Snow is in the forecast at EdVenture

Here’s a weather forecast almost guaranteed to be accurate: on Saturday, snow is expected in Columbia.

That’s because this year, for the first time, EdVenture Children’s Museum will kick off its popular Snowville exhibit with honest-to-coldness snow.

“Unless it rains, Saturday will be like a real snow day,” said EdVenture’s marketing director Kristy Barnes. “The snow makers at Snow King tell us we can expect about 6 inches of actual snow. It will be really fun for the kids of Columbia, who rarely get to see real snow, especially in November.” Parents are advised to bring gloves – this is the real thing!

There will be plenty of blizzardy bliss inside as well, including a climbable Mount EdVerest, an ice cave to explore and a blizzard simulator, which whips the wind around like an actual snowless blizzard.

Pint-sized thrill-seekers can take a tube ride down 25-foot long Sled Hill before crash landing into a cloud of bean bags; there’s also an ice hockey rink and snowball blasters that can be used to shoot harmless white puffy “snowballs.”

“Snowville is all about imaginary play,” said Barnes. “Kids can have a day in the snow without getting cold or wet.”

Entrance to Snowville is free with museum admission; this year, the snow will melt early, on Jan. 11, to make way for a new traveling exhibit.

EdVenture is closed on Mondays; in the event of rain, the outdoor snow event will be postponed.

For more information, visit www.edventure.org

Katie McElveen, Special to The State

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 10:57 PM.