Holiday Ice and Winterfest Market Dec 7, 8 & 9
(DDA Press Release, Dec. 5, 2012)
Downtown Ferndale will be rockin’ out the holidays all month long and especially so the weekend of December 7, 8 & 9 when it hosts a huge holiday happening – Holiday Ice & Winterfest Market.
The three day festival is presented by MotorCity Casino Hotel, supported by Downtown Ferndale businesses and promoted by the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority.
The 12th Annual Holiday Ice & Winterfest Market offers FREE holiday fun including photos with Santa, visits with live reindeer, live ice carving demonstrations, a sky high ferris wheel and a down – to – earth hayride. A full line – up of holiday entertainment, a greens and holiday craft market housed under the big top add to the festivities.
A highlight of the event is the 50+ “Masterpieces in Ice”, sculpted by World Champion Carver Tajana Raukar. Ms. Raukar will be at Holiday Ice to demonstrate her skills and create a masterpiece of her choosing in the Woodward & Nine Mile median at 1 pm on Saturday, Dec. 8.
The “Masterpieces in Ice” include frozen renditions of renowned art and artists of every kind, from The Thinker to Mt. Rushmore to Johnny Cash and his guitar. The theme also complements Downtown Ferndale’s ongoing ARTWN campaign which is dedicated to promoting the district’s creative culture.
“Watching Tajana Raukar work is an inspiring experience and very much in the ilk of what happens in Downtown Ferndale, everyday and especially during the holidays,” said Cristina Sheppard – Decius, DDA Executive Director. “Holiday Ice & Winterfest Market is an opportunity to really enjoy our creative culture by partaking in the event , as well as visiting our many independent retailers, restaurants and businesses.”
Holiday Ice and Winterfest Market hours are from 6 – 9 pm, Friday, Dec. 7; 10 am to 9 pm, Saturday, Dec. 8 ; and noon to 5 pm, Sunday, Dec. 9 th .
The event “officially” launches at 7 pm, Dec. 7 with the lighting of the Woodward Avenue Tree at Woodward & Nine Mile. Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter will lead the lighting while special guest Metalliclaus and the Ferndale High School Marching Band will each bring their own brand of fun to the festivities.
Santa will be available for talk time and FREE photos Saturday ONLY from 10 am – noon and 2 – 4 pm. He will be stationed at the North Pole at Schiffer Park at Planavon and West Nine Mile Rd.
Also at the North Pole on Saturday only, will be live reindeer and hayride boarding. A favorite Downtown Ferndale tradition , “Lunch With Santa,” happens from noon to 1:30 pm at Buffalo Wild Wings. Cost is $5 for children 12 and under, $7 for adults.
The ferris wheel, holiday stage show and the Winterfest Market, including a greens market, will be open all three days with special impromptu visits from Santa on Sunday on East Nine Mile Road and throughout the downtown.
The Ferndale DDA developed Holiday Ice & Winterfest Market to provide a hometown holiday experience for residents, neighbors and friends. District businesses embrace the event by sponsoring ice sculptures placed at their doorstep.
In addition to MotorCity Casino Hotel as the presenting sponsor, support comes through partnerships with Ferndale businesses including Gage Products, Credit Union One, Giffels & Webster Engineers, Suburban Buick GMC, Rosie O’Grady’s, One – Eyed Betty’s and Buffalo Wild Wings.
For additional details on Holiday Ice & Winterfest Market, please visit www.downtownferndale.com or find the event on facebook via Downtown Ferndale.