Winter

Stomping Snow for Traverse City’s Winter Wow!fest

February 3, 2012

Every year, Traverse City resident Mike Norton puts on his boots and spends a day or two jumping up and down on giant cubes of snow. It’s his low-tech, heavy-footed contribution to the success of Traverse City’s annual Cherry Capital Winter Wow!fest, held this year on Feb. 17-19.

Some people will do anything to get out of a day of work. They’ll even spend hours shoveling snow into a giant wooden cube, jump up and down on it like maniacs to make sure it’s properly packed, and then move on to another cube to do it all over again. And again. And again.

Every February, that’s what we do – a dozen of us from the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau and the National Cherry Festival – as part of the preparation for our annual winter carnival, the Cherry Capital Winter Wow!fest. One of the most popular attractions at Winter Wow!fest (held this year on Feb. 17-19) is the Snow Sculpture Garden: 10 massive sculptures carved from huge blocks of snow by teams of master artisans from all over Michigan.

And who makes those huge blocks of snow? We do! Fortunately, it doesn’t take a lot of skill — just a lot of time. (Well, big feet are helpful, too.) A week before the festival, relays of trucks shuttle back and forth between Traverse City and Bellaire, bringing loads of pure white snow donated by Shanty Creek Resorts to the sculpture garden site near the Clinch Park Marina. Then, for two days, we go to work stuffing snow into large 8’x 8’ x 8’ wooden forms.

Each time a load of snow is dumped into the top of the big cubes, we “snow-stompers” climb up into the interior with shovels, breaking up the bigger chunks, spreading each layer out evenly, and jumping up and down on it to pack it into a firm, carvable mass. It’s a little intimidating at first, because you have to jump down into the bottom of a nearly empty box, but as the level of snow rises it gets easier and easier – until you’re standing on the very top trying not to fall off!

Snow-stomping is actually a lot of fun. We get a lot of encouragement from passers-by, and we feel a sense of proprietary pride to watch the master carvers transform our blank-faced cubes into whimsical works of winter art. But we also know that we’re only a few of the many volunteers who help out at Winter Wow!fest, a celebration of music, food, and fun that takes place each year on the President’s Day Weekend.

This season’s Wow!fest will feature several new events – including the Soup’R Chili 5K, where runners will compete on an oval course along the beach, and the “Curb Crusher” Rail Jam, in which snowboarders and skiers will compete on a series of snow-covered 10-foot ramps.

For the first time, several events – such as the popular Snow Ball Co-ed Softball Tournament and snow sculpture competition – will be held in the City’s Festival Open Space Park on West Grand Traverse Bay. Most other activity will be located across the Grandview Parkway at “Celebration Central,” between Cass and Union streets.

That’s where the action begins on Friday night with “Winter, Wine & Wow,” a reception featuring local wines, craft brews, edibles and live entertainment in a huge heated tent.

Saturday morning will begin with a new, kid-friendly feast — a Cherry Pancake Breakfast in the new ECCO meeting center on Front Street, linked to the festival area by a pedestrian bridge across the Boardman River. The downtown area will continue to be used for a number of Wow!fest attractions, including a series of popular ice sculptures created by the Ice Brigade (of Food Network fame) and a three-day Presidents Weekend Sale.

Other Saturday events include the Monster Dog Pull, where canine Olympians compete for the title of “monster dog” by pulling weighted sleds. There’ll also be winter versions of popular Cherry Festival competitions like the Frozen Pit Spit contest and the Brain Freeze ice cream eating contest, the uproarious Frozen Bed Race, and the Soup r’ Bowl where participants slurp up soups created by local chefs.

One special Saturday event is a once-only extravaganza to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of Wow!fest partner WKLT as Traverse City’s premiere rock station – it’s the Winter Wow!fest Summer Festival Fantasy, an 80s party featuring music from the 1980s featuring music videos and huge summer festival giveaways including the season’s hottest concert ticket – VanHalen for two!

