Join us February 5-7 for the annual Magical Ice Fest sponsored by Silver Beach Pizza to celebrate the winter season! It’s a weekend that brings frosty fun to downtown St. Joe. Enjoy professional Ice Carving Competitions, a SnowBiz Scavenger Hunt, Ice Interactives and more!
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Ice carvers begin revving their chainsaws for the Professional Individual Carving Competition, presented by Caffe Tosi, on Friday at 5:00pm. Along Pleasant Street blocks of ice will be transformed into all sorts of awesome. The carvers will finish their icy creations at 8:00pm.
All weekend long, Ice Fest attendees can explore downtown with the SnowBiz Scavenger Hunt, sponsored by Berrien Community Foundation. Start the search by picking up a map from the St. Joe Today Welcome Center, located at 301 State Street! The SnowBiz Scavenger Hunt is fun for all ages and has its rewards too - turn in the form at the end for a chance to win a St. Joseph Gift Certificate good at 80+ locations.
While you’re downtown, stroll Light up the Bluff (now through February 14) in Lake Bluff Park! This local park is transformed into a winter wonderland, featuring 1 million holiday lights. Grab a hot chocolate and continue your stroll through downtown St. Joseph to take in the new winter lights! The winter lights have been placed downtown along State St. (from Elm St. to Ship St.) as well as Broad St. and Ship St. (Lake Blvd. to Main St.) and Pleasant St. (Lake Blvd. to Court St.) and will remain up through February in conjunction with Light up the Bluff.
Sarett Nature Center hosts Owl Prowl from 7:00pm-8:30pm! Join Sarett naturalists to learn about owls and different owl calls before going out on the trails to listen and call for owls. Space is limited, call (269) 927 4832 to register.
INSIDER TIP: Check out their second Owl Prowl event on Saturday, February 20!
Join JLN Studio for a Heart Painting Class from 6:00pm-9:00pm! Price includes all painting supplies, instruction, lite snacks, water and coffee. All experience levels welcome!
INSIDER TIP: Check out more upcoming classes in February!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Ice teams assemble! The Professional Team Carving Competition begins at 7:30am and State Street will come alive with icy fun. This carving and creating will go on until 4:30pm and involves epic eight blocks of ice for each sculpture. It's awesome to watch the progress of the teams throughout the day.
For active ice-seekers, start your day off with the annual Ice Fest 5K Chocolate Run/Walk, hosted by Sunset Coast Striders, beginning at 9:00am! This timed run is the perfect way to explore downtown St. Joseph (and warm up a little, too!). For more information on the race and how to register click here!
After your run, challenge your friends and family to the Frozen Fish Toss, sponsored by The Livery, and Frosty Tic-Tac-Toe, sponsored by BIGGBY Coffee of St. Joseph and Zoup! of St. Joseph! Both interactives will be located outside of the Welcome Center and are open from 11:00am-4:00pm.
It’s a great time to EAT, SHOP, STAY, PLAY in Michigan’s Great Southwest! From unique Michigan-made goods to kitchen essentials to boutique clothing to handcrafted treats and delicious brews, there's something for everyone.
INSIDER TIP: Countdown to Summer with SWMI businesses and restaurants for a chance
to win weekly prizes! To enter, spend$25 (one time or cumulative purchases) at any
SJT member business and turn in your receipts at the Welcome Center for one entry!
Every $25 spent = one entry. Earn double entries for purchases during Ice Fest Weekend!
Visit stjoetoday.com/countdown for more info!
Waterfront Framing & Design hosts a Valentine’s Day Gift Pop-Up Market from 10:00am-3:00pm! Check out four local artisans and their Valentine’s Day themed gifts.
Get crafty with The Turquoise Top Hat! Sign up for their class this Saturday, Wood Flower Heart Pallet Signs, from 10:00am-12:30pm.
INSIDER TIP: Visit turquoisetophat.com for a complete
class schedule or to order take home craft kits!
Urban Garage Market hosts two classes this weekend - Intro to Modern Calligraphy on Saturday from 11:00am-1:00pm and Chunky Knit Blanket on Sunday from 11:00am-1:00pm!
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7
If cold conditions remain through the weekend, Sunday offers a great opportunity to enjoy downtown St. Joe and all the sculptures created during the festival. Many stores and restaurants will be open offering the perfect place to warm up while enjoying the icy art. (Great way to get out before Super Bowl activities start later in the day).
INSIDER TIP: There's still time to complete the SnowBiz Scavenger
Hunt, so swing by the Welcome Center to pick up a form and
drop it off by 5:00pm!
We hope you find all the frosty fun this weekend! ❄️
