Frosty Fun at Detroit’s Meridian Winter Blast this Weekend

By: Amber Ogden | February 8, 2016
In the D placeholder image

It’s been an unseasonably warm winter in Michigan thus far, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy some frosty activities in the D! This weekend, head to Campus Martius Park for the Meridian Winter Blast Presented by Quicken Loans, three days of wintery fun, which runs Friday, Feb. 12 through Sunday, Feb. 14.

Throughout the weekend, attendees can enjoy live entertainment, food from local restaurants, programs for children and winter activities, including snowshoeing, free ice skating on the Campus Martius ice rink and a snow slide.

“There’s nothing like seeing a revitalized downtown transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with spectacular ice sculptures, ice skating, the 200-foot Meridian snow slide, dog sledding exhibitions, snowshoeing, marshmallow roasting and more,” Jon Witz, producer of the Meridian Winter Blast, said.

Meridian Winter Blast

(Photo courtesy of Meridian Winter Blast)

Plenty of family-friendly activities are offered at Meridian Winter Blast, including the Bedrock Zipline, which offers a chance to fly down Woodward Avenue. More than 46 live bands will take the stage throughout the weekend, and this year’s new feature is the upgraded restaurant lineup in the Meridian Taste of Detroit tent.

skating rink trax

Skate through your day with the confidence and style of the Chevy Trax. With its bold design and advanced features, the Trax is built for those always on the move.

Participating restaurants include El Asador, Slow’s BBQ, La Dolce Vita, Red Crowne, El Barzon, (revolver) and more. If your tummy starts to rumble while you’re at Winter Blast, or you have a few cranky kids on your hands, head to the Taste of Detroit tent for chicken pot pie from the Hudson Café, Georgia Chopped Pork sandwich courtesy of Famous Dave’s or a Cajun Shrimp kabob from Detroit Seafood Market.

“Also new is our Sing, Skate and Slide campaign to support the Community Foundation of Greater Flint and their efforts to help with near and long term kids affected by tainted water,” Witz said.

Each of the 46 bands performing will donate 10 percent of their pay to the campaign, which will be matched by the Winter Blast foundation. Additionally, audience members will be encouraged to make donations during performances, and there will be additional outreach to ice skaters throughout the weekend. Talmer Bank will also donate $1 to the fund for each person who goes down the Meridian snow slide.

Admission to Meridian Winter Blast costs just $2, or you can bring three nonperishable canned goods or one children’s book in lieu of the admission fee. All three will be donated to Matrix Human Services to help those in need this winter.

For a full list of Meridian Winter Blast activities and events, visit the official website.

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