Margarita Madness At The Purple People Bridge : May 17th

You Can See a Ton of Cool Ice Carvings at This Richmond, Indiana Winter Festival

So much ice, Elsa would be jealous.

Jan 8, 2024 at 2:41 pm

An ice sculpture from the 2023 Meltdown Winter Ice Festival Photo: facebook.com/RichmondMeltdown

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This month, Richmond, Indiana, is once again transforming its downtown and Depot District into an icy wonderland for its annual Meltdown Winter Ice Festival — a festival with so much ice it could make Elsa jealous.

About an hour-and-a-half drive from Cincinnati, Richmond has been putting on the Meltdown Winter Ice Festival since 2013. Over the course of the last weekend in January, professional ice carvers and artists will turn over 20,000 pounds of ice into incredible sculptures and masterpieces for visitors to enjoy.

The festival will also feature plenty of music, food and drink, kid-friendly activities and even “ice fights.” But one of the biggest events is the Meltdown Throwdown: a competition where two teams of skilled ice carvers will duke it out on stage to create the best sculpture the fastest, and the crowd will serve as the judge.

Organizers say past Meltdowns have also included the Family Fun Zone, an interactive park with games made entirely of ice; carriage rides, the Frozen Fairy Trail, a frosty mug pub crawl, food trucks, fireworks and more.

Meltdown Winter Ice Festival is free and runs Friday and Saturday, Jan. 26-27. You can find the festival at the Jack Elstro Plaza at 47 N. Sixth St. More info: richmondmeltdown.com.

Slideshow

27 Charming Small Towns Within Driving Distance of Cincinnati That Are Worth The Trip

Athens, Ohio Distance: 2.5 hours A liberal oasis within Southeast Ohio, Athens is home to the state's oldest university (Ohio University), which opened in 1808 with just three students. Modern-day Athens is known for its scenic miles of local bike and hiking trails and is just a quick 45-minute drive from one of the most beautiful state parks in the region, Hocking Hills. Surprisingly good local dining in the uptown area will keep you well fed late into the night and acclaimed microbreweries Jackie O's and Little Fish are sure to keep your whistle wet.

Maysville, KentuckyDistance: 1 hour Step back in time in Maysville, Kentucky, a small town located along the Ohio River. Celebrate the arts in many different ways in this quaint historic town by enjoying a show at the famed Washington Opera House, built in 1898. You can head over to the Russell Theater and enjoy an Art Deco experience in a place that once hosted a red carpet event for Rosemary Clooney (who is originally from Maysville) at the opening of The Stars are Singing. For some history, walk around and discover Underground Railroad sites, or do a tour and tasting at the Old Pogue bourbon distillery, open since 1876.

Millersburg, Ohio Distance: 3.5 hours If you've ever been interested in the Amish culture, Millersburg is in the heart of Amish country and just over a three-hour drive from Cincinnati. There you'll find Yoder's Amish Home, where you can learn firsthand about Amish day-to-day living and culture via tours of the farm, house and land. There's also the Guggisberg Cheese Factory, which is the home of the original baby Swiss cheese. There are also many other Amish towns nearby, such as Berlin or Walnut Creek, with more activities and lodging.

Willoughby, Ohio Distance: 4 hours Willoughby sits beside the Chagrin River and is a town rich in history that can be dated back to Native American settlements. It is also the only town in America to belong to six different counties at one point or another. With scenic nature reserves and historical buildings and monuments, Willoughby is a great spot to roam and soak in the antiquity of Ohio. Outdoor Markets in the City Hall parking lot are held on Saturdays at 8 a.m. to noon, June through October.

Columbus, IndianaDistance: 1 hour and 30 minutes Columbus, Indiana is known for its architecture and public art. The city hosts a popular annual festival called Exhibit Columbus that celebrates art and design throughout the community. Take a guided tour of the Miller House, a famed Midcentury Modern home known for its colors, thoughtful design and breathtaking gardens. For some historic architecture, take a tour of the Inn at Irwin Gardens, a unique Edwardian-era development remodeled in 1910. Or if you prefer a self-guided tour, download the Downtown Audio tour app that walks you through 18 stops throughout Columbus.

Yellow Springs, Ohio Distance: 1.5 hours Yellow Springs is the perfect destination for those who have a love for arts, culture and nature. Throughout the year the town hosts various arts and music festivals, ranging from intimate gatherings to large events. The village is surrounded by nature reserves, hiking and biking trails and canyons. With its close proximity to Cincinnati, Yellow Springs is a great choice for a day trip filled with adventure and stunning sights.

Marblehead, OhioDistance: 4 hours Sitting on the tip of Marblehead peninsula, dividing Lake Erie from Sandusky Bay, and located 20 miles from Cedar Point amusement park, is the small village of Marblehead. This quaint lakefront hamlet is in a region known as “vacationland” for its sport fishing and boating community during the summer months. Marblehead also has a functioning lighthouse that has been in operation since 1822.

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About The Author

Katherine Barrier

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she oversees the digital and social media strategies, edits web and print content and writes for the dining and arts...