18th annual Hunter Ice Festival kicks off Friday in Niles

NILES, Mich. -- The 18th annual Hunter Ice Festival is ready to make a comeback in downtown Niles starting Friday, Jan. 14.

Five carvers are creating around 70 ice sculptures that are showcased around Downtown Niles. The ice sculptures will be located outside the Niles History Center down to the Riverfront Park.

The weekend-long, family-friendly festival will feature a speed ice sculpting competition at the Amphitheater, an interactive ice area with games like corn-hole, and Ping-Pong, and skeeball.

The Fire and Ice event kicks off the festival at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 14. But, the ice sculptures will be placed around Niles starting at 4 p.m.