What to do in Downtown Niles...Niles French Market, Arts in Motion, Movies in the Park, Free Concerts, Downtown Trick or Treat, Holiday Homecoming, & so much more

Main Navigation

2010 Hunter Ice Festival

6th  Annual Hunter Ice Festival    January 15– 16- 17, 2010 Downtown Niles, MI

http://www.nilesmainstreet.org

Join us as we celebrate the legacy of The Hunter Brothers Ice & Ice Cream Company with our Magnificent Ice Carving Festival.  This year, the festival will feature the talents of World Class Master, & Professional Carvers, who will be sculpting more than 25 TONS of Ice throughout the 3 day festival!  

 

History: This festival is part of our Main Street Calendar of events and helps the community celebrate a little-known piece of Niles’ history.  It is named after the Hunter Ice Company which owned and operated an ice harvesting business on nearby Barron Lake in the late 1800s through the early 1900s when they grew to be the Hunter Ice and Ice Cream Company.  After a fire in the mid 1920’s, and with the insurgence of artificial ice manufacturers, the company closed.  In the mid 1980’s, after the death of the last remaining heir, the remaining estate was used to establish a philanthropic community foundation.

 

Hunter ice cream ‘every bite, a delight’ Along with harvesting ice from Barron Lake, the Hunter Company also made Ice Cream.  Hunter Ice Cream was noted for its purity and in 1914 the company could produce 400-500 gallons per day, any flavor, and the ice cream could be molded into various shapes. While not able to find the original recipe, we contacted Penn State University which teaches the oldest, best-known and largest educational program (112+ years old) dedicated to the science and technology of ice cream making.  It is believed to be the first continuing education course in the United States. They have supplied us with a formula for Ice Cream circa 1910.  Bonnie Doon Ice Cream, of Elkhart, Indiana makes our Ice Cream using the formula from Penn State University especially for this event.  $1 per scoop at the ice Ice Cream Stand on Main Street.

 

Schedule of Events

Tuesday—Artisan Hand Sculpting of Sponsor Blocks begins on the patio of Riverfront Café 219 North Front Street Coordinated by Master Carver and Restaurant owner, Andrew Thistlethwaite

Thursday-- **Weather Permitting**Festival Kicks-off as the 6 ton ice Horse and Carriage arrive - Main Street between Front & the Main Street Bridge

Friday - 6pm -7pm Fire & Ice "Live Performance Ice Sculpting" with Dan Rebholz /World Class Ice Sculpture, Chicago Location: North end of Riverfront Park

7:00pm – 9:30pm Murder Mystery Dinner (in the tasting tent) ~Niles own Four Flags Players perform a Murder Mystery with Buffet Foods Dinner prepared by Massimo's Pizzeria, Riverfront Cafe, Olefactory Hue, Chatterbox Cafe, Pasofino's Coffee Bakery, Veni's Sweet Shop, and S'Wonderful Confections.  $30 at the door/ $25 on-line advance sale. 
Dinner ticket includes one drink. 
Bar will be open serving Michigan Wines and Beers.
Limit 100 tickets.
Location: The Heated Tasting Tent

 “Good Grape Hunting”

The Frudee Family has been in the wine-making business for years. Their winery, while not entirely successful, has managed to stay afloat despite the criticism of a local wine critic, Dr. William Beabore. But now the Frudee brothers, Doodie and Rudy, and their distant cousin, Judy, have discovered how to grow grapes that have already fermented inside the skin! It's an amazing discovery, and they know they'll make a big splash with it in the wine world. Doodie's wife, Trudy, will do anything to help her husband, even if it leaves an unpleasant aftertaste, while Rudy's wife, Prudy, doesn't want to stain her reputation with a secret she'd rather keep to herself. Enjoy some wine-tasting and learn a little bit about wine, but be careful, someone will soon be two sheets under!

