Guinness World Record ice sculptor Richard Daly will headline the seventh annual Port Jefferson Ice Festival on Saturday, Jan. 31, and Sunday, Feb. 1, when thousands of visitors are expected to attend the winter event in the village.
The event is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. and will offer several new free family activities, along with participating merchants offering their own promotions, said James Luciano, president of the Port Jefferson Business Improvement District.
"This is the biggest ice festival on Long Island," he said.
The festival draws an average of 23,000 visitors during the weekend and provides a winter boost for local businesses, according to Luciano.
Daly, founder of Ice Memories Inc. in Mastic Beach, is the only certified master ice carver in New York.
“He’s amazing at his craft,” said Luciano. “People can see ice sculptures all over the place, but no one sees the ice being carved right in front of them.”
This year’s theme is “Super Heroes and Villains,” and Daly will create three live sculptures each day. Attendees are encouraged to dress in costume to match the theme.
According to Luciano, 30 additional sculptures will be displayed daily. Gladysz Farms of Port Jefferson Station will offer free tractor rides. Activities will take place along Main Street, East Main Street, Arden Place and Mill Creek Road. Municipal parking will be free, and ice games for children will be held on Mill Creek Road.
Other attractions include a 4-foot graffiti ice wall for public carving at Main Street and Broadway, and roasted marshmallows at a bonfire hosted by Port Jefferson Frigate, weather permitting. Children will also collect snowflake stamps at participating businesses and receive an ice cream treat.
“Later in the evening to kind of close the event, we’re teaming up with The Rinx, which is our local ice-skating rink, to do a DJ and glow ice skate event,” Luciano said. The sessions will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. or 8 to 10 p.m. at 101-A East Broadway for a $20 fee, which includes skate rentals.
For more information, visit the event website. Rain dates are Feb. 14 and Feb. 15.