Event draws 20,000 to Rochester, despite frigid temps

By Erin McClary
C & G Staff Writer

ROCHESTER — Hot cocoa was in order for Daria Thomson, 8, and her brother J.J., 5, after patiently waiting in line for a dogsled ride Jan. 30.

The temperatures that day were below freezing — perfect for the ice sculptures that decked the streets of downtown Rochester Jan. 29 and 30 for the Fire and Ice Fest. But Daria and J.J. were appropriately bundled up for the event and were prepared to wait for a ride.

After hopping off the sled, Daria said she liked how the dogs handled the fast curves of the track. Her brother said it was sort of like a video game. Dad Darius Thomson of Rochester said he was just happy to see his kids having a good time. This was the family’s second year at the festival.

“Seems like it’s a really well-organized event. … It’s nice to see the park service and city come together to do something for the residents,” said Darius Thomson. “My daughter, especially, was really looking forward to coming again and seeing the dogs.”

The ice sculptures are one of the original staples of Fire and Ice. Dogsled rides and ice skating, complemented by bonfire pits and fireworks, are a few of the highlights that give the festival its name. New this year were a massive tube-sledding hill, a beer tent and the Big, Bright Light Show, which lit up the streets shortly after sunset Jan. 29 and 30. And as if the lights weren’t bright enough, fireworks lit the sky at 8 p.m. both nights.

Fire and Ice is a cooperative effort between Oakland County, the Rochester Downtown Development Authority, the city of Rochester and the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Department. David VanderVeen, director of Oakland County’s Department of Central Services, said the idea was part of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson’s “quality of life” initiative.

“Michigan has a wonderful winter season, and we thought, why not embrace it and bring a winter event to the county?” VanderVeen said.

The city of Rochester vs. Oakland County broom ball game drew a boisterous crowd to the ice rink the afternoon of Jan. 30. At around 3:30 p.m., the game was tied 3-3. Broom ball — like ice hockey, but with brooms and a ball instead of sticks and a puck — was new to Fire and Ice this year.

“It’s been a great day,” said Rochester City Manager Jaymes Vettraino, anticipating a broom ball victory. “The sun is out, it’s beautiful — people are having a lot of fun.”

In the end, the county pulled through, beating Rochester 5-4. During the closing ceremonies that evening, Vettraino and Deputy City Manager Nik Banda presented a broom ball trophy to Patterson — but only in hopes of getting it back next year.

Event organizers were pleased to say that the third annual festival was “right on target” to bring 20,000 people to downtown Rochester. Last year’s festival, VanderVeen said, drew about 15,000 people to the city.

The difference  this year was the weather. Even though temperatures hovered in the 20s, truckloads of snow had to be brought in from Great Lakes Crossing and the Oakland County International Airport for the tube-sledding hill, and a snowmaking machine was on hand to make up for anything that may have melted in the sun.

“We brought snow to downtown Rochester,” VanderVeen said. Also brought to downtown Rochester were the thousands of event-goers. “This is wonderful for the businesses, bringing 20,000 people to downtown Rochester.”

Fire and Ice’s central location was on the corner of East Third and Water streets, near the Rochester Mills Brewing Co. The corner lot appeared to be the perfect size for beer and food tents, the dog-sledding course and tube-sledding hill, numerous fire pits, a stage and an ice rink. East Third was closed down for festivities.

Stacey Keast, events coordinator for the Rochester DDA, said organizers were hoping to exceed the record tobogganing speed of 25 mph last year with the addition of the tubing hill. The beer tent was another new feature officials hoped would bring in more people.

“It was just an idea that we had — and because it’s basically a shared property with Rochester Mills — as a great way to attract a different demographic,” she said, adding that there’s always a lot of kids at the event, but now there are things for college students and young couples to enjoy, too. “Since we became the Fire and Ice Fest, it’s grown every year.”

This year marks the 12th anniversary of the ice sculpture show in downtown Rochester. Three years ago, Keast explained, the county was looking for something “that promoted winter health and safety,” and because Rochester already had the ice sculpture weekend established, it seemed like the perfect collaboration.

“It is a great day to get out and have fun with the kids,” Darius Thomson said. “A great family event.”

You can reach Staff Writer Erin McClary at emcclary@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1118.