The Friends of the Alpena Farmers Market is proud to one of the sponsors for the Thunder Bay Arts Council's annual Alpena Ice Festival on Saturday, February 21, 2026
9 am- 2 pm: Alpena Farmers Market at Mich-e-ke-wis Park
Visit the Alpena Farmers Market in the warming shelter at Mich-e-ke-wis Park- multiple vendors with baked goods, artisan gifts, hot chocolate, coffee, popcorn, and festival swag (hoodies, hats, and shirts) available throughout the day, including kids' crafts and programming.
11 am- 2 pm: Activities at Mich-e-ke-wis Park
The day starts at Mich-e-ke-wis Park on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron with ice sculptures on display and winter activities, including:
HUGE bonfire courtesy of the City of Alpena Fire Department
Snow sledding hill, horse and wagon rides, and sled dog meet-and-greets
Ice sculptures by Ice Creations from Napolean, Ohio, including student artwork from Alpena Public Schools transformed into ice sculptures
Live carving by ice artists
Food truck
3- 4:30 pm: Polar Plunge on Second Ave
Get ready to plunge and raise funds for the Special Olympics of Michigan! The annual Polar Plunge will be held downtown again this year as part of the Ice Festival on Second Ave. Registration takes place 2-3 pm at Bay Urban (106 River St), plus a Pre-Plunge Gathering at Rusty Petunias Marketplace! The plunge will take place in a large pool at the intersection of Second Ave. and River St. Grab a hot cocoa or Social District beverage, watch brave souls take the plunge, and help raise funds for Special Olympics. Register and learn more here.
4:30 pm: Water and Limestone Sculpture Dedication at Culligan Plaza
Join Thunder Bay Arts for a dedication ceremony of Alpena's newest sculpture, "Water and Limestone" created by artist Autumn Bildson. The sculpture is located at Culligan Plaza, next to the parking lot entrance on Washington Ave.
5- 8 pm: Fire & Ice Downtown
Stroll the streets of downtown and enjoy dazzling ice sculptures on display sponsored by local businesses. Enjoy themed drinks from downtown bars and taprooms and other special winter menu items at downtown restaurants. At 6:30 pm, we will light a special "fire and ice" sculpture in front of Red Brick Tap & Barrel on River St., sponsored by Wolverine State Credit Union. Enjoy the winter ambiance while warming up with special Social District drinks, warm bonfires, and music from DJ Cliff LaMay!
You may also like the following events from Friends of the Alpena Farmers Market:
Also check out other
Festivals in Alpena,
Arts events in Alpena.
