Fire & Ice Festival Returns With Ice Sculptures, Chili Cook-Off In South Jersey

MOUNT HOLLY, NJ — After several challenging years, the Fire & Ice Festival is set to return to the streets of Mount Holly in 2023.

Ten ice carvers will create sculptures out of 600-pound ice blocks, and a dozen professional cooks will compete to be crowned the best at this annual event, which draws thousands of spectators.

The festival is Saturday, Jan. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1 High Street Rowan College at Burlington County), in Mount Holly.

"It’s been a bumpy road for the festival these last couple of years, considering interruptions for Covid and the Blizzard of ’22," event organizers wrote on the Fire & Ice Festival website. "So you can imagine just how super-stoked we are to be coming back full strength this year."

Jersey Sands Sled Dogs will be giving demonstrations, as will the Jersey Pinelands Curling Club. Also scheduled to be there are the Revolutionary War Alliance of Burlington County, Mount Holly Fire District, and Home Depot according to the festival's Facebook page.

The Women's League of Mount Holly is also hosting a cupcake decorating contest; click here for more info.

Other shops, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and wine-tasting venues will be open in Mill Race Village and on Main Street. The Old Schoolhouse, off of High Street, will be open as well. Visitors may warm up by the hearth and make a sweet treat over the fire (while supplies last).

Breakfast with Disney princesses Anna and Elsa is sold out.