On most winter weekends, you can find hundreds of people skating (or in my case falling) around Steinberg ice rink, sipping hot chocolate in the Snowflake Café or warming their bones by the bonfire.

But for one special weekend in February, this 55-year old outdoor rink will be transformed into hockey heaven during The Steinberg Winter Classic. Forty teams will go for the gold during the inaugural year of this three-on-three outdoor hockey tournament. While you must be of legal drinking age to play in the tournament, hockey fans of all ages are invited to cheer on their favorite teams and relish in some frosty fun.

Besides seeing some great hockey for free, your family will also enjoy an ice carving contest, activities from The Magic House, The Total Hockey Puck Shoot, the Bud Light Fire Pit Tent and live entertainment during the accompanying Winter Carnival. Stop by the Warming House for a silent auction. For the right price, you could walk away with a signed pro hockey jersey from a top NHL player.

The Steinberg Winter Classic is the brainchild of two‐time testicular cancer survivor and hockey fanatic, Joe Fresta, Jr. “It’s exciting to host this cool winter event in St. Louis to raise money for a very worthy cause,” said Fresta.“Nestled in historical Forest Park, Steinberg Skating Rink is the perfect venue and we value this tremendous partnership in hosting this unique and exciting weekend event.”

This hockey tournament and winter carnival is taking place on February 25 and 26 at Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park. All proceeds raised by the competing teams will benefit the Cancer Care Foundation. This non-profit organization (also the creation of Fresta) provides financial aid — including pharmaceutical expenses, transportation costs to and from chemotherapy and radiation treatments, doctor visits, child and sibling care and more — to local cancer patients.

By Andrea Wilson, Events Blogger for SmartParenting