Photography courtesy of University City Loop Special Business District
This Saturday, January 21, from 11 a.m.–9 p.m., the Delmar Loop plays host to the Loop Ice Carnival, with ice sculptures and more winter-inspired festivities taking over the street. The party is bigger, louder, and more kid-friendly than ever before. Here's what to know before you go.
Photography courtesy of University City Loop Special Business District
Family-Friendly Festivities
“The most important thing: We’re closing Delmar,” says spokesperson Jessica Bueler. The street will be closed to vehicular traffic from Kingsland to Limit. “Families can come down with their kids, and they don’t have to worry about traffic.”
Festival goers can see more than 40 ice sculptures, including a live ice-carving demonstration at 1 p.m. by Fitz’s (6605 Delmar).
From 11 a.m.–5 p.m., stop in for free face painting for kids at Blueberry Hill (6504 Delmar) and RedLion Customs (6275 Delmar). It's indoors, Beuler points out, where it's “nice and warm.” Kids will get numbers to keep the lines for face-painting from taking all day—just be at the venue during your kid’s group, instead of hanging out in line.
Stilt walkers are back, with the crew of performers being bigger than ever. The Ice Ballerina will be dancing with kids and pausing for photos, and she’ll be joined by the Blizzard Wizard, Jaqueline Frost, and Snow Bird.
The event website offers a guide with times and locations for all of the festivities—pretty handy if you’re trying to complete the Temporary Tattoo scavenger hunt!
Photography courtesy of University City Loop Special Business District
Brews & After-Dark Activities
In previous years, the party has ended when the sun went down. No more! The beloved fire dancers will really pop in the dark—Flux Infernos fire and Light Performers will be eating, breathing, and dancing with fire from 5–9 p.m. in the Market in the Loop area. “We decided, let’s really light up the street," Bueler says, "and have people come down there and stay down there."
Outside Three Kings Public House (6307 Delmar), enjoy a beer tent with cold sudsy offerings as well as hot chocolate to help warm up. The nearby DJ booth will keep the tunes cranking from 11 a.m.–5 p.m., and speakers will face both sides of the street, so everyone can hear.
And while you might want to bring cash for food, drinks, or other wares from Loop merchants, the ice sculptures and fun are gratis. “Every single thing that we’re doing is free,” says Bueler.
