The unique event raises money to help Washington-area families heat their homes.
The cold temperatures aren’t supposed to roll in until Monday, but it's going to be "icy" this weekend at the District Wharf in D.C. The 2nd annual Fire & Ice Festival is taking place on Friday and Saturday, January 18-19, to raise awareness and money to heat homes in the Washington, D.C., region. The charity event will feature an igloo-like ice house, appearances by local celebrities, ice displays, and specialty fire and ice treats.
Courtesy WAFF
The Ice House Event is being co-sponsored by The Salvation Army and Washington Gas to raise money for the Washington Area Fuel Fund. The WAFF provides emergency funds to families that don’t have enough money to cover expensive winter heat bills. Visitors will spend 30 minutes in the 20,000-pound icehouse to feel the discomfort families without heat experience during the winter months. Local celebrities, athletes, and government officials will also be taking their turns in the 98-brick icehouse.
During event hours guests can pop into the ice house and take a thermal imaging photo, enjoy s’mores by the fire, or get a winter-themed face-painting. There will also be ice-sculpting and fire-twirling demonstrations. If you’re over 21, you can purchase tickets for the whiskey sampling stations. The event raised more than $130,000 last year and hopes to meet or exceed that number this weekend. The event is also accepting donations on the web.
The Fire & Ice Festival takes place on Friday, Jan. 18, from 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Jan.19, from noon to 8 p.m. at the District Wharf, rain or shine. The Wharf is D.C.’s newest waterfront destination, featuring restaurants, retail shops, and apartments. It is accessible via car, Metro and water taxi.
Have you ever spent time in an igloo or icehouse? How did you make it before you got too cold? Tell us in the comments!
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