Fire and Ice brings skating, sleigh rides, fire dancing & more outdoor fun in New Brighton
NEW BRIGHTON ― Bundle up and get to downtown New Brighton on Dec. 9 if you want to enjoy a unique winter celebration.
Fire and Ice New Brighton lasts from 2 to 9 p.m. that day, offering numerous family activities spanning Third Avenue from the 1100 block where Hallowed Grounds Coffee shop is, to Townsend Park.
"New to the event this year is an amusement park-sized carousel that is free to ride," Fire and Ice organizer Carol Testa said. "The fire-breathing and fire-dancing show has added an aerial routine, which is exciting. We've also added a mini-golf course."
"Additionally, we've upgraded the ice-skating rink and it will have a snow machine, music system and lights to make for a more festive atmosphere. The skating rink will be free this year also, and we are providing the ice skates in a selection of various sizes," Testa said.
That's "ice skating" on an iceless, synthetic rink, adding to the festival's uniqueness.
"The activities that we had last year will return such as the horse-drawn sleigh rides, Snow Globe Village, the Holiday Vendor Marketplace with over 75 vendors, and of course, the Ice Bar will be back with MLH Distillery serving drinks," Testa said.
Families can roast marshmallows over a fire pit, watch holiday movies, listen to live music and visit Santa.
The second annual festival has free admission.
The only ticketed charges are for the snow globe reservations and sleigh rides, which both sold out quickly, just like last year.
"We are trying to secure a third horse-drawn sleigh in order to add more," Testa said. "They are $25 per ride and five to six riders can fit in one sleigh."
Updates will be on the event's Facebook page.
There's still time to enter the "Beaver County's Got Talent" contest. Anyone interested can register at info@everesteventsgroup.com. There is a $10 registration fee to participate. The first-place contestant will win $500, second place will win $250 and third place will win $100.
The competition begins at 3 p.m. on the main stage on Third Avenue.
Former "America's Got Talent" contestant and Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School student Ashley Marina is one of the festival's musical performers, along with the Ambridge Steel Drum Band, Jane West, other Lincoln Park students and Charleigh Book.
Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Fire and Ice New Brighton brings skating, sleigh rides, fire dancing
