Winter at Valade Ice and Fire Festival: Where Ice Meets Art and Community

Scholastic Kid Reporter Faith Nguyen attends the Winter at Valade Ice and Fire Festival

As the cold settles in Michigan, the annual Winter at Valade Ice and Fire Festival in Detroit offers locals the chance to experience the season’s beauty and artistic talent. This January, the event featured ice sculptures, live ice carving demos, and a transformable 7-foot ice structure that once lit, became a giant bonfire. 

The festival has become a beloved tradition for both Detroit-based artists and the general community, including Ice sculptor Jeffrey Lao, a training manager from Dearborn, Michigan, who has participated in the festival since 2021. “Valade was one of the first competitions available after COVID,” Lao said. “Ever since then, it has become an annual tradition.” This year Lao won the ice sculpting contest with his iconic upside-down celebration, featuring Amon Ra St. Brown, a wide receiver on the Detroit Lions NFL football team. “A fellow sculptor suggested I carve it, and I often take on such challenges to step out of my comfort zone and improve.”  

A Unique Winter Experience for the Community 

Artists like Lao unite the community by engaging with local crowds. Lao mentioned that, “Some competitions require hours of travel, and my work is on display for strangers. I like that friends and family can come out and see my sculptures in person. Pictures don’t do sculptures any justice.” 

The event encourages people to explore the outdoors during the colder months, benefiting local businesses with increased foot traffic. Addison Mauck, Public Spaces Manager for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, shared her perspective on the event’s significance: “We were looking for a way to get people outdoors, and embrace the winter while doing something fun.” She added, “We wanted to embrace what a Michigan winter can bring, and the festival is an opportunity for people to enjoy that together.” 

One of the ice sculptures from the Winter at Valade Ice and Fire Festival

Challenges and the Changing Nature of Ice Art 

Weather plays a significant role in the longevity of sculptures. “When the temperature is between 22°F to 26°F, it’s easy to work with the ice,” Lao explained. "If the weather hits the melting point or higher, you can’t push the limits as easily.” As an experienced ice sculptor, Lao has learned to adapt to changing conditions, whether it’s working carefully when temperatures dip or protecting sculptures from the sun’s UV rays. 

Mauck even noted the challenges of organizing an outdoor event, saying, “One year, it unexpectedly hit 50 degrees, causing the ice to melt, so we had to quickly work around that.” 

The ice scuplture following the bonfire

A Tradition Worth Celebrating 

As the festival grows each year, it continues to showcase many artistic talents and strengthen the Detroit community as a whole. Lao said that “the most memorable moment at Valade was the year the Detroit River froze over. All the carvers were joking about walking to Canada.” The cooperation and community continue to get stronger every day. Winter at Valade Ice and Fire Festival offers something for everyone to enjoy, celebrating both art and community in a magical way.