By Staff
The Hunter Ice Festival celebrates the success and philanthropy of Henry and Lemont Hunter, who ran the highly successful Hunter Ice &Ice Cream Company, harvesting ice from Barron Lake in Niles from 1898 to 1925 that sold almost exclusively to the Michigan Central Railroad for their dining cars.
The store at 209 E. Main St. will serve as a warming station and souvenir stand selling various Hunter Ice Festival memorabilia. The building will also be Kid Central – children 12 and under can draw a picture to enter into the Clothesline Art Contest, have their faces painted, make balloon animals or do some origami while warming up with a cup of hot chocolate.
The Hunter Ice Cream Stand will open Saturday morning at the corner of Third and Main streets, where there will be pre-packaged pints of ice cream to go, along with lots of scoops!
Friday, Jan. 12
Ice Arrives and is set throughout town for Saturday Carving
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Learn about the Hunter Brothers at the history exhibit at Niles District Library, 620 E. Main St., which will feature three new ice carving/ice harvesting videos.
6 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Fire &Ice – "Live Performance Ice Sculpting" at the north end of Riverfront Park off of Front Street. Hunter Ice Cream will be available at the show for $1 per container.
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – The Penguin Pitstop (a.k.a. tasting tent) at the tent at Third and Sycamore streets. Families welcome. Wine, beer and pop bar with snacks, Hunter Ice Cream and music.
Saturday, Jan. 13
Hunter Ice Cream Stand at the northwest corner of Third and Main streets serving circa-1900 ice cream recipe recreated especially for the Hunter Ice Festival by Bonnie Doon of Elkhart, Ind. $1 per scoop or pre-packaged pints to go are $5. This year featuring special toppings from Veni Sweet Shop for an extra 50 cents.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Learn about the Hunter Brothers at the history exhibit at Niles District Library, 620 E. Main St., which will feature three new ice carving/ice-harvesting videos.
9 a.m. 'til … – Street carvings sculpted all throughout downtown Niles from Front to Fifth, and Cedar to Sycamore streets.
Noon to 1:30 p.m. – IceMasters Speed Carving Competition on Second Street between Main and Sycamore streets. Three, 15-minute rounds and one final round. Winner determined by crowd applause.
Noon to 3 p.m. – NICA sanctioned and judged Student Carving Competition at Riverfront Park Amphitheater.
2 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Hunter Wine Tasting Tent at Third and Sycamore streets. $10 for glass and 8 tastes / samples of 13 fine wines, plus chocolate truffles and gourmet cheeses. Additional tickets available at four for $5. Children 21 and under are welcome – no charge for admittance to tent – but they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – IceMasters multi-block Four-Piece Sculpture Exhibition / Competition at the corners throughout downtown Niles.
Sunday, Jan. 14
8 a.m. to 11 a.m. – NICA sanctioned and judged One Block Carving Competition at the city parking lot at northeast corner of Second and Sycamore streets. 15 carvers of varying skill levels compete for prizes of $1,000, $750, and $500.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – IceMasters Two Block Carving Exhibition City at the city parking lot at southeast corner of Second and Sycamore streets. Competition judged by spectator ballot.
Noon to 4 p.m. – First Niles Chili Cook-off at tent at Third and Sycamore streets. $5 gets you into chili heaven, where you can taste chili 'til your heart's content! Specialty beer, wine and pop available. Chili Cook-off contestants include El Amigo Pepe, Hob Nob Bistro, Nancy &Susie's Cafe, Golden Nugget Saloon, Riverfront Cafe, County Down Pastries &Deli, Stop In Family Restaurant, East Main Cafe, Joey Armadillos, and Ballard Kitchen.
3:30 p.m. – Awards Ceremony in Queen Anne Room of Renaissance Place, 404 E. Main St.
Hunter Photo Contest
Bring your camera! Prizes: 1st Place $100, 2nd Place $75, 3rd Place $50. Once again, the Niles District Library and the Hunter Ice Festival brings you the Festival Photo Contest. Take pictures during the Hunter Ice Festival and submit them to the Niles District Library, where they will be added to a display and judged. This year we are adding some categories for the judging. We encourage you to submit sculpture photos, action shots and views of people enjoying the festival. All photos submitted become the property of the Hunter Ice Festival and the Niles DDA and may be used for promotional purposes, so make sure you keep a copy! Photos may be submitted in print form, or electronically. Electronic submissions will be printed to a 5×7 on photo paper, and judged on that printout. Each photographer is limited to three entries. Entries may be emailed to huntericephoto@gmail.com.
Tasting Tent beer/ wine list
Wines: Montevina Pinot Grigio, Rock Rabbit Sauvignon Blanc, Little Penguin Chardonnay, Wolfblass Shiraz, Puccini Chianti, Little Penguin Winter Red, Blue Jean, Marrieto Old Vine Red, Leelaneau Winter White, Segura Viuddas Sparkling, Grand Traverse Sweet Red, Chateau St. Michelle Riesling, Round Barn Black Currant – Peoples Choice 2006.
Beers: Bitchin Betty- Nine G Brewing Company, Wingman Nine G Brewing Company (may be switched out for Bells Winter Ale), Kalamazoo Stout – Bells.