Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean outdoor fun has to stop.

A new ice rink in Gowrie and the debut of a winter-themed festival at Twin Lakes ensure that area residents can find something to do amid the snow and ice. Both the rink and the festival called TWINterfest are the creations of community-minded volunteers.

Stephanie Freund, a member of the Gowrie Parks Board, and her husband, Alex, were the guiding forces behind the creation of the ice rink. It is located in Brockett Park along Lincoln Street. It measures 105-feet-by-45 feet so both novice and experienced skaters have room to maneuver.

Foxtail Floral donated the wood that surrounds the ice. The Gowrie Fire Department put down the thousands of gallons of water that quickly became the ice.

There was plenty of ice, not to mention snow and some frigid water, at TWINterfest held Saturday in Twin Lakes. This new event was created by Bill Stephenson, who lives in Twin Lakes, and some of his friends. Stephenson told The Messenger that the concept of TWINterfest had been discussed for a couple of years. Then someone came up with the name, which cleverly combines the words twin, winter and fest, and the idea quickly became reality.

During the festival, some hardy folks jumped into some very cold lake water as part of a Polar Plunge fundraiser for the Manson and Rockwell City fire departments. Those two volunteer units protect the Twin Lakes area and share a new fire station there. Other events benefitted the nearby Twin Lakes Bible Camp.

There were lots of things to do at TWINterfest that did not involve plunging into frigid water. Activities included poker runs for vehicles and ATVs, toboggan rides and even yoga.

TWINterfest is over for the year, but we expect it will be back. This is an event that has potential to grow and attract more people each year.

We hope the Gowrie ice rink will last through the remainder of this winter and will return next winter.

We thank the people who made these fun wintertime activities possible.