The Lake Metroparks Farmpark Ice Festival is happening Saturday and Sunday, January 25 and 26
By Mimi Vanderhaven
Frozen II might be topping the box office in movie theaters, but Elsa will just have to let it go, because this month the Lake Metroparks Farmpark Ice Festival is the hottest ticket in town for the below-32 pursuit of fun and adventure.
On Saturday and Sunday, January 25 and 26, put your hibernation plans on hold and brrrace yourself to be amazed.
“Visitors will be thrilled by the internationally acclaimed skills and creativity of Aaron Costic of Elegant Ice Creations—a nine-time world champion ice sculptor who regularly competes at the Winter Olympics,” says Andy McGovern, Farmpark Events Manager. “He took home gold in Torino and bronze in Nagano. Aaron and other local carvers will show off their stuff during speed-carving competitions scheduled throughout the weekend and ice-carving demonstrations on Sunday.”
The deep-chill-thrill event will be previewed on Friday, January 24, with a Fire & Ice Dinner in the Farmparks’ Plant Science Center from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Ohio Wine Producers Association, the dinner will showcase an Ohio Ice Wine flight featuring five Ohio wineries followed by a multi-course menu expertly paired with Ohio vinifera wines. The convivial evening includes live music and (what else?) an ice-carving demonstration.
Saturday night’s festivities conclude with a breathtaking and combustive battle of fire and ice…a large fire will be ignited inside a six-foot tower of ice.
New this year, the festival includes a wood carver vs. ice carver exhibition.
Visitors can treat themselves to the royal treatment and sit on the Farmpark-themed ice throne, enjoy live music and other winter-themed activities, such as sitting by one of the fire pits and enjoying s’mores and hot cocoa. And the over-21 crowd can savor Ferrante ice wines throughout the festival.
Lake Metroparks Farmpark is located at 8800 Euclid Chardon Road in Kirtland. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, January 25; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 26. Admission to the Farmpark applies for the Ice Festival. Visit Lakemetroparks.com/parks-trails/farmparkfor more information. Tickets to the Fire & Ice Dinner are $80 per person and can be purchased at OhioWines.org.