The Weekend of Fire and Ice Returns

Adam Goettelman and Kelly Avenson work on a their camera ice sculpture. They won second place in the beginner’s category at last year’s Fire and Ice Festival in Sturgeon Bay.

Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center hosts the annual Fire & Ice weekend Feb. 15 – 16.

Saturday will be filled with “cool” activities featuring a city-wide ice carving competition by local ice artists, along with professional carvers transforming large and small snow blocks into masterpieces. This professional group of champion-level carvers has won awards from competitions, which include the US Nationals and Wisconsin State championships.

New this year, most of the snow blocks will be carved at Martin Park with additional small snow forms available for budding artists to try out their carving skills.

Dave Mailand took first place for his seahorse ice sculpture in the advanced category at last year’s Fire and Ice Festival.

Starting at 9 am Saturday, carvers will begin the process of turning snow and ice into art. The Boys and Girls Club will be at Martin Park serving up hot chocolate, chili, hotdogs and burgers and will also provide children’s activities.

To help people get around town, Door County Trolley will be available from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm offering free rides to all the sculptures. At 2 pm, judging of the finished ice blocks will get underway with an awards ceremony scheduled for 3 pm at the visitor center. The public is also invited to vote for their favorite carving for the People’s Choice Award. Event maps with ice and snow block locations will be available at most businesses throughout the weekend or at the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center office, 36 S. Third Avenue, next to the Ladder House.

Saturday night, Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center and Stone Harbor Resort host the annual Fire & Ice dinner/dance and silent auction. Enjoy a meal followed by music by Little Vito & The Torpedoes performing a mix of R&B, smooth jazz and contemporary favorites. To make reservations for the dinner or for more information, call 800.301.6695 or 920.743.6246 or visit SturgeonBay.net.