St. Joseph Mich. is renowned as a four-season water wonderland with Lake Michigan and nearby rivers and inland lakes. But this time of year the city’s focus turns to frozen water during the 2024 Ice Fest presented by Silver Beach Pizza, February 2-4. Ice competitions, a Scavenger Hunt and Ice Interactives are just some of the reasons to bring family and friends to this frosty, fun-filled weekend.
Daniele Crevier, events and operations manager at St. Joe Today, summed it up, “If you need a cure for the winter blues, this is it!” She added that local hotels turn it into a great mid-winter getaway for families with children or a romantic pre-Valentine weekend for couples.
The winter festivities start Friday with the Professional Individual Carving Competition, presented by Caffe Tosi, along Pleasant St. from 5:00p-8:00p. Watch as carvers magically turn frozen blocks of ice into works of art. As the ice carving wraps up that evening, attendees will enjoy the glimmer and glow of the Fire & Ice Tower, presented by Tru by Hilton, at 8:00p on the corner of State and Pleasant Streets.
All weekend long, visitors can participate in the Scavenger Hunt. Stop in the St. Joe Today Welcome Center, 301 State St., to grab a map and start the frosty fun! Completing the hunt puts participants in the running for a $25 St. Joe Today gift certificate.
The fun continues Saturday with the Professional Team Carving Competition along State St. from 7:30a-4:00p. Watch as teams of two transform eight blocks of ice into amazing creations.
Attendees will also enjoy Ice Interactives on Saturday from 11:00a-4:00p. Fan favorites will be featured – Frozen Fish Toss, Ice Tic-Tac-Toe presented by SWMI Brew Tours, Ice Bowling, Hole in One Putt Putt Golf presented by KitchenAid Senior PGA, Ice Skee Ball presented by BOSS Services and the Magical Ice Throne presented by NOBO. Additional Saturday fun includes the Magic Tour with magician John Dudley. Magic Tour stops include 1:00p Downtown St. Joseph (Corner of State & Pleasant Streets), 2:30p and 4:00p at the Silver Beach Center.
This year’s event and interactive sponsors include Silver Beach Pizza, Beaudoin Electrical Construction, The Boulevard Inn & Bistro, BOSS Services, Caffe Tosi, Honor Credit Union, KitchenAid Senior PGA, NOBO, Schultz Roofing, Silver Harbor Brewing, Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council, SWMI Brew Tours, Tru by Hilton and Mid-West Family Broadcasting. This year’s block sponsors include Beaudoin Electrical, BOSS Services, Caffe Tosi, Cressy & Everett Real Estate, Dad’s Farm & Cafe, Forté Coffee, Freedom Plasma, Fully Alive Chiropractic, G&M Variety, Gallery on the Alley, Glik’s, HarborTown Interiors, Honor Credit Union, Kilwins, Kotz Sangster, Lee & Birch, Michigan Pizza Hut, Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Olive Cart, Peat’s Cider Social, Pier 1000, Rested Pillow, Schu’s/Tim’s Too, Schultz Roofing, Silver Beach Carousel, Silver Beach Pizza, Silver Harbor Brewing, South Bend International Airport, South Shore Health & Racquet Club, Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council, St. Joe Community Taproom, St. Joe Wine Shoppe, Stadium Dental, Sturgis Bank, The Boulevard Inn & Bistro, The Buck Burgers & Brew, The Cheese Lady, The Mark III Grille & Bar, The Tea Annex/Wild Ginger, Tom & Judy Gawlik, Tru by Hilton, Wanderlust Outfitters and White Pine Winery.
For a complete weekend schedule visit stjoetoday.com/icefest.
Catch these upcoming St. Joe Today events:
Chili Tour: January 26 (5:00p-8:00p)
Ice Fest: February 2-4 (All Weekend)
March Mannequins: March 8 (7:00p-8:30p)
Spring Artisan Fair: March 9 (11:00a-4:00p)
Antiques on the Bluff: First Sunday of the Month, May-October (10:00a-5:00p)
St. Joe Farmers Market: Saturdays, May 25-October 12 (9:00a-2:00p)
Lake Bluff Artisan Fair: June 1, July 20, August 17, August 31 (10:00a-5:00p)
St. Joe Today is a 501(c)(3) membership-based organization dedicated to developing and promoting events and businesses in St. Joseph, Michigan and its surrounding communities. For more information about upcoming events and details call St. Joe Today at (269) 985 1111 or visit stjoetoday.com.
