Get ready for some frosty fun in St. Joseph! The 16th Annual Magical Ice Fest returns bigger and better than ever and is packed full of family fun, ice competitions and even some frozen fish. Crowd favorites the Frozen Fish Toss, Ice Bowling and the Magical Ice Throne are back this year with a new interactive to try, Frosty Tic-Tac-Toe!
The Magical Ice Fest runs from Friday, January 31-Sunday, February 2 and is a great way to explore this charming lakeside town and celebrate the winter season!
A WEEKEND GUIDE FOR THE MAGICAL ICE FEST
All weekend long, there's a scavenger hunt, making for a frozen adventure! Participants will be on the lookout for items that have been frozen into blocks placed around town (pick up a map at the St. Joseph Today Welcome Center, located at 301 State Street). This SnowBiz Scavenger Hunt is fun for all ages and has its rewards too - turn in the form at the end and be entered to win a St. Joseph Gift Certificate.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 30
Kick off the weekend with The Silver Beach Carousel! Enjoy $1 rides during their Family Fun Night "Let's Flamingle!" from 4:00-8:30pm. FREE hourly drawings for bendable Flamingos and funky pink Drink Cups for ages 3-13.
Love fresh oyster? Head over to Silver Harbor Brewing as they host Oyster Night from 6:00-10:00pm! Attendees will enjoy the freshest oysters SHBC could find, hand crafted specialty sauces and live shucking with varieties from the East and West coasts.
Trivia lovers unite! Sister Lakes Brewing hosts their Team Trivia every THursday night from 7:00-9:00pm. The Buck Burgers & Brew hosts Soundcheck Music Match Bingo weekly on Thursdays at 7:00pm.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31
Ice Carvers begin revving their chainsaws for the Individual Competition on Friday at 5:30pm. Along Pleasant Street blocks of ice will be transformed into all sorts of awesome. The carvers will finish their icy creations at 7:30pm, when the attention turns to warming up...
At 7:30pm, guests are in for a treat with a downtown Fire & Ice Tower. To make this happen, a large tower of ice is packed with firewood. We light it, and it becomes a unique site for all - a breathtaking bonfire (a little bit of ice and fire magic).
Things heat up below the bluff at the Fire & Ice Party held at Shadowland on Silver Beach. This event begins at 8:00pm and goes until midnight, and features an ice martini luge and dance performance with literal flames! Guests 18 and older are welcome. A $10 ticket covers entry, pizza from Silver Beach Pizza, Zick's Sticks and entertainment. Bring cash for drinks!
INSIDER TIP: This event sell out, get your ticket early!
The Livery hosts Toxic Trivia, an adult themed version of their popular team trivia! Grab some delectable food and tasty brews as you settle in for a night of fun.
Twin City Players presents Savannah Sipping Society, January 31 through February 16. Catch this laugh-a-minute comedy about four unique Southern women all needing to escape the day-to-day routines. Shows will be held on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:00pm.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Ice Teams assemble! The Team Competition for ice carvers begins at 8:00am and State Street will come alive with icy fun. This carving and creating will go on until 4:00pm and involves an epic eight blocks of ice for each sculpture. It's awesome to watch the progress of the teams throughout the day.
The fun continues downtown throughout the day!
For active ice-seekers, start your day off with the 7th Annual Ice Fest Chocolate 5k Walk/Run, beginning at 9:00am! This timed run is the perfect way to explore downtown St. Joseph (and warm up a little, too!).
After your run, challenge your friends and family to the Frozen Fish Toss, Ice Bowling or NEW for 2020 - Frosty Tic-Tac-Toe! For just $1, toss three frozen fish at a cornhole board or $1 for two tries to knock down 10 pins, or $1 for game of tic-tac-toe. All three interactives are open from 11:00am-4:00pm.
If you're look for a toastier fun, there's a lot for families to do indoors. Bring your flip-flops for a Hula-Hoopla below the bluff at the Silver Beach Carousel! It's Waikiki Weekend at the Silver Beach Center. The spin of the carousel evokes balmy breezes for riders, and there's even a free hula show at both 1:30pm and 3:00pm.
Above the bluff, it's a great time to explore our shops and restaurants. From unique Michigan-made goods to kitchen essentials to boutique clothing to handcrafted treats, there's something for everyone in downtown St. Joe!
Catch the Magic Tour (putting the "Magical" in Ice Fest!) throughout downtown St. Joseph on Saturday, too. John Dudley will be at the St. Joseph Library at 11:30am, outside St. Joseph Today at 1:00pm, at Curious Kids' Museum at 2:30pm and at Shadowland on Silver Beach at 4:00pm! All shows are free.
INSIDER TIP: Curious Kids' Museum hosts their weekly
Super Saturday, this week's theme "Magical Ice Fest".
Attendees can enjoy winter themed crafts before and
after the magic show!
Take the Berrien County Polar Plunge Saturday afternoon at Watermark Brewing in Stevensville, MI. Plungers will jump into a pool of ice cold water to raise funds for Special Olympics Michigan. Registration begins at Noon followed by the plunge at Noon!
To round out the day, an event not to be missed is Ice Wars. This exciting competition is located at State and Pleasant Streets and kicks off at 4:30pm. Ice Wars features pro-carvers dueling it out in 15 minute bouts of ice-carving chaos, judged by the crowd. Chainsaws and a crowd vote - what could be better?!
INSIDER TIP: Arrive on the scene early as this event gets
packed and those up front will have the best views.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2
If cold conditions remin through the weekend, Sunday offers a great opportunity to enjoy downtown St. Joseph and all the sculptures created during the festival. Many stores and restaurants will be offering the perfect place to warm up while enjoying the icy art. (Great way to get out before Super Bowl activities start later in the day)
INSIDER TIP: There's still time to complete the SnowBiz Scavenger
Hunt, so swing by the Welcome Center to pick up a form and
drop it off at the Welcome Center by 5:00pm!
Tapistry Brewing in Bridgman, MI hosts their annual Chili Cook-Off and Super Bowl Watch Party from 5:00-11:00pm! $5 suggested donation for a tasting bowl and one ticket to vote for your favorite. All proceeds benefit the Humane Society.
Bowling fans will have the chance to show off their skills during Kelley's Bowl Super Bowl Trios Bowling Tournament from Noon-3:00pm! Entries sell quickly so make sure to reserve your spot today.
Join Lazy Ballerina Winery for their 5th Annual Wine & Girl Scout Cookie Pairing from Noon-4:00pm. Enjoy four different classic Girl Scout cookies paired with four different Lazy Ballerina wines! Open to the public; no reservations required but please note there are limited quantities.
INSIDER TIP: The Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana
will be onsite selling cookies all day long - while supplies last!
Southwest Michigan offers some great opportunities to see live music at local wineries, breweries and coffee shops! Check out these spots for live music this Sunday:
Dablon Winery - Mark Ficks from 2:30-5:30pm
Forté Coffee - Twin City String Band at 3:00pm
Vineyard 2121 - The Backsliders at 2:00pm
We hope you find all the frosty fun this weekend! Learn more about upcoming events in Southwest Michigan at stjoetoday.com/events or follow St. Jospeh Today on Facebook.
