Lows -3 to 7 °F
THANK YOU to Robert Bedwell, James Karls, and Lup for volunteering your time today, it was a HUGE help and very much appreciated.Temp 18 to 28 °F Lows -3 to 7 °F
✔️ Trailer/mobile billboard moved to Walmart to promo the event
✔️Cones placed out from circle
✔️ Cones placed along "driveway"- just a very small part of the lake has cones nearest the landing- everything out to the right is open and untouched. The access is still 100% open to the public as normal.
✔️Mark the propulsion "safe zone"
✔️Place banner outside of cones
✔️Some signs assembled
✔️Organize trailer
✔️Skating rink partially scraped, ready for final scraping and flooding
✔️Human foosball boards hauled out
Tap Image to view Day 2 Gallery
Day 3 - Wednesday Feb 8th
- 3 Days to go
Temp 20 to 30 °F Lows -2 to 12 °F
THANK YOU to Tarah and John from Walmart Little Falls, the volunteers from Mn Adult & Teen Challenge Brainerd, Sharon Rakow, Michelle Kuklok, Heather Brill, & Jenn Beck from Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union, Danny Quinlan, Robert Bedwell, James Karls, and Lup for volunteering your time today, it was a HUGE help and very much appreciated.Temp 20 to 30 °F Lows -2 to 12 °F
✔️ Posts and caution tape put out around both circles
✔️ 4x8 Welcome Board
✔️ Human foosball set up
✔️ Worked on and started flooding the hockey rink
✔️ Banner stands assembled and put out
✔️ Firepit corral assembled
✔️ Choroplast signs assembled
✔️ 4 wheeler bridge assembled and installed
✔️ Floaties fastened to pushers
✔️ Stihl chainsaw display
✔️ Overhead spotlight
Tap Image to view Day 3 Gallery
Day 4 - Thursday Feb 9th
- 2 Days to go
Temp 23 to 33 °F Lows 3 to 13 °F
THANK YOU to Danny Quinlan James Karls, Mike Ruegemer, Lup, Tarah's crew from Walmart Little Falls, and Jesse Grant for volunteering your time today, it was a HUGE help and very much appreciated.Temp 23 to 33 °F Lows 3 to 13 °F
✔️ Tower lights parked and set up
✔️ Carousel lights built
✔️ Surveying for both carousels
✔️ Final plowing for the carousels
✔️ Hockey rink reinforced
✔️ Wind sail area prepped and ready to cut
✔️ Food tent area prepped
✔️ Headquarters and med station fish houses delivered
✔️ Carousel propulsion delivered
✔️ Porta potties delivered
✔️ 2nd firepit corral built
✔️Trail groomed for dog sledding
Tap Image to view Day 4 Gallery
Day 5 - Friday Feb 10th
- the final day before the event kicks off!
Temp 25 to 35 °F Lows 3 to 13 °F
Thank you to Mike Ruegemer, Ken Zwilling, Brian Zwilling, Angie Maidl, Mark Zwilling, MaryJo Zwilling, Kari Zwilling Hartung, Ervin Hartung, Janet Zwilling, Chris O’Dell, Jason Zwilling, Christine Lincoln of Lincoln Wedding and Events, the crew from MN Adult & Teen Challenge, Karen Winkler, John Osmek, and so many more. (Please let me know if I forgot your name, there were so many amazing volunteers I lost track- but we absolutely appreciate you!)Temp 25 to 35 °F Lows 3 to 13 °F
✔️Warming/food tent set up
✔️Tables and chairs set up in tent
✔️Apparel inventoried and set up
✔️Kitchen set up
✔️Wind sail carousel cut and spinning
✔️Banners placed
✔️Welcome table set up
✔️Generators and heaters set up and ready to go
✔️Firepits set up
✔️Merry go round set out
✔️Caution tape around carousels
✔️Bridge entrance installed
✔️Portable bridge put out
Tap Image to view Day 5 Gallery
+ Daily Weather Stats are from Weather Tab Helping You Avoid Bad Weather. 30 days and beyond.
2023 - A Carousel Within a Carousel
The 6th annual Sunny Zwilling Memorial Ice Carousel Extravaganza - or I.C.E. Fest - is this Saturday and Sunday on Green Prairie Fish Lake north of Little Falls.
