News File Photo A carver from Ice Creations works on an ice sculpture at the 2023 Alpena Ice Fest.

ALPENA — As January comes to a close, the next big celebration Alpena residents can look forward to is the annual Alpena Ice Festival on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Anne Gentry, Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) executive director, explained that the annual Alpena Ice Festival is a variation of the Alpena Winter Carnival which once included events such as speed skating. She said that after the COVID-19 pandemic, Thunder Bay Arts revived the event.

“It’s a big day for our downtown in these winter months,” Gentry said. “I think in the winter months, it can be slow downtown.”

She added that the festival is “a great opportunity for people to bundle up and come out and enjoy some winter activities.”

Gentry said she also believes events downtown are prime opportunities to run into old friends or make new ones while also viewing ice sculptures sponsored by businesses.

She explained that ice sculptures featured at the festival are carved by artists who are part of Ice Creations, a company out of Ohio, which commissions artists for ice artwork. Artists will carve the sculptures in Ohio and they will be shipped to Alpena in refrigerated trucks.

Gentry said that festivities will kick off at 9 a.m. for the Alpena Farmers Market at Mich-e-ke-wis Park.

There, multiple vendors will be selling baked goods, artisan gifts, hot chocolate, coffee, popcorn, and festival swag.

More events are scheduled to follow:

Activities at Mich-e-ke-wis Park

From 11 am to 2 pm, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a bonfire, courtesy of the City of Alpena Fire Department, winter activities (such as sledding, horse and wagon rides, and sled dog meet-and-greets), ice sculptures, live carving from ice artists, and a food truck.

Sculptures are courtesy of Ice Creations and will include student artwork from Alpena Public Schools.

Polar Plunge on Second Ave

During the day, event attendees should visit Second Avenue to help raise funds for the Special Olympics of Michigan with the annual Polar Plunge.

Registration takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. at Bay Urban and a “Pre-Plunge Gathering” will take place prior to the event at Rusty Petunias Marketplace.

The plunge will take place in a large pool at the intersection of Second Avenue and River Street.

Those interested in participating in the event should register at classy.org/event/alpena-polar-plunge-2026/e732778.

Water and Limestone’ sculpture dedication at Culligan Plaza

Thunder Bay Arts will host a dedication ceremony of Alpena’s newest sculpture, “Water and Limestone,” created by artist Autumn Bildson, at 4:30 p.m. The sculpture is located at Culligan Plaza, next to the parking lot entrance on Washington Avenue.

[strong]Fire & Ice Downtown[strong]

Attendees are invited to explore the ice sculptures on display downtown Alpena from ​5 to 8 p.m.

Themed drinks from downtown bars and taprooms will be available for purchase. At 6:30 p.m DDA representatives will light a “fire and ice” sculpture in front of Red Brick Tap & Barrel.

This sculpture is sponsored by Wolverine State Credit Union.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.