Lake of the Woods County and Baudette, MN is a northern locality at the very top of Minnesota on the Canadian Border. This area, as many other northern areas, is known for its wonderful four seasons that are extreme and beautiful in their extremeness!!
At this writing, Mother Nature is fooling with us and bringing frost and snow swirling around us even though it’s only October. Frost comes in late September usually and after it has frozen everything, weather gets nice again. Not so this year. We’ll watch to see what “she” does in the next month or so. Seasons in the northland are enjoyed by all as they plan celebrations such as Willie Walleye Day, 
the Fourth of July Celebration, County Fairs and of course, Christmas events.
When frost arrives, people start making plans for the season change. The Baudette-Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce met this past week and are making plans for the community and surrounding area to enjoy called the 
Frost Fest. Even though circumstances in 2020 have changed how people gather, the committee is making plans that all can enjoy. The Frost Fest date is December 5th, 2020. Masks will be required and social distancing will be recommended.
Local establishments will decorate their businesses in conjunction with Frost Fest which enhances the beauty of the upcoming Christmas Season. The Baudette Depot 
is an especially beautiful sight at the north end of Main Avenue creating a picturesque “old-fashioned” flavor to the street.
The Chamber of Commerce is made up of volunteer members who love to see the community enhanced by activities that encourage all ages to attend and enjoy. Many hands go into the planning and carrying out of the Frost Fest Event.
The MN DNR is making plans to cut down a giant evergreen tree that is placed in the center of town. Lake of the Woods Foods provides the location and the City of Baudette provides the power. North Star Electric and the City of Baudette provide the manpower and the decorations/lights to make this a beautiful sight. The Baudette Theater will be on hand that afternoon opening its doors to concessions that can be purchased that day.
Frost Fest will commence on the afternoon of December 5th with a parade at 2:30 p.m. All entries will feature decorations from the season and lights galore. Our local resort community participates and many bring winter fish houses decorated and lit up giving the eye of the beholder great pleasure. Santa will be on hand that afternoon from 2-5:00 p.m. for conversation with all ages of children. He will be stationed at the lot between the old Radio Shack Building and Thrifty White. Anyone is welcome to take as many pictures as desired.
The Women of Today are also involved and will be hosting Bingo at the VFW from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. with refreshments available. The Lighting of the Christmas Tree will take place at 5:30. and other organizations are also planning events to make Frost Fest memorable for 2020.
The Chamber of Commerce is selling buttons to offset the cost of this event. They sell for $5.00 and are available at many local businesses. Your name will then be placed in the running for a drawing. Prizes for the drawing will be for $150 for 1st, $75.00 for 2nd, and $50.00 for 3rd.
Now comes another highlight of Frost Fest! Fireworks in the north!! Yes, the money used by the sale of buttons and other donations offsets the cost of fireworks over Baudette Bay. What a beautiful location for fireworks. The same location is used for July 4th where people by the hundreds line the lawn at Willie Walleye hill. Temperatures are different during December but the lights in the sky are just as dazzling as they are in the summer. Here’s a shout out and a thank you to all the folks who make this occasion great and bring the beauty of the season to life during Frost Fest.
Last modified: 10/24/2020
