Plymouth Ice Festival Gets Back to Basics, Focusing on the Ice

The 32nd Annual Plymouth Ice Festival is going to be 'all about the ice this year,' according to festival organizer James Gietzen.

"We're putting all of the money into having ice sculptures, and returning the event to what it was originally supposed to be," Gietzen said. 

This is Gietzen's first year producing the event, having taken the reigns from Sam Walton. 

Festival goers won't see a skating rink this year, but the event promises all the attractions that people have come to love, such as the Fire and Ice Towers and the Dueling Chainsaw Competition. 

[Check out everything you need to know about the Ice Festival.]

Gietzen said there will be about 100 sculptures throughout downtown Plymouth, with the bigger ones located in Kellogg Park and on Forest Avenue. 
There will also be interactive sculptures offering photo opportunities located throughout the event, like the ever-popular Ice Throne, which will make a return appearance along with some new creations. 

Geitzen said weather should not effect the event overmuch.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures will jump to the mid-30s on Friday, with a high of 40 degrees on Saturday, then back to the mid-30s on Sunday. The forecast also calls for a chance of freezing rain both Friday and Saturday and snow showers on Sunday.
"It's not ideal for the ice, but it is ideal for the people that are going to come out and take a look at it," Geitzen said about the warmer temperatures over the weekend. "We don't expect that anything will melt too quickly to not be able to have an event, however, some may have some minor damage to them with how warm it's going to be."

While 35 and 40 degree weather may seem warm compared to the arctic blast Michigan has been experiencing most of the week, it is still not overly warm. 

Festival goers can warm up inside the DTE Energy Hot Spot Warming Tent. Other ways to warm up is to take advantage of the Plymouth Historical Museum, which will be offering two for one admission or duck into Westchester Square, which will host the Plymouth Community Arts Council Art Show.

Disney's "Frozen" will also be playing all weekend at The Penn Theatre. Click here for showtimes. 

For more information about the Ice Festival, visit www.plymouthicefestival.com.