5 things to know about: 2024 Tecumseh Ice Sculpture Festival

David Panian, The Daily Telegram
·2 min read

TECUMSEH — For a while there, it looked like anyone wanting to admire the artwork at the 2024 Tecumseh Ice Sculpture Festival might have needed to visit early.

But thanks to a return to more seasonal weather, the sculptures that are made ahead of time and those made on location this coming weekend should last for at least a few days before they melt away.

At the annual event Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 20-21, visitors to downtown Tecumseh can see live ice-carving demonstrations, participate in a scavenger hunt, visit the Chocolate/Beverage Walk and meet a bald eagle. The festival will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Here are five highlights of the upcoming festival:

Brandy and Alex Pierpoint of Monroe pose with children Xavier, in sculpture, Arya, left, and Noora Jan. 21, 2023, during the Tecumseh Ice Sculpture Festival.
Brandy and Alex Pierpoint of Monroe pose with children Xavier, in sculpture, Arya, left, and Noora Jan. 21, 2023, during the Tecumseh Ice Sculpture Festival.

1. Ice sculptures, of course. More than 40 ice sculptures will be on display throughout the downtown area. Many are sponsored by local businesses and organizations.

Matthew Larson of Ice Creations in Napoleon, Ohio, carves an ice sculpture Jan. 21, 2023, during the Tecumseh Ice Sculpture Festival.
Matthew Larson of Ice Creations in Napoleon, Ohio, carves an ice sculpture Jan. 21, 2023, during the Tecumseh Ice Sculpture Festival.

2. Ice-carving demonstrations. On Saturday, there will be dueling carvers competitions at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the corner of Chicago Boulevard and South Evans Street, according to information on the Downtown Tecumseh website. The crowd chooses what the carvers sculpt and also the winner. There also will be live carving demonstrations throughout the day on Saturday.

Francie Krawcke of Michigan Avian Experience of Brooklyn, shows off a female bald eagle April 18, 2021, during a presentation at the AJ Smith Recreation Center in Tecumseh. Michigan Avian Experience and its eagle will be at this year's Tecumseh Ice Sculpture Festival Sunday, Jan. 21.
Francie Krawcke of Michigan Avian Experience of Brooklyn, shows off a female bald eagle April 18, 2021, during a presentation at the AJ Smith Recreation Center in Tecumseh. Michigan Avian Experience and its eagle will be at this year's Tecumseh Ice Sculpture Festival Sunday, Jan. 21.

3. National symbol. Michigan Avian Experience of Brooklyn will have its bald eagle at the festival on Sunday. Visitors can meet the eagle and learn about the work Michigan Avian Experience does to teach about nature.

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4. Scavenger hunt. The popular activity returns with a chance to win a gift card packet. Maps for the scavenger hunt as well as the locations of the sculptures and ice-carving demonstrations will be available.

5. Chocolate/Beverage Walk. Participating downtown businesses will offer beverages or chocolate treats to visitors.

— Contact reporter David Panian at dpanian@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @lenaweepanian.

If you go

WHAT: Tecumseh Ice Sculpture Festival

WHERE: Downtown Tecumseh

WHEN: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21

INFO: downtowntecumseh.com

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Preview: Highlights of 2024 Tecumseh Ice Sculpture Festival