Wabasha’s Grumpy Old Men Festival Brings Winter Fun This Weekend

Wabasha, Minnesota, is getting ready to shine its brightest this weekend. 

Why Wabasha? It isn’t just a random pick. It’s the heart and soul of the iconic 1993 movie 'Grumpy Old Men', starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, and was filmed right in Wabasha, along the Mississippi River.

THE BACKDROP TO THE HEARTWARMING MINNESOTA MOVIE

The town became the backdrop for that classic, sarcastic, winter-loving Minnesota humor we all grew up with. The humor that we thought the whole world knew, until we grew up and realized we were the only ones in on the joke.

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FULL-ON FLANNEL WINTER CELEBRATION

Now, more than 30 years later, the 'Grumpy Old Men' Festival has grown into a full-on winter celebration that honors not just the movie, but the spirit of Minnesota winters and all that goes along with it. Ice fishing, flannel, laughter, and yes, a little bit of that harmless grumpiness we all grew up with from our Granddads.

A FESTIVAL BUILT ON MINNESOTA PERSONALITY

This festival is all about the flannel shirts, the hotdish, and the people who will absolutely joke with you about it all, while standing on a frozen river. It’s the kind of event where being a little “grumpy” is actually part of the fun.

You’ll see more plaid than you thought existed, and strangers will feel like neighbors within about five minutes.

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33RD ANNUAL GRUMPY OLD MEN FESTIVAL IS THIS WEEKEND

The 33rd annual festival is happening this Friday and Saturday, February 27th and 28th, and it is PACKED with things to do.

Here are just a few highlights that really stand out:

• Plaid Out Your Ride Parade- Friday night, things light up, as folks decorate ATVs, trucks, and anything that moves in lights and plaid and roll through town in a glowing winter parade.
• The Ice Fishing Tournament
  This is about as Minnesota as it gets. Starting bright and early Saturday morning, anglers head out onto the ice for one of the festival’s biggest traditions.
• Free Showings of Grumpy Old Men
  You can actually sit down and watch the movie right where it all happened. There’s something pretty cool about that.
• Curling, Markets, and Live Music
  From “Busch Light Curling” to vendor markets, live bands, and even a polka dance party, there’s no shortage of ways to stay busy.
• Hotdish, Breakfasts, and Small-Town Food
  Let’s be honest…this might be the real highlight. Community meals, a hotdish luncheon, and plenty of comfort food are woven into the weekend.

  The “Grumpy Plunge”
  Yes… Some Minnesotans willingly jump into freezing water. No…I will not be participating.

IT'S WORTH THE TRIP

From a Central Minnesota perspective, this is one of those events that just feels like us. It’s not flashy. It’s not overproduced. It’s just genuine, quirky winter fun, and maybe that’s why it keeps going year after year.