Ice Sculpture from 2017
Looking for something really cool to do as a Valentine’s Day gift for sweetie pie? How about spending a day — or an illuminated evening — exploring ice sculptures in Salem Ma during our 16th annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival, Feb. 9-11, 2018.
There are Ice Sculpture festivals throughout the world at different times of the year, but we uniquely tie ours to the Valentine’s celebration and make it easy for couples to stroll through our walkable streets, hand in hand, oohing and aahing the creativity and craftsmanship to turn what is essentially water into works of art.
This year, we have 24 beautiful ice sculptures that will grace downtown Salem starting February 10. Some of the themes for this year’s ice sculptures will include “Love Potion #9,” a Dragon, the Salem State University Superfan, the Gloucester Fisherman, Princess and Frog, and more! A map can be found in the brochure (available in shops around town) during the festival and online at www.salemsosweet.com.
Be sure to make plans for a special evening stroll on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 5 pm to 9 pm, when the sculptures will be illuminated by Retonica! This is always a crowd-pleaser.
Weather permitting, The Salem Trolley offers trolley rides around the festival route on February 10 & 11 from 12 pm to 4 pm for only $2 an adult (free for children).
Ice Sculptures
#01 – Universe – Sponsored by The Journeymasters
#02 – Han Solo – Sponsored by Gulu-Gulu Café and Flying Saucer Pizza Company
#03 – Snowflake – Sponsored by Laura Lanes Skin Care
#04 – The Superfan – Sponsored by Salem State University
#05 – Tank – Sponsored by Army Barracks
#06 – Kissing Fish – Sponsored by Adriatic Restaurant & Bar
#07 – Piggy Bank – People’s United Bank
#08 – Princess & Frog – Sponsored by Maria’s Sweet Somethings
#09 – Dragon – Sponsored by Coon’s Card and Gift Shop
#10 – Page the Dog – Sponsored by Bella Research Group
#11 – Gloucester Fisherman – Sponsored by Turner’s Seafood
#12 – Love Potion #9 – Sponsored by The Coven’s Cottage, Emporium 32, Modern Millie, Pamplemousse, Salem Trolley, and Trolley Depot
#13 – Basset Hound – Sponsored by Witch City Mall: A Sacred Place Wellness Center, Badabing Barbershop and Shave Parlor, Bewitched in Salem, Escape Room Salem, Essex’s NY Deli & Pizza, Jodi Bee Bakes, Lotus Gifts, nAGLY, Omen, Polonus European Deli, Primary Residential Mortgage, Remix Church, Thai Place, Village Tavern, Witch Pix, Witch Tee’s
#14 – Cactus – Sponsored by Peabody Essex Museum
#15 – Super Mario Bros. – Sponsored by Bit Bar Salem
#16 – Cauldron – Sponsored by Salem Witch Museum
#17 – Bakery – Sponsored by Coffee Time Bake Shop
#18 – Financial Wizard – Sponsored by St. Jean’s Credit Union
#19 – Lion – Sponsored by Jolie Tea Company
#20 – Mug – Sponsored by Notch Brewery & Taproom
#21 – Waterfront Hotel – Sponsored by Regatta Pub at Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites
#22 – Rumson’s Rum – Sponsored by Pirate Dog Brand LLC / Rumson’s Rum
#23 – The Friendship – Sponsored by Waite & Peirce National Park Service Information Center and Park Store
#24 – 350th Anniversary – Sponsored by The House of Seven Gables and Ye Olde Pepper Companie
Ice Sculpture also from 2017
Many downtown businesses will offer chocolate samplings and sweet discounts around downtown Salem all weekend in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Check to see who is participating in the “Golden Ticket Promotion” – make a full-price purchase at one participating downtown business and get 10% off your purchase at the next participating business! Offer is good Feb. 10 and 11 only, some restrictions may apply. In addition, many of Salem’s finest restaurants and retailers will be offering their own luscious chocolate and love-inspired specials and events.
A full list of ice sculptures, participating businesses, and promotions are also listed online, and will be available in brochures around town during the festival. Salem’s So Sweet is organized by Salem Main Streets and the Salem Chamber of Commerce, and supported by Creative Salem, Destination Salem, Retonica, Scarlet Letter Press, and Rockafellas. Visit our website for more events and details as they become available – www.salemsosweet.com – or follow our Facebook page for all the latest updates – https://www.facebook.com/salemsosweet.
Starting Saturday, February 5 at noon downtown Salem will be filled with 21 beautiful ice sculptures. The ice sculptures are outdoors and free to view. Stop in to warm up at downtown businesses, many of whom are offering free chocolate samples and discounted shopping. Go to the National Park Service Visitor Center at the corner of New Liberty and Essex Street to learn about the history of drinking chocolate. Stop by Deadhorse Beach on Feb. 6 at 11 a.m. to watch the Polar Plunge fundraiser. These are just a few of the fun opportunities in Salem this weekend.
Casablanca, Gone With the Wind and Dr. Zhivago all sponsored by the Pickering Wharf Merchants Association