Snow for the various snowsport competitions is being provided by Shanty Creek Resorts, which is a little too far from town to be a convenient festival venue. Even so, the resort is building a Snow Park and Tubing Hill where families can enjoy the fun of snow-tubing, while local outfitters will be introducing novice skiers and snowshoers to the joys of cold-weather sports.

Competitions that require steeper hills will still be held at the nearby Mt. Holiday Ski Area, including such offbeat competitions as the Friday “Downhill Dash,” a no-holds-barred mountain bike/ski/snowboard race down the ski hill and the “Cardboard Classic” in which competitors must use sleds made only with cardboard, tape and paint. As always, the festival will end Sunday night with a fireworks display above the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa.

Come and join us! It’s a lot of fun – even if you’re not stomping snow.

Mike Norton, a native of Grand Rapids, spent 25 years as newspaper writer and columnist before starting a second career as media relations director at the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau. An avid cross-country skier and snowshoer, he lives in the village of Old Mission.

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Pure Michigan February Events Roundup

February 1, 2012

in Events,Posts by Region,What's Happening This Month

February in Pure Michigan means winter fun, food and family events. From award winning musicals to winter sporting events, there’s something for everyone this month. For more suggestions of things to do this month in Michigan, visit michigan.org.

Southeast

African American History Day
February 4, 2012, Detroit
Join in the celebration of African American history and culture as the Detroit Historical Museum kicks off Black History Month with this annual event. Find gifts from our Artists Market, learn from historical organizations and neighborhood organizations in the area, and bring kids to enjoy entertainment and a caricature artist. Renowned storytellers Ivory D. Williams and Shanta and the Kidz Art Zone will provide enthralling experiences for children. For more information, visit the event website or call (313) 833-1805.

Toy Collectible Show
February 4, 2012, Jackson
The Toy Collectible Show will take place on the Jackson Fairgrounds, inside the heated fair events center. Attendees can browse more than 155 tables featuring toys from Nascar, Hotwheels, Star Wars, Pez, Matchbox and more. Show information is available by calling (517) 524-8899.

Love, Loss and What I Wore
February 8 – March 4, 2012, Detroit
Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron’s Love, Loss, and What I Wore, an intimate collection of stories covering some of life’s most poignant moments and their corresponding wardrobe, will appear at Detroit’s historic Gem Theatre this month. The evening of vignettes, which is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Ilene Beckerman as well as personal reminiscences from the Ephrons and their friends, will feature a cast of five powerful actresses. Tickets are on sale at the Gem Theatre and Fisher Theatre box offices, at all Ticketmaster locations, online at ticketmaster.com and by calling (313) 963-9800 or (800) 982-2787.

Detroit Boat Show
February 11 – 19, 2012, Detroit
The Detroit Boat Show is the original, biggest and best boat show in the state of Michigan, featuring the premiere showing of hundreds of new 2012 and non-current model boats, motors, trailers, accessories and more. For more information call the Cobo Center at (800) 338-7648 or (313) 338-7648.

Motown Winter Blast 2012
February 11 – 13, 2012, Detroit
Motown Winter Blast is a unique combination of hip and fun winter events that are centered on Campus Martius Park. This year we are celebrating Motown with a fun celebration you will not want to miss. For more information, please visit the event website.

Storytelling Festival
February 18 – 19, 2012, Ann Arbor
Each year The Ark revives the oldest of all the arts with the February Storytelling Festival, featuring talespinners from far and wide. Sunday’s program features kid-oriented stories from 2012 Storytelling Festival artists. For more information, visit the event website or call (734) 761-1800.

Fire & Ice Fest
February 24 – 26, 2012, Rochester
Downtown Rochester’s much-anticipated winter festival features ice sculptures, ice skating, a tubing run, fireworks, and a taste fest inside the warming tent featuring beer and wine provided by Rochester Mills Beer Company. For more information, contact (248) 858-5437.

