In addition to skiing and snowboarding lessons, an elevated snow slide, free skating, is one of the new activities planned for the Winter Blast event in downtown Royal Oak.
On Tuesday afternoon, organizers announced the highlights of the second annual three-day event from Friday, February 3 through Sunday, February 5, along with a line-up of musical acts and food trucks.
Event Producer Jon Witts said, “Guests will certainly see something new at both the Centennial Commons with the new Royal Oak rink and the spectacular display of ice sculptures found throughout the park. ‘ said.
With a skating rink already open at downtown’s Centennial Commons Park, this year’s festival will offer free ice skating for the first time.
People can bring their own ice skates or rent them for $5.
At Mount Brighton Ski Resort, instructors offer lessons for those who want to learn how to ski and snowboard.
“Having the Mount Brighton ski and snowboard attraction in downtown Royal Oak will be a huge hit, as will the presence of the snow slide, which will be almost twice as high in 2022,” Witts said. rice field.
Nearly 80,000 people attended last year’s festival. Witts told the Tribune last month that the number could approach 100,000 at this year’s event.
Snow machines create slopes for beginners, and ski and snowboard gear is available at the ski resort.
The city sponsors a 25-foot-tall, 200-foot-long snow slide where event-goers slide down an inner tube.
Henry Ford Health, a new ambulatory facility adjacent to the park, showcases an ice garden featuring sleigh horses, Detroit sports, dinos and carved ice sculptures done in Gnome Village themes and designs. The engraving includes a tribute to the United States Armed Forces with the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps logos on the lawn of the Royal Oak War Memorial.
Live ice carving demonstrations are held throughout the weekend.
Local and regional musical acts are set to perform on three stages inside heated tents during the winter festival, which visitors can watch on video screens.
Among the dozens of performers were blues bands Carl Caballero and The Wreckcage, Larry Lee & Back in the Day, Soledad, reggae acts Detroit Riddim Crew, Virginia Violet and the Rays, soul and Motown influences. Indie group Wonders pop music and R&B mogul Alice King.
A complete list of events and performers can be found online at winterblast.com.
A 30-foot-tall zip line is available for $10 along Third Street east of Troy Street.
Food trucks throughout the festival include items ranging from Hawaiian stir-fries to Nigerian favorites such as Chick AD, Cinnabon, Egg Roll Diva and Little Brothers Burger.
Marshmallow roasting stations are set up around the festival area, with marshmallow and s’more kits starting at $3 each.
The festival is partnered with guests of the nearby Hotel Royal Oak to get 2 free hot chocolate drinks, a marshmallow kit, a zipline pass and 2 free skate rentals.