The coolest festival around happened the last week of January! 

2020 SCHEDULE

PRE-FESTIVAL

Coloring Contest, Jan 18-21 | Start the Meltdown week out with a splash of color! There are two contest sheets, one for children (4th grade and under) and one for adults (18 y/o and up). You can pick up and drop off your contest sheet at the Parks Dept. office between 8 am – 5 pm, Paint the Towne, or Morrison-Reeves Library. **Contest entries are due on January 21st before 5 pm. The top three winners from the children coloring contest, and the top winner from the adult coloring contest will win a prize! Contest sheets will be displayed at the former Elder-Beerman building. Contact the Richmond Parks Department for more information about the coloring contest.

TUESDAY

Meet a Carver, 3:30 PM, Morrison-Reeves Library | Meet an Ice Carver and watch him work in this up close ice carving session. Andrew “The Giant” Thistlewaite will carve ice in the Historic Courtyard at Morrisson-Reeves Library. Make your own delicious drink at the Hot Chocolate Bar.

THURSDAY

Magical Snowflakes on Main, All day, Main Street | Large snowflakes will be placed along Main Street with positive, uplifting quotes. Participants will collect code words from each snowflake to form a secret message. Then, you can turn in your passport at Welcome Center for special prize!

Public Carving, 2:30 PM, Leland Legacy | Want to watch the carvers at work but feeling a bit chilly? Warm up INDOORS at the Leland Legacy while you watch the carvers create a beautiful sculpture right outside the window. 

Chili for Charity, 5:30-7:00 PM, Morrison-Reeves Library | Warm up before a COOL weekend with chili for a cause! Community organizations will pull out their best recipes for this friendly competition supporting the good work of our community’s nonprofits! Tickets can be purchased for $10.00.

Pop-up Carving, 7:00-8:30 PM, Elstro Plaza | See the magic happen right in front of your eyes! The carvers will be out on Thursday evening to do a live carving!  

FRIDAY

Magical Snowflakes on Main, All day, Main Street | Large snowflakes will be placed along Main Street with positive, uplifting quotes. Participants will collect code words from each snowflake to form a secret message. Then, you can turn in your passport at Welcome Center for special prize!

Interactive Play Zone, All day, Jack Elstro Plaza | Play games MADE OF ICE, take photos with the sculptures, and take in the magical creations made by world-class carvers.

Frosty Mugs Pub Crawl, 5:30 PM, Local bars (21+) | Participants can start at any of the five stops: Smiley’s, Firehouse, Cordial Cork, New Boswell, or Roscoes. After stopping at 4 of the 5 locations, come on down to Elstro Plaza to receive your mug! Hosts will be located at each entryway to mark cards off for guests.

Bales Fox Fire Performance, 6:00 PM, Jack Elstro Plaza | What would the Meltdown be without a little FIRE? Enjoy a BLAZING HOT show from local fire troupe Bales Fox Fire. Are you ready for the HEAT?

The Big Reveal, 7:30 PM, Elstro Plaza | Lights, camera, CARVERS! Watch as ice flies and world class carvers work together to create massive melting artwork before a hyped-up crowd!

SATURDAY

Magical Snowflakes on Main, All day, Main Street | Large snowflakes will be placed along Main Street with positive, uplifting quotes. Participants will collect code words from each snowflake to form a secret message. Then, you can turn in your passport at Welcome Center for special prize!

Interactive Play Zone, All day, Jack Elstro Plaza | Play games MADE OF ICE, take photos with the sculptures, and take in the magical creations made by world-class carvers.

Hayes Hikes & Hot Chocolate, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Hayes Arboretum | Warm up after exploring nature with free hot chocolate in the nature center! Driving tour, hiking trails and nature center are all open and ready to explore!     

Frozen Fairy Trail, 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM, Welcome Center | Children will participate in wintry crafts and games at each Enchanted Fairy Trail stop. Find maps at the Wayne County Tourism Bureau. 

Music at the Meltdown, Various times & locations | See schedule below.

      Achilles Tenderloin, 3:00 PM, Ply Fiber
     Tyler Michael Walton, 3:45 PM, Circle E Clothing
     Gypsy Schindler, 4:30 PM, Lifted Church
     Charles Ramsey, 6:00 PM, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
     Richmond Friends School Choir/ The Brimleys (acapella group, Earlham College), 6:30 PM, Reid Presbyterian

Department of Improv Show, 5:15 PM, DIVA | Enjoy a FREE improv show at the Dudas Inspiration Venue for the Arts!

Bales Fox Fire Performance, 6:00 PM, Jack Elstro Plaza | What would the Meltdown be without a little FIRE? Enjoy a BLAZING HOT show from local fire troupe Bales Fox Fire. Are you ready for the HEAT?

The Meltdown Throwdown, 7:30 PM, Elstro Plaza | The battle is ON! Will Team Fire or Team Ice prevail? Watch the ice fly as world class carvers IMAGINE and DELIVER on amazing ice sculptures in a battle where YOU decide who wins!

Wouldn’t seeing some footage from past Meltdowns be nICE? Check out these cool Meltdown activities from the past!