For the fifth year in a row, the six-day event known as the Meltdown Winter Ice Festival is being held in Richmond and Wayne County.
Bill Thistlewaite, former Richmond Parks Department superintendent, and his son, Andrew, an award-winning ice carver, created the festival to create excitement for the winter season in the Richmond community.
The 2018 Meltdown Winter Ice Festival will display various ice sculptures throughout the week and various winter-themed events will also be held starting on Jan. 23.
Activities range from a Chili for Charity Cook Off at the Morrison-Reeves Library to the Family Fun Zone, an interactive park in downtown Richmond. Several live ice carvings will also take place throughout the week, and a live ice-carving competition will be held at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 and 28 in Jack Elstro Plaza.
After working with Andrew in 2013, ice carver Dean DeMarais was invited to join the festival, and will be returning to the event for his fifth year in a row.
DeMarais’ ice carving career began when he was studying to become a chef. When he saw an ice demonstration one day in class, DeMarais said he was “hooked” and “never stepped foot in the kitchen again” after having the opportunity to then learn the trade.
“Participating in carving competitions and outdoor festivals over the years has provided an opportunity for me to meet and work with fellow carvers and enhance my skills,” DeMarais said. “I enjoy participating in the Meltdown Throwdown because of its fast and furious pace. Each year, the festival brings a new level of excitement from the community and pushes our talents as artists.”
Another featured part of the festival is the Frozen Fairy Trail, which will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 27.
Hosted by the Richmond-Wayne County Tourism Bureau, the trail is composed of “nearly 40 whimsical fairy dwellings and gardens waiting to be discovered,” said Nancy Sartain, leisure marketing director at the Richmond-Wayne County Convention & Tourism Bureau.
The trail stretches throughout Wayne county and also includes 10 local businesses that will offer winter-themed crafts, games and snacks to those traveling along the trail.
As a volunteer-based event, the Meltdown Winter Ice Festival continues to rely on the Richmond community as each of the events are made “to spark pride in the community” when locals and visitors to Richmond explore what’s happening in their city, Sartain said.
“The events are designed to lure people of all ages out of hibernation and to enjoy the winter weather for a thrilling and engaging event that is unique to Richmond,” Sartain said.
Contact Nicole Thomas with comments at nrthomas@bsu.edu.
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