Sitting through the freezing winter can be a drag, but how often have you taken the time to truly admire these millions of beautiful crystals? Snow and ice can come in many shapes and sizes, but do you think you’ve seen them all? Here are a few unique forms of snow that can be found in Roseau. Next time you’re here, see if you can spot them all!

First off is snowflakes. Of course, you’ve probably seen a snowflake before. But if you take a closer look, there’s a lot more to these dazzling crystals than meets the eye. There are an insane number of possible arrangements for a snowflake’s pattern. Do you have a guess at how many possible snowflake patterns are estimated to exist? (Hint: you probably need to guess a bigger number) Though there is no way to know an exact number, scientists estimate that there are up to 10 to the power of 158 possible arrangements. That is ten with one-hundred and fifty-eight more zeros after it, imagine even taking the time to write out that many zeros! Though it’s completely impossible to find every variety of crystal a snowflake can form, I challenge you to look closer at a few snowflakes and enjoy their wonderful patterns!

The next type of ice that you can find in Roseau is called hoar frost. Hoar frost is a beautiful sight to see! Imagine walking through Roseau’s beautiful wooded areas, enjoying a calm and crisp day with frost dappled on every tree branch. Hoar frost can form on any surface outdoors, and creates beautiful definitions of leaves and branches. This frost can even form on blades of grass! Hoar frost gets its name from the English word hoar, which is usually associated with gray-haired with old age. This frost can make any tree branch look like it got a fresh beard trim overnight! Not only is hoar frost beautiful, but it also mainly occurs on clear nights, meaning the weather to view it will be spectacular! Hoar frost is actually formed from a process called sublimation, which means water vapor in the air converts directly from a gas to a solid. So next time you see the tree branches sparkling and shining, you can thank the hoar frost.

Finally, we have the rarest form of ice on this list, a sun dog. Formally referred to as a parhelion, a sun dog is a beautiful experience to see in Roseau! Our many flat areas make perfect viewing spots to try and hunt down one of these unique natural events. A sun dog is a halo that forms around the sun, often close to sunset. Sun dogs make a beautiful, often orange colored, ring around the sun. This ring often has two spots near the edges that look almost like two more suns magically formed in the sky. These beautiful finds don’t only occur on Earth, they even occur on other planets such as Mars, Saturn, and Neptune. But staying here on Earth, you can find an even more unique form of these light refractions, a moon dog. As the name implies, these natural events form around the moon rather than the sun. They occur most often during full, or almost full moons, so keep your eyes peeled!

Take a trip to Roseau to experience the beauty of Winter. Don’t just look at it from a distance, get close up and examine the crystals and marvel at their beauty. Winter is long to the residence but as tourists, it gives you more time to experience Mother Natures’ collection of shimmery crystals. A winter in Roseau is as brilliant as a diamond in the queen’s crown.

Original article from the Star Tribune, March 7, 2020

Ricardo Rojas walked into baggage claim at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport last June, spotted his name on a placard, and hopped into a car to head six hours north for a new life.

Five years earlier, he had been a successful network systems engineer for a health insurer in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the mortgage on his $345,000 house was paid off, and his daughter was attending private school. Then he got laid off. With the island’s unemployment rate in double digits most of the past decade, Rojas struggled to find steady work. Then came Hurricane Maria, which devastated the territory. In the aftermath, tens of thousands fled. Rojas’ home value plummeted. Jobs became even more scarce. “The hurricane was like the icing on the cake,” the 55-year-old said.

And so he headed north — way north — to a small Minnesota town 10 miles from Canada and two hours from a Target. Polaris, the Minnesota-based motor-sport manufacturer, wanted workers in a remote part of the state with more jobs than workers.

For Rojas, this was a lifeline: double the pay of a manufacturing job back home, with full benefits, plus a better education for his 14-year-old daughter, who wants to be a doctor. Rojas would be first to arrive here. Twenty-nine more Puerto Ricans and their families would soon follow. In the months since, they have filled the town’s housing — in apartments, in rental houses, in converted church basements — and brought diversity to this generations-long Scandinavian outpost.

