Valent-ICE, the annual festival organized around Valentine’s Day to celebrate love and winter in Downtown Grand Rapids, features 50+ sculptures on display totaling more than 15 tons – or 30,000 pounds – of ice.

The design of the largest sculpture, selected by community vote in January, will be revealed on Saturday, February 13 during a live sculpting event at Rosa Parks Circle. The stars of Food Network’s “Ice Brigade” show – Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield – will carve the public sculpture from 6,000 pounds of ice. Voters chose from a moose, mermaid, teepee, octopus, whale or an ice castle. Once completed, the piece will stand 12 feet tall and is believed to be the tallest ice sculpture in any Michigan festival this year.

Valent-ICE is part of Downtown’s campaign to embrace the cold, take more advantage of the city’s northern climate, and make Grand Rapids a better winter city, which makes Grand Rapids a better year-around city. The festival is organized by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. in partnership with the Ice Guru, the Downtown Market and the City of Grand Rapids.

Additional sculpture highlights include:

• 35-foot ice bar serving special libations at the Downtown Market.
• 7-foot tall Grand Budapest Hotel at MadCap Coffee.
• Wishing well filled with frozen pennies at the center of a guess-and-win contest sponsored by Springthrough.
• Musical instruments celebrating Van Andel Arena’s 20^th anniversary.

These and dozens of other sculptures are organized in a walking tour around Downtown. The public is encouraged to vote-by-text for their favorite sculptures and be entered to win a Downtown prize package. The text-to-vote number is (616) 432-2790. Voting codes will be listed at individual sculptures. The business sponsoring the most popular sculpture will win a marketing package valued at $1,700.

Click here for a map of sculptures and schedule of events for Valent-ICE 2016. (PDF)

The festival also includes numerous free- and low-cost events for families and adults. Highlighted activities include:

Thursday, February 11

• 1-4 PM: Live carving of the Valent-ICE Lounge at the Downtown Market.
• 4-7 PM: Live carving of the Grand Budapest Hotel at MadCap Coffee Company.

Friday, February 12

• 12-7 PM: 50+ ice sculptures go on display throughout Downtown Grand Rapids.
  • The public votes for their favorite ice and enters to win a Downtown prize package.
• 4-7 PM: Bubbles on ICE Happy Hour at the Downtown Market's Valent-ICE Lounge.
  
  • Learn about and sample sparkling wines.
  • Play lighting rounds of 80's trivia.
  • Michigan craft beer and wine also available.
• 7-9 PM: 80's-themed ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle (PDF).
  
  • $1 for kids (under 17). $2 for adults.
  • AB spinning the tunes.
  • 80's trivia.
  • Costume contest for the best dressed.

Saturday, February 13

• 12-3 PM: Love at First Site in Rosa Parks Circle.
  
  • Live sculpting of the 6,000 lb Voter's Choice public ice sculpture..
  • Free ice skating for kids under 17.
  • Children's activities.
  • Free hot chocolate and prize giveaways.
• 2-7 PM: Love Potions to Melt the ICE at the Downtown Market's Valent-ICE Lounge.

Sunday, February 14

• 2-6 PM: ICE Cold Brewskies with a Whiskey Warmer at the Downtown Market's Valent-ICE Lounge.
  
  • Features the best winter ales paired with Whiskey Warmers.
  • Wine also available.
• 6-8 PM: Love on the Ice at Rosa Parks Circle.
  
  • $1 for kids (under 17). $2 for adults.
  • Free professional photography for the public.