Join us at the Alpena Ice Festival on Saturday, February 12, 2022! With the leadership of Thunder Bay Arts, the Comstock Fund of First Congregational UCC, Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union, SOME-CPA, Shaun Michael Osborne, City of Alpena DDA and Alpena Fire Department, an Alpena Ice Fest will hearken back to years past.
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. 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, ice and snow related activities. In conjunction, the Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is hosting FIRE & ICE activities throughout downtown, including a “A Preview of Restaurant Week”. 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. 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
schedule of events
All events are free & open to the public. Join us for a day of winter fun at Mich-e-kewis Park (9 am- 3 pm) & in Downtown Alpena (5 pm- 9pm).
9:00 am-3:00 pm Mich-e-ke-wis Park (Alpena Ice Fest – Family Fun Day)
9:00 am-3:00 pm: Farmers Market (expanded hours and additional vendors)– warming shelter and bathrooms
9:00 am-12:00 pm: Amateur Snowman Building/ Snow Angel Contest (for kids, families, friends). Awards for largest, most creative, most spirited.
10:00-11:00 am: Dueling ice sculptors – Ice Creations of Napoleon, Ohio
Several other sculptures will be on display throughout the day, including featured sculptures by local sculptor Autumn Bildson and local restaurateur, Jimmy Chen.
11:00 am-3:00 pm: Amateur snowshoe and cross-country ski races (grab your shoes or skis and make a run for it!) Contests organized on the half hour. Bring your own shoes and skis. Thunder Bay Trails Association will have some skis and boots available for use.
12:00-3:00 pm: Huge bonfire – huddle around the fire courtesy of our very own City of Alpena Fire Department!
1,000 free Smores (prepackaged and ready to eat), courtesy of Thunder Bay Arts 50th Anniversary
12:00-2:00 pm: Horse and wagon rides courtesy of Dan Kirchner
1:00-2:00 pm: Amateur fat tire bike races – BYOB and show us how it’s done!
1:00-2:00 pm: Siberian Husky sled dogs – “Gone to the Snow Dogs” courtesy of Jessica Hatch
Plus…all day long from 9:00 am-3:00 pm:
5:00 – 9:00 pm- Fire & Ice Downtown Alpena
Program subject to change as details are finalized and weather conditions permit- working towards an amazing first annual event!
9:00 am-3:00 pm Mich-e-ke-wis Park (Alpena Ice Fest – Family Fun Day)
9:00 am-3:00 pm: Farmers Market (expanded hours and additional vendors)– warming shelter and bathrooms
9:00 am-12:00 pm: Amateur Snowman Building/ Snow Angel Contest (for kids, families, friends). Awards for largest, most creative, most spirited.
10:00-11:00 am: Dueling ice sculptors – Ice Creations of Napoleon, Ohio
Several other sculptures will be on display throughout the day, including featured sculptures by local sculptor Autumn Bildson and local restaurateur, Jimmy Chen.
11:00 am-3:00 pm: Amateur snowshoe and cross-country ski races (grab your shoes or skis and make a run for it!) Contests organized on the half hour. Bring your own shoes and skis. Thunder Bay Trails Association will have some skis and boots available for use.
12:00-3:00 pm: Huge bonfire – huddle around the fire courtesy of our very own City of Alpena Fire Department!
1,000 free Smores (prepackaged and ready to eat), courtesy of Thunder Bay Arts 50th Anniversary
12:00-2:00 pm: Horse and wagon rides courtesy of Dan Kirchner
1:00-2:00 pm: Amateur fat tire bike races – BYOB and show us how it’s done!
1:00-2:00 pm: Siberian Husky sled dogs – “Gone to the Snow Dogs” courtesy of Jessica Hatch
Plus…all day long from 9:00 am-3:00 pm:
- Fat Freddies Food Truck—featuring TONY BURGERS and much more
- Snow sledding – bring your sled and go for it!
- Ice Bowling – Knock ‘em down
- Ice Frame for Selfies @ the ALPENA Letters Sculpture—courtesy of the Alpena Convention & Visitors Bureau
- 4-H activity and other activities at various intervals throughout the day...
5:00 – 9:00 pm- Fire & Ice Downtown Alpena
- Ice Throne in Culligan Plaza—courtesy of the Alpena Convention & Visitors Bureau and Alpena Downtown Development Authority
- 27 Ice Sculptures throughout downtown sponsored by local businesses
- Fire bowls to warm up by in Culligan Plaza & Pocket Park
- Scavenger hunt of downtown sculptures with a $100 Downtown Dollars drawing courtesy of DDA. Details available here.
- Expanded store hours until 7:00 pm with specials
- Themed Fire & Ice cocktails at downtown restaurants and bars
- Live music from the Alpena Street Performers from 6-8 pm at HopSide Brewery, Mango's Tequila Bar, Thunder Bay Winery, and Thunder Bay Arts
Program subject to change as details are finalized and weather conditions permit- working towards an amazing first annual event!