On President’s Day weekend, Easton’s historic district will open its streets and shops to host the Chesapeake Fire & Ice Festival (Feb 16-17)– a weekend of ice sculptures, live demonstrations, free ice skating, and tons of activities for the kids. We caught up with Deena Kilmon, Director of Strategic Initiatives for EastonEDC, who told us the inside scoop about how families can enjoy all this festival has to offer for families.
- The ice skating is pretty special. This is no regular skating rink. The special bladeless skates are provided for free. The first hour is reserved for kids and guests needing accommodations.
- The Ice Rink is located at the Easton Visitor Center, 11 S. Harrison Street, Friday 5-9 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Ice Sculptures: There will be 40+ ice sculptures throughout Downtown Easton.
- There’s a parade! Make sure you get to the festival before 10:30 a.m. Saturday so you can watch the Frederick Douglass 206th Birthday Parade. Kilmon advises, “If you come at 9 a.m. Saturday, you park, get a cup of coffee, and you’re all ready for the parade and all the ice sculptures are already out.”
- Ice sculptures
- Giant ice slide: A favorite for kids!
- Kiss a PUPPY:The world’s best kissing booth will be raising money for the Talbot Humane Society and you guessed it…you get to kiss a puppy!
- Children’s Ice House: The library is transforming into a magical place for kids to get out of the cold and enjoy free arts and crafts, games, storytime, hot cocoa, and more!
- Talbot County Free Library, 100 W. Dover Street.
- Fire Trail: Over 25 Easton merchants are sharing fiery food, shopping, and experiences for festival-goers. Check out Hot Chocolate Bombs (Storm & Daughters, 32 E. Dover St.), Spicy Margarita Samples (Mercantile, 33 N. Harrison St.), Fire Frites & Champagne Cart (The Stewart, 3 Federal Street) and tons of other specials around town!
- Crackerjacks, the local toy store, will be having a big sale to celebrate the festival.
- Parking–Hot Tips:
- There will be free parking down Brewer’s Lane, which is next to the brand new public restrooms (because everyone needs a pit stop after crossing the bridge) and the new doggie park (in case you bring pup for the family fun). A secondary location for parking is near the library; if you’re there before 9:30, that’s a good spot but otherwise parking here is not an option due to the parade route.
- Fire & Ice Map: Be sure to print one off before you come or pick one up at the Visitor’s Center. As Kilmon says, “The kids can use that like a giant treasure map. They will be tired and ready to nap when you leave.”
If you’ve never been to Easton, or haven’t been lately, this is a great opportunity to rediscover a(nother) historic town…just far away enough to feel like you’re getting out of Dodge, but close enough that the kids aren’t asking “Are we there yet?!” (…too many times at least.)
EVENT DETAILS:
February 16 & 17, 2024
Friday 5:00PM-9:00PM & Saturday 11:00 AM – 9:00PM
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