Downtown hosts Ice Sculpture Festival this weekend

With the weather expected to be in the low-to-mid 30 degree temperatures this weekend, visitors to downtown Tecumseh will have good conditions to enjoy the seventh annual Tecumseh Ice Sculpture Festival on Saturday, Jan. 23 and Sunday, Jan. 24. Sponsored by Evans Street Station and Tecumseh’s Central Business Association, the two-day event is designed for families to have fun together during the cold days of January.

Dueling carvers, sponsored by Republic Services, will create 6 ice sculptures downtown, with an additional 24 sculptures by Ice Creations, of Napoleon. Activities on Saturday are planned from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There will be three ice sculpture carving competitions during the afternoon at times determined by the sculptors.

The Tecumseh Kiwanis Club is sponsoring an ice hockey table interactive activity. Kids can create a make-it take-it craft sponsored by Community Arts of Tecumseh (CAT) at the Tecumseh Chamber office.

A “mountain” of snow has been formed by the city’s street department for a Kids Sledding Activity in the southeast parking lot. Participants should bring their own sleds.

Martin’s Home Center presents live music with Dale Chadderdon on saxophone from 2 to 3 p.m. A putt-putt golf interactive activity is sponsored by Tecumseh Arbor of Gleaner Life Insurance Society.

Sunday hours are noon to 4 p.m. A chocolate walk is planned for the day with the downtown merchants. The Michigan Stilt Walker will be downtown making balloon animals for the children.

The make-it take-it crafts with CAT is back at the Tecumseh Chamber office, as are the ice hockey table and putt putt interactive activities. Fans of the movie “Frozen” can get a picture with Olaf all weekend long.

Lost arts demonstrations will highlight the work of old world artisans. Demonstrations at the Rooftop Café at the British Pantry highlights antique sock knitting with Beverly Larsen, homespun yarn mittens/hats/ scarves with Martie Lubinski, Danny Bowles’ handwoven scarves and dishtowels, goat milk soaps and lotions by Michele Olson, an exhibit of Civil War books with Ray Lennard, Debbie Rickelmann’s quilted items, and hand-woven baskets by Lenawee Weavers with Nancy Whitford.

Shopping at downtown merchants is another highlight for visitors, as well as enjoying the food available at local restaurants. There will also be a pachinko game in front of the Depot for those feeling lucky.

For more information visit www.downtowntecumseh.com or call 423.6003.