It’s a twist on the rural immigration story, and a partial solution to the worker shortage that plagues greater Minnesota. It’s not really immigration at all, since Puerto Ricans are American citizens — but it has all the hallmarks of the shifting demographics and cultural adjustments that have changed small-town America in recent decades.

It’s a massive change for a town of 2,600 people — but one hailed as a positive development for a place needing new energy.

And it’s a counterintuitive tale from an area one resident calls Minnesota’s “tip of the right wing,” where 70% of county voters went for Donald Trump in 2016. Instead of exposing fault lines, the arrival of outsiders illuminated this frigid town’s warm embrace.

“This is a win-win-win for everyone,” said Steve Hoffer, pastor at Roseau Evangelical Covenant Church. “This is a win for Polaris because companies up here in the northwest corner of Minnesota have a hard time finding employees. It’s a win for our community because it helps broaden the overall perspective of our town. There’s a world of people out there with very different experiences than people who have been here their entire lives. And it’s a win for the folks who are moving here, because this is an economic opportunity they simply didn’t have in Puerto Rico.

“We’re playing the long game. We want them to put down roots here, and for this to become home.”

Among the most persistent problems facing greater Minnesota and rural America is a people shortage. Even as Minnesota’s population has risen — it grew by nearly 400,000 since 2010, an increase of 7.5% — rural Minnesota hasn’t shared in the gains.

From 2010 to 2018, the seven-county economic development region in Minnesota’s northwest corner, which includes Roseau, suffered a 1.3% population decline, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Roseau County has felt that even more acutely, losing population at more than double that rate.

A corresponding decline in workers has affected the manufacturing sector most acutely. The percentage of manufacturing workers 55 and older in Roseau County has more than doubled between 2008 and 2018, meaning almost one in three manufacturing workers here are 55 and older.

And the problem will get worse before it gets better, as baby boomers continue to retire.

“There is no way to find other workers except through migration from other states or immigration from abroad,” said state demographer Susan Brower.

But immigration isn’t the solution it once was. Between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2017, estimated international net migration to Minnesota was 16,460 people.

Two years later, that number dropped to about 9,000. Last month, Mick Mulvaney, the acting White House chief of staff, told a crowd in England that the United States needs more legal immigration to fuel growth. “We are desperate, desperate for more people,” he said.

“It’s a livelihood story,” said Steve Hine, a research economist for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. “There aren’t enough young people being born in Roseau County and staying in Roseau County to meet the needs of an expanding company like Polaris.”

Steve and Mary Hoffer spent three decades in the Twin Cities and raised four children. But when a pastor position opened here in 2014, the Hoffers returned to Mary’s hometown. Her widowed father needed family nearby.

A year ago Polaris hired a Puerto Rican recruiting firm to find a partial solution for a plant that consistently has about 70 job openings — and could add 70 more jobs if it could find the workers.

“A lot of people say this is a Roseau issue,” said Nathan Hanson, the Roseau plant manager. “But drive anywhere in the state of Minnesota, what do you see? ‘Now Hiring’ signs.”

Polaris plans to hire more Puerto Ricans, but the company wants the town’s changes to be incremental. When it brought the idea to Mayor Jeff Pelowski, his reaction was enthusiastic. What’s good for Polaris is good for Roseau, he said.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re from Puerto Rico or Scotland,” he said. “The only racial problems we have here are between Swedes and Norwegians.”

On a recent weeknight, some 150 people crowded into Polaris’ fancy new lobby to celebrate the newcomers. A Puerto Rican made 80 pounds of pork butt. The manager of Roseau’s town ball team recruited Puerto Rican ballplayers. One Puerto Rican couple danced merengue. It was the biggest turnout Roseau’s Civic and Commerce Association has ever had.

