2013 Plymouth Ice Festival Activities Guide

The Plymouth Ice Festival gets under way just weeks from now, running from Jan. 18-20 in downtown Plymouth. 

Apart from the chainsaws and sculptors, there is plenty of fun to be had downtown during the (hopefully) chilly weekend.

The festivities are preceded by a pub crawl in downtown Plymouth on Jan. 12.

According to the Plymouth Ice Festival website, here is what you can expect at this year's festivities:

Greenhills School Ice Skating Rink
For the first year at the Ice Festival, families can take a spin around Kellogg Park on a downtown ice rink. No need to bring your skates–they'll be provided. The rink is open during all the official open hours of the event.

DTE Energy Hot Spot Warming Tent
Warm up in style at the Hot Spot Warming Tent under the Gathering directly across from Kellogg Park. The Hot Spot features more than 20 local vendors and businesses, product demonstrations, a sitting area to take a load off your feet and—perhaps most importantly—plenty of heat. The Hot Spot Warming Tent is open during all the official open hours of the event.

AGA Nation Rail Jam on Forest Avenue
The Plymouth Ice Festival began a partnership this year with AGA Nation. Experience the thrill of snowboarding by heading over to Forest Avenue and checking out the demo areas.

MGM Grand Party Lot at E.G. Nick's on Forest Avenue
For the biggest party in downtown Plymouth, head over to the E.G. Nick's Party Lot for cold beer, drink specials, live music and the best seat in the house for the AGA Nation Snowboarding Demonstration. 
Hours of operation:

• Friday, Jan. 18 – 6 p.m.-midnight
• Saturday, Jan. 19 – 6 p.m.-midnight

Interactive Ice Sculptures
Get your picture taken with some of the most amazing ice creations around town. Make sure you see them all as there are a number of opportunities to get your photo with some remarkable ice.

Genisys Credit Union College Carving Competitions
The 2013 Plymouth Ice Festival partners with local colleges and universities to produce the 31st annual college carving competition in Kellogg Park.  Watch live carving by talented college student participants as they compete to win a place on the podium in their sculpture category. All judging is done by experienced and professional judges and placing a win at the festival means that the students can move forward to regional competition status.
Click here to download the College Carving Application

Community Financial Main Stage
The Community Financial Main Stage features live entertainment, awards ceremonies, presentations and music throughout the weekend of the festival. Check out the schedule of events for a complete Main Stage listing!

Amazing Wintertime Festival Food
One of the best things about being out in the winter is that you work up a great appetite!  The Ice Festival has more than 15 different options for dining–all conveniently located within a few steps of the main festival area. Enjoy festival favorites like elephant ears, popcorn, roasted almonds and hot chocolate or indulge in specialty creations like BBQ, gourmet hamburgers, hot and fresh pizza and hot dogs.

Looking for a meal indoors?  There are so many wonderful options within downtown Plymouth–from fine dining to a quick bite, candy, cookies and ice cream. Check out www.downtownplymouth.org for a complete restaurant listing.

ACO Hardware Made in Michigan Marketplace on Forest Avenue
Forest Avenue adds to its already extensive array of shops and boutiques by hosting some of the finest purveyors of "Made in Michigan" products around.  Take a stroll down the street to see what is made right here in the mitten state!

A complete vendor listing will be announced soon.

Download this registration form to apply as a vendor for the 2013 Made in Michigan Marketplace.

Dueling Chainsaws Speed Carving Competition
The world-famous Dueling Chainsaws Speed Carving Competition returns to the Community Financial Main Stage on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m.  Watch professional ice carvers create amazing works of art right before your eyes and get involved in the action by encouraging the carvers to create your idea for a sculpture!  These professionals take audience requests and will create an amazing sculpture without a template or design right on the spot! 

Labatt Blue Frozen Pub Crawl presented by the MSU Alumni Club
Get ready for the 2013 Fest by participating in the Frozen Pub Crawl on Saturday, Jan. 12. Share some good times in downtown Plymouth with a great group of people-and enjoy food and drink specials all evening as a registered participant.  Plus, you get a commemorative T-shirt when you register.

Click here for more information and to register.

Fire and Ice Towers
See two basic elements of our world light up the night sky in downtown Plymouth.  Fire and ice are combined to create a dazzling display on Friday, Jan. 18 and Saturday, Jan. 19 that is sure to wow. Towers are lit at approximately 8 p.m. each day and will burn for approximately two hours.

Blue Care Network of Michigan Sports Family Fun Zone presented by Sun & Snow Sports
Bring the family down to Kellogg Park for the opportunity to try cross-country skiing!  Seasoned professionals will demonstrate and explain the gear and theory of cross-country skiing – and then give you a chance to try it yourself. Our course is bigger and better than ever before.  This feature is open during all open hours of the event.