Shrek The Musical
February 28 – March 11, 2012, Detroit
Shrek the Musical, which tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure to reclaim the deed to his land, comes to the Fisher Theatre at the end of the month. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues a feisty princess and learns that real friendship and true love aren’t only found in fairy tales. For more information on this performance, visit the website or call (313) 872-1000.

Southwest

Ice Breaker 2012
February 3 – 5, 2012, South Haven
Come Enjoy “The Four Seasons of South Haven” Ice Breaker 2012, where the Lake Michigan resort community of South Haven will heat up as it celebrates the 19th annual Ice Breaker festival. A major focus of the event is the sculpting of more than 50 blocks of ice, weighing 300 pounds each, into dazzling displays themed by “The Four Seasons of South Haven.” For more information, visit the event website or call (269) 637-5171.

Winter Blues Festival
February 11, 2012, Marshall
Winter Blues are usually a bad thing but not at this event! This is your chance to enjoy some great live blues music, enjoy dinner (catered by Roma’s Corner Café), or participate in several workshops offered. For more information, visit the event website or call (269) 789-9677.

Kalamazoo Live Green Fair & Home Show
February 18 – 19, 2012, Kalamazoo
The Live Green Fair and Home Show helps families live a healthier life, while saving money and energy too! The show offers products and services from over 60 exhibitors to help families live a greener life. For more information, visit the event website or call (734) 320-5322.

Great Scrapbook Show
February 24 – 25, 2012, Kalamazoo
Shop a large selection of paper crafting products at this scrapbooking and stamping show. For more information, visit the show website or call (810) 287-7711.

Upper Peninsula

International 500 Snowmobile Race
February 4, 2012, Sault Sainte Marie
Mark your calendar for the first Saturday in February and get ready for the thrill of a lifetime, and get ready to see drivers accelerate to speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour on the straight-aways! For more information, visit the event website or call (989)808-5266.

Michigan Ice Fest Family Activities
February 4, 2012, Munising
Different family events throughout the afternoon include the annual cardboard classic, a 5K snowshoe relay, children’s activities and games, food and beverages and a free shuttle to the Michigan Ice Fest climbing activities. Activities are in and behind the American Legion. For more information on this event call (906) 387-2138.

UP Snow Softball Tournament
February 11 – 12, 2012, St. Ignace
Come join the fun as teams compete against each other in the UP Snow Softball Tournament! Teams of 9-12 players will battle the elements as they vie for top honors. This game gives new meaning to the phrase ‘sliding into home plate.’ For more information, call (800) 338-6660.

UP 200 Dog Sled Races
February 16 – 20, 2012, Marquette
The UP 200 is one of America’s premier 12-dog, mid-distance sled dog races. Mushers say this is one of their favorite races, not only because of the challenging race, but because of the cheering crowds and warm welcome they receive here in the Upper Peninsula. Come join in the excitement for the start of the race located in downtown Marquette, MI. For more information on this event, visit the website or call (906) 228-3072 or (906) 869-2640.

West Central

Camper, Travel, & RV Show
February 2 – 5, 2012, Grand Rapids
This show will fill every square inch of the beautiful DeVos Place with the latest motor homes, fifth wheels, travel trailers, campers, accessories, campgrounds, and vacation destinations. For more information, visit the event website or call (616) 742-6500.

Animal Adventures: Growing Up Wild
February 6, 2012, Grand Rapids
Enjoy an evening of warmth and wonder and discover fascinating things about four animals – a mammal, a reptile, an amphibian and a bird. Watch live animal presentations, enjoy animal story time, explore the Tropical Conservatory by flashlight, or become engrossed in animal art activities. Reservations required by calling Meijer Gardens at (616) 974-5239 or John Ball Zoo at (616) 336-4310.

Nordic Nights Gourmet Dine & Glides
February 11, 2012, North Muskegon
Don’t miss out on one of the best culinary experiences in Michigan this winter. This event includes a four course dinner, ski pass and entrance to heated tent with live music. There will be three stations offering delicious food, featuring a blazing fire placed throughout your 5K glide. Back at the heated tent, guests will enjoy dessert and music by Mike Snell. For more information, call (231) 744-9629.

