In spite of unseasonably warm temperatures and no snow in the forecast, the Fire & Ice Festival in Rochester will fire up this weekend, Jan. 20th – 22nd. The festival, sponsored by Oakland County Credit Union, is replacing some of its winter-driven events with a variety of outdoor family-friendly activities from Oakland County Parks and Recreation. Admission and events will remain free.

“‘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.”

Oakland County Parks and Recreation will provide a 25-foot tall rock climbing tower; a 5-in-1 Sports inflatable that features soccer, basketball, baseball, football, and Frisbee; Go Cache which teaches the basics of geocaching; Retro Games which will include many field day favorites like sack races, tug-o-war ropes, kickball, parachute games, and more; Go Golf to practice golf swings at an inflatable target; and Go Fish Backyard Bass Clinics using poles rigged with plugs and plastic fish to teach the basics and safety of fishing.

Fire & Ice Festival attendees will also enjoy fireworks Friday and Saturday night; the Big, Bright Light Show; ice sculptures; the collegiate ice carving contest; the TasteFest tent; spaghetti dinner and pancake breakfast fundraisers for the Rochester Area Youth Assistance; food trucks; live entertainment; face painting; pet adoption; and shopping in beautiful downtown Rochester.

Even the dogsled rides are still on but now in the Farmers’ Market parking lot. The sleds will have wheels. Plus, the Brooksie Way Chill at the Mills 5k race still anticipates a record of about 1,000 participants Sunday morning.

“The 2017 Fire & Ice Festival is as big an event as any other year with snow,” said J. David VanderVeen, Fire & Ice Festival Committee chairperson. “So, come on out and be part of this incredible occasion.”

Events that will not take place this year due to the anticipated warmer temperatures include tube sledding, ice skating, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing.

For more information on the Fire & Ice Festival, follow along with them on Facebook.

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