Harrisburg, PA – The annual Ice & Fire Festival will be modified to “Ice in the Burg” on March 5-7, 2021 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The modified event will feature 55 large and small ice sculptures and will be featured in locations throughout the City including City Island, Downtown, Midtown, Italian Lake, Shipoke and Reservoir Park.
“M&T Bank is again honored to partner with the City of Harrisburg to bring this year’s festival to the community,” said Nora Habig, M&T’s regional president for Central and Western Pennsylvania. “The name of the festival might have changed this year, but we know the event will again serve as an important way to celebrate our community and support local businesses.”
Activities such as the ice slide, ice skating rink, live artist market, stage performances and firepit lounge will be paused for the 2021 event.
The ice sculptures will be available for viewing during the following dates and times:
Friday, March 5 | 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. City Island drive-thru experience
Saturday, March 6 | 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Ice sculptures on City Island, Downtown, Midtown, Italian Lake, Shipoke & Reservoir Park (ice sculptures illuminated 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.)
Sunday, March 7 | 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Ice sculptures on City Island, Downtown, Midtown, Italian Lake, Shipoke & Reservoir Park (ice sculptures will remain in place until melted)
Ice sculpture designs include the Italian Lake duck, man on the moon, Broad Street Market logo, Capitol dome, Shipoke Sheena, dinosaur and carousel horse. An interactive map with GPS coordinates to all sculptures is also available on the event website. Attendees can participate in the ice sculpture scavenger hunt for a chance to win gift cards from City of Harrisburg businesses. Health safety practices will be in place when visiting the ice sculptures, including social distancing marks leading to each sculpture. Wearing a mask is required when sustained physical distancing cannot be maintained per the Governor’s mandate. For an ice sculpture map, health safety practices and more event details, visit https://harrisburgpa.gov/ice.
“We are very excited to provide a safe and free outdoor event,” said Mayor Papenfuse. “We look forward to bringing ice sculptures to neighborhoods throughout the City this year, which will allow families to get outside for fresh air and exercise while enjoying the ice art.”
New additions to the event will include a free drive-thru experience on City Island on Friday, March 5 from 7pm – 9pm. This experience will feature 14 illuminated ice sculptures, live ice carving, Frozen characters, stilt walker, musician Dave McCullough and Susquehanna Dance Academy performance. All attendees must remain in their vehicles for the drive-thru experience – no bicycles or walkers will be permitted. The ice sculptures featured in the drive-thru will also be available on Saturday & Sunday.
Eat in the Streets will feature a unique outdoor dining experience on Saturday, March 6 from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Second Street. Participating restaurants include Arooga’s, Federal Taphouse, JP Lovedrafts Micropub, Stocks on 2nd and Zembie’s. Themed cocktails will also be available, or attendees can warm up with a cocoa or coffee beverage while viewing the sculptures. For information on drink specials, visit https://harrisburgpa.gov/ice.
Family fun activities will include a free ice painting station at the McCormick Riverfront Library on Saturday & Sunday from 3pm – 7pm. The Civic Club of Harrisburg will also be offering characters, kid’s games, activities and more on Saturday from 11am – 5pm. A photo op “I HBG” light display will be available at the City Government Center (10 N 2nd St) from 12pm – 9pm on Saturday. A printable kids scavenger hunt sheet is also available on the event website.
Parking and road closures:
- City Island – free parking on City Island
- Downtown –
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- $10 daily parking at the Market Square Garage, courtesy of Park Harrisburg
- Street parking is free after 5pm on Saturday in designated Downtown areas and free all day on Sunday. Get 4 hours of free Downtown street parking using the code “LUVHBG” on the Parkmobile app before 5pm on Saturday.
- Walnut and Chestnut Street garages will be open.
- Italian Lake – Free parking in the parking lots at 3rd and Shamokin St, courtesy of Zembo Shrine.
- Midtown –
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- Free parking in the Greenworks Development #2 and #4 parking lots at Reily & Logan St.
- Free parking in the Benjamin Franklin Elementary School parking lot at 1205 N 6th St.
- Metered street parking is also available.
- Reservoir Park – free parking in the parking lot on Reservoir Drive.
- Shipoke – metered street parking is available. The Market Square parking garage is within ½ mile.
- Road closures – 2nd Street will be closed from Locust to Pine Streets on Saturday, March 6 from 10am – 9pm for outdoor street dining.
“Without the support of our sponsors, we would not be able to put together this wonderful winter event,” said Mayor Papenfuse. “I would like to give special thanks to our title sponsor M&T Bank along with all of our sponsors, including Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, Explore HBG, Capital BlueCross, UPMC, Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District, Commonwealth Charter Academy, Broad Street Market and Park Harrisburg.”
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