Ice Fest Returns To The River Museum January 14th and 15th!

The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium is the perfect place for family fun that’s informative and exciting. And, even though it’s cold outside, this might just be your best bet for winter fun, as Ice Fest returns to the museum January 14th and 15th!

For the 19^th annual Ice Fest the theme is Ice Age, and there’s a full weekend of activities planned! This two-day event gives guests the chance to try cross country skiing and snowshoeing, enjoy some sledding on campus, and even order a s'more (they even have an allergy friendly option) and hot chocolate!

During Ice fest the Smithsonian film, "Epic Yellowstone: Fire and Ice" will be shown in the Journey Theater and weather-dependent activities like ice skating demonstrations and ice fishing are tentatively planned as well. That’s in addition to water rescue demonstrations you can partake in, and historical ice-harvesting!

And for those of your freezing with the kids you can enjoy a nice warm adult hot chocolate (must be 21). You regular admission to the River Museum gets you access to the whole campus and schedule of activities. You might even see me (Tom Drake) at Saturday’s events! Food and drinks are additional costs but are also available.

Ice Fest also happens to line-up on a Dupaco day, who just so happens to sponsor Ice Fest! Dupaco Community Credit Union members have the opportunity to save BIG at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium as the will receive a 35% discount at the box office for the River Museum on the second Sunday of every month through May 2023.

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Check out the full list of planned activities for Ice Fest 2023 below.

Indoor Activities 10 AM to 4 PM, unless noted:

• Smithsonian Film "Epic Yellowstone: Fire & Ice" in the Journey Theater

• Scavenger Hunt across the entire Campus

• Ice Age Dig in the MRC Upstairs

• Makerspace Activities in the Makerspace

• Button Making in the NRC Upstairs

• Fire Pit Craft in the MRC Upstairs

• Meltdown Hot Cocoa Bar (11 AM - 4 PM) at the MRC Cafe

• Wine Tastings (11 AM - 2 PM) in the NRC Upstairs

• Book Signing - One4Water by Hank Kohler (11:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 2 PM- 3 PM) in the NRC Museum Store

• Shark Touch Tank (11:30 AM - 2 PM) at the Backwater Marsh

• Educational Programs - Belt Driven Machine Shop, Creature Features across the entire Campus

Outdoor Activities 10 AM to 4 PM, unless noted:

• S'mores Station in the Boatyard

• Snow Carving in the Plaza

• Tube Sledding in the Boatyard

• Snow Shoeing in the Boatyard

• Ice Harvesting (10 AM and 2 PM demonstrations) at the Ice Harbor

• Blacksmith Demonstration (TBA) in the Blacksmiths Shop

• Figure Skating Demonstration (11 AM *ice dependent) at the Ice Harbor

• Icec Rescue Demonstration (TBA*ice dependent) at the Ice Harbor

• Log Cabin Educational Programming (11 AM - 4 PM) at the Wetlands