This Indiana Ice Festival Will Make Winter Your Favorite Season
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published January 04, 2019
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
Living in Indiana gives you the opportunity to experience each and every season to the fullest. During the cold months, it may seem like there is less to do, but festivals are still happening all around. In fact, there’s a winter ice festival taking place later this month, and it’ll definitely change how you feel about the cold and snow. Ice sculptures, hot cocoa, chili, and live entertainment abound at this annual event. Check it out:
Editor’s note: Please note that the photos are from a previous year’s event. View the Richmond Meltdown website for information regarding this annual festival!
Taking place January 24-27, Richmond Meltdown is an annual winter ice festival that features some of the best carvers from all over the world. This exciting weekend includes contests, cook-offs, meet-and-greets, as well as many unique displays.
It all begins with the chili cook-off on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Taking place at the library, the event's proceeds will be donated to charity. There will also be a special Fire and Ice show that night at 7 p.m. at the Jack Elstro Plaza.
The fire show takes place on Friday as well. This is also the day of the Big Reveal when carvers work together to create something massive. Friday is also the first day for the interactive play zone that is completely made of ice.
Have your camera ready to enjoy the magical play zone at this winter ice festival. It features a wealth of different structures you can touch and sit on, and it is available through Sunday.
Saturday comes with its own schedule of events as well. Free hot cocoa will be available at Hayes Arboretum for nature lovers. Live music begins at 3 p.m. with the last band taking stage at 6:30 p.m. There will also be crafts and games for kids as well as a magical snowflake walk.
The final competition takes place on Saturday as well. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., sculptures will battle by ice, and the audience gets to choose the winner.
Additional activities taking place throughout the week include pub craws, a coloring contest, and Lego competitions. Kids of all ages can't get enough of this annual downtown Richmond event.
