On February 4th – 6th, South Haven will sparkle and shimmer during the 28th Annual Ice Breaker Festival, showcasing ice sculptures, a cardboard sled race, frozen fish fling, glow skate party at the ice rink, and so much more. This event is brought to you by the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce.
A multitude of winter activities will fill the streets of downtown, beginning Friday, February 4th, with all-day Winter Disc Golf on 14th Avenue, ice skating at the public ice rink from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and a Snowsuit Fashion Contest at 7 p.m. at the South Haven Brewpub on Williams Street.
The Pub Slide also commences on Friday and lasts all weekend, featuring six different restaurants and venues that will be offering food, drink, and entertainment specials. The South Haven Brewpub, Moose Lodge Family Center, Black River Tavern, VFW Post #667, New Holland Spirits South Haven Tasting Room, and American Legion Post #49 will provide plenty of opportunities to imbibe, warm up, and dine during the Ice Breaker Festival.
Bright and early Saturday morning, gaze in awe as the ice sculpting begins at 7 a.m., where more than forty blocks of ice, each weighing 300 – 600 pounds, are crafted into frozen art right before your eyes. Stroll down to the ice rink and learn how to Curl, for $15 per person, from 9 a.m. until Noon, and ‘Break the Ice’ during the 5K run/walk at 10 a.m.
The Living Room Cafe Warming Station will be available from 8am – 3pm, at 520 Phoenix Street, where you can purchase hot cocoa, frappes, and smoothies, and the Boy Scouts ‘heat the streets’ with three fire pits and s’mores roasting fundraiser near Clementine’s at Phoenix and Center streets.
Complimentary horse-drawn wagon rides will be available from 12pm – 4pm, at the South Haven Banking Center, and a Park & Ride Free Shuttle offers easy transport from two different locations downtown.
The Chili Cook Off begins at Noon, and there are fifteen participating restaurants giving out chili samples this year! Judging the cook-off is free, and easy voting can be done from your smartphone.
Make your way to the South Marina for the Frozen Fish Fling at 12pm, and for the ticket price of $5 per adult and $1 per child, compete for a chance to win cash – the farthest flung fish reels in the big bucks. Funds raised from this event support the Blueberry Festival.
From 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., register your Cardboard Sled for the race that begins promptly at 3:30, at the Lighthouse Keepers Sledding Hill on Michigan Avenue. This family-friendly race is always a huge hit, so don’t be late!
As the sun begins to set, head to the ice rink on Phoenix Street for the Glow Skate Party that takes place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Regular skate fees apply, and admission includes one free glowstick. Fill your weekend with frosty fun, as you skate, dance, and glimmer the night away.
This momentous South Haven festival helps many local non-profit organizations raise funds for the current year’s events and programming, and would not be possible without the many sponsors, businesses, and patrons that make this festival happen.
For a complete list of events, activities, and participants, please visit southhavenmi.com for more information.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM contributor
