Now in its second year, the award-winning Fire and Ice Festival is set to begin on Friday, January 25^th in downtown Bethany Beach. Presented by the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce, Bethany Beach Ocean Suites and the Holiday Inn Express, festival-goers can trade their beach cruisers for ice skates at the family-friendly weekend full of winter festivities, including an ice sculpture tour and live sculpture demonstration, ice skating rink, culinary showcase, and — of course — a seasonal stop at your favorite shops, restaurants, and businesses.

“We are excited to be bringing the Fire & Ice Festival to the Quiet Resorts for the second year in a row”, says Lauren Weaver, executive director of the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce. “The support of local businesses will make this year’s event even bigger. The sculpture tour is comprised entirely of pieces sponsored by Chamber businesses, many of whom are working together to make the overall experience fun and memorable for all festival-goers.”

The opening of the Southern Delaware Tourism Ice Rink on Friday morning marks the start of the weekend’s festivities. The $5 admission fee covers skate rental and 30 minutes on the synthetic ice. The rink will operate from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm on Friday; 10:00 am – 8:00 pm on Saturday; and 11:00 am -2:00 pm on Sunday. Rink proceeds from the weekend will benefit Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing exceptional hospital and respite housing services to critically ill children and their families.

The self-guided sculpture tour, comprised of over fifteen ice sculptures featuring an “Under the Sea” theme, will kick off on Friday at 4:00 pm. Interactive sculptures, such as those of supporting sponsors Beazer Homes and K. Hovnanian Homes, will provide photo opportunities, and chances to win prizes. Folks can warm up along the way at various warming stations provided by sponsor, Coastal Tented Events. After checking out the ice sculptures, folks in town on Friday evening can end the day at a beach bonfire at 5:00 pm on the beach at Hollywood Street. The first 250 guests can enjoy s’mores provided by sponsor, Custom Mechanical.

For a chance to win a 2020 Fire & Ice Festival prize pack, including a one-night stay at Bethany Beach Ocean Suites or the Holiday Inn Express, festival-goers can stop by the Bethany Beach Ocean Suites tent on the bandstand to pick up a festival treasure hunt map. From 4:00 – 9:00 pm on Friday and Saturday, visit each stop on the map for a stamp; once you have completed the treasure hunt, take your completed map to the Bethany Beach Ocean Suites tent by 1:00 pm on Sunday. A winner will be announced on Sunday at 2:00 at the bandstand.

Saturday will feature family-friendly activities, including an Oyster Demonstration by the Center for the Inland Bays and a performance by Cascading Carols. A four-hour long live sculpture demonstration will take place on Saturday evening from 5:00 – 9:00 pm on the bandstand. Complete with music and an emcee, festival-goers can watch as 1,500 pounds of ice are turned into a detailed, sea-themed sculpture.

Prefer to watch the live demo from the warmth of Mango’s balcony? Join host Beta Sigma Phi, Alpha Alpha Chapter, at Fire and Ice with The Funsters from 7:00-11:00 pm on Saturday the 26^th. The live demo Viewing Party serves as the 27th annual fundraiser for the local non-profit, and will feature live music from The Funsters, dancing, silent and chance auctions, a 50/50 raffle, and an unbeatable view of the live ice sculpture demonstration. Light hors d’oeuvres and desserts will be provided courtesy of Mango’s, and a cash bar will round out the night’s offerings. Space is limited, and tickets can be purchased for $35 at FireandIceDE.com

The festival wraps up on Sunday, featuring the ice rink from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and the Fire and Ice Culinary Showcase at 11:00 am. The showcase will highlight local restaurants Bethany Blues, and 99 Sea Level, as well as 3BB Café. Guests can expect to look beyond the menu for an insider’s taste at each establishment. The $30 ticket fee covers a small plate and beverage pairing at each stop on the showcase. Tickets are available online at FireandIceDE.com. The festival will come to a close with a ceremonial sculpture “smash party” on Sunday at 1:30 pm. Watch as the sculptors “clean up” the ice sculptures by smashing their creations to pieces.

For more information and the complete schedule of events for the second annual Fire and Ice Festival, visit FireandIceDE.com or call 302-539-1919.