Families welcome snow, cold, Elsa from ‘Frozen’ at Detroit Fire and Ice Festival

Detroit — After a snowfall that stuck, Detroiters took advantage of winter games and activities at the riverfront Sunday.

The Fire and Ice Festival at Robert Valade Park attracted families, especially those who are fans of the animated kids’ movie “Frozen.” Elsa, one of its main characters, visited the park Sunday afternoon.

Johnathan Schultz of Detroit, 45, was strolling his 6-month-old baby while his 4-year-old daughter Norah, who’s a “Frozen fanatic,” was blowing off steam with winter activities until she could meet Elsa.

“She was pretty hyped for it. … People are always complaining that it’s cold, I personally love the cold,” Schultz said.

“She didn’t want to sit in the ice throne. I think the ice throne was a little intimidating for her 4-year-old brain, but mom sat in the ice throne so we got a winning pic out of that.”

The Fire and Ice Festival was named after “A Song of Ice and Fire,” the book series that inspired “Game of Thrones.” The festival also featured ice sculpting, medieval strolling performers who held adventure quests for families, activities like inflatable ax throwing and sledding, live bands and items from local vendors.

Jodi Arka of Allen Park, 38, brought her 5-year-old twins, 8-year-old and 3-year-old to the festival. She wanted to get the kids out of the house during the winter season. They played inflatable basketball, throwing basketballs at multiple rims.

“We went to Atwater (Brewery), had lunch and then let them play the games in the park, check out the ice sculptures,” Arka said.

Roslyn Wiseman of Detroit, 53, was with her 3-year-old granddaughter and husband who she watched sled down a hill at the park. Her granddaughter and other girls were able to take pictures with Elsa.

“We wanted to bring the baby out so that she could sled, to get her in some participation in some cold weather fun,” Wiseman said. “I like to do things in the city, so when I see something pop up in the city we try to make it down.”

Darcie Burton of Detroit was cuddling up with her 8-month-old boy at a giant fireplace. Her 3-year-old daughter loves Elsa which was the selling point for making it out to Sunday’s event.

“We like that there’s snow on the ground,” Burton said. “We were a little bit bummed out that nobody was here a few weeks ago when it first snowed but now that it’s after the holidays, this is a great place to go.”

Until Feb. 23, parkgoers will find winter games, sledding, fireplaces, Fireside Fridays with karaoke and Self Care Sundays featuring mindfulness classes as part of Winter at Valade Park.

mjohnson@detroitnews.com

@_myeshajohnson