Superior prepares for annual ice festival

"A lot of what we have going on is very similar to last year, but we're working hard to enhance what we can and make it bigger and better," said Nikky Farmakes, director of marketing and social media for the Superior-Douglas County Chamber of Commerce.

Open ice skating and the Enbridge/United Piping Inc. snow slide will be available beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, and continuing all weekend during festival hours.

Currently under construction along East Second Street, the slide will take about 160 hours to build. More than 60 Enbridge and United Piping Inc. staff, family members and friends will volunteer to assist sledders during the festival. It's available to both the young and the young at heart. Nylon and plastic sleds will be available, although visitors can bring their own.

The ice sculptures and ice orb 365 art installation will be open for viewing all weekend, as well. Orb donations will be taken Thursday, Jan. 25, at Barker's Island.

The second annual Guns 'n' Hoses Hockey Game between the Superior police and fire departments takes place at 7 p.m. Jan. 26.

Hockey action will take place all next weekend during the three-day Great Lakes Pond Hockey Classic. Enjoy motorcycle and stock car ice racing from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 27. A craft fair runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at Barker's Island Inn.

Children are the focus of events Jan. 27. They can watch ice sculptors in action and try it themselves during demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Kids Zone will be open from noon to 3 p.m. at the Estuarium. It will host indoor activities including scavenger hunts, cookie decorating, a photo booth and crafts. Live music and the chance to meet roaming ice princesses will be offered outside.

New this year, Sterling Silver Studio will perform a fire-twirling show from 3-5 p.m. Jan. 27, followed by the Duluth Figure Skating Club from 7-7:30 p.m. and fireworks at 7:30 p.m.

Free transportation to the event is provided by the Superior Business Improvement District Trolley on Jan. 26 and Jan. 27. The trolley will make a constant loop between the festival, Vintage Italian Pizza at 1201 Tower Ave. and Belknap Plaza, 130 Belknap St. Hay bale shuttles will provide transportation around the festival grounds.

Visit lakesuperioricefestival.com or the Lake Superior Ice Festival Facebook page for more information and a full schedule of events.