Plymouth Ice Festival to Add Skating Rink, Snowboarding Tricks in 2013

When throngs of visitors descent upon downtown Plymouth in January to view sculpted spectacles at the 2013 Plymouth Ice Festival, they'll also find an array of new activities at the yearly event.

Festival promoter Sam Walton of Signature Professional Group said in addition to ice sculptures planned around Kellogg Park in Downtown Plymouth, the ice festival will bring a skating rink downtown.

The rink, made of a weatherproof synthetic skating surface that simulates ice, allows skaters to use regular ice skates without the risk of mild temperatures ruining the fun, Walton said.

"Whether it's 8 or 80 degrees outside, people can come out and skate," he said. "We're really excited to have that on site this year."

Also new this year is a snowboarding exhibition area located near the party tent behind E.G. Nick's on Forest Avenue, Walton said, with a kid-friendly snowboarding area in front of the restaurant.

Michigan goods also will be featured at the festival, with the Michigan Vendor Village on Forest Avenue, exclusively featuring products made in the region.

"What we really want to do is let people know there's a ton of Michigan businesses out there," Walton said. "We're going to have some vendors on site where you can get something you normally can't get in town."

Returning this year is a cross-country skiing demonstration in Kellogg Park, Walton said.

Of course, the festival wouldn't be what it is without a sizable selection of ice sculptures, ranging from animals and people to structures and landmarks.

"We have over 100 sculptures planned right now in and around downtown Plymouth," Walton said. 

The Plymouth Ice Festival runs Jan. 18-20, 2013, in downtown Plymouth.