Have an Ice Day at the Erie Winter Carnival
Erie Downtown Partnership hopes to carve out new February tradition
THURSDAY, FEB. 24 - 26
What's colder than cold? Absolute zero (aka 0 K, -273.15 ºC, or -459.67 ºF)! Of course, that's the lowest conceivable temperature in the universe, at which all the molecules that comprise matter would come to a virtual standstill.
And yes, also "ice-cold" (we're sorry; the question was poorly phrased). The freezing point of water routinely excites the constituent particles of the human imagination, inspiring us to grab for the nearest chisel, handsaw, die grinder, or chainsaw — and sculpt blocks of ice into beautiful and fantastical forms.
For centuries, the impressively ephemeral art of ice sculpting has been at the center of winter festivities around the world, with the annual Quebec City Winter Carnival and World Ice Art Championships (Fairbanks, Alaska) being the most prominent in North America. Although the Gem City sits at a more southerly latitude than those locales, most would agree it's plenty frigid enough in February to host an event of a similar nature, including the Downtown Erie Partnership.
The first annual Erie Winter Carnival will be held from Feb. 24 through Feb. 26 in Perry Square, featuring more than 40 interactive ice sculptures distributed all throughout the park. Stroll decorated pathways while enjoying local food and beverage and watching colored lights pulse to the sounds of music from the Perry Square stage. The full entertainment lineup was announced as follows:
Thursday, Feb. 24
5:30 to 8 p.m. — DJ Jonny Evans
Friday, Feb. 25
5 to 6:30 p.m. — Doc Proto
6:45 to 7:15 p.m. — Jennifer Dennehy and the Flow Friends Fire Dancing
7:30 to 9 p.m. — The CEE Brown Experience
Saturday, Feb. 26
5 to 6:30 p.m. — Brooke Surgener
6:45 to 7:15 p.m. — Jennifer Dennehy and the Flow Friends Fire Dancing
7:30 to 9 p.m. — Jeremy Jaeger from The Division Street Machine (solo acoustic set)
The sculptures will inevitably melt, but hopefully you'll leave Perry Square with a moment frozen in time and memory.
Thursday through Saturday // Perry Square // Free // eriedowntown.com
