Rediscover Canadian winter traditions at the 8th annual Fire and Ice Winter Festival on Jan. 21 and 22 at the Alton Mill Arts Centre.
Visitors can bring their skates and enjoy skating and curling on the Millpond rink, try snowshoeing or fat biking with the experts from Caledon Hills Cycling, and for the kids a Super Snow Slide.
Watch ice carvers create a crystal sculpture garden, sponsored by Grand Spirits Distillery in the Annex Courtyard during the day and after sundown, witness a spellbinding fire sculpture.
Potter Ann Randeraad will demonstrate a raku pottery firing in her outdoor kiln, and blacksmith George Church will fashion whimsical ironworks in the GeoForge.
Have a blast and a great laugh at the interactive photo booth, hand-painted by artist Lynda Clare Grant.
There will also be food stations set up so visitors can enjoy a sampling of different barbecue or maple syrup pops from Love’s Sweetness.
The event also continues indoors where the Alton Mill artists will be offering a variety of interactive workshops/demos and guests will be offering storytelling.
Workshops include: the Hive’s encaustic (beeswax painting) workshop where participants can “Give it a Whirl” in Studio 201, CJ Shelton’s “Story Art – ‘Tails’ of Courage” in Studio 206, and on Sunday afternoon, paint visitors can paint their own pond hockey player with Mark Grice.
This year, step inside the Fire and Ice Bar, by Grand Spirits Distillery, a themed cocktail lounge celebrating the warmth and sensuality of fire and ice via cool exotic drinks and hot shots along with local craft beer, wine and ciders, all in a winter bar setting.
There will also be complimentary Fire and Ice-themed body and face painting by artist Wendy Williams inside the lounge.
The Fire and Ice Bar opens Friday Jan. 20 at 5pm, and will be open both Sat and Sunday from noon to close.
Also on the main floor, the award-winning Gourmandissimo café serves a selection of soups, sandwiches, treats and hot drinks.
On Saturday only, participants can experience a Canadian tradition: outdoor pond hockey.
Pre-register to join in or cheer on the teams playing in the Alton Millpond Hockey Classic fundraiser.
Free general skating gets underway later in the afternoon and continues on Sunday from noon to 5pm.
Also on Sunday, a bona fide pond curling rink will be open.
On Saturday evening at dusk, Brian Oates turns up the heat when he ignites a brand new fire sculpture sponsored by Fireball Cinnamon Whisky. The jaw-dropping spectacle of light and unveiling form will dance in the night sky.
“A must-see event,” organizers state
End the first day of the Fire and Ice Pond Hockey Classic at the Hot Stove Lounge pub night.
With the Leafs vs. Senators game on the big screen, unwind and enjoy casual food and cash bar.
For tickets, contact hockey@altonmill.ca
Parking, and shuttle service from offsite parking lots is available.
Admission is a suggested donation of $10 per adult or $25 per family.
Activities are subject to change without notice. Weather conditions may affect outdoor programming.
For full details, visit www.altonmill.ca
