Schedule of Events
Join us for a day of winter fun at Mich-e-kewis Park (11 am- 3 pm) & in Downtown Alpena (4 pm - 9pm). 
All events are free & open to the public. 
Mich-e-ke-wis Park (11:00 am - 3:00 pm - Alpena Ice Fest/Family Fun Day courtesy of First United UCC – Comstock Grant and Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union)
  • Farmers Market (8:00-3:00 - expanded hours and additional vendors) – warming shelter and bathrooms
  • Ice Sculptures Galore by Ice Creations of Napoleon, Ohio - All sorts of unique and professionally carved ice sculptures on display all day long @ the ALPENA Letters Sculpture, Mich-e-ke-wis Park, including sculptures inspired by our event sponsors and local student artists. 
  • Graffiti Ice Wall courtesy of Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union
  • Huge Bonfire courtesy of our very own City of Alpena Fire Department!  – huddle around the fire (11:00 am-3:00 pm) 
  • Free Smores (prepackaged and ready to eat or make your own), courtesy of Thunder Bay Arts Council
  • Ice Train Photo Op for Selfies @ the ALPENA Letters Sculpture courtesy of the Alpena Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Dueling ice sculptors – Ice Creations of Napoleon, Ohio (12:00 noon) 
  • Local sculptor and restauranter Jimmy Chen carving ice live on site (1:00 pm)
  • Family fun activities throughout the day regardless of the weather, including the following ice, snow and other fun activities as weather cooperates - it's a carnival of fun no matter what!  
  • Snow sledding on the hill courtesy of the City of Alpena – bring your sled and go for it!
  • Ice Sled for kids (new this year!)
  • Elsa from Frozen is here again, this time with music by the fire (1:00-2:00)
  • Winter sports demonstrations
  • Horse and wagon rides courtesy of Dan Kirchner
  • Siberian Husky sled dogs for petting and demonstrations – courtesy of Jessica Hatch and "Gone to the Snow Dogs"
  • Other activities are planned in the event of no snow, so come join the fun no matter what.  We'll be there!   
  • Fat Freddies Food Truck will feature TONY BURGERS and much more.
  • Music, giveaways and more...
FIRE & ICE Downtown Alpena (4:00 – 9:00 pm - courtesy of Nicolet Bank)
  • Nicolet Bank's feature sculpture @ Culligan Plaza and nearly 40 professional carved sculptures to view downtown courtesy of local community organizations and business sponsors (nearly double last year!)
  • Ice Throne in Culligan Plaza—courtesy of the Alpena Convention & Visitors Bureau and Alpena Downtown Development Authority
  • Alpena's Winter Carnival Exhibit @ Alpena Country Library on display all day during normal library hours
  • Elsa from Frozen will be reading to kids from 3:00-4:00 at the Alpena County Library!  Come see and listen!
  • FIRE & ICE feature sculpture @ Culligan Plaza - courtesy of Community Foundation of Northeast Michigan
  • Fire bowls throughout downtown to make your own Smores and warm up!
  • Scavenger hunt of downtown sculptures with a $100 Downtown Dollars drawing courtesy of DDA.
  • ​Downtown Street Performers will be playing indoors from 5pm-7pm at the following locations:
    • Joe Thomas at Art in the Loft
    • Bill Immekus at Hopside Brewery
    • Lee Kitzman at Glik's
    • Steve and Brenda at Red Brick Tap & Barrel
    • The Brandon's at The Fresh Palate
  • Expanded store hours with specials throughout downtown until 7:00 pm
  • Themed Fire & Ice cocktails at downtown restaurants and bars, including an ICE Bar and Wine Luge!
  • Grab a hot chocolate or a "hot toddy" from a local restaurant and stroll the Social District downtown looking at ice sculptures while visiting the stores with extended specials. 
Program subject to change as details are finalized and weather conditions permit- working towards an amazing second year and beyond! 

*Huron Pines is hosting a guided Snowshoe Hike at the Hubbard Lake Preserve (720 Holiday Inn Rd.) on Saturday, February 11th from 10;30am-12:00pm. When you participate, you will learn about the ecology, geology, history, and the management of the preserve during your hike. Participants are required to bring their own snowshoes, water, and snacks and are expected to come dressed for the weather. In the case of no snow, sturdy boots are recommended. This gorgeous hike will be a great way for you and your family to kick off this snowy, fun-filled day! For more information or to RSVP for the hike, please email julia@huronpines.org.
Join us at the Alpena Ice Festival on Saturday, February 11th, 2023! It promises to be a great family fun day with ice and sculptures, fire and a variety of activities for kids, adults and the family.  Like last year, the event begins at Mich-e-ke-wis Park with ice sculptures on display by Ice Creations of Napoleon, Ohio, a huge bonfire by Alpena Fire Department, demonstrations, food and fun, and ice and snow related activities.

In conjunction, the Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is hosting FIRE & ICE activities throughout downtown. Nearly thirty ice sculptures will be on display throughout downtown, plus fire bowls to warm up by, music, expanded store hours and specialty drinks and food will be available at participating restaurants throughout the day and into the evening.

ICE Fest is sponsored by Thunder Bay Arts Council with generous financial support from a First Congregational United Church of Christ - Comstock Grant, Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union and Nicolet National Bank. The City of Alpena, Alpena Downtown Development Authority, City of Alpena Fire Department, Alpena Farmers’ Market, Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, Alpena Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, SOME CPAs, Michigan Arts and Culture Council/National Endowment for the Arts, and Besser Foundation provide additional support for this event and TBA programming throughout the year. 

Learn all about what's going on in Downtown Alpena as part of the Ice Festival here at our most recent blog post!
Historic photos provided by the Norman Gapske Collection at the Special Collections at the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library

thank you to our sponsors and partners! 

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