GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Ice sculptures are starting to pop up around the Downtown Market in Grand Rapids Friday morning.
That’s because it’s the kick off of the 6th year of the Valent-ICE event. It runs through Valentine's day at the Downtown Market and is all a part of the World of Winter Festival where you’ll be able to see 80 plus ice sculptures throughout downtown Grand Rapids.
TheIce Guru Randy Finchand his team have been working on these ice sculptures since mid December.
“There's probably 200 blocks of ice, which equals to right around 60,000 pounds of ice,” says Randy Finch, Owner of Ice Sculptures Ltd.
And some of that ice can be found right outside the Downtown Market.
“It's a great experience as a couple if you're kind of looking for something to do looking for a way to get out of the house. You can kind of come experience the different sculptures sort of see something unique, that won't last any longer than the weather lasts,” says Kate Burke, Director of Sales and Private Events
While you’re there, you can grab a bite to eat and there will be a chance for you to sit inside but with a limited capacity.
“We've actually opened up our greenhouse for some limited indoor dining, so people can come down, we'll have our brunch bites going on Sunday,” says Burke.
After you grab that taste of town, pull out your phone and check the interactive map online and that could lead you downtown to see live ice carvings and get some great photo ops with your valentine.
“On Sunday night, we have the giant love on an ice wall. It's a wall that has love and a heart in it in red, you and your significant other could come up we'll engrave in your initials with a little heart. And then you get your photograph taken by a professional photographer for free,” says Finch.
If you’re up for a challenge there is an ice sculpture of Bernie Sanders downtown and if you find him, take a pic and use the hashtag “ice ice Bernie” and you’ll be in the running to win a mini 3D printed Bernie.
Valent-ICE Hours at the Downtown Market:
Friday, February 12: 11am-7pm
Sat/Sun, February 13-14: 10am-7pm