Pay It Forward Foundation President Chuck Zwilling says they still hold the Guinness World Record for the largest ice carousel at 1,325 feet in diameter. So, this year they have a new twist this year.
What we're going to do is the World's Largest Ice Carousel Inside A Carousel, so we're going to do two carousels. The bigger one will be 820 feet and inside of that will be a 366-footer.
Zwilling just traveled to Finland last week to help them try and break Little Falls' record, but because the carousel only moved about a meter it didn't happen. He says there are only three groups in the world actively making ice carousels which includes Little Falls, Minnesota, Maine, and Finland.
We've got things like Curling, Dog Sled Rides, Human Foosball, Human Bowling, Spear Fishing, Airplane Rides, Santa with Sleigh Rides, Underwater Drone, Igloo building, Giant blocks and tabletop games, merry-go-round, a Spin It To Win It game, and Elsa’s “Frozen Forest”
Jim Maurice | Published: February 6, 2023
Archived WJON article
Friday, February 3, 2023
Community Focus 2/3/23
Community Focus 2/3/23: Chuck Zwilling, Founder of the Sunny Zwilling Memorial Ice Carousel Extravaganza
My guest today was Chuck Zwilling, Founder of the Sunny Zwilling Memorial Ice Carousel Extravaganza
https://www.listennotes.com/e/0ae9c0294e04451c9f01dce67437cbaa/ - Archived:
WJJY's "Community Focus" is the longest-running locally produced, community affairs program in the Brainerd area. Hosted by WJJY's program director, Ken Thomas and news director, Tess Taylor. If it’s happening in the Brainerd Lakes Area, it’s on Community Focus.
Disclaimer : The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from PodcastOne / Hubbard Radio, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by SpinningIceForKids.
News - McRecord - Here Comes ICE Fest
Guiness world record holders at it again - Here comes ICE Fest!
The Zwilling family, the current Guinness World record holders for the largest ice carousel are at it again.
Not only will they create the largest ice carousel, they will create the largest carousel within a carousel, all while raising money for hungry kids and providing lots of free activities for kids.
All are invited to I.C.E. Fest 2023 the weekend of Feb. 11 – 12,
Funds are raised through the Pay It Forward Foundation, a 501(c)3, non-profit organization that hosts the annual Sunny Zwilling Memorial Ice Carousel Extravaganza, I.C.E. Fest. This is a free family friendly weekend of winter activities to help stomp out children’s hunger and features fun for all ages, as well as the World’s Largest Ice Carousel attempt.
Pay It Forward Foundation/I.C.E. Fest has donated $80,000 to help feed hungry children via Flyer Pride Pack (a weekend food backpack program) and Kare Kloset (a resource for students that don’t have their basic needs met at home) since the conception in 2018.
More than 80 Little Falls and area businesses have come together to help sponsor the event that the Zwilling family is hosting, Feb. 11 – 12, on Green Prairie Fish Lake. Activities begin at 10 a.m. and run through 6 p.m. Green Prairie Fish Lake, is located at 12636 Forest Road in Little Falls.
The Zwilling Family and I.C.E. Fest 2022 cut crew are the current Guinness World record holders for the largest ice carousel at 1,325 feet in diameter. This year’s event will feature a new “largest” — the largest ice carousel within a carousel.
Other activities will include curling, dog sled rides, human foosball, human bowling, spear fishing, airplane rides, Santa with sleigh rides, underwater drone, igloo building, giant blocks and tabletop games, merry-go-round, a Spin It To Win It game, and Elsa’s “Frozen Forest” — fun for all ages. A warming tent with free food and beverage on site.
For more details, check out www.MnIceFest.com.
This is event is free and open to the public with free onsite parking.
Rayden Ostrom, daughter of Andrea Ostrom of Little Falls, had fun playing human foosball with Jessica Heinz of Little Falls at the 2022 I.C.E. Fest. This year, I.C.E. Fest will take place Feb. 11 – 12
Archived article - Guiness world record holders at it again - Here comes ICE Fest | HometownSource
(Feb 3, 2023) The Zwilling family, the current Guinness World record holders for the largest ice carousel are at it again.
Newspaper Clipping | Pinterest
Sunday, January 8, 2023
Bayer Fund Winners
Local farmer, Brenda Stangl recently directed a $5,000 Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation to Pay It Forward Foundation. They will use the funds for the Sunny Zwilling Memorial Ice Carousel Extravaganza (I.C.E. Fest) event raising funds for hungry kids.