 

Saturday--- 9am-10:30am Frigid 5k Run-5K Run along the Riverfront Park Trail Sponsored by Cycle & Fitness, Niles location $10 entry fee Registration is at the Heated Tasting Tent

9am -4pm IceMasters Multi- block 5 Piece Competition Sculpture carved by a world class/national champion ice carvers with People’s Choice Judging-Voting starts at 5pm Saturday Night and goes through Noon Sunday 1/17/10.  Pick up your ballot at any downtown business that has a “Vote Here” sign on the door. Sculpture Locations:  Prominent Corners throughout Downtown Niles

9am - 5pm  History & Ice Carving/ Harvesting Exhibit- Niles District Library Location:  517 East Main

10:30am Frigid 5k Awards  Location: The Heated Tasting Tent

11am – 3pm Professional Carving Competition – Location: Riverfront Park Parking Lot between Sycamore & Ferry Streets     NICA Sanctioned Judging

noon-2:00pm Megan & Liz in concert with special guest $5 presale/ $8 at the door Limit 200 tent opens at 11:30am for seating Location: The Heated Tasting Tent Tickets


noon-2pm Megan & Liz and Special Guest.   Acoustic show with Megan & Liz Mace includes Meet & Greet.  Seating begins at 11:30am. $5 presale  $8 at the door.


3pm-7pm Hunter Tasting Tent Opens-Family friendly foods with Hunter Ice Cream Sundae Bar, Hot Dogs Hot Pretzels Location: The Heated Tasting Tent


3-9pm Hunter Wine & Beer Tasting –Hot, Hot, Hot- Signature Event with Wine from Local Vineyards, plus Beers and DiVine Vodka  from Round Barn Winery & Distillery, along with Hunter Ice Cream Sundae Bar & more. Live music after 7pm. $10 advance sale $12 at the door   Location: The Heated Tasting Tent

 

Sunday---
9am -1pm NICA Masters Carving Competition – Judging by NICA Sanctioned Judges. Location:  Riverfront Park Amphitheater


Noon-3pm Hunter Tasting Tent Opens-Family friendly foods with Hunter Ice Cream Sundae Bar, Hot Dogs Hot Pretzels Location: The Heated Tasting Tent


Noon -3:30pm Niles Chili Cook-off with Chili & Beer.   Tickets  $5 advance sale $8 at the door   Kids 7 and under $3 Location: The Heated Tasting Tent

3:30pm Chili Cook-off Awards Ceremony – Location: The Heated Tasting Tent

4:00 Ice Carving Awards Ceremony – Location: The Heated Tasting Tent- Public welcome

Throughout the Festival:

Sledding hills – weather permitting *sleds provided at Riverfront Park throughout the weekend.

 

Welcome Center & Warming Station - Kid’s activities include Face Painting, Crafts, Annual Clothesline Art Show.  All kids are invited to draw a picture to be displayed in our Clothesline Art Show. Open through the festival.  

 

Hunter Ice Festival Photography Contest  www.huntericephoto.googlepages.com  Prizes! $100/ $75/ $50

 

Important Locations:

Hunter Ice Cream Booth is located on the south side of Main Street between Front & 2nd-drive up service available
Outdoor Booth Hours
Sat 10am - 4pm
Sun 11am - 3pm

The Heated Tasting Tent is located in the City Parking lot at nw corner of Main & Front

 

The  Welcome Warming Station sponsored by the Niles-Buchanan YMCA is located at 127 East Main Street
Fri 5pm-7pm
Sat 10am-8pm
Sun 11am - 3pm

 

Competitions will take place in Riverfront Park Parking Lot and Amphitheater area

 
Outdoor Children's Activities in and around the Sledding Hill

Sat noon-4pm
Sun noon-3pm
For information on Pre-sale tickets, call 269-687-4332

 

Contact info: Lisa Croteau, Niles DDA Main Street - 210 E Main Street, Niles, MI 49120  (269) 687-4332  nilesmainstreet@nilesmainstreet.org  www.nilesmainstreet.org 

 

Web Hosting Companies