2023 Fire & Ice Festival in Oakland County

The Fire & Ice Festival in Downtown Rochester is back January 20th and 21st for another year of family fun and winter festivities that you can enjoy for FREE. The community celebration will be packed with events like axe throwing, cornhole, climbing wall, ice sculptures along Main Street, fireworks on both nights, The Big, Bright Light Show, live music, TasteFest, and so much more!

“The Fire & Ice Festival is a fun-filled opportunity to get out of the house, even in the depths of winter, to enjoy some fresh air and regain a sense of community. The event attracts thousands of people from across the region to get a taste of how joyful and active winter can really be.”

-Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter

The Fire & Ice Festival runs from 5 – 9 p.m. on Friday, January 20th and 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Saturday, January 21st. The fireworks are at 8 p.m. both days.

Take a look at our video for a preview of the fun:

Continue reading

Meadow Brook Hall Holiday Tours

Thank you for your interest in the Meadow Brook Hall Holiday Walk. For the Oakland County Blog’s latest edition of Holiday Walk, see here.

Are you looking for an Oakland County event that will fill you with holiday cheer right in time for the merry season? Meadow Brook’s Annual Holiday Walk is going on now and runs through December 23rd, 2017. Get excited to walk through this exquisite, early-20th century mansion decorated with twinkling holiday lights, trees, ornaments, and more, making it a true holiday wonderland.

This 110-room Tudor-revival style mansion was constructed between 1926 and 1929 and was once the home of Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of auto pioneer John Dodge and co-founder of Dodge Brothers Motor Car Company, and her second husband, Alfred Wilson. Matilda loved spending her time filling Meadow Brook Hall with lavish furniture, paintings, and art from several centuries and around the world. These collections are still present in the home today and reflect the lavish lifestyles of the era of the American Industrialists of the early 20th century. Fun fact: The Tommy Dorsey Band and singer Frank Sinatra performed in the house at Matilda’s 25th birthday party.  In 1957, the Wilson’s donated their entire estate and an additional $2 million to found what would become Oakland University. Guests can now take a step back into history as they tour this National Historic Landmark.

Today, Meadow Brook Hall hosts parties, events, and special events such as the Holiday Walking Tours, and new this year, Holiday Lights & Winter Nights. On December 11 & December 18th – 23rd, from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., guests can stroll down the lit path to the Land of Santa and Sweets to warm up by a fire and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa. To make this festive season extra special, it is also offering a Kids Candy Adventure, a mailbox to the North Pole, and special guided candlelight tours open throughout the duration of the holiday season.

Continue reading

Oakland County College Series: Rochester College

still001

Rochester College, located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, offers a liberal arts curriculum in a Christian setting that focuses on academic excellence, principled character, servant leadership, and global awareness. Its students receive a rigorous educational experience that integrates liberal arts and professional studies within an inclusive Christian heritage. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered, as well as athletics and specialty programs that include studying abroad, honors programs and more. Continue reading

Ali Woerner: 2016 Elite 40 Under 40 Winner

2016_SOC_0054

Congratulations are in order for Ali Woerner, the 2016 Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 Under 40 class winner. Woerner is an assistant dance professor at Oakland University, and is the co-founder and co-director of the non-profit professional modern dance company, Take Root. She was selected by the public during an online vote and was announced as the winner on Wednesday, February 10th in front of 600 people at the 2016 Oakland County State of the County Address, where she had the honor of introducing County Executive, L. Brooks Patterson.

Continue reading

2016 Fire & Ice Festival

1511484_649881311790915_6661159446793528011_o

 

The Fire & Ice Festival, running January 22-24, is one of the premier Oakland County quality of life events that brings entertainment to residents and visitors. In its 9th year, the festival expects to draw more than 40,000 visitors to Downtown Rochester, and surrounding areas. There are events for the entire family including sledding, ice skating, live musical performance, Chill at the Mills 5K and more. Continue reading