Harbor Springs Ice Fest to return for 5th year

Karly Graham, The Petoskey News-Review
·1 min read
Matthew Larsen of Ice Creations shows off his winning seahorse sculpture following the dueling chainsaws contest on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023 during the Harbor Springs Ice Fest.
Matthew Larsen of Ice Creations shows off his winning seahorse sculpture following the dueling chainsaws contest on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023 during the Harbor Springs Ice Fest.

HARBOR SPRINGS — Ice blocks and dueling chainsaws are coming back to Harbor Springs this year when the city welcomes its fifth annual Ice Fest.

Harbor Springs Downtown Development Authority director Becky Goodman said the weekend of festivities will have an interactive ice park, a scavenger hunt, trivia and more.

More: From Petoskey to Harbor Springs: Becky Goodman hired as new DDA director

Otto Vandenbrink, 5, from Harbor Springs plays tic tac toe with squeaky toys and an ice playing board on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023 during the Harbor Springs Ice Fest.
Otto Vandenbrink, 5, from Harbor Springs plays tic tac toe with squeaky toys and an ice playing board on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023 during the Harbor Springs Ice Fest.

The two-day long event will kick off Friday, Feb. 9 with trivia at 6 p.m. at Stafford's Pier Restaurant, followed by "Hex Your Ex" night at Pierson's Grille.

On Saturday, Feb. 10, there will be a dueling chainsaws competition where artists will make the best ice sculpture based on the theme given to them.

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More than 40 ice sculptures are expected to be displayed downtown as well, along with an interactive ice park set up in Zorn Park. There will be different sculptures people will be able to interact with, like an ice photo frame to take pictures with or a throne to sit on.

There will also be live ice carving demonstrations during the event.

Eliza (front) and Adalynn Trahin from Wolverine play an icy version of cornhole on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023 during the Harbor Springs Ice Fest.
Eliza (front) and Adalynn Trahin from Wolverine play an icy version of cornhole on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023 during the Harbor Springs Ice Fest.

Goodman said people should come to the festival to help "get rid of cabin fever."

"We have a long winter. It's good to get outside and get around," she said. "Activities in the winter cheer everyone up."

For more information on the Harbor Springs Ice Fest, visit downtownharborsprings.com/ice-fest.

— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN. 

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Harbor Springs Ice Fest to return for 5th year