The Plymouth Ice Festival is celebrating 26 years of making downtown Plymouth, MI come alive in January. This year the celebration takes place the weekend of January 25-27th, 2008. The free, family friendly winter ice festival has averaged 500,000 visitors during the past 26 years, pumping more than one million dollars to the city’s stores and restaurants each year. The Plymouth Ice Festival has helped establish ice carving as a world-class competitive event. It is the oldest, largest ice-carving event in North America. In 1998 and 2002, Plymouth sent their best to participate in an Olympic demonstration sport in Nagano, Japan.

Ice sculpture and ice carving takes many forms and each artist has their own ideas on what makes a quality and must see ice sculpture. The Ice Artists answer questions while ice carving and display their techniques and tricks.

Plymouth Ice Festival Schedule 2008

January 25-27, 2008

Ice Carving Festival

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (subject to change, times are approximate)

The process of building and carving major ice sculpture displays requires two to three days for each carving.

Sunday, January 20 – Kick-off Fundraiser – 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM

E.G Nicks, 500 Forest Ave., Wine tasting, Cordials sampling, finely crafted lagers and ales, finger foods, entertainment, and meet the World Champion and Japanese Carvers. $35.00 at the door.

Friday, January 25 - Official Opening

Pedestal sculptures displayed in Kellogg Park and at participating businesses.
4:30 pm – 8:30 pm High School Individual Competition in Kellogg Park, 1 block of ice, 4 hours to carve.
Oakland Community College ice carving club working on their large display on Main Street.
Macomb Community College working on their large display on Main Street.
Light Show begins at dusk.
Saturday, January 26

College Individual Competition Noon – 4:00 pm Kellogg Park, 1 block of ice, 4 hours to carve. Colleges represented – Macomb CC, Henry Ford CC, Oakland CC, University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Grand Rapids CC, Grand Valley State and Washtenaw CC.
12:00 NOON – 4:00 PM – The Gathering - AM 910 Radio Disney will host the fun with trivia, games and prizes. Then at 3 pm the stage will rock with The AM910 Radio Disney D-Tour, making its second appearance at the Plymouth Ice Spectacular. The D-Tour is a family stage show that will "Rock Your World" featuring music, dance and prizes. The hour-long show is produced by AM910 Radio Disney and in partnership with Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.
Major Ice Carvings on display including carvings by Japanese Team.
Championship Professional carver exhibition 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm by team Frozen Images member, and world champion, Jim Bur.
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM - PetCo Pet Stores on site distributing discount coupons on their products, and other goodies for our 4 legged friends.
Light Show begins at dusk
Sunday, January 27

College Team Competition 10:30 am – 2:30 pm in Kellogg Park, 3 blocks of ice, 4 hours.
High School Team Competition 10:30 am – 2:30 pm in Kellogg Park, 3 blocks of ice, 4 hours.
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM PetCo Pet Stores on site distributing discount coupons on their products, and other goodies for our 4 legged friends.
Major multi-block displays and individual competition works on display
Championship Professional carver exhibition 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm World Ice Art Champion, Tajana Raukar of Ice Dreams.
Light Show begins at dusk

Plymouth Ice Festival Directions

Official Website