Icestravaganza is Clearly Creative
2024 event cancelled due to extreme weather conditions
For years downtown Davenport has hosted Icestravaganza at the Freight House. The winter event promises unique chilly-weather art, creative brilliance, and tons of fun!
Organizers had so much fun last year, they are continuing the hours for viewing for three days at the Freight House, 421 W. River Drive, Davenport, Iowa. Over 36,000 pounds of ice will be turned into ice carvings! Your favorite monuments carved out of ice and lit up with colorful LED lights! They will be complete and on display at 5 p.m. on Friday, January 13 through Sunday, January 15, weather permitting. The sculptures will be lit each of these nights from dusk until 10 p.m.
While there will still be sculptures on the boardwalk of the Freight House as usual, they are adding ice sculptures for a drive-thru sculpture display on Beiderbecke Drive in LeClaire Park immediately south of the Freight House.
“This was a great way to get outside in the middle of the winter. The kids enjoyed deciding which one was their favorite and we enjoyed the artistry. It was fun for all of us!” shares Amy Jones from Maquoketa, Iowa.
Additionally, the Downtown Davenport Partnership will do a Facebook live stream during the carving competition on Saturdayfrom 3-5 pm. Each year the carvers have a competition to showcase their talent and gain bragging rights amongst each other. This is always popular with the crowds as they watch a solid block of ice transformed into amazing pieces of art.
The Family Credit Union will be on hand with free hot chocolate and fire pit at their warming station located at the West end of the Farmer’s Market on the outdoor patio.
On Saturday, there is a new Afterglow Party from 6-8 p.m. with live carving demonstrations with black lights, light show and DJ Buddha (located at the west end of the Freight House).
Farmers' Market indoor vendors (10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday) as well as local beer and food available for purchase from Front Street Brewery, Antonella's II, The Diner and Chill Eats.
Icetravaganza is presented by Downtown Davenport Partnership, a division of the Quad Cities Chamber. Community sponsors also host the event.