Sculpture from a past Ice and Fire Festival
Ice, ice, baby is coming to the Burg this weekend.
The city will showcase 55 carved ice sculptures at locations around the city, including City Island, downtown, Midtown, Italian Lake, Shipoke and Reservoir Park.
“This year is going to look a little different,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said on Friday during his weekly Facebook Live broadcast. “I think it’s going to be a really wonderful experience.”
Harrisburg officials decided to take the fire out of the annual “Ice & Fire Festival” this year due to COVID-19 and social distancing concerns. But they’re hoping this new event will still spark the public’s interest.
On Friday night, City Island will transform into a drive-through illuminated ice sculpture experience including a live ice carving, characters from the movie “Frozen,” music from Dave McCullough and a Susquehanna Dance Academy performance.
Residents and visitors can view the 55 ice sculptures spread throughout the city on Saturday and Sunday. The Italian Lake duck, man on the moon, Broad Street Market logo, Capitol dome, Shipoke Sheena, dinosaur and carousel horse are just a few of the ice designs that will be featured.
An interactive map of the sculptures is on the city’s website and the community can participate in a scavenger hunt for the chance to win gift cards to Harrisburg businesses.
According to Megan Roby, the city’s director of special events, extending the event over three days will help spread out foot traffic and allow for better social distancing.
“I love that this is going to be widely throughout the city this year,” said Nora Habig, regional president of M&T Bank, a sponsor of the event.
In past years, the “Ice & Fire Festival” included a skating rink, ice slide, fire dancers, performance groups, food trucks and other vendors.
While the city will forgo food trucks this year, al fresco dining, a favorite from this past summer, will return on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. on 2nd Street. Participating restaurants include Arooga’s, Federal Taphouse, JP Lovedrafts Micropub, Stocks on 2nd and Zembie’s.
Downtown, 2nd Street will be closed from Locust to Pine streets on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. for street dining.
Local restaurants and cafés have created specialty cocktails, hot cocoa and coffee beverages around the ice theme. Specials can be found on the city’s website.
Additionally, families can enjoy a free ice painting station at the McCormick Riverfront Library on Saturday and Sunday. The Civic Club of Harrisburg will also offer characters, kids’ games and other activities on Saturday and a photo op “I heart HBG” light display will be available at the City Government Center.
Park Harrisburg is offering $10 daily parking at the Market Square Garage. Street parking is free after 5 p.m. on Saturday in designated downtown areas and free all day on Sunday. Get four hours of free street parking by using the code “LUVHBG” on the Parkmobile app before 5 p.m. on Saturday. City Island will offer free parking, as well as in the Italian Lake at in the parking lots at 3rd and Shamokin streets. In Midtown, there will be free parking in the Greenworks Development #2 and #4 parking lots at Reily & Logan streets and in the Benjamin Franklin Elementary School parking lot at 1205 N 6th St.
M&T Bank, Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, Explore HBG, Capital BlueCross, UPMC, Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District, Commonwealth Charter Academy, the Broad Street Market and Park Harrisburg are sponsors of the event.
“Ice in the Burg” will take place on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. on City Island and at locations around the city on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit https://harrisburgpa.gov/ice/.
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