Fire and Ice Festival returns to Bethany Jan. 25-27

The award-winning Fire and Ice Festival, now in its second year, is set to begin Friday, Jan. 25, in downtown Bethany Beach.

It’s presented by the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce, Bethany Beach Ocean Suites and Holiday Inn Express, and 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 seasonal stops at favorite shops, restaurants and businesses.

“We are excited to be bringing the Fire and Ice Festival to the Quiet Resorts for the second year in a row,” said Lauren Weaver, chamber executive director. “The support of local businesses will make this year’s event even bigger. The sculpture tour is composed 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 Southern Delaware Tourism Ice Rink will open at 10 a.m., Friday morning to start the festivities. The $5 admission fee covers skate rental and 30 minutes on the synthetic ice. The rink will operate from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday. Rink proceeds will benefit Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation, a nonprofit providing exceptional hospital and respite housing services to critically ill children and their families. 

The self-guided sculpture tour, with 15-plus ice sculptures featuring an Under the Sea theme, will open at 4 p.m., Friday. 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 enjoy various warming stations provided by sponsor Coastal Tented Events.

Friday evening, visitors can end the day at a bonfire at 5 p.m. 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 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, each stop on the map earns participants a stamp. Once the treasure hunt has been completed, participants can drop off the stamped map to the Bethany Beach Ocean Suites tent by 1 p.m., Sunday. A winner will be announced at 2 p.m., Sunday 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 Carlos. A live sculpture demonstration will take place from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday 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. 

Those who watch the live demo from the warmth of Mango’s balcony may join host Beta Sigma Phi, Alpha Alpha Chapter, at Fire and Ice with the Funsters from 7 to 11 p.m., Saturday. The party serves as the 27th annual fundraiser for the local nonprofit, and will feature dancing, silent and chance auctions, a 50/50 raffle and an unbeatable view of the 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. Live demo viewing party tickets are $35.

The festival wraps up on Sunday, featuring the ice rink from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Fire and Ice Culinary Showcase at 11 a.m. The showcase will highlight local restaurants Bethany Blues and 99 Sea Level, as well as 3BB Café. Guests can expect an insider’s taste at each establishment. A $30 ticket fee covers a small plate and beverage pairing at each stop on the showcase.

The festival will come to a close with a ceremonial sculpture smash party at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, when visitors can watch sculptors smashing their creations to pieces. 

For more information or to purchase tickets for the live demo viewing party or the culinary showcase, go to www.FireandIceDE.com or call 302-539-1919.