N-I-C-E festival set for Jan. 30-Feb. 1

In just a few days, professional ice carvers plan to return to Wayne County and dazzle residents and visitors with their unique creations. 

Volunteers are again organizing the Meltdown Winter Ice Festival in downtown Richmond from Thursday, Jan. 30, through Saturday, Feb. 1. They’re offering several family friendly activities at or near Elstro Plaza, 47 N. Sixth St., and community partners are planning additional events throughout the weekend.

A few of the events have new dates, locations or costs compared to previous years, so it’s important to check the schedule for details when making plans. 

Weather conditions will determine when the carvers’ works are displayed at the plaza, on bookend corners of downtown’s East Main (Fifth and Tenth streets). A couple might be placed near the historic depot (900 N. E St.) and the 100 block of Fort Wayne Avenue. 

If it’s cold, a few sculptures might be out as early as Wednesday, but they definitely will be visible Saturday, according to committee member Ed De La Paz. Last year’s conditions were warm and even included rain on the final evening.   

The carvers, most of whom have been part of Richmond’s event since its 2014 debut or shortly thereafter, will use chain saws and chisels to transform more than 20,000 pounds of ice into sculptures of various shapes for public viewing. Carvers’ biographies are posted at richmondmeltdown.com. 

The artists, many of whom attended culinary schools and have competed at world ice championships, enjoy interacting with festival guests and describing their work.  

Previous sculptures have ranged from “Star Wars” characters to a seahorse and a jazz band.

Hands-on game stations and sculptures designed for photo opportunities usually can be found at Elstro Plaza too.

Downtown businesses encourage visitors to stop in to get warm, browse, and find snacks or meals throughout the weekend.  

The weekend’s finale, Meltdown Throwdown, pits two teams of carvers against each other during a timed competition on stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. It concludes with fireworks. 

This year’s top-level sponsors include the City of Richmond, Earlham College, Efroymson Family Fund, First Bank Richmond, Reid Health, Stamm Koechlein Family Foundation and Urban Enterprise Association.

Contributions of any amount are encouraged to help defray the festival’s approximately $60,000 cost. Gifts can be made through the website’s “Donate Now” button, or mailed to Main Street Richmond, 818 E. Main St., Richmond, IN 47374.

A new $250 sponsorship opportunity, Frosty Friends, includes swag and perks such as having their picture shown on a big screen before and after the Throwdown.