Frozen Fore celebrating its 10th year

Organizers are applauding a decade of Minnesota winters, a love of golf and giving back to area organizations.

It's through an event called the Frozen Fore.

"For us as northern Minnesota people, we need to embrace winter. This is a good excuse to do it," said Frank Soukup, one of the Frozen Fore committee members.

The event raises money for two community organizations: Camp Confidence and Kids Against Hunger.

While some events come and go, the Frozen Fore keeps expanding.

About $25,000 was raised for the organizations last year. This year, event organizers hope to bring in $30,000.

"There's a lot more people flopping and more of a push on marketing, so I think we can do it," Soukup said.

When the Frozen Flop was added three years ago, it brought in a whole new crowd, he said. A group of people willing to brave the cold and jump in the icy Minnesota waters.

Last year, it was responsible for raising $5,000 alone.

This time around, jumpers will be shielded from the brisk wind under a tent as they jump. But the icy waters - they are as cold as ever.

The main event, which is playing the golf course, adds that something special to the Minnesota winter, event organizers say.

About 100 volunteers make the event possible.

Crowds could hit about 1,500 people this weekend, which is an uptick from last year's 1,000 people.

That's thanks to word spreading about the famous Frozen Fore.

"We're definitely expecting big numbers. The ticket sales are way up from years past," Soukup said.

There are even plenty of Twin Cities folk making their way to the Brainerd lakes area for it, he said.

"This is just such a fun weekend," he said. "There are a lof of festivals across Minnesota that do similar things, but they are confined to a small area. This is a celebration all around Gull Lake. ...This is great for our community."

Events:

Friday:

Frozen Flop at 6 p.m.

Tent party at Hole-in-the-Day Bay at 7 p.m.

Saturday:

Golf event and pancake breakfast begins at 9 a.m.

Tent party at Hole-in-the-Day Bay at 6 p.m.

Sunday:

Gull Lake Frozen Fore Food Fest starts at 11 a.m.

Digital scavenger hunt photo show starts at noon.

Prizes awarded at 1 p.m.

For individual event costs and more details, go to www.gulllakefrozenfore.com/events.html

1/3: Participants in last year’s Frozen Fore make their way around Gull Lake for a snow-filled round of golf. (Kelly Humphrey, Brainerd Dispatch)

2/3: Participants in last year’s Frozen Fore make their way around Gull Lake for a snow-filled round of golf. (Kelly Humphrey, Brainerd Dispatch)

3/3: Participants in last year’s Frozen Fore make their way around Gull Lake for a snow-filled round of golf. (Kelly Humphrey, Brainerd Dispatch)