Sandusky's 2010 Arctic Ice Festival Features Lots of Cool Stuff!
Sandusky, Ohio

Ice carver at work with ice flying 2009 The City of Sandusky Recreation Division has once again partnered with the Maritime Museum of Sandusky, the Erie County Senior Center, Sandusky Sailing Club, BAS Broadcasting and Battery Park Marina to present the 3rd Annual Arctic Ice Festival. Festivities kick off on Saturday, February 6th and continue on Sunday, February 7th, 10am - 4pm on both days. All of the activities during the Festival will take place at the Maritime Museum of Sandusky located at 125 Meigs Street in downtown Sandusky, and its neighbor organizations, the Erie County Senior Center, and the Sandusky Sailing Basin at the Sandusky Sailing Club.

Professionally carved ice sculptures, created by Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion, Aaron Costic, will be on display in the Museum parking lot throughout the weekend. Costic, owner of Elegant Ice Creations in Broadview Heights, Ohio, won the 2006 Olympic Gold Medal and 1998 Olympic Bronze Medal for Professional Ice Carving. Companies, organizations, or individuals interested in sponsoring an ice sculpture depicting a logo or design of choice, can contact the City of Sandusky Recreation Division at (419) 627-5986 by January 15th, 2010.

In addition, Costic and his staff will present an Amateur Individual Ice Carving Competition at the Arctic Ice Festival, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 6th, and feature amateur ice carvers from across the United States. Anyone interested in competing can call Elegant Ice Creations at (440) 717-1940 for registration details.

January and February 2009 The Maritime Museum of Sandusky will be open both days of the event with a reduced admission of $1 each day which includes museum viewing and entrance for speakers forums. In addition to the Museums fantastic new Ice Harvesting Exhibit, there will be presentations throughout the weekend including Ice Harvesting on Sandusky Bay on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The Erie MetroParks will have a Critters in Winter Touch Table located inside the museum. Youth admission to the Maritime Museum includes an ice boat model craft.

The Friends of Sanduskys Underground Railroad Education Center will be hosting two Underground Railroad Trolley Tours on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and noon. The cost for the tour is $5 per person. Reservations are encouraged by calling 419-624-0274.

Lake Erie Shores and Islands sculpture 2009. The Erie County Senior Center will present their popular annual Soup Cook-Off. The soup cook-off will take place on Saturday from 11:00am-1:00pm (or until soup is gone). The soup entries will be available for tasting at $3 per person until all of the soup is gone. The ECSC is still accepting entries for the Cook-Off. Entry is free and includes one table, bowls, spoons, and napkins. The dining room at the Erie County Senior Center will also be open for food concessions throughout the weekend. Other indoor activities at the Senior Center include their annual Sweater Sale and Pat Catans Make It/Take It Crafts throughout both days. Crafts are available free of charge to create with the assistance of area Girl Scout Troops. Calling all BINGO enthusiasts from 12 noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 7th, the Erie County Senior Center will present BINGO for just a $1
admission fee. January and February 2009.

The Sandusky Sailing Club will host the Sandusky Bay Arctic Ice Boat Race beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6th. On-site registration for race participants is from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. The race will take place weather permitting. Anyone interested in racing should contact Dennis Butts at 419-206-2122 or sailindude@aol.com . Spectators are encouraged to arrive at the Sandusky Sailing Club by 11:30 a.m. to enjoy an Ice Boats presentation and demonstration. And, on Sunday at 12 noon, folks will have an opportunity to watch Aaron Costic and the crew from Elegant Ice Creations as they perform an Ice Harvesting and Carving demonstration.

Additional activities taking place during the festival include ice diving demonstrations by the Sandusky Fire Department, pictures with Frosty the Snowman, and..LIVE Reindeer!

On Sunday, February 7th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., attendees will have an opportunity to take pictures, feed, and interact with the reindeer, who are actually residents of Sells Tree Farm in Wakeman, Ohio. Reindeer handlers will be on site to answer questions and will have native SAMI herdsmen items on display. Don't forget to bring your camera and the entire family!

All activities during the Arctic Ice Festival are within an area easily accessible by walking. Ample free parking is available. Some outdoor activities will take place weather permitting. Don't forget to bring your camera and the entire family! For a complete list of activities, and a downloadable program guide that includes times, locations, and more details, please visit our websites at www.sanduskymaritime.org or www.cityofsandusky.com. 

Judy Nagy
Special Events & Recreation Coordinator,
Sandusky Bay Pavilion Manager,
City of Sandusky Recreation Division,
222 Meigs Street,
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419.627.5986
Fax: 419.627.5911
Email: jnagy@ci.sandusky.oh.us
Website: www.cityofsandusky.com

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