Roseau needs people, but residents know it’s a tough sell. But get them here — an outdoorsman’s paradise, with snowmobiling and hockey in winter and world-class walleye fishing in summer — and the mayor believes they’ll stay.

“They look at a map, and they get scared,” Pelowski said. “But once we get people here, they don’t want to go.”

Back in June, Rojas’ car went north from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport — and kept going, and going. “We’re going to the boonies, man!” Rojas said.

It was late when he arrived. The town was quiet. A river ran through downtown. He saw a different world from San Juan: a quaint town with a one-screen movie theater, two fast-food restaurants, and three sheets of ice for hockey.

On a recent afternoon, Rojas sat in a Polaris break room. He’s been promoted to a technician and is making almost $20 an hour.

His daughter will join him come summer and start ninth grade at Roseau Community School. Part of him feels like he betrayed his homeland — more than 500,000 Puerto Ricans have left in the past decade, a nearly 20% drop — but he had to make the best choice for his family.

He’s not certain what his future holds, but he envisions a life here: going into management at Polaris, buying 10 acres near town.

“They told us when they interviewed us: ‘It’s far away. It’s a small town. Are you sure you’re going to be OK?’ ” Rojas said. “Well, we don’t know, but we’re going to find out!”

On a recent morning, Edwin Colón Pérez sat at Reed River Coffee Co. with a Minnesota voter registration application. Pérez and his wife, Karen López Rivera, have never voted in a presidential election.

Even though Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, the island is a territory, not a state. Puerto Ricans don’t vote in presidential elections, nor do they have voting representation in Congress.

“The first part is, ‘Are you an American citizen?’ ” said Traci Pederson, an adult basic education teacher who teaches English to Puerto Rican families. “And you check ‘yes.’ ”

Pérez had worked at a medical manufacturing company in Puerto Rico, where he made $10.81 an hour. But production plummeted after the hurricane. Colleagues were laid off. Pérez has two children, 5 and 10, so he jumped at the opportunity to work 12-hour night shifts on Polaris’ manufacturing line, where he bends pipes in tube fabrication. He was excited to live in a place the high school principal describes as “Mayberry in the ’60s.”

“I never heard about Minnesota except for one movie, ‘Fargo,’ ” Pérez laughed. “But I studied this little town. I was living in a little town in Puerto Rico. I saw there was very low crime here. This winter people say has been very easy. That’s been nice for us. But we’ll see about next winter!”

The Puerto Ricans are affecting the community in other ways. They work at the AmericInn and at the bakery at Super One Foods. One Polaris employee hopes to open a restaurant featuring island specialties like mofongo and alcapurria. The wife of another hopes to start a school dance team. They worship at churches and drink beers at Legends Sports Pub and Grill. At a high school lip-sync competition, a new student rapped in Spanish a song he’d written. The 500 students erupted in applause.

Hiram Díaz moved here in October, followed by his wife, Mayra Soto, and their three kids. They’d owned an upscale interior design business in Puerto Rico. After the hurricane, people were looking to rebuild, not redecorate. The business closed.

When Mayra moved here, she was enthralled by the snow and filled her phone with pictures of snowflakes. She’s learning the slower pace.

“Hiram told me, ‘Shhh, Mayra, relaaaax — you’re in Roseau,’ ” she said with a laugh. “I’m enchanted. Roseau is beautiful. I think it’s like a movie.”

Pérez arrived in August, and was joined by his wife and children in October. The family misses Puerto Rico. New Year’s Eve was strange — so quiet compared to home — and Jan. 6, when Puerto Rico raucously celebrates Three Kings Day, passed without notice.

When Karen López Rivera started talking about the island — the music and the food, the rivers and the mountains — she started to cry. The family may go back someday. “But that day is not now,” Pérez said.