Grand Rapids Boat Show
February 15 – 19, 2012, Grand Rapids
This Boat Show includes powerboats and more sailboats on display than any other show in the state of Michigan! Fishing boats, water sport accessories and boating services like marina slips and sail lofts will be some of the attractions at DeVos Place. For more information, visit the show website or call (616) 742-6500.

Michigan Winter Beer Festival
February 25, 2012, Comstock Park
Hundreds of hand-crafted beers from Michigan’s finest microbreweries will be served up in this chilly outdoor festival. Entertainment, food and fun will help keep you warm! Tickets are sold in advance and are available online or at the Fifth-Third Ballpark box office or at participating Guild member breweries. For more information, call (517) 327-5004.

East Central

Shakespearean Dreams Performance
February 11, 2012, Saginaw
Poets have come and gone for centuries, but only one is known as “the Bard.” Finzi’s music and Timothy Jones’ powerful voice will bring some of Shakespeare’s most emotionally stirring verses to life. The Pit & Balcony Theatre Co. will perform a semi-staged version of one of the world’s greatest comedies, while the SBSO and the Saginaw Choral Society will perform the music that comedy inspired in Mendelssohn. For more information on this event, call (989) 755-6471.

Shanty Days
February 17 – 19, Caseville
Indulge in some fun in the wintertime! Enjoy four wheeler races, ice fishing, food and beverages tents, live entertainment, craft show, kids’ activities and demo derby. For more information, call (989) 856-3818.

Northeast

Winter Fun Days
February 3 – 5, 2012, Grayling
Lots of fun things for families to do in Grayling starting Friday with Dollar night, DJ music and a marshmallow roast over a campfire. The events continue Saturday and Sunday with free lift tickets and trail passes, Big Air Competition, chili cook off, Slush Pit and Sled Box race. For more information, call (989) 348-9266.

Alpenfrost 2012
February 11, 2012, Grayling
The first annual Alpenfrost winter celebration in downtown Gaylord combines anchor events such as the Polar Plunge and a Craft Beer & Wine Festival at Treetops Resort, with a flurry of downtown activities, games, and merchant sales. Alpine Village will unveil an open-air ice skating rink. For a schedule of events or for more information, visit the event website or call (989) 731-7378.

Treetops Olympics
February 23 – 26, 2012, Gaylord
The Treetops Olympics is an event for the whole family! Participate in crazy games such as Human Bowling, Human Curling and Minute to Win It. For more information, visit the event website or call (888) 873-3867.

Northwest

North American Snow Festival – 2012
February 2 – 5, 2012, Cadillac
Thursday night kicks off with a chili cook-off at this winter festival and the fun doesn’t stop there. Friday brings the Poker Fun Run, sleigh rides, a grilling contest and more entertainment at The Armory. Saturday compete in ice fishing, motorcycle and snowmobile races on Lake Cadillac – and a polar dip in the lake for those brave enough! Sunday, snow sculptures will dot the Lake Cadillac shoreline and the fun continues with more lake races. For more information, call (800) 22-LAKES or (231) 775-0657.

Mid-Winter’s Chocolate Therapy
February 4, 2012, Bellaire
An afternoon of chocolate featuring Michigan chocolatiers. Enjoy tasting samples, chocolate-making demo, cupcake competition, Valentine’s gifts, chocolate spa treatments, live music and more. For more information on this event, visit the event website or call (800)678-4111.

Taste the Passion
February 4 – 5, 2012, Cedar
This special weekend celebrates wine, chocolate and love in anticipation of Valentine’s Day! The combination of winter’s beauty in Leelanau with the special pleasures of life always makes a wonderful weekend. The weekend starts on Saturday as participants head to their first winery stop to collect a souvenir glass, then the fun begins with special pours and tasty chocolate treats offered at wineries throughout the rest of the weekend. In addition to chocolate, savory dishes will be served at a number of tasting rooms. For more information, visit the event website or call (231)421-1172.

