Your Guide to Ferndale's 2012 Holiday Ice & Winterfest Market Dec. 7-9

The 2012 Holiday Ice & Winterfest Market will be held in downtown Ferndale this weekend, offering three days of holiday cheer and family fun.

The Ferndale Downtown Development Authority developed the festival to provide a hometown holiday experience for residents, neighbors and friends.

This year's event is presented by sponsor MotorCity Casino Hotel and supported by downtown businesses.

[See photos from last year's Holiday Ice & Winterfest Market here.]

Hours

• Friday, Dec. 7: 6-9 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 8: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 9: 12-5 p.m.

Cost

Admission is free. Free photos with Santa available on Saturday. Items offered by various vendors priced separately.

Schedule of events

FRIDAY

6 p.m.: Winterfest Market local greens and holiday craft market opens on East Nine Mile Road housed under heated tents. Free rides offered on the five-story ferris wheel.

7 p.m.: Lighting of the Woodward Avenue Tree at the median at Woodward Avenue and Nine Mile Road. Led by Mayor Dave Coulter with special guest Metalliclaus and members of the Ferndale High School Marching Band. Toy donations will be collected.

8 p.m.: Enjoy caroling and hot chocolate around the tree, plus ferris wheel rides and shopping at the Winterfest Market.

9 p.m.: Ugly Christmas Sweater contest at Dino’s Lounge.

SATURDAY

10 a.m.: Santa arrives atop a Ferndale fire truck at Schiffer Park at Planavon and West Nine Mile Road.

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Photos with Santa at Schiffer Park.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Free hayrides. Meet Santa's reindeer at Schiffer Park.

12-1:30 p.m.: Lunch with Santa at Buffalo Wild Wings. $5 for children 12 and under; $7 for adults.

1 p.m.: See world champion ice carver Tajana Raukar demonstrate her skills as she makes an ice sculpture of her own choosing at the Woodward and Nine Mile median. You'll find her 50+ "Masterpieces in Ice" around town all weekend.

2-4 p.m.: More photos with Santa at Schiffer Park.

All day through 9 p.m.: Winterfest market, ferris wheel rides, and holiday stage entertainment on East Nine Mile Road.

SUNDAY

12-5 p.m.: Winterfest Market, ferris wheel rides and holiday stage entertainment on East Nine Mile Road.

-Pony rides offered on East Nine Mile Road for a small donation to a new charity, Horses Heal Hearts.

-Also on Sunday, look for impromptu visits from Santa on East Nine Mile Road and throughout the downtown area.

Other holiday events in town this weekend

The festival isn't the only way to celebrate the holidays this weekend. Also check out these other special events:

Historic holiday tour: See historic Ferndale homes and other buildings - all decked out for the holidays - beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday at a tour benefiting the Ferndale Historical Society and the Ferndale Community Foundation. More info here.

Holiday book sale: The Ferndale Public Library is hosting a holiday book sale from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Find more information here.

Metalliclaus: Detroit Comics will offer the event "Holiday Sneer with Metalliclaus" from 12-5 p.m. Saturday. More information here.

Need more info?

For more information, call 248-546-1632 or visit www.downtownferndale.com.