They’ve been snowshoeing and sledding. The kids made snowmen for the first time. They drove to Bemidji to see Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. They put a winter survival kit in their car. They don’t know what the future will hold. They have two separate dreams: to move back to Puerto Rico and open a tourism business. Or to stay here.

“This is my dream,” Pérez said. “The reality is that I need money. I see this time like an adventure. I never thought I would move to the north. So now I want to travel here, and I want to work very hard for my kids.”

 

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Article Credit: Star Tribune.

Birding in Minnesota is a great option in the winter months, both indoors and out.

With their leaves lost to the wind, finding where a chirp, trill, or whistle is coming from is short work on bare branches. Feathered friends you might see in January include Bohemian waxwings, black-capped chickadees, nuthatches, blue jays, or the occasional woodpecker—pileated or downy. Bald eagles are often seen scavenging along the road or soaring above a farm field searching for an easy dinner. Last year a snowy owl made Roseau it’s home. Watchers were lucky as he seemed to have a daily watch post on a wooden light pole east of Roseau right along the road.

If you’re heading to a state park, bring a park-specific bird checklist with you! At Christmas time, bird watchers gather in Roseau to count the birds to track their presence and change in patterns from year to year. This event is sponsored by the National Audubon Society. They are always looking to grow their volunteer list. Visit the MN DNR website to see the flying visitors listed by season and abundance: mndnr.gov/state_parks/birding.html

If participating in bird watching from home be sure to research what winter birds eat. You may want to change the composition of bird foods offered and perhaps the arrangement of your feeders. Some birds like and need high-fat suet or sunflower seeds in the winter others like those. Feeding to their taste will aid in the birds’ survival, as well as increase your viewing enjoyment in the snowy months ahead.

Birds watching has no restrictions it’s great for young and old. It’s free or relatively inexpensive. It’s also an easy hobby to take up without
being required to buy gear to participate. No matter the weather, you can bird watch together.

Come Explore Minnesota’s Winter City on a Fat Bike!

When a person thinks of biking, you often think of summertime and sunshine while enjoying a nice ride along a paved bike trail. However, what do you do when those paved trails are covered in ice or snow? Well, you grab your fat bike of course!

People have been riding bikes since the early 1800’s. Up until recently, most of those bikes have had tires that, by today’s standards, have been fairly narrow allowing them to only be ridden on paved paths or harder surfaces. It wasn’t until the 1960’s that the “mountain biking” really started to gain traction. Mountain bikes were a subset of bikes that had a bit wider tire that allowed them to traverse a wider variety of terrain due to the tires being wider and having a bit more aggressive tread. Mountain biking became very popular in 1980’s and was added as an official Olympic sport in 1996. This then got the world’s attention It has continued to become more and more popular to this day. 

Advancements in technologies tend to keep things moving in certain direction and bikes are no different. Ever since the inventions of bikes, people have been pushing the boundaries of where they could take them. It only made sense that bikes would eventually end up on the snow packed trails. Fat bikes, as we call them today, were yet another subset of bikes that came to be right around the same time as the mountain bike actually. Once people discovered that a wider tire allowed them to ride across softer and uneven terrain with more ease, they started putting two tires on side by side. Eventually, a wider rim was introduced with a specially made wider tire and fat biking was born.

While it has slowly been growing in popularity, fat biking as of recently has started to become front and center of the biking industry. There are now dozens of manufacturers of fat bikes. While fat bikes have typically been more expensive due to their unique capabilities, the price is slowly coming down due to the increase of companies building them and joining in the fat bike market. A typical fat bike ranges from $1000 up to $7000 plus depending on frame material and componentry. However, as of recently you can find them as low as $500 for entry level models. Some companies are now starting to come out with electric fat bikes even! While there has been some controversy over the use of electric bikes, they too are gaining in popularity. 

