Ice sculptures and fireworks (below) highlight the theme of Rochester's Fire & Ice Fest. OU students can get a free bus ride downtown to enjoy this year's festivities.
By Dawn Pauli, staff writer
Oakland University students are invited to attend the second annual Fire & Ice Fest in downtown Rochester on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 23 and 24. The festival runs from 6-9 p.m. on Friday and noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday.
A free, round-trip shuttle bus will run on Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight for OU students. Pick-up is at Hamlin Circle and the drop-off is in downtown Rochester.
“More than 50 students took advantage of the shuttle when we offered it in November for Lagniappe,” said Lionel Maten, director of University Housing. “We are pleased to offer it again so students have the opportunity to attend this fun event, as well as visit the many shops and restaurants Rochester offers.”
Friday evening festivities include entertainment by Kevin T & the Firebirds, ice skating, a TasteFest, toboggan run, ice carving demonstration and free horse-drawn trolley rides. The night will be capped off with fireworks at 8 p.m.
Additional events on Saturday include dogsled demos and rides, a geo-caching scavenger hunt, a shopping spectacular, the “Under the Sea Ice Sculpture Show,” live entertainment and a closing ceremony.
OU’s Gospel Choir will take part in the festivities, performing at 3 p.m. on Saturday in the entertainment tent. With more than two dozen members, the choir, now called The Merge, has performed throughout Michigan and regularly performs on Wednesday evenings in the Oakland Center.
Fire & Ice Fest is presented by Oakland County, the Rochester Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Oakland County Parks, and is free to the public. Additional sponsors include The PrivateBank, Rochester Mills Beer Co., and Village Green of Rochester and Rochester Hills. For a downloadable schedule of events, visit www.downtownrochestermi.com/events.aspx.
The City of Rochester and Oakland University have had a long history dating to the university’s founding in 1959. Rochester and Oakland University signed a partnership agreement in 2003, with the goal of sharing the vibrant Rochester community with OU students, alumni, faculty and staff. Downtown Rochester is home to nearly 400 businesses in retail, restaurant and service industries.
A shuttle service will get students to downtown Rochester for a variety of fun events including winter activities, live entertainment, shopping, fireworks and more.
Created by David Groves (groves@oakland.edu) on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Modified by David Groves (groves@oakland.edu) on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Article Start Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2009
