Plymouth, MI

The 2009 Plymouth International Ice Sculpture Spectacular is a wrap!

Warmer weather on Friday probably worried organizers, but cold weather was back on Saturday....and so were the crowds!

The local economy had an impact as there were fewer ice sculptures, particularly in front of local merchants. Also missing this year were the live reindeer.

Here's some photos showing the highlights:



This Saturday, January 31st is Northville MI 4th Annual Fire & Ice Festival running from Noon to 4 PM.

It's that time of the year to celebrate Michigan winter in Plymouth Michigan. Every year about the third weekend in January the City of Plymouth puts on the Plymouth Ice Carving contest and festival. This is the 27th year and is located right in downtown Plymouth in Kellog Park.

Some of the carvings are over 10 feet tall and some are 12 feet wide. Ice carvers from around the world come to compete. Many of the ice carvers are from the food industry as many ice carvers are chefs. Chefs have to make ice carvings as part of some of the fantastic banquets they put together.

This sculpture is over 12 feet long.

Local business support the Plymouth Ice festival. The festival draws large crowds no matter what the weather.

Some come on down to downtowm Plymouth MI enjoy the ice art, eat at the local restaurants and bars, and shop at all the great stores. It is a great place to live and visit.

If it's going to stay as cold as it is this year, we might as well enjoy an event that celebrates it. The Plymouth MI Ice Sculpture Spectacular comes to Kellogg Park in Downtown Plymouth this weekend.

Starting at Noon on Friday, January 27th and running through Sunday, January 29th, the event features ice carvers from local high schools, colleges, and professionals from around the United States and some from as far away as Japan.

Over 100 sculptures are expected to be carved, mostly from single blocks of ice weighing over 300 pounds. Several sculptures will be constructed using between 5-100 blocks of ice, and you can watch the carving process from the beginning of stacking the blocks of ice to the finished works of art.

Besides the ones filling Kellogg Park, the customized sculptures standing outside the local merchants were some of my favorites last year. From whimsical, like the one outside Compari's (my favorite restaurant) to corporate, there's surely a sculpture to please everyone.

One of the most popular places to visit will be "Fantasyland" with entertainment and education for the younger crowd. Each day's events include competitions and an evening light show at dusk.

For recommendations on where to eat during the festival, check out the Plymouth Living blog. Then check out the schedule of events, print out a downtown walking map, and plan to be impressed.

It's a Downtown Plymouth experience you won't soon forget!