Cherry Festival Winter Wonderfest
February 17 – 19, 2012, Acme
The Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest features a “Winter Fun Zone” at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa offering ice skating, bonfires, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and more. In downtown Traverse City, you can find beautiful ice carvings and walk through the snow sculpture park, enjoy live music under the tent at the Annual Soup’r Bowl Competition and Beer Tent and watch the Frozen Bed Race, Monster Dog Pull competition and “Tommy Tropic” juggler, take part in the Brain Freeze ice cream eating competition or frozen cherry pit contest, or take a horse and carriage ride. There’s also a two-day Snowball Winter Softball Tournament at the Grand Traverse Civic Center. For more information, visit the event website.

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Q&A on Ice Carving in Pure Michigan

January 19, 2012

in Guest Blogger

Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield own and operate Ice Sculptures Ltd in Grand Rapids. You may have also seen them on Ice Brigade on the Food Network. Randy was kind enough to answer a few questions about ice carving.

Q: Is ice carving a popular Michigan activity?

A: Although Michigan is no stranger to ice carving festivals, they are more common in the winter because it is a wonderful to way to generate traffic in a city’s downtown area in an otherwise slow economical time. An example of this is in Rockford. Three years ago there would be maybe 30 people in the town on an average Saturday. In one weekend last year, they had over 15,000 visiting shops.

Q: How would a beginner learn more about ice carving?

A: Ice sculpting is usually learned in culinary schools or apprenticing with a professional in the industry. However, in 2003 we published the first ever ice sculpting book in English for students to have the ability to learn on their own as well as have as a reference material. At this time, this book has become the standard in culinary schools around the United States. You can check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/Ice-Sculpting-Modern-Robert-Garlough/dp/1401804055

Q: What kind of ice and tools do you use?

A: The ice is specially made in clinebell tanks to alleviate the ice of impurities. Major carving tools can range based on the project that is taking place. With that said, there are traditional tool like chisels, handsaws, ice chipers. We also use die grinders, chainsaws, and we even have a computerized ice sculpting machine that can give us perfect sculptures. With each of these tools, we are able to address any and all projects that people bring to us.

Q: What are some of the big festivals or events in Michigan that feature ice carving?

A: Although several of Michigan’s Winter festivals purchase their ice and scultpures from out of state, the two most important winter festivals in Michigan are the Rockford Ice Festival (which was just this past weekend) and the Traverse City Winter WOW Fest (February 18 – 21) These two festivals not only have an amazing turnout but live up to the standard of Pure Michigan because they strictly use Michigan-based ice sculpting.

Q: What have been some of the biggest or most unique creations done by the Ice Brigade?

A: There are so many exciting moments and fun sculptures we were able to create – from a 30 ft by 30 ft chess set which was playable, a functional ice piano, a pinball machine, a rideable rotating carasel, a playable casino with rollete wheel and rollable dice for the craps table, a riding bull and so many more!!!

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges when doing an ice sculpture?

A: Designing to fit the needs of client, what they want, figuring out how its going to be transported, and how to make it last the length of the party are all challenges. There are a wide range of factors that are taken into consideration to make each ice sculpture unique and successful. A successful sculpture begins and ends with a successful plan.

Q: Where can people learn more about ice carving?

A: Check out our site, along with our Facebook page, Twitter account and YouTube channel.

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Tweetable Facts About Pure Michigan Winters

January 17, 2012

in Events

Winter in Michigan is full of activities and fun. With that in mind, here are 10 quick facts about winter in Michigan that you can share with your friends on Twitter. Simply click on any fact and it will automatically populate on your Twitter status bar. And while we’re talking Twitter, remember to follow Pure Michigan on Twitter as well.

