Improv-ICE 

Update: Above freezing temperatures Wednesday, February 3 and Thursday, February 4 may feel good to us but are not favorable for keeping our ice sculptures from melting. So we are improvising—in true Improv-ICE fashion—and starting the winter experience Saturday, February 6 when conditions are ideal and end it February 14.

When: February 6-14, 2021
Where: Peace Plaza in downtown Rochester
Time: To get the full effect with the illuminated sculptures and pre-recorded music, we would recommend going around 6 p.m. or later when it’s dark. But the ice sculptures are viewable any time of day

2020 wasn't a normal year. In 2021, Improv-ICEing is the name of the game. The hardy Minnesotan-favorite ice festival event SocialICE is being adapted to Improv-ICE, a physically distanced winter experience that will include a large Instagram-worthy community ice sculpture, restaurant initiative, photo contest, and other seasonal fun.

Buy a Meal, Give a Meal Campaign

Click for overview and list of participating restaurants:

Downtown bars and restaurants are typically the stars of SocialICE with their elaborately themed ice bars and specially crafted cocktails. They will shine again in 2021 with the Improv-ICE Buy a Meal, Give a Meal campaign! From February 6 through 14, for every transaction (dine-in check, take-out order, gift card purchase, etc.) recorded at participating downtown restaurants, a group of community supporters will donate a meal to Channel One Regional Food Bank.

RDA is seeking community members to partner on the Buy a Meal, Give a Meal campaign and financially support the meal donation portion of the program. Interested donors can contact info@rdowntownalliance.com or visit the GoFundMe page.

Participating bars and restaurants to date include:

Improv-ICE community ice sculpture contest

Sure, working with metal, clay, or wood is relatively easy. But what about ice? Congratulations to Tiffany Alexandria for designing the winning community-voted Improv-ICE sculpture, Celebrate RochMN, which will be displayed at Improv-ICE. Learn about the iconic elements of the Celebrate RochMN ice sculpture design here.