Page 5 - ICE2024

Page 5

Crowd favorites return to 42nd Ice Festival

The 2024 Plymouth Ice Festival, pre- this year unless Mother Nature doesn't
sented by Michigan First Credit Union, The weather is ” cooperate. “The weather is always the
will transform downtown Plymouth into biggest factor,” Gietzen said. “We don't
a winter wonderland Feb. 2, 3 and 4. This want it to be too cold but we don't want
year, Michigan First Credit Union will be always the rain or warmer temperatures either.”
the presenting sponsor of the event biggest factor. Warmer temperatures mean melting ice
which annually draws nearly 20,000 visi- which can ruin the sculptures, he noted.
tors into downtown Plymouth. Gietzen and his company have had
Highlights of the event this year will, years of experience with the festival and
as always, feature spectacular ice sculp- Run to be one of the most popular events unpredictable weather. He and his crew
tures. Producer James Gietzen of JAG at the festival along with the Family have had to find awnings to shield the
Entertainment said smaller sculptures Petting Zoo. Gietzen said the Tubing Run sculptures from unexpected rain and
will be displayed at local businesses is back by popular demand and is sure to have had to watch as the artwork melted
while the larger artworks will be attract crowds while the Petting Zoo is during unseasonably warm tempera-
installed at Kellogg Park. There will be always one of the most popular attrac- tures. Those were the exceptions,
more than 60 sculptures on exhibit this tions at the event. Gietzen said. “The festival gives people
year, he said. Gietzen said he expects a record
Gietzen said he expects the Tubing crowd at the 42nd Plymouth Ice Festival See Favorites, page 6