For more information about some of these winter activities, check out these articles on michigan.org:

	Fun fact: @PureMichigan is home to 43 downhill ski areas – more than any other Midwest state http://bit.ly/xoNZRr
	No matter where you are in @PureMichigan, you are only a two-hour drive from a downhill ski area http://bit.ly/xoNZRr
	Fun fact: There are more than 6,200 mi. of maintained, interconnected snowmobile trails in @PureMichigan http://bit.ly/xoNZRr
	Like snowmobiling? The Upper Peninsula offers 3,000 miles of groomed trails @PureMichigan http://bit.ly/xoNZRr
	The International 500 in Sault Ste. Marie in @PureMichigan is the oldest and fastest snowmobile race in North America http://bit.ly/xoNZRr
	Fun fact: @PureMichigan has more than 2,000 miles of dog sledding trails http://bit.ly/xoNZRr
	Did you know some areas of the Upper Peninsula can get more than 25 ft. of snow a year? @PureMichigan http://bit.ly/xoNZRr
	Peabody Ice Climbing in Fenton in @PureMichigan has ice climbing towers that range from 45 – 75 ft. tall http://bit.ly/xoNZRr
	Fun Winter fact: Otsego Ski Club in @PureMichigan serves as an Olympic snowboarding training facility http://bit.ly/xoNZRr
	Did you know @PureMichigan has more than 100 miles of snowshoeing trails? http://bit.ly/xoNZRr

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Zipping Through the Trees in Pure Michigan

January 11, 2012

in Outdoors,Posts by Region

We’re always looking to make our blog better. If you can fill out a quick survey, we’d appreciate it: http://bit.ly/ss86P9

Brian Confer, a contributing photographer for Michigan Travel Ideas, shares his zip lining adventure at Boyne Mountain.

Sometimes it seems like the whole world has turned upside down. On the Zipline Adventure Tour at Boyne Mountain, it really does.

On a wintry blue-sky day, my 13-year-old son, Jackson, and I journey to Boyne Mountain to capture photography of their Zipline Adventure Tour. Jackson zip-lined at camp this past year and assures me it’s exciting, fun and easy to go upside down.

Not for me, I assure him.

Jackson and I have a bit of time before we meet our group, so we don our harnesses and head to the Twin Zip Ride. With the Grand Mountain Lodge as a backdrop, we warm up by descending side-by-side.

Well, I warm up.

Jackson jumps off the platform and immediately flips upside down, descending at a high rate of speed, arms spread wide, laughing. We zip over the fountain, and I’m guided onto the landing platform—upright—and wait for my stomach to catch up.

Once all my parts are reacquainted, we join a group for the nine-line adventure. This group is more my speed—a gaggle of children, ages 6–12, chaperoned by three dads. Surely there are no daredevil showboaters like my son here.

Ha! First up, a smiling 6-year-old girl dressed in pink. There she goes, upside down over the heads of skiers on the Cold Spring run. Next up, a 7-year-old boy who has our guide turn him upside down before he leaves the launch pad. Older brother, upside down. His friend from down the road, upside down. One father, two fathers, three fathers, all upside down. Obviously, I’m missing out on something that my camera gear regrettably (thankfully) prevents me from trying.

Over the next six lines, our guides demonstrate how to ride in every position imaginable and show us how to do a flip off the platform. Cheers erupt when every participant but me attempts the maneuver. “Too bad you have that camera gear! You should try it,” I hear repeatedly, until, finally on zip line No. 7, I decide they’re right.

I hand my camera gear to our guide and jump from the platform. I swing my legs forward, use the momentum to carry my feet over my head and then lock them around the supporting lanyard. I settle in, spread my arms and over the head of a skier below, the skier looking up at me, following my arc and hearing me laugh the entire way into the landing.

More Winter Zip Lines:

Snow Snake Zip Line, Harrison
Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs

Brian Confer lives in northern Michigan with his wife and two sons. In addition to contributing to Michigan Travel Ideas, he focuses on fine art photography and other freelance work.

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