Chilly Fest returns this month to downtown Port Huron — with a few changes
A seasonal event is returning to downtown Port Huron this month after a pandemic-related hiatus last year, but with a couple of changes to its layout and schedule of activities.
Chilly Fest is slated for Saturday, Jan. 29, and will still include the same chance to taste chili and see ice sculptures around downtown.
Natacha Hayden, the city’s Downtown Development Authority director, said they’re excited to bring the event back, though the event has been adjusted to be more outdoors and spread out, accommodating “any hesitation” to gather in large crowds in one area downtown.
“People are ready to come out, as well, and still enjoy it but in a safe manner. … So, instead of putting everybody within a tent, we’re going to be shutting down McMorran Boulevard and have signature pieces like carriage rides, the ice sculptures. We’re adding some cornhole tournaments. Blue Water Young Professionals is helping us with that.
“And instead of having a chili competition like we did in the past, we’re doing a chili crawl where you can still purchase your voting card and then just go from one business or restaurant to another.”
Most of the fest’s activities are set to kick off at 11 a.m. downtown.
A s’more station and free carriage rides, starting along McMorran, begin around that time with the latter ending around 3 p.m.
The traditional chili cook-off and crawl is slated from noon to 2 p.m. Those interested can purchase scorecards for $5 at the fest’s table on McMorran. Participating businesses include A Little Something, Chef Shell’s, CityFlatsHotel, Kate’s Downtown, Lynch’s Irish Tavern, Mama Vicki’s Coney Island, Moe’s Corner Deli, the Raven Café, and What the Fry.
The two-game elimination cornhole tourney starts at 2 p.m. outside on McMorran. Participants must be 18 or older to enter. Registration is open online at http://bit.ly/chillytourney.
And an outdoor kid’s zone is set for 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Superior Mall parking lot.
For more information on the Chilly Fest, visit the event on Facebook or www.chillyfest.org.
How about the Hot Cocoa run and bed races?
The city postponed its annual Chilly Fest in 2021, replacing it with a Winter Wonderland, a one-day festival.
While other Chilly Fest weekend favorites like the Hot Cocoa run are also returning this year, others are still in the works.
Although bed races, where costumed teams race makeshift beds downtown, is on the schedule for 3 to 4 p.m., Hayden said she was hoping to work with different organizations than in the past to run it before details are final.
“I know there’s still a few pieces on the website that I just want to confirm before I put everything out. It’s a riot. It really is a riot. Unfortunately, we’re coming down to the wire, and that’s why I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, is it going to go?’” she said. “But for being a feature piece and very loved by the community, just imagine a bed on wheels racing down the street. … Even though it’s something that started (out) pretty silly in the beginning, it became quite competitive. That’s why I would like to keep it on. However, I do need to confirm that portion.”
The Hot Cocoa run, held in conjunction with festivities, is also returning Jan. 29. Registration is currently open online and closes Jan. 28 for 10-mile, 10K, 5K, and kid’s mile races, according to the run’s website. An after-party is planned with fondue, hot chocolate, and family-friendly entertainment.
The kid’s mile begins at 8:30 a.m., with the other races at 9 and 9:10 a.m. Packet pickup begins at 6:30 a.m. at McMorran Arena.
Registration is available through RunSignUp.com, or visit PoHo Hot Cocoa on Facebook for more. Applications to the race can also be found and dropped off at Elite Feet, 327 Huron Ave.
Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Jackie20Smitih.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Chilly Fest returns this month to downtown Port Huron
