Utica Books Radio Disney to Add Musical Magic to 2013 Ice Festival

Historic downtown Utica will be transformed into "The World of Disney" this February as the city celebrates its annual ice festival.

Billed by the Utica Downtown Development Authority and Parks & Recreation as "Disney in Downtown Utica," the festival will feature ice carvings of familiar animated characters and entertainment provided by Radio Disney. 

Jeff Wolf, a Shelby Township artist and owner of Finesse Ice Sculptures, and his team will once again carve all of the festival's sculptures, which will be located along Cass Avenue and Auburn Road as well as in Memorial Park.

While many local businesses have chosen to sponsor individual sculptures, John Sattmann, owner of Cass Bar and Grill and ice festival chairman, said the festival itself is still in need of corporate sponsors. See sponsorship opportunities here.

Genisys Credit Union is currently the festival's gold sponsor, but silver, bronze and automotive sponsorships are still available, Sattmann said. These sponsorships will cover the cost of carvings in Memorial Park and various attractions during the event, including horse-drawn carriage rides.

Due to overwhelming popularity, carriage rides will be offered all three days of the festival. Other activities will include an amateur carving contest, DJ and dancing, various kids games, a magician, book sale, a warming station inside of city hall with free hot cocoa, performance by Radio Disney and fireworks display on Friday, Feb. 8.

Mayor Jacqueline Noonan said past ice festival's have brought between 3,000 and 5,000 people to downtown Utica and she expects the 2013 festival to be even bigger.

The festival runs Feb. 8-10 throughout downtown Utica.

For more information on the festival, visit the City of Utica website at http://www.cityofutica.org/. Anyone interested in volunteering for the event can sign up on www.Utica-Events.com.