Lack Of Winter Weather Means Changes To The Fire And Ice Festival In Rochester This Weekend

What happens when you plan a winter festival but then the weather doesn’t cooperate?

You don’t cancel the festival, you switch gears. This is what Oakland County Parks and Recreation has done for this weekend’s Fire & Ice Festival in Rochester.

“‘The show must go on,’ as they say in show biz,” said Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. “Families from all over Michigan will still be able to experience many outdoor activities and the nice weather at the Fire & Ice Festival.”

We highlighted the festival last weekend, and there was suppose to be a ton of fun winter activities to do in downtown Rochester. However, this weekend is suppose to be pretty nice for January and there is no snow in the forecast. The Parks and Rec department has had to cancel some of the activities like tube sledding, ice skating, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing.

In place of those activities being canceled, they will be offering a 25-foot tall rock climbing tower, 5-in-1 Sports inflatable, geocaching, sack races, tug-o-war ropes, kickball, parachute games, practice golf swings at an inflatable target, and Backyard Bass Clinics.

If you were wondering about the dog sledding rides, they will still be going on. The sleds have wheels so they do not need snow. The location has been moved to the Farmer’s Market parking lot.

The remaining activities like the fireworks, spaghetti dinner, pancake breakfast, and Brooksie Way Chill 5K will continue as planned.

Admission for the festival is free.

The hours for the Fire & Ice Festival are as follows: Friday, January 20  5 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday, January 21 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., and Sunday, January 22 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fireworks are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Parking is available in downtown Rochester or at Buffalo Wild Wings at 1234 Walton in Rochester. There will also be a free shuttle running between the restaurant and the festival.