90th Anaconda “Winter Fest” set for this weekend

"A celebration of frosty fun and community cheer in the heart of Montana's most charming winter wonderland" is set to take place this weekend in the Smelter City as the 90th Winter Festival is set to get underway this Friday and run through Sunday.  We had a chance to chat with Ruth Moen of the Anaconda Visitor's Center and she is excited about all of the events that will be taking place all across town.

"We actually have twelve ice sculptors, they are going to do ice carvings around town.  We will have at the Commons "Skating With the Princess" for the littles," she told us, " and the Ancient order of Hibernians will be giving out hot cocoa and hot dogs.  On the other end of the rink, we've got some people that are going to do hockey demonstrations and some little drills and races for the kids.  Behind Old Works, we're going to have cross-country demos, we have people in town that can provide rentals," noting that Sven's and Anaconda Bicycles are places that have rentals available.

Moen noted that many local businesses are collaborating in events that include an indoor market, food trucks and much more.

Moen said that although many of the events and attractions are contemporary, they are keeping their roots set in Anaconda's rich history.  "Let's look back at what they did 90 years ago.  They're doing a "male pageant" at Anaconda Outdoors on Sunday. "The roughest, the most-polished, the best beard, that type of thing," she added and noting that events are going on throughout the weekend which makes it extra-special falling on Valentine's Day.  "Several businesses are having Valentine's Supper.  The Montana Restoration Association and the Anaconda Community Foundation are putting on an event at the Montana Hotel and they've got what's called "Anaconda's Cookbook" and our caterers are doing some of the hors d'oeveres that came out of that cookbook."

Here is a listing of the weekend's fun and family-friendly events.