Ice festival in Plymouth, Shiver on the River in Detroit: 5 things to do this weekend

Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press
·2 min read

Bundle up and enjoy the fun at these outdoor events around the region this weekend. Warming areas are available at each event, offering a break from the cold temperatures in the forecast.

Here are some things to do for the weekend of Feb. 3:

Plymouth Ice Festival

Enjoy sidewalks lined with more than 50 ice carvings in front of merchants and restaurants in downtown Plymouth. There will also be The Hot Spot, an area with local vendors, drinks, face painting and a place to warm up; a petting farm with pony rides from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; live music, the Nom Nom Ninja food truck, games and more.

Ice sculpture in front of a business in downtown Plymouth.
Ice sculpture in front of a business in downtown Plymouth.

Two more warming stations have been added — one at the Plymouth Arts and Recreation Complex (PARC) and the other at United Way, open from 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with hot beverages and snacks.

5-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m-6 p.m. Sunday in downtown Plymouth.

Shiver on the River

An eco fair event hosted by Friends of the Detroit River and the Detroit Historical Society will offer learning experiences from local environmental organizations at this winter celebration of natural resources.

Caricature artist Bob Anderson of Pleasant Ridge draws Zarek Ludeman, 17, of Warren, during Shiver on the River at the Belle Isle Casino in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, February 1, 2020.
Caricature artist Bob Anderson of Pleasant Ridge draws Zarek Ludeman, 17, of Warren, during Shiver on the River at the Belle Isle Casino in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, February 1, 2020.

There will also be a free caricature drawing and magic show.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, 100 The Strand in Detroit. No registration is required. Free.

Downtown Trenton Winterfest

This downriver winter celebration will include ice sculptures, vendors, food and more. Live entertainment and beer tents will be open until 11 p.m.

Blockhouse Valley will perform at Downtown Trenton Winterfest.
Blockhouse Valley will perform at Downtown Trenton Winterfest.

The music schedule includes Glencoe, Blockhouse Valley, Steve Washburn & Friends, Nate Jones, AJ Lynn, Steve Burgett and Wisteria Acoustic Duo.

All proceeds from beer sales, from the main tent at the corner of West and Jefferson, go to the Downriver for Veterans organization.

4-8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday in downtown Trenton off of Jefferson.

Winter Carnival – Bear Creek Nature Park

This annual celebration sponsored by the Oakland Township Parks and Recreation Commission will include magic tricks by Magic Joe and an interactive puppet show in the show tent, live ice carving demonstrations, skating on the outdoor ice rink, games, a warming tent, hot cocoa and more treats from The D Loft Café.

Noon-4 p.m. Saturday at Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 West Snell in Rochester. All parking at Rochester Christian Church, 4435 Rochester in Rochester, where there will be free parking and shuttle services. Free admission.

Berkley Winterfest

Sisters Madelyn Johnson, 9, left, and Caroline, 6, from Berkley get up close with an ice sculpture at Berkley WinterFest.
Sisters Madelyn Johnson, 9, left, and Caroline, 6, from Berkley get up close with an ice sculpture at Berkley WinterFest.

This free annual event held outdoors has been moved from Saturday to Sunday due to very cold temperatures in the forecast for Saturday. The event will include ice sculptures, a petting farm, bounce houses, games, warming areas and more.

Noon-2 p.m. Sunday at the Berkley Community Center, 2400 Robina in Berkley. Free.

Brendel Hightower is an assistant editor at the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bhightower@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Shiver on the River, Plymouth ice fest: 5 things to do this weekend