Winter Blast guide: What to know about this weekend’s festival in Royal Oak

(Image: Media Factory Catalyst)

(FOX 2) Royal Oak, Mich.Hold on tight! Once more, it’s Winter Blast.

Held downtown from January 31 to February 2, the annual celebration will feature free ice skating, live entertainment, snacks, and more.

Winter Blast activities

• 
  Free ice skating at The Rink at Royal Oak. Visitors can bring their own skates or rent a pair for $5.
  
• 
  A zip line
  
• 
  Carnival rides
  
• 
  A rock climbing wall
  
• 
  An ice garden and ice carving demonstrations
  
• 
  Ice carving competitions
  
• 
  A Medieval village
  
• 
  Michigan Science Center presentations
  
• 
  Food trucks
  
• 
  Marshmallow roasting
  
• 
  A family zone with a kids’ stage
  
• 
  Live music from Metro Detroit performers
  

Highlighted

Royal Oak firefighters and police officers will hit the ice rink to assist anyone in need as part of the opening of Winter Blast. The Welcome Inn Day Center and Outreach on 7th, two organizations that assist the homeless, will profit from the proceeds of a charity broomball tournament.

Hours

January 31st, Friday, 4–11 p.m.

February 1st, Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

February 2nd, Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Winter Blast cost

Some activities are paid for, but admission is free.

The cost of the zip line ride is $15. Skate rentals will cost $5, but ice skating is free.

There will be food and beverages for sale.

(Image: Media Factory Catalyst)

Winter Blast parking

While some parking lots and garages will charge flat fees, others will follow their standard pricing schedule:

• 
  11 Mile Garage at 110 E. 11 Mile – $5 flat rate
  
• 
  Center Street Garage at 300 S. Center – $5 flat rate
  
• 
  Municipal Complex parking lots – $5 flat rate
  

You will not be charged the event fee if you inform the parking attendants that you are visiting the Farmers Market, the police department, the court, the city hall, the library, or the Henry Ford Medical Center.

The standard charges will apply to all other parking lots and garages, including the Lafayette Street North Structure and the Lafayette Street Structure.

For the first two hours, parking garages at Royal Oak are free; after that, they charge 75 cents per hour. Before 5 p.m., parking lots cost 75 cents per hour, and after that, they cost $1. On Sundays, parking is free in lots and garages.