Outside or In?
Plymouth Ice Festival, Owl Nights in Howell, Taylor Mason in Clinton Township, 'Frog & Toad' in Ann Arbor and more!
Michigan's topsy-turvy temperatures are at it again. After a few formidable snowfalls, it looks like we're in for partly sunny days in the mid-30s – and maybe even a rainy Sunday. But you know the adage: Wait five minutes! Meanwhile, we've rounded up outdoor and indoor fun sure to make your family's weekend a hit, whatever the weather.
Along with a new name, the Plymouth Ice Festival is beefing up the family-fun factor for year 28. How does a Dueling Chainsaw Speed Carving competition sound? There's also a kids' scavenger hunt, pony rides and special showings of kid-flick Balto at the Penn Theatre. And, of course, the star attractions return – 100-plus dazzling ice sculptures, on display in Kellogg Park – along with loads of demos. Check out Metro Parent's inside look at what's in store, along with hints on where to grab some great family grub. The fun runs Friday-Sunday.
Elsewhere outside? Owl Nights return to the Howell Nature Center on Friday and Saturday. January is apparently a prime month to hear Great Horned Owls (whooo knew?), and these evening strolls give that chance (along with hot chocolate and cookies). In White Lake on Saturday, create some stunning artwork with snowballs and icicles over at Indian Springs Metropark. And we love the rallying cry over at Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve: "We will not be stuck indoors!" To prove it, the Rochester destination's WinterFest returns Sunday with snowshoeing, launching snowballs with a catapult, and Native American games.
If that predicted "heat wave" skips us – or if you'd just prefer a little shelter from the elements – Taylor Mason is your ticket. The comedian-ventriloquist-entertainer-musician-actor (whew!) visits Clinton Township for two family performances this Saturday. This one-funnyman-show features Mason's entourage of plush pals and giggles galore. And The Macomb Center for the Performing Arts is offering a discount Family Fun Pack (four tickets for $60 – not shabby!).
The stage-and-screen scene is also hoppin' in Ann Arbor, where the Wild Swan Theater presents Frog & Toad, bringing two of Arnold Lobel's cherished characters to life (for grades pre-K to second) on Friday and Saturday. Those same days, over in Detroit, vintage 1961 musical flick West Side Story shows at the retro-keen Redford Theatre. Maybe you're in dire need of a parents' night out, instead? Swing by Canton Friday night for Stand-Up Dads, featuring some pretty funny fathers.
Stay warm (or cool) out there!
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Reader Comments:
Hope Drogmiller and Hopes daddy give this years 2010 Plymouth Ice Show a definate four thumbs up. What thrills for the kids to be able to see the chainsaw artist, sculptures made out of blocks of ice, demonstrated on center stage for all to see. This demonstration could be seen by all in attendance. We as a family have been to this ice show every year and we still are amazed at the wonderful world of ice and talent in the world. However, this year the crowds were walking hand in hand, very little room to walk, attendance numbers were definately strong. We also hope that next year we can see the return of RADIO DISNEY, we missed seeing them this year.
There were plenty of food vendors and probably one of the best cups of cappacino I have had in a long time, in this vendors booth designed like a big coffee cup knows how to make this much needed brew of bean and water and milk on a cold winters day. The crowds were extremely large but friendly, everyone just here to have a nice family time. City of Plymouth you definately know what your doing, thanks for a great time and we look forward to your up coming City of Plymouth GO GREEN festival sometime in the next few months.
When it comes to being outside on a cold winters day, there is no better place to be than the Plymouth Ice Festival. Yes! We were there again this year. City of Plymouth you know what your doing! Hope Drogmiller and Hope's Daddy give the 2010 Plymouth Ice Festival FOUR THUMBS UP! What excitement, from the world record snowcone (which was delicious) to the chainsaw artist on stage performing their trade.
Attendance numbers were good, walking hand and hand like turtles, this event was well worth the drive to Plymouth to see. There were plenty of vendors selling hot food. I purchased the best cup "o" joe from a vendor who made capacinno and lattes from a Big Cup of coffee designed work space. They know what they are doing, the best beans, water, and milk. Hope Drogmiller enjoyed a cup of their gourmet hot coco, which she said the only person that could make coco better than this would be Santa or Grandma. I quickly reminded her, don't forget Daddy's gourmet coco!
City of Plymouth thank you for a great family event, we look forward to next years ice festival. We also look forward to attending the upcoming Plymouth GO GREEN Festival sometime in the next few months, it will be their second year. We give last years Go Green Festival four thumbs up! Check it out, its well worth the drive to Plymouth.