THOUSANDS EXPECTED TO CHILL AT WINTER BLAST
Warm weather means no snow ski hill
With warmer temperatures forecast and new events planned, organizers are expecting a large turnout for the upcoming Winter Blast festival in Royal Oak.
The event runs from Friday, Feb. 2 through Sunday Feb. 4.
“The weather is just great in some respects and it’s going to force us to make some changes,” said Jon Witz, producer of the winter festival and other major annual events in Royal Oak such as Arts, Beats and Eats. “That’s exciting because people will want to come out after all the freezing weather we’ve had in January.”
The first Winter Blast in 2022 brought in about 80,000 people, and last year’s event attracted about 65,000 when there were frigid temperatures.
With food trucks, treats such as roasted marshmallows, and some nearby restaurants offering outdoor heating areas, there will be no shortage of dishes for attendees to gnosh on.
Admission to the festival is free and there is no charge for many of the activities.
P.F. Chang’s is leading a list of participating restaurants and food trucks for the three-day weekend festival, which also includes dozens of musical performers on two stages, and a DTE Energy Kids Stage.
Presented by Soaring Eagle & Resort, Winter Blast this year is offering free ice skating. Attendees can bring their own skates or rent a pair for $5.
“Included in the new activities is a Medieval Village we’re going to set up on Williams Street,” Witz said.
It is themed on the 15th century renaissance period with a jousting team called Knights of the New Order in suits of armor on horses. Visitors can see shoe cobblers, an ice garden and ice throne or take part in ax throwing and archery.
Jugglers and fire eaters will stroll through the area, and there will be interactive storytelling, a grand winter dance, knighting ceremony and renaissance characters conducting family friendly interactive quests.
A “spectacular event” is promised Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. when the village ice tower is set on fire.
“We’re going with our warm weather plan,” Witz said, “and we’ll bring in a Sizzler and Pirate Ship (carnival rides) near the kids area tent, and there will be strolling entertainers, crafts and interactive games.”
A new karaoke contest is set to take place on the DTE Energy Stage with a total of $2,000 in cash and gift card prizes for the top six performers. Top prize in the Winter Blast Rock the Mic Karaoke Competition is $1,000 cash and a stay at Soaring Eagle with breakfast worth $400.
“One thing we will not be doing this year is making snow” for a ski hill, Witz said. “Because of the expected warm weather we won’t be doing the ski lessons we’ve done before.”
An ice sculpture garden presented by Henry Ford Health will feature medieval designs, along with large sculptures of the University of Michigan and Detroit Lions logos in recognition of both team’s winning football seasons.
If the Lions win their Jan. 28 game against the San Francisco 49ers and head to the Super Bowl next month, Witz predicted it would add some juice to Winter Blast.
“This event will turn into a pep rally for the Lions,” Witz said. “We have a gentleman who sings the fight song and he’ll be performing three nights. We’re ready to turn blue and we’ll have incentives for anyone
who wears blue. It would make us very happy to have a pre-Super Bowl rally for the Lions.”
There will be nine outdoor fire areas and four heated tents at the Winter Blast. Parking at the two nearby city parking decks on 11 Mile Road and at Second and Center streets will be a flat $5.