Fat bikes are typically considered aby bike with a tire size of 4+ inches in width and get as wide as 5 inches. These wider tires offer distinct advantages over bikes with a standard size tire. Particularly on softer terrain such as sand and snow. When it comes to bike tires, the narrower the tire the higher the pressure that is required to ride on them. Road bikes typically run pressures of 80+. Whereas mountain bikes typically run pressures of 30+. With the wider tire of the fat bike, it allows to run pressure as low as 5psi in some cases! This of course varies with terrain and rider size and preference. This extremely low tire pressure allows the tire to flatten out and disperse the weight distribution amongst a larger area therefor allowing the bike to ride on top of the softer surface rather than sinking into it. This is what makes fat bikes such a great choice for winter riding!

Fat bikes are not only for winter riding, however. They can be ridden year-round in all sorts of terrain. This is one of the reasons they are slowly becoming the bike of choice for people who enjoy riding throughout all four seasons. Here in the north country where we typically see snow covered ground for 5 months out of the year it is an ideal bike that can keep you riding year-round. With the snow-covered ground comes ice, and for that reason, tire manufacturers are now offering studded tires to keep you from sliding around. You can buy tires pre-studded or buy kits and stud the tires yourself to keep cost down. While the process of studding a fat tire is a bit time consuming it can save you some money. Unfortunately, the average cost up front of a typical fat bike is considerably higher than the standard road or mountain bike and has slowed the growth of the sport of fat biking. However, the prices are slowly coming down as the sport gains in popularity and more and more manufacturers are entering the fat biking arena.

To reduce the cost of getting into fat biking, many businesses are now renting fat bikes year-round to allow people to get outside and experience the benefits of a fat bike and get that winter riding experience if they so choose. There are many businesses that offer free courses in learning to ride a fat bike as well. Riding in the wintertime brings a whole new experience to biking. But fat bikes are not just limited to wintertime. Fat bikes can be ridden year-round and can be a great way to introduce someone to biking as they offer a bit more stability due to the wider tire. The larger tire also offers a smoother ride with the lower air pressure and allows the use to ride over smaller obstacles typically encountered off trail with a bit more stability and ease.

If you happen to find yourself here in Roseau, Minnesota’s Winter City, and you’re looking to explore all the bike trails the area has to offer, stop by Riverview Outdoors & Recreation, and rent yourself a fat bike for the day and get outside and explore the unique landscape! ROAR (Riverview Outdoors & Recreation) is hosting Roseau’s first annual Frosty Flannel Fat Bike race on February 25^th, 2023. This event is a great way to see what fat biking is all about and get any questions answered that you may have about fat biking. Event details can be found online at https://runsignup.com/Race/MN/Roseau/FrostyFlannelInternationalFatBikeRace or on the events page at www.riverviewoutdoors.com. 

Wherever you’re located I would highly recommend reaching out to your local dealer and giving a fat bike a try. But be warned, you may just find that you want to trade that old bike in and get yourself a fat bike if you do!

Your winter packing list should take all this into account while still being able to fit everything in your luggage.  

Packing light in the winter is harder than packing light in the summer. That’s a fact. On cold-weather trips, you’ll need heavier clothes, more layers, and extra accessories.

This article will teach you how to dress like a Minnesotan. We may not be known as the most fashion-forward state but we know how to dress for our weather. Our fashion has a function. We have some pointers that will keep you warm and help you blend with the locals.  

Whether you’re headed to Roseau for the holidays, hockey, or going snowmobiling, here’s how to pack light for winter travel.  How to Pack for Cold Weather  Before we get to the packing list, let’s start with two basic principles of packing light. The first tip: Pack Layers, Not Bulk!  Heavy sweaters and sweatshirts are cozy but can take up a lot of space in your luggage. Consider leaving room in your bag and buying a new sweatshirt as a souvenir.  

It’s better to dress in thinner, insulating layers.

Think base layers,  long-sleeve t-shirts, and thin sweaters. A local favorite is smart wool. Individual layers will take up less space in your bag and give you more clothing options.  

It’s important to wear the right fabrics.

