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Experience Harrisburg's Ice & Fire Festival

Published: Feb 11, 2020
Ice & Fire 2020

Warm up your winter blues at the 3rd annual Ice & Fire Festival in Downtown Harrisburg on Saturday, March 7th from 11am – 8pm with tons of free activities for the whole family!


Ice

The festival will feature dozens of illuminated ice sculptures with Instagram-worthy photo opportunities. Five life-sized ice sculptures, including the opportunity to pose with your favorite ice princess,  will be featured in front of the City Government Center along with dozens of smaller ice sculptures throughout the festival area.

Frozen at HBG's Ice & Fire Festival   Ice Slide at HBG's Ice & Fire Festival

Ice skate on a downtown street or take a thrilling ride down the ice slide – constructed entirely out of large ice blocks! Children and adults alike will be able to experience these ice attractions at no charge, including sled and skate rentals.

Harrisburg's Ice & Fire Skating Rink
 

Fire

If you need a place to warm up during the festival, head to the HB McClure heated seating tent or the firepit lounge! A series of firepits with seating will be placed within the street with a limited number of free smores kits distributed each hour.

The element of fire will come to life with the fire dancer performances in front of the live entertainment stage at 4:30pm and 7:30pm. Local community and school groups will also perform on the live entertainment stage. Performances include choirs, swing choirs, dance groups, jazz bands, percussion ensembles, drum lines and more. Groups will range in age from elementary school level to adult. 

Harrisburg Fire Dancers    Harrisburg Fire Dancers 2
 

Winter Artist Markets & Workshop

There will be an artist market featuring nearly 20 artisans and craftsmen inside the City Government Center throughout the festival. Come ready to shop for one of a kind jewelry, artwork, brooms, home décor, bath and body products and more. The HBG Flea will also be happening in Strawberry Square from 10am – 4pm for attendees to shop more artisan wares.

Those looking for a hands-on art experience can sign up for a DIY glass icicle workshop with Glass Blowing Artist Michael Peluso. The workshops are $30/person and will be held on the hour throughout the festival. Register in advance or walk-up day of (space permitting).

 Glass Blowing at Ice & Fire Festival   Glass Blowing at HBG's Ice & Fire Festival
 

Food & Drink

Grab your foodie guide and get ready to grub! Nearly double the food trucks will be rolling in to the festival food court this year to serve a wide variety of menu items including burritos, stuffed waffles, cheesesteaks, brick oven pizza, gourmet burgers, stuffed bread cones, BBQ and more. Festival favorites such as cotton candy, funnel cakes and kettle corn will also be available.

The cocktail crawl will also be returning with specialty themed cocktails for $7 that will be sure to warm you up! Check the festival map for a list of drinks and participating locations.

New to the festival this year is Urban Churn’s Frozen Inferno Ice Cream Eating Contest. This flavor will incorporate chocolate hot sauce from Hot Heads that contains the hottest pepper in the world, the Carolina Reaper. This is not a competition of who can finish their ice cream first, but merely if one can even finish their bowl! If you are interested in participating, stop by their registration table near the stage between 11am-1:30pm to claim one of the 12 spaces available. The winner(s) will receive a loaded prize pack and bragging rights.

Ice Sculpture at HBG's Ice & Fire Festival   Ice Throne at HBG's Ice & Fire Festival
For a copy of the event program and map, visit: http://harrisburgpa.gov/iceandfire/

Author: Megan Roby

Director of Special Events, City of Harrisburg