The Fire & Ice Festival Returns, Jan. 3, to Downtown Goshen

A new year of First Fridays programming starts out strong with the one and only Fire & Ice Festival, Jan. 3 from 5 to 9 p.m. in Downtown Goshen. Downtown Goshen, Inc. keeps the family-friendly entertainment rolling along with this traditional, season-opening event—featuring professional ice carvers, fire dancers, fun activities for kids, and deals and specials for lovers of downtown Goshen’s unique stores, shops, and eating and drinking establishments.

NorthWood High School graduate Sammy Moore is among the professional ice carvers starting at noon to begin transforming their 300-pound blocks of ice into impossibly intricate pieces of art to decorate downtown. Additional carvers including Danny Bloss II, Mike Evans, Matthew Patton, Bud Lies, Howard Busfield, and Joshua Nivens bring their incredible ice creations to life throughout the day. 

In the evening, from 5-9 p.m., with the magnificent sculptures on display, fire dancers and stunt performers light Goshen’s night sky with performances, stunts, and demonstrations. Among the fun activities for the young and young at heart, kids can come royally dressed to have their picture taken while sitting on the ice throne. 

“The annual Fire and Ice Festival is so much fun, and it’s a great event for embarking on another new season of entertaining and fun community celebrations,” said Director of First Fridays, Amanda Rose. “This one-day festival is not only spectacular, it’s fun for the kids because they love the interactive element and sitting on the ice throne and watching the carvers do their work. The sculptures and fire dancers are always amazing, and downtown shops and eateries have a ton to offer with specials and promotions. The Fire and Ice Festival represents what we are all about—and that’s keeping the good times going, non-stop, in Downtown Goshen.”

Pyroscope Entertainment and Clark Lewis provide thrilling fire-inspired entertainment, and participating downtown stores bring the heat during the festival with food and beverage specials. Revelers are encouraged to stop in and enjoy hot meals, fiery delights, and sweet treats before heading back out to see the ice sculptures and performances. Kids are invited to appear in their best royal outfits for a picture on the ice throne on the corner of West Washington and Main Streets.

Festival attendees can roast a free marshmallow—and warm up—over the array of toasty outdoor fires, and can enjoy shopping at participating downtown merchant locations. 

Find full event details for January First Fridays at DowntownGoshen.org.