MUNISING, Mich. (WZMQ) – For over 31 years, Michigan’s Ice Fest has been uniting people from all over the world. Now three days into the event ending this Sunday, many have climbed their way up some of the greatest waterfalls near Munising.
With all 31 years under his belt, Bill Thompson now organizes the event. Being one of 10 in the very first year, there is only one other joining him in never missing one and Thompson said he wants to keep making it better..
Thomspon said, “We try to keep it fresh and offer something new for people to experience and we found we have a lot of success doing it, cause people come back, year after year after year. It’s like a big family reunion. You know I see people giving hugs and high fives.”
The family community bonding continues on and off the ice with social gatherings, clinics and guidance from world renown climbers giving help to all skillsets. For some this is enough when getting out on the ice is not an option.
Patrick Petersen, returning ice fest participant, “We’ve been doing this for 5 years, this year we are taking a little different approach since we have our sweet little girl with us and they have a lot of classes and professional athletes and stuff we can go see outside of the climbing.”
Petersen said they were acclimating their daughter now, since the age minimum is five, she only has 4 more years until she will be climbing with them.
No matter what your age or skillset may be, organizers have something for everyone.
For more information about the current schedule of events remaining, you may go to, michiganicefest.com.
