Royal Oak Postpones Winter Blast Due To Incoming Frigid Temperatures

ROYAL OAK, MI — Royal Oak officials pushed the Winter blast back two weeks because forecasters expect very cold temperatures next week.

The event was scheduled to start next Friday (Feb. 3 through Feb. 5) just as temperatures in the metro Detroit area are set to plunge to the low teens, according to forecasters.

Royal Oak's Winter Blast will now be held from Feb. 17 through Feb. 19, organizers said.

"Winter Blast is a much-anticipated event that offers an abundance of seasonal, outdoor experiences courtesy of so many entities - from the downtown small businesses to musicians to food truck operators and more - it’s a big investment for everyone involved," Winter Blast Royal Oak event producer Jon Witz said. "Our goal is to deliver an event that is as successful and safe as possible, and if we have the opportunity to move away from a weekend that could deliver bitter cold temps, we want to make that move. The same level of programming and entertainment will remain in place for the new weekend."

The event will also include a snow slide, zip line, ice garden, ice carving demonstrations, food trucks, a family zone with kids stage as well as a live music showcasing some of Metro Detroit’s longtime favorite and up-and-coming musical acts.

All Winter Blast events will happen around the ice rink at Centennial Commons located between Main and Troy streets and 11 Mile Road and 3rd Street.

More than 80,000 people came to Downtown Royal Oak during last year's Winter Blast, which was the first time the city hosted the event.