St. Joseph Today - Saint Joseph, Michigan

Click Here for the 2008 Competition Results

2008 Magical Ice Carving Festival

Be sure to mark your calendars for the 4th annual Magical Ice Carving Festival, Friday February 15th through Sunday February 17th in beautiful Downtown St. Joseph. Come to watch the sculptures being carved while enjoying shopping, dining, wine tasting, kids activities and, of course, magic shows! This event is sanctioned by NICA (National Ice Carving Association) who will oversee and judge two professional competitions for originality, artistic quality, technique, detail and design.

Friday night's competition, will feature six large carvings displayed on the corners of State Street and Ship, Pleasant and Broad Streets. This competition will have teams of two professional carvers working with four blocks of ice. Saturday afternoon's competition on Pleasant Street will feature twelve double blocks of ice with a carver for each sculpture. The streets will also display beautiful double block ice sculptures carved by only the best professionals. Visit our downtown merchants for receptions and specials in the shops, restaurants and cafes Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday.

Click Here For a Full
Listing of All the Events

FRIDAY NITE - MAGICAL ICE CARVING FESTIVAL GALA

As a Marquee Sponsor of the Ice Carving Festival, The Boulevard Inn & Bistro will once again hit their “Mark” by kicking off this event with an awesome Ice Party! The Bistro, lobby and library will be transformed to a Magical Winter Wonderland.

Event sponsors will chill in the Library & Lobby from 6:00-9:30 p.m. while a Guitarist makes musical magic from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Ticket holders will get iced in the Bistro from 7:00-9:30 p.m.

Advance tickets are $40 each; $45 at the door, each ticket includes the Hearty Nordic Buffet Selection and 2 drinks. Tickets are limited! Tickets may be purchased at The Boulevard Inn Front Desk or by calling 269-983-6600. All forms of payment will be accepted. Tickets are also available at St. Joseph Today, 120 State Street St. Joseph. Cash and checks only.

Al a carte dining will not be available during this event. The $50 Bistro dinner credit, included in various hotel packages, will admit 2 guests to this event. This is a savings of $30!

Special hotel room rates during this event:
Fri., Feb. 15 - $79 CityView, $99 ParkView with the purchase of 2 Ice Party tickets ($40 each). Fri., Feb.15th or Sat., Feb. 16th - $79 CityView, $99 ParkView for Ice Carvers. Must show proof of festival affiliation, NICA membership, etc.

SATURDAY NITE ICE BREAKER PARTY

Be sure to stop into the St. Joseph Today Welcome Center on Saturday night for the St. Joseph Today Ice Breaker Party!

Guests will enjoy the smooth Sounds of Blues Artist Keith Scott while sampling wines from Tabor Hill and other beverages from Port 412 - St. Joseph's newest Martini Bar.

Revelers will also enjoy a sampling of Asian Fused specialties from Tim's Too Restaurant in downtown St. Joseph.

KID'S ACTIVITIES & MAGIC ALL DAY SATURDAY!!

Krasl Art Center: 10am - 11:30am
The morning begins with John Dudley and his Magic Show. Following the magician is when you will start creating your snowman! Here at Krasl is where you will create the Head of the snowman. Following that be sure to create your own mini sketchbook. Hot Cocoa and cookies will be available. 707 Lake Blvd. 983.0271

Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library: 11:30am - 2:30 pm (Lunch Available)
Fun begins at 11:30 with box lunches available for purchase. Following lunch is once again the entertaining John Dudley Magic Show. After the magic show you can make the middle section of your snowman. After that stick around and make your very own refrigerator magnet, bookmark or various other items. 500 Market St. 983-7167

Curious Kids Museum: 2:30pm - 4:00pm
John Dudley will once again perform his magic show to entertain kids of all ages. After the show is finished you can complete your snowman by making the final piece - the Snowman bottom. You can also enjoy making your own handsoap ice carving, special snowflake, or numerous other activities. 415 Lake Blvd. 983-2543

DISCOVER THE HIDDEN SNOWMEN

Sunday: Participating merchants will have a snowman displayed in their windows. Identify the snowman to enter the drawing for some fantastic prizes from participating merchants. Forms are available at participating merchants and at the Welcome Center. The Scavenger Hunt ends at 5:30 pm Sunday!

MAGICAL ICE CARVING FESTIVAL SPONSORS:

Sponsor Logos

FRIDAY NIGHT TEAM COMPETITION SPONSOR:

AEP Cook Nuclear Plant

MARQUEE SPONSORS:

AEP Cook Nuclear Plant
Boulevard Inn & Bistro
Midwest Family Broadcasting
Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council
St. Joseph Today

PRESENTING SPONSORS:

Advanced Dermatology
Bearclaw Coffee Co.
Beaudoin Electric
Gordon's Food Service
Schu's Bar & Grill
Shultz Roofing Supply Company
Tabor Hill Winery
Tim's Too

ICE CARVING SPONSORS:

Abonmarche • The Boulevard Inn • Candlewood Suites • Chan’s Garden • Chocolate Cafe • Comfort Suites of St. Joseph • Curious Kids’ Museum • Czar’s 505 • D. Lou Gast • DK Boutique • Form • G&M Variety • Great Lakes Home Furnishings • Hampton Inn • Holiday Inn Express - St. Joseph • Kilwin’s • Krasl Art Center • Landis Clothing Company • Maude Preston Palenske Public Library • Moxie’s Boutique • Perennial Accents • Pump House Grill • Shore Magazine • Silver Beach Carousel Society • Silver Beach Pizza • Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council • St. Joseph Today • Tabor Hill • Tara Florist - Twelve Oaks • Tim’s Too • United Way of Southwest Michigan • V&A Bootery • Waterfront Framing and Fine Art • Whitcomb Retirement Residence • Frank & Shar Walsh

SENSATIONAL SIPS

A New Addition to the 2008 Magical Ice Carving Festival!
On Saturday February 16th, 10am - 5pm, enjoy delightful samples of hot beverages throughout merchant stores in downtown St. Joseph. Vote for your favorite one at the Welcome Center and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win some great prizes

Merchants Click here to enter

STORE EVENTS & SPECIALS

Sculptures Studio - Free Parafin Hand Dip or Seated Chair Massage with a $25 Aveda Product purchase.
Kilwin's - Fudge Paddling 2pm Saturday February 16th
Krasl Art Center - Opening Reception: Rooted in Tradition: Art Quilts from the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum. Friday February 15. 5:30-7:30 pm
Eve - Opening Reception and Sale - Extra 20% OFF EVERYTHING! Friday 5pm-9pm
Beijo Bags Trunk Show and Sale - Saturday 10am - 6pm
Great Lakes Home Furnishings - Food and Fun Saturday 2pm - 4pm. with the sensational guitar/vocals of Jimmy Fastiggi.
Pumpo House Grille - As well as participation in the Sensatiopnal Sips contest the Pump House Grille will also be sampling some of their delicious ribs! Be sure to stop by and try them out!

FESTIVAL MAP

Click map to enlarge

Click here for 2007 Photos

Photos courtesy of Pat Moody

2008 Magical Ice Carving Festival

Click Here For a Full Listing of All the Events

Click Here For a Full
Listing of All the Events