“This grant is huge for our organization and in helping feed hungry kids. All of our funds come from donations and sponsorships so to be granted this funding will go such a long ways in helping more kids through the local Flyer Pride Pack (a weekend food backpack program) and Kare Kloset (a resource for students that don’t have their basic needs met at home,” said Becca Ruegemer, Pay It Forward Foundation director.
Read the rest of the original story here ....
Photo Submitted: Becca Ruegemer, left, and Chuck Zwilling, were awarded a $5,000 Bayer Fund America’s
Farmers Grow Communities donation, courtesy of Brenda Stangl, to use toward the Sunny
Zwilling Memorial Ice Carousel Extravaganza (I.C.E.) event, raising funds for hungry kids.Tuesday, January 3, 2023
⭐️ Events, Activities & Sponsors ⭐️ 2023
A first for I.C.E. Fest- we are having a Mite Hockey Jamboree on Saturday! Little Falls Youth Hockey Association and St. Cloud Youth Hockey Association will be bringing two teams to play in a 3 on 3 Jamboree. Puck drop for first game is 1:00pm on Saturday (2/11).Join WonderTrek Children's Museum in some indoor and outdoor fun! A first at I.C.E. Fest- big blue blocks for building in the snow, and some Explore-Engineer and Pop-up art studio projects inside the warming tent. Thank you WonderTrek!
Back by popular demand, curling! Join Itasca Curling Association and Brainerd Lakes Curling Club at I.C.E. Fest 2023 World Record Attempt Benefitting Hungry Kids!
Back by extreme popular demand...Airplane Rides! Come on out and enjoy a scenic airplane ride over the ice carousel and village, courtesy of Jacob Heffron with Lakes Area Aviation, LLC. These rides were a HUGE hit last year so thank you Jacob for coming out again! *Note, they have to have just the right weather and lake/ice conditions to keep everyone safe so it is very weather dependent. Fingers crossed for the same weather as last time...they did a ton of flights!
Back by popular demand....join Grove Trotter Kennels in dog sledding- offering rides for all ages! Note, this will be a SUNDAY ONLY event as they will be mushing on Saturday.Back by popular demand, we will have Human Foosball, thanks to FoozBroz! This was a huge hit with the adults too last year, can't wait to see all the fun this year.
Once again, Curves Little Falls will be getting the igloo building started, and have the tools for you to help out, with one or as many blocks as you'd like! Let's build a whole community!
Have you ever wondered what it looks like under the ice? Come hang out with the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office Dive Team and operate the underwater drone/ROV (remote operated vehicle)...and see it live on the screen in front of you!
Did you get a chance to do the Human Bowling last year? Well great news, U.S. Bank is back and ready for you to knock down the pins! Come on out and scope it out for yourself, sure to be fun for everyone!Join Jason Allord in SPEAR FISHING at I.C.E. Fest 2023 World Record Attempt Benefitting Hungry Kids... whether you've been doing it for years, or never tried it before...you'll definitely have to come check it out!
Join Visit Little Falls MN and OurTown 56345 in Kite Flying! Bring your own, or fly the ones that will be supplied. Another first at the I.C.E. Fest 2022 and fun for all ages!
Join Girl Scouts Troop 887 in the "Frozen Forest". Take pictures with the characters and participate in the fun activities!Back by popular demand...Spin It To Win It with Thrive With Vision and Thrive Vision Therapy. Every spin gets you a prize...will it be a "big fish" prize, or a "minnow" prize?
Looking for a place to get out and skate? We have a rink cleared off and flooded...ready for you to skate. Ice skates or figure skates, bring what you have, and have fun!
Who would think a simple Merry-Go-Round could be so much fun?! Year after year it seems to be one of the biggest hits, thank you to Jason Zwilling for bringing it out!
Join St. Cloud Financial Credit Union and take a ride with Santa! Join Roger and Brandon Kuschel in a Sleigh Ride with Santa, and a picture of course!
See All 18 activities listed in the SEE MORE section or visit thee original post on facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/SpinningIceForKids/posts/pfbid0yRUHRFevcfAC4gJvTK9byaJmtLyn5k1HpDAcFx94XJdsVANgQY8k7c68cmv2N32Xl