Returning with more than 50 events, nearly double its first year, the St. Peter Winterfest kicked off Friday evening with a parade and fireworks.

The mid-winter celebration continues through Feb. 19 with activities scheduled indoors and out throughout the week. They range from hot air balloon rides at the Nicollet County Fairgrounds to a rock, paper, scissors contest at Patrick’s bar.

Winterfest Chairwoman Rita Martin said two of the most popular events are expected to be the Miss St. Peter Scholarship Pageant and the fiddle contest.

Martin said last year’s fiddle contest brought in so many people, including a number of out-of-towners, that a fiddle concert was added this year. Both take place today.

Also new are the hot air balloon rides. Those who can not afford the $200 per person trip can show up for the free “moon glow” tonight in St. Peter, when a tethered balloon will float above the corner of Sunrise Drive and Broadway Avenue.

The Winterfest Medallion Hunt also begins today. A medallion is hidden somewhere within St. Peter city limits, above ground and on public property. A daily clue to its location will run as a brief in the Valley section of The Free Press.

St. Peter Chamber of Commerce President Larry Haugen said Winterfest events are sponsored by area businesses and organizations. Many groups, such as local churches or the St. Peter Volunteer Fire Department, use the events as fund-raisers.

“That money turns right around and goes back into the city of St. Peter,” Haugen said.

The only Winterfest events disrupted by the unseasonable January weather so far have been the snow sculpture contests. Event organizers said what little snow fell recently was not wet enough for sculpting.

As of Friday, Gustavus Adolphus College students still planned to build a large snow sculpture in Minnesota Square Park.

For a full listing of Winterfest events, visit the St. Peter Chamber of Commerce Web site at www.tourism.st-peter.mn.us