Wearing high-performance fabrics, whether natural or synthetic, is important in more extreme weather. In winter, wear wool for its high warmth-to-weight ratio. Merino wool is “nature’s performance fabric” for its temperature-regulating and anti-odor properties.  You might already own a wool sweater. We recommend merino or alpaca wool for socks, sweaters, and base layers. There is nothing worse than getting hot and sweaty and stepping out into the cold. You just created a popsicle.  

Principle two: If It is Bulky, Wear It.  

Next, wear your heaviest stuff. Let’s say you have a heavy sweater that you love and want to bring on your trip. That’s fine but you should only bring one. Save room in your bag and wear it on the plane or car ride. Wear, don’t pack, your heaviest stuff. Wearing that sweater rather than packing it will save space  in your luggage. Of course, this also applies to your winter coat.  Take it off and stuff it in the trunk or overhead bin when you get warm.  

Winter Packing List Basics  

• For cold-weather trips, here’s what you should pack.  Fitted Sweaters (1-2)  
• Lightweight merino wool or cotton sweaters will pack most easily.  
• Long and Short-Sleeved solid T-Shirts (2-3)  
• The best winter travel clothes are the ones that layer well. In addition to your sweaters, pack two to three tops to serve as your first layer. 
• Choose a mix of long and short sleeves, so you can be just as ready for a full day in freezing weather as you are for an evening by a cozy indoor wood fire.  

Base Layers  

Pack a lightweight pair of long underwear (leggings and long-sleeve shirt) to make any outfit warmer. Any brand that makes good merino wool clothes will also make good base layers. Smartwool and Minus 33 sell multiple options, including long underwear and leggings, for the whole family. If you do not have these, no worry. Roseau has two retail shops that specialize in dressing folks for the cold, Annie’s Trading Post and Ronnings.  

A warm, insulating base layer can be worn even under warm clothes like a sweater and jeans, especially if you’ll be outside.  

Bottoms / Pants (2 pairs)  

For cold weather trips in rural areas, consider packing two pairs of pants or for ladies’ leggings, and a pair of jeans that can be dressed up or down. No distressing or holes are best as it lets the cold in.  

Down Jacket or Omni Heat  

Down jackets are the best coats for winter travel and adventures. They pack down small when not in use, are warm for their size, and will be more weather-resistant than more fashion-forward coats. We also like coats with Omni heat- a thin insulated liner made from thermal reflective materials. 

Warm, Lightweight Scarf  

A scarf is a winter packing must. While you won’t want to sacrifice warmth, you do want a scarf that won’t take up too much room in your pack. A lightweight jersey or merino wool scarf will give you warmth without bulk. Pair it for use with your coat and sweaters for additional options.

 

Hat and Gloves  

Wear a wool or wool blend hat to keep your head warm and to retain heat. Gloves must be waterproof.  

Shoes: Boots and Sneakers (1-2)  

For cold-weather travel, opt for a waterproof or water-resistant,  neutral-colored pair of boots that pair well with all of your outfits.  

If you’re looking for a new pair, Sorel is a go-to brand for both men and women for waterproof, winter-ready boots that actually look stylish. “For minimum slippage on snow and ice,  you want an outsole that is relatively soft with maximum  tread.” In other words, choose boots with rubber traction, not leather, soles for inclement weather. Again, you can find these locally.  

Depending on your trip and itinerary, you can also pack a pair of sturdy sneakers to wear on nicer days or for indoor workouts. Socks (several)  to keep your feet warm, grab a few pairs of wool socks. Again,  merino wool is our preferred winter sock material, because it’s warm, odor-resistant, and sweat-wicking. Plan to wear each pair two or three times before washing and hand wash them on longer trips.  

No matter how much you try to reduce bulk, winter clothes simply take up more room in your luggage. Use Compression  Sacks and Packing Cubes to create space for other items. These can be purchased at Amazon. These nifty bags will press out any excess air out and make packing a breeze. Don’t forget a good book. There is something nostalgic about sitting by a toasty fire, under a blanket, with a book and mug of your favorite warm beverage to remind you to relax and savor the moment.  

