Detroit is getting ready for some winter fun for families. The 2016 Meridian Winter Blast presented by Quicken Loans kicks off today at Campus Martius and runs through Valentine's Day. CLICK THE VIDEO PLAYER TO SEE JOANNE PURTAN'S INTERVIEW ON 7 ACTION NEWS AT NOON
The hours for the event: Friday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can find more details by clicking the link for The Winter Blast.
This year the Winter Blast will help victims of the water crisis in Flint. Meridian Health Plan will match up to $40,000 raised by bands, skaters and others. The money will support the Flint Child Health and Development Fund.
Organizers say: "Sing, Skate and Slide for Flint, in partnership with The Community Foundation of Greater Flint, will feature a coordinated effort among 46 festival bands, festival patrons and partners to raise funds and awareness."
Each band will donate 10 percent of their pay toward the Flint based fund, which will be matched by the Winter Blast Foundation. In addition to the music campaign there will be outreach to skaters throughout the weekend for additional support, and for true exhilaration, Talmer Bank will donate $1 to the Flint-based fund for everyone who travels down the snow slide. The Winter Blast “icing” on the cake is that Meridian Health Plan will match all dollars raised, up to $40,000.
The Winter Blast will also include new interactive dog sled teams. Also, the snow slide and zip line will return. Families can also enjoy activities for kids, and all sorts of fabulous food from restaurants in Detroit.
Here's what organizers say about admissions: " Additionally, the festival will also continue its tradition of impacting metro Detroit children through festival admissions, which is either $2, three non-perishable food items or a children’s book, with the help of Matrix Human Services and volunteers from Talmer Bank."
BELOW ARE MORE DETAILS PROVIDED BY Winter Blast Organizers:
HEADLINING ATTRACTIONS RETURN
Returning to this year’s Meridian Winter Blast are two favorite attractions: the Meridian Snow Slide and the Bedrock Zip Line Adventure. Towering over 30-feet high, the Meridian Snow Slide continues its tradition as a festival favorite, thanks to the sponsorship of Meridian Health Plan. The slide’s three lanes will deliver an exhilarating, 200-foot long ride in seven seconds, making the Meridian Snow Slide once again a main attraction not to be missed.
The Bedrock Zip Line Adventure will return with the longest, fastest mobile zip line in Michigan and allows two thrill-seekers to zip simultaneously on two lines, 34 feet above the ground of Woodward Avenue in just 20 seconds.
WHO LET THE DOGS OUT
Siberian Husky dog sled exhibitions will be available for the first time since 2006. Two dog sled teams will bring the majestic animals to not only provide exhibitions but also to pose for interactive photos, which will be available for a $3 donation to the Flint Child Health & Development Fund.
Dog Sledding Exhibitions presented by US Park will offer a firsthand look at the challenging winter sport of dog sled racing with regularly scheduled demonstrations. Returning for their sixth appearance at the festival to lead presentations is professional sled dog racer and Michigan native Amanda Vogel, along with her Snomad Racing Sled Dogs.
SUPER HEROES IN ICE
The Dawn of Justice, along with regulars like the Spirit of Detroit, will be featured in this year’s Ice Garden presented by the DTE Energy Foundation, a collection of expertly crafted ice carvings. Life-sized versions of Batman and Superman will honor the highly anticipated Batman v Superman movie. Onsite carving demonstrations will take place during Friday festival hours.
FREE ADMISSION AND FUN FOR “BIGS” AND “LITTLES” Thanks to Talmer Bank:
Meridian Winter Blast presented by Quicken Loans will be providing additional community support by hosting a day of fun and free activities for more than 250 metro Detroit adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and the children they mentor (“Littles”). The Talmer Bank “Big and Little Blast” will include free admission, complimentary Meridian Snow Slide and Bedrock Zip line rides, free skate rentals and lunch from Happy’s Pizza.
OTHER MERIDIAN WINTER BLAST INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES
Festival patrons can enjoy the only weekend of free ice-skating all year at Campus Martius Park for the entire festival weekend, courtesy of St. John Providence Health System. Synchronized skating exhibitions, presented by WH Canon, will also perform and entertain the crowds throughout the weekend.
The hockey competition is back! The Meridian Winter Blast challenges festivalgoers with a hockey shot competition presented Great Expressions Dental Centers (GEDC). Throughout the weekend, attendees will have a chance to shoot and score cool prizes from Great Expressions, Winter Blast and the Detroit Red Wings. The grand prizewinner will win a choice of a free set of Invisalign braces or a dental care package from GEDC valued at $5,000. The competition will take place on the ice rink at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday.
Snowmaking returns to Meridian Winter Blast with special snow cannons from Shanty Creek Resort that will add to the festive winter environment. Sponsored by Meridian Health Plan, visitors can get up, get moving and get fit while snowshoeing in the festival’s winter wonderland of snow. Guests can grab a pair of free snowshoes – available in a variety of adults and children’s sizes – and step into winter fun with the entire family.
Fun and reading go hand-in-hand at Meridian Winter Blast in 2016! Meridian Winter Blast is reprising its popular Reading is a Blast, an engaging literacy activity supported by the General Motors Foundation. Twelve celebrity readers each will read a beloved book to families and festivalgoers assembled at the kids’ stage inside the Quicken Loans building lobby.
Warm up with your family at one of the many marshmallow-roasting stations situated throughout the festival sponsored by Metro PCS. For a toasty treat, marshmallow and s’more kits will be available for purchase.
MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
Musicians will perform on the Michigan Lottery Stage Soaring Eagle Casino Stages and Quicken Loans Family Stage: The voices and beat of music from many genres, including country, rock, blues, pop, acoustic, Americana, funk and soul, will resonate from three stages located throughout the festival in the Comfort Zones and in the atrium of 1 Campus Martius, which all provide a warm and cozy environment for listening enjoyment.
Performers include: The Reefermen, Stone Clover and Orbitsuns, along with Detroit jazz legend Thornetta Davis. A number of first time bands will be performing, including The Tom Toms, Tart, SKYrise and Here We Harbour.
NEW MOTOR CITY FOOD OFFERINGS
New this year in celebration of Detroit’s food renaissance is the Meridian “Taste of Detroit” food tent. Outstanding metro Detroit restaurants and chefs will be providing enjoyable, quality food from LaDolce Vita, Red Crown, (revolver), Slow’s To Go, El Asador, El Barzon, Hudson Café, Andiamo Italia, Detroit Seafood Market and Famous Dave’s.
