By Darlene Brace
The 8th annual Fire and Ice Celebration will take place again at the glamorous Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron, located at 10 Dunham Avenue. From Thursday, February 12th to Saturday, February 14th, you’re invited to immerse yourself in the enchanting magic of this icy winter wonderland from 5-9pm each evening. This enchanting event has drawn thousands of visitors from near and far over the past seven years, and it’s easy to see why. With stunning ice sculptures, warm fires, delicious food, and a festive atmosphere, it’s a celebration you won’t want to miss, and it keeps past attendees coming back for more. Mark your calendars and get ready for a magical evening!
This year, the Fire and Ice Celebration invites you to experience the magic of over 40,000 pounds of stunning ice sculptures. The ice is transported on a three-hour journey from The Ice Farm in Jordan, NY, which is located about twenty miles west of Syracuse. The owner of The Ice Farm, Stan Kolonko, is a world-class ice sculptor. He creates some of the sculptures at The Ice Farm and adds the finishing touches at the hotel, while other pieces are crafted on-site and assembled by a team in Celoron. Together, they bring the ice to life for your enjoyment.
Then the magical nights of Fire and Ice Celebration are ready and waiting for you. Most of the activities take place outdoors along the back patio of the hotel, right on the shores of Chautauqua Lake. In the darkness of a winter’s night, you’ll find fire pits and torches casting just enough light to highlight the stunning ice sculptures. Enjoy your favorite beverage while strolling among these icy creations or cozy up to the fire pits and heaters to keep warm.
The icy display will feature a variety of ice sculptures, including some interactive options like ice hockey and cornhole. You’ll be amazed by the bars made entirely of ice, along with a martini luge that allows your cocktail to flow down the ice and directly into your glass. To express gratitude to the sponsors for their support, each sponsor’s logo will be meticulously sculpted into blocks of ice. It’s truly an amazing sight to see the many ways ice sculptures transform the area into a majestic icescape.
As part of this festive evening, you will want to take some time to explore this beautiful venue and make your way to the Pier Ballroom and the adjacent corridor. You will discover a delightful assortment of hors d’oeuvres, chili, and chowder to savor. Additionally, there will be a cash bar and a variety of vendors from local eateries, wineries, and other businesses.
Each evening, DJ John Gallager will be set up here and spinning the tunes to add to the fun, ensuring everyone is having a good time. Whether you’re heating up the dance floor inside or dancing under the stars outside, you will be able to hear the music that will keep you entertained throughout the evening.
After an evening filled with a vibrant atmosphere of fire and ice, along with music and refreshments, you will conclude your special night by heading outside at 9pm. There, you will witness a stunning fireworks display glittering over the lake, with a kaleidoscope of colors bursting into the night sky, each night of the celebration.
The Fire and Ice Festival is one of the biggest events of the year at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel. It is also a fundraising event, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Child Advocacy Program (CAP) of Chautauqua County. CAP is an organization dedicated to preventing child abuse and advocating for families affected by it. They also provide training for first responders and provide other important services. To date, the Fire and Ice Celebration has raised over $100,000 for this important cause. Anyone who attends this event is helping to support a worthy initiative that helps abused children and families in our community.
The Fire and Ice Celebration is a fantastic community event overlooking the breathtaking views of Chautauqua Lake. It’s a fun way to spend an evening celebrating among the beautiful ice sculptures with family, friends, and others in the community, while supporting CAP’s worthy cause.
Each year this festival gets bigger and better, featuring beautiful ice sculptures, and the addition of more vendors and donations. If you are interested in purchasing tickets to attend this amazing event, which can include overnight packages, please visit chautauquaharborhotel.com or call 716-489-2800. You will be glad you participated in the spectacular and unique evening of the Fire and Ice Celebration!