You now have your suitcase must-haves to tackle your typical Minnesota winter’s day. If you are heading out sledding, skiing, or fishing, it’s wise to contact an outfitter or guide for details on what you need for your adventure. If you learned anything from this blog, it should be dressed in layers and wool is wonderful.  Welcome to winter in Roseau.  

Photos are compliments of Annie’s Trading Post – A destination retail experience!

Consider Roseau, MN as your winter playground.

When it comes to winter recreation, there are plenty of activities to take part in when in Roseau, MN. Roseau is known as the birthplace of Polaris Snowmobiles and Manufacturing, but not all skis need a motor to hit the trails here. Cross-country skiing is another popular sport across Roseau County.

Minnesota winters do not disappoint those who love the snow and don’t mind the cold. While many might not look forward to the winter solstice, there are plenty of reasons to get outside.

Once enough snow is on the ground, the City of Roseau becomes a skier’s paradise by offering miles of groomed trails. The trails lead you through the woods, into the City Park with old frosty oak trees, and around the hilly terrain around the golf course. The trails have an excellent combination of varied terrain: from flat surfaces for double pulling or picking up some speed to dips and valleys. Whatever track you take, you are guaranteed a great cardio workout.  

Here are maps of the ski trails maintained by the City of Roseau Parks and Recreation.

Looking to get deep in the woods and experience the solitude of a winter?  Head out to Hayes Lake State Park. Hayes Lake is a 25-minute drive from City Center and offers skiers a quiet peaceful presence in nature. You do need a parking permit as it is a State park. Ski trails take you out onto Hayes Lake and around the lake basin.  While on the path, you even pass a dam that can be a beautiful site when frozen. Take the time to call the park ranger and ask about trail conditions and how the ice on the lake has developed to be safe.  Once the snow falls, the trees and lake are transformed into an experience that is so different from summer. Maps are available online or at the park office.

Winter is here. Get bundled up, strap on a pair of skis and get outside and enjoy the wonderland that is Roseau,  Minnesota.

Is your name on Santa’s naughty or nice list?

Your $5 donation gets your special person on the 2022 Naughty or Nice list in Roseau. 100% of proceeds will go to Pioneer Farm or be used to develop Nights of Lights 2023.

Click here to print the signup.

2022 Lighting Contest Includes:

• 3 categories
• 9 winners in all
• 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in all three categories
• Maps will be available the 2nd week of Dec. to help everyone find all the homes and businesses participating this year

Judging takes place Wednesday, December 14. Enough time to brag in your holiday newsletter or Christmas card that your family or business was the 2022 winner or even a runner-up! Even if you don’t win, think of all the joy you brought to so many & the family memories you helped to create.

During the holiday season, the business windows lining Main Street make for a festive drive from one end of town to the other. The businesses to beat this year are Twice the Charm and Company, Transfers, and Annies. Ronnings and M&M Modern Materials have already started their decorating so watch out.

“The business windows look like they are straight out of a Hallmark Movie”

Grab a cup of hot coco and take a walk downtown to take in all the wonder of the season. Then hop in the car, turn on some Christmas tunes, and explore all the residential homes decorated for the holidays. Even better, make visiting Roseau & touring all the lights an annual tradition in your family.

Everyone puts a lot of effort into this competition and people across the state are talking about how amazing the holiday light displays are throughout Roseau. With the new lights on Main Street, banners, and Nights of Lights at Pioneer Farm, Roseau will be shining bright, like the North Star City we are!

Map & Addresses of Residential and Business Listings For 2022

Click here to print a pdf of the addresses.

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Registration: November 21 – December 13, 2022
Sign Up at Border Bank or Citizens State Bank
Judging: Wednesday, December 14 between 6:00-10:00 PM
Cost: Your decorations