Rochester Michigan, a great walk able community in Northern Oakland County, held it’s third annual Fire and Ice Festival January 29 & 30, 2010. “A Winter Zoobilee” was the theme for the many ice sculptures that lined the streets downtown. While it was a sunny day, the temperature was anything but. I took my camera and Flip video to capture all the fun and my first stop was the fire where they were roasting marshmallows – I definitely appreciated the “fire” part of Fire and Ice.
Fire and Ice Festival in Rochester Hills from Cathy Tishhouse on Vimeo.
The festival, sponsored by Oakland County Parks, included sledding, ice skating, horse-drawn carriage rides, broomball demonstrations, taste fest and beer tent with local restaurants until 9 p.m. each night, the “Big Bright Light Show,” and fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights. Winter recreation activities (and other festivals) take place on East Third and Water streets near the Rochester Fire Department.
After warming a bit by the fire, I watched some tube sledding – which probably would have done a lot to keep me warm. I noticed there were not that many people at the top of the hill - the line was at the bottom where you picked up your tube and walked the long hill up to get your turn to sled. There were a lot of parents carrying a couple of tubes – children have all the fun!
After walking the course and taking video followed by pictures of the ice sculptures, I really needed to warm up. A large bowl of vegan chili and a glass a wine at “Mind, Body, Spirits” was just the thing. I found a nice sunny window upstairs where I watched the activity on the street. I didn’t wait around for the “Big Bright Light Show” - when shops along Main, Fourth, Walnut and Water streets switch on the 1.2 million holiday lights. Rochester is well known for the Light Show which begins every year around Thanksgiving and a signature event to get into the holiday spirit.
Rochester (and Rochester Hills) is a great community to live with many festivals throughout the year geared for family fun. I was really impressed with all that went into creating the sledding runs, rink and course for the dog sledding – for literally a day and a half event.
Rochester Hills Michigan Realtor selling Oakland County Real Estate. TishHouse sells Houses – selling Real Estate Southeastern Michigan with RE/MAX Showcase Homes in Birmingham, Michigan. Helping People in a challenging market by specializing in Short Sales. See what my clients have to say about my extraordinary customer service. Follow me on Twitter.
