While many people choose to hide in their homes and lay low during the cold winter months, there are plenty of opportunities for fun things to do all over America. One such area that is packed full of cold weather fun is Portsmouth, New Hampshire. First settled in 1623 as a major hub of shipping and commerce on the Eastern Seaboard, Portsmouth became a focal point of the region. Currently, the city is home to roughly 21,000 people and it still serves as a hub for all the surrounding communities in the metropolitan area. Here, you’ll find a wide selection of activities, attractions, and fun events that are great for all ages, backgrounds, and budgets. The rich history of the city is on display at a local network of museums and historic sites. You’ll have the opportunity to shop for almost anything at the boutique shops, malls, and outlet centers. The food here will make any mouth water, and you’ll find something from nearly every discipline of cooking. The best way to experience the community and its people is through the great local events and festivals, like the highly anticipated Fire and Ice Festival.
Entering only its third year, the Fire and Ice Festival has gained a large following in the area and it only keeps growing. The festival is spread out over six days and has events taking place all over town. You’ll run into everything from fire dancers to dogsled rides at the festival. The entire town gets involved and you’ll see fire and ice themed activities at shops, restaurants, and public areas. While this is a family-friendly event, make sure to find a babysitter during the bar crawls and nighttime events. Bundle up and get ready for a winter extravaganza like no other at The Portsmouth Fire and Ice Festival. We got the opportunity to interview Caitlin Thayer, Representative for the Portsmouth Fire and Ice Festival and the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, to talk about the event.
RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.
CT: The Portsmouth Fire and Ice Festival (February 10-15) is a celebration of winter on the Seacoast. Portsmouth doesn’t shut down during the winter, and we want people to come out and have fun with us, even when it’s cold out! This is the third annual festival. Events are spread out across six days, and each event can see up to a few hundred people. We try to incorporate fire and ice themes into the event, which means we end up with some really creative events. The festival includes two bar crawls, a street party with ice sculpting and fire dancers, outdoor ice skating, dog sled rides, and lots of hot chocolate! This year we had to add a second bar crawl because our first one sold out in just a few days (125 people). The whole thing kicks off at the Fire and Ice Kickoff Party on Wednesday, February 10, at Martingale Wharf in downtown Portsmouth. From 5:00 to 7:00 pm, there will be drink specials, an ice bar on the deck, appetizers and other tastings, and it’s totally free to attend!
RAL: What is the typical demographic of the festival?
CT: Everyone! We see families with kids at the Labrie Family Skate, Puddle Dock Pond, Strawbery Banke and the Dog Sled Rides. Adults and couples are the main participants our bar crawls and evening events. There’s a little something for everyone.
RAL: What makes this event unique?
CT: It really is a city-wide festival! Everyone gets involved, and some of the events shut the streets down, while others require participants to trek from one place to another. No matter where you go during the event, you’ll see Fire and Ice themed drinks or food. You can also take advantage of specials at local shops because of the festival, or get discounted tickets to the theater or events during this time.
RAL: What can attendees expect to find during a typical day at the event?
CT: If someone were to come down on Saturday, February 13, and head to Portwalk Place, they’d see the street shut down and Brilliant Ice doing a live ice carving demonstration. They’ll be carving a dragon, because when we asked people through the Facebook event what they wanted to see carved, that’s what they voted for! There will also be fire dancers out and about on the street. The businesses on Portwalk Place will be selling food and beverages on the sidewalks. It’s going to be a really fun festival event! For those who were able to get Saturday Bar Crawl tickets, they’ll be moving from place to place, trying food at each location along with cocktail samples, and then voting for their favorite!
RAL: What will people find for local lodging?
CT: We have multiple hotels that are offering Fire and Ice packages including: Best Western Wynwood Plus, Fairfield Inn Portsmouth, Residence Inn Portsmouth Downtown, Hilton Garden Inn Portsmouth Downtown and Hampton Inn & Suites Portsmouth Downtown. Price varies, but for those looking for a different kind of hotel right in downtown Portsmouth, we have the Hotel Portsmouth, a 32-room boutique hotel. You can also stay at the Ale House Inn, a brewery themed property, or the Inn at Strawbery Banke and the Martin Hill Inn, both bed and breakfasts.
RAL: What does this festival mean to the community?
CT: This part of the winter can be slow for us, so this event definitely brings in a lot of people who otherwise might not be out and about. The restaurants, hotels, and shops see an influx of people who are excited to be out and having fun in February.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
CT: As a seaside community, most people think about visiting us in the summer time. This festival takes place in the dead of winter, which makes it memorable to start with. We have something for everyone at the Fire and Ice Festival, and it’s a celebration of winter and of Portsmouth. This is a great community to be in year-round, and we have a lot to offer. People should come enjoy the ice skating, and the Portwalk Place Street Party, the Dog Sled Rides, and the 21+ crowd can enjoy the Bar Crawls!
For more information about the Fire and Ice Festival, please visit their website.