For the second year, Richmond, Indiana will be transformed into an awe-inspiring winter ice spectacular!

The Meltdown Winter Ice Festival scheduled for Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2015, will allow visitors the opportunity to view magnificent, one-of-a-kind artistic ice sculptures – turning Richmond’s Center City’s Historic Depot District and Downtown Main Street into a winter paradise chocked full of interactive events for the entire family – and it’s all free. During the festival, visitors can watch Internationally & Nationally known, multi-award winning world ice carvers, Buddy Rasmussen, the “Reverend Butter”, Dean DeMarias, Danny Bloss, Aaric Kendall, Shannon White and Andrew Thistlethwaite, who has several local ties to Richmond.

These ice masters will create their magnificent, awe inspiring, one-of-a-kind crystalline works of art from plain blocks of ice using just their chainsaws and masterful artistic skills, creativity, imagination and passion. During the festival, over 25 tons of ice will be intricately designed and sculpted into amazing works of art. Each block of ice is approx. 4 feet wide, 18 inches thick and weighs approximately 300 pounds. This year, the Festival’s two signature ice sculpture pieces will be over 12 to 15 feet high.

Lively winter events and activities include the dazzling array of stunning Ice Sculptures, the Family Fun Zone’s “Interactive Ice Park,” the Frozen Fairy Trail, Meltdown’s Celebrity Chili Crawl, an outdoor Ice Cream Bar, Scavenger Hunt, Cork and Canvas event, a Photography competition for all photo enthusiasts, the second annual “Freeze your Buns Off” Fun Run and an array of free Kids’ interactive activities to include souvenir painting and craft activities.

These are just a few of the free interactive activities being offered during this event. There is something to do for everyone, of every age. Festival-goers can visit over 10 “Hot Spots” (festival warming stations) offering area entertainment, activities and/or piping hot refreshments while also taking in one of the districts’ many unique restaurants, cafés and shopping venues.

The Festival’s featured evening events will be two impressive, high-energy, no holds barred, head-on “Ice Fight” carving competitions between two ice sculptors and 1200 pounds of ice. The highly competitive “Ice Fight” challenges will occur on Friday, Jan. 30 and Saturday, Jan. 31 – competitions on both nights will begin at 7:30 p.m. and are guaranteed to be a huge crowd pleaser, captivating audiences of all ages. All Meltdown activities/events are free and open to the public.

Ice sculptures will continue to remain on display, weather permitting. The Meltdown Festival’s Host Hotel is the Holiday Inn and Conference Center in Richmond, Ind. For special Meltdown rates call (765) 488-1975.