Popular Metro-Detroit event returns to downtown Plymouth January 20-22, 2012
The Plymouth Ice Festival is returning to downtown Plymouth January 20-22 to celebrate the big Three-O. And, in honor of the 30th anniversary, festival producers are promising a bigger and better show than ever before with more sculptures and new and upgraded on-site activities. They are working hard to top their 2011 event where more than 100,000 people braved some of the coldest days of the year to visit the widely popular winter event.
“This is a huge milestone for the event and we are extremely excited about this year being the 30th anniversary of the Plymouth Ice Festival,” said Sam Walton, Producer of the Plymouth Ice Festival. “Through the years the event has gone through many changes, but the fact that the event continues to dazzle and delight tens of thousands of visitors from across the country every January is truly special. And this year will prove no different. The festival will be bigger than ever with more than 100 ice carvings on display and new and improved activities around the downtown area.”
The 30th Annual Plymouth Ice Festival officially kicks off at 3 p.m. on Friday, January 20, and wraps up at 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 22. The three days will be chockfull of events, demonstrations and activities.
The Dueling Chainsaws Speed Carving Extravaganza will be back by popular demand at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 21.
This time there will be more sculptors, more speed, more ice, more action and more fun. Family activities will be found scattered throughout downtown Plymouth, including ice-carving demonstrations in the newly expanded Hot Spot warming tent, a petting farm, and a lineup of wintertime sports and product demonstrations on Saturday, January 21, and Sunday, January 22.
For the older kids – 21 and up – the Official Plymouth Ice Festival Party Lot returns to its location behind E.G. Nicks. The tent will offer beer, food, live music, and giveaways for adults from 6 p.m.-12 a.m. on both Friday, January 20 and Saturday, January 21.
The Ice Throne – a huge hit in 2011 – will be available again for photo opportunities for the duration of the weekend. The elaborate Fire & Ice tower is back for 2012 as well – except this time, there will be one ignited each evening. Culinary art students from local colleges will face off in the annual ice-carving contest with individuals competing on Saturday, January 21, and teams on Sunday, January 22.
And, of course, there will be more ice carvings and sculptures displayed throughout downtown Plymouth than ever before. More ice, more sculptures and more to see and do all weekend long in one of Michigan’s favorite communities.
“What better place to host a great family event like the Plymouth Ice Festival than the perfect family community,” Walton said. “Plymouth is a friendly, clean and safe community that offers great specialty shops and restaurants for every style and taste – many of which will run specials all weekend long. So, while taking in the fun and excitement of the festival, come prepared to see, hear, smell and taste what downtown Plymouth has to offer. You won’t be disappointed.”
Event hours: Sculptures will be on display 24 hours a day for the duration of the weekend.
Activities, demonstrations, and vendor hours:
Friday, January 20: 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday, January 21: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday, January 22: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission to the Plymouth Ice Festival is free. For a complete listing of festival activities and information, please visit www.plymouthicefestival.com.
Highlights of the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Plymouth Ice Festival include: more sculptures than ever before, Dueling Chainsaws speed carving show, expanded winter sports activities and product demonstration area, more on-site food and drink options, larger Hot Spot warming area, student carving competitions, Ice Throne for photo opportunities, and Fire & Ice towers each evening.
Current Plymouth Ice Festival sponsors include: Aisin World, Anderson Windows, Barnes Concessions, Fifth Third Bank, Chelsea Milling Company- Jiffy Mixes, Matheson Consulting, Mercurio’s, Mr G’s, Plunkett and Cooney, Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Wade Trim, Channel 7, The Observer & Eccentric Newspapers, WRIF and WYCD.
