Fire & Ice Fest is a 'partial' go with ice sculptures, fireworks

The 2012 Fire & Ice Fest in Rochester will go on with a scaled-down version of the annual winter event due to unseasonably mild weather forecast. The festival will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25. This year's Fire & Ice Fest will feature ice sculptures with a Hollywood theme on Main Street, a fireworks show, plenty of downtown Rochester shopping and great eats at downtown Rochester restaurants. The fireworks show is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday, February 24. To view the fireworks, festival goers should gather in the Farmer's Market lot at Third and Water streets. In addition, the City of Rochester Fire Department will hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to benefit the Rochester Area Youth Assistance from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, at the main fire station, 277 East Second Street. Admission is $9 for adults, $4 for kids. Rochester Lions Club will host a warming tent with coffee, hot cocoa, marshmallows and s'mores kits at Third and Main streets during the festival. "This year's Fire & Ice Fest remains a great family destination," said Fire & Ice Committee Chairman J. David VanderVeen. "The ice sculptures and fireworks show will be visually appealing while offering families an opportunity to get out in the fresh air, walk around, and enjoy what downtown Rochester has to offer." All outdoor winter activities such as dog sledding, ice skating and tubing will be unavailable because there is expected to be mild temperatures with no snow on the ground. For additional information on Fire & Ice, go to www.DestinationOakland.com, and enter the key words "Fire & Ice" in the search bar. Fire & Ice is a collaboration of Oakland County, Oakland County Parks, the Rochester DDA, the City of Rochester and the City of Rochester Hills. Published: Mon, Feb 20, 2012