Large Crowds Expected In St. Paul Saturday For Several Events

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) – If you're going to be in St. Paul Saturday, you might want to plan ahead as it's expected to be one of the busiest weekends of the year in the city.

There's a full slate of events planned between Xcel Energy Center, Roy Wilkins Auditorium, the St. Paul Winter Carnival and Red Bull Crashed Ice in the downtown area. It all starts at 9 a.m. and continues throughout the day, and city officials are encouraging people coming in to use public transportation.

There's a Winter Run in the morning, the Winter Carnival Grand Day Parade at 2 p.m., the North Star College Cup hockey tournament at Xcel Energy Center and Red Bull Crashed Ice. If that's not enough, Kat Perkins is in concert at Rice Park and Sam Smith has a sold out slot at Roy Wilkins Auditorium.

Metro Transit has partnered with Red Bull to offer free printable passes for Crashed Ice from 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. and for the Winter Carnival King Boreas Grande Day Parade from noon to 6 p.m. Officials said more than 40 restaurants from around Minnesota will also be providing free shuttles to Red Bull Crashed Ice.

Visitors should plan ahead for transportation. It should be noted that West 7th Street will be closed from Walnut Street to Kellogg Boulevard.

Here's a rundown of Saturday's events. More information can be found at visitsaintpaul.com.

-- 9 a.m. Securian Winter Run
-- 9 a.m. Saintly City Cat Show
-- 2 p.m. King Boreas Grand Day Parade
-- 4 p.m. North Star College Cup Consolation Game
-- 5 p.m. Red Bull Crashed Ice Village
-- 6:45 p.m. Red Bull Crashed Ice Championships
-- 7 p.m. Kat Perkins Concert In Rice Park
-- 7:30 p.m. North Star Cup Championship Game
-- 8 p.m. Sam Smith At The Roy Wilkins Auditorium