Plymouth Ice Festival
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MotherNature simplywill not negotiate.
And shewon'tmake promises, either.
That's one of the toughest lessons Festival Director James
Geitzen of JAG Entertainment has learned during the past
few years as he plans the annual
Plymouth IceFestival.
“We hope for the best weather
possible, sunshine and the high 30s,
but we just never know,” Geitzen
said.
Geitzen has spent the past six
months in negotiations and plan-
ning sessions, along with Frank
Agostini of E.G. Nick's restaurant, to
ensure the success of the 34th
Annual Ice Festival which usually
brings 75,000 to 100,000 people to
downtown Plymouth during the
weekend.
They have planned and re-
planned and Geitzen spent about a
hundred or so hours on the phone
ensuring that every detail of the dis-
plays, the ice, the activities, the
warming centers and the entertain-
ment were under control. He
admits, however, that he has given up on attempting to
understand or predict what theweatherwill do.
“We had a forecast that it was going to be warm and rain
the whole weekend a few days ago. Then that was changed
to cold temperatures and light snow. We just never know,”
he said.
No matter what the weather does, Geitzen said, visitors
will again see their favorite events like the ice carving chain
saw competitions and the displays throughout Kellogg Park.
Geitzen has added a few twists to keep the event fresh and
entertaining and kept the favorites that attract the crowds
annually.
“There is something for everybody during the weekend,”
Geitzen said. “We have a play area
for kids with interactive displays
sponsored by Kroger, the Ford
Experience displays, the party tent
for the over 21 crowd. We think
everybody is going to have a good
time.”
Geitzen, who also produces the
summer concerts in Kellogg Park
through his company, said that the
Ice Festival is one of his favorite
events because it offers such a
diversity of attractions. He said the
Sun and Snow skiing lessons for
youngsters is always a huge attrac-
tion and that the lessons will take
place even if the snow has to be
manmade.
“We are in negotiations to make
that happen.”
Snow making, however, isn't
inexpensive but may be necessary.
Geitzen said that the expense is evenmore serious since the
Ice Festival is completely funded by donations and sponsor-
ships.
“No taxpayer or city money is ever used. The sponsors
put this event on from start to finish and pay the costs to
keep it free for visitors,” Geitzen explained. That means a
lot of phone calls to local businesses and industries and a lot
See
Festival,
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Cooperative effort
Festival success is tribute to community spirit
