[upbeat folk music]
[upbeat country music]
- Inga Witscher: Every year, the city of Hayward
hosts the American Birkebeiner:
the largest cross-country ski race in North America.
Adults,
children,
and even some four-legged friends
come from all over the world
to get out on their skis and celebrate winter.
I took Kaden and Ashton to see
what all the excitement was about.
We finally made it to Hayward
and the boys are so excited to get on their skis.
♪ ♪
Ben, this is so exciting to be here,
standing on Main Street in Hayward at the Birke.
What's your history with the Birkebeiner?
- You know, the Birkebeiner is an amazing event, right?
International, 23 countries, 49 states,
only Oklahoma not represented, but we're working on that.
And to have this idea of bringing everybody
to Northern Wisconsin.
It's truly a festival of being active,
outdoors, and celebrating winter.
When it snows, we don't go inside; we love being outside,
and Barkie Birke, Junior Birke,
enjoying being active on the snow.
- Inga: That's one thing I'm learning
about living in the Midwest,
is there's gonna be this amount of snow
whether I like it or not, so I might as well get out
and enjoy it. - Absolutely!
You know, the Birke started way back in 1206,
when the prince was rescued.
Move forward to 1973, Tony Wise said,
"We should have a ski race in Northern Wisconsin."
Thirty-five brave souls started on Lake Hayward,
made their way to Cable, and it was born.
So here we are now, 2019, the 45th edition,
and you can feel the excitement building.
People wanna come to Northern Wisconsin,
and we have a little gem here.
They get here, they fall in love, and come back as often.
- So tell me more about this Princess Inga.
I hear she's pretty incredible.
- Amazing woman, right?
She saved the prince who actually later
became the greatest king in Norway's history, they say.
Skied 55 kilometers with her baby on the back to safety.
Imagine that.
On hand-carved, wooden skis,
over mountains, through Norwegian deep snow.
So there's ski racers here, nearly 13,000.
They've got it easy.
Brand-new equipment, super simple,
but yeah, an amazing feat.
Our quiet little town of 2,500 people here in Hayward,
Northern Wisconsin,
comes alive when all these people show up,
and it's exciting, it's fun, and we're ready.
- Well, thank you Ben so much for being here with me today.
I've gotta go get my kids ready
to go get their skis on and get skiing,
and then we're gonna have some delicious frittatas
at the finish line.
- Announcer: Get set, smile, have fun and go, go, go, go, go!
[bells ringing]
[gentle folk music]
- Inga: What better way to celebrate the wonder of winter
here in the Midwest than sharing a warm snack with friends
after completing a cross-country ski race?
Winter veggie frittatas are perfect for fueling up
after a day of cross-country skiing.
Classic hot chocolate warms the tiny tummies.
And Grandma's homemade animal cookies
are a sweet ending to a fun-filled day.
What do you guys think? - It's good.
- Oh, you guys are the best. [laughing]
I hope this has inspired you to get outside
and enjoy the winter.
And I hope you'll gather with us next time,
- In unison: Around the Farm Table!
[upbeat folk music]