You can chill out in a winter wonderland in the Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP) expanded 9th-annual Icestravaganza. The celebration will run from 5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 15, through 10 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 17, at the Freight House in downtown Davenport, 421 W. River Drive.

The free event features beautiful ice carvings (more than 24,000 pounds’ worth) on display all three days at the Freight House and throughout Downtown Davenport. This year’s sculpture theme is “Chilling Winter at the Freight House” with Halloween-inspired ice

9th-Annual Icestravaganza in Davenport Expanded to Three Days

Icestravaganza will be at the Freight House in downtown Davenport, Jan. 15-17.

sculptures, such as witches, haunted houses, jack-o-lanterns and ghouls.

Whether attendees stroll by at the Freight House boardwalk or check them out from their vehicle, organizers recommend the best time to see (and take photos of) the sculptures is when they’re professionally lit from dusk to 10 p.m. each day of the event.

A variety of sculptures also will be placed outside of Davenport businesses, including:

  • City of Davenport | 226 W. 4th St.
  • Crafted QC | 221 E. 2nd St.
  • Endless Brews | 310 Main St.
  • Rhythm City Casino Resort | 7077 Elmore Ave.
  • Net | 320 E. 2nd St.
  • Sippi’s American Grill & Craft Beer | 406 W. 2nd St.
  • The Vault Beauty Lounge & Urban Retreat | 229 Brady St.
  • YMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley | 630 E. 4th St.

Festival goers are encouraged to snap a photo and post on social media using the hashtag #IcestravaganzaQC for a chance to win a $25 Keep It QC gift card.

“A lot of people are looking for something fun and safe to do away from home right now, and Icestravaganza, one of the most popular outdoor winter events in the Quad-Cities, is the perfect family-friendly destination,” Jason Gilliland, DDP director of events, said Wednesday. “Plus, it gives attendees an opportunity to explore all of the ways one can eat, shop, and play throughout downtown Davenport.”

9th-Annual Icestravaganza in Davenport Expanded to Three Days

Detailed ice sculptures shine at night at a past Icestravaganza.

The general public also can watch ice carving competitions in-person or online from 11 a.m.- noon and 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, on the Downtown Davenport Partnership’s Facebook page.

The Family Credit Union will host a warming station with free hot chocolate and a fire pit at the Freight House’s outdoor patio during the ice carving competitions and from 5-6:30 p.m. each day. Attendees are encouraged to check out the Farmers’ Market vendors from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

To keep this event fun and safe, organizers ask attendees to please socially distance and wear a mask.

Icestravaganza is produced by the Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP), an affiliate of the Quad Cities Chamber. Proceeds from Icestravaganza are used to support economic development efforts in downtown Davenport.

The event is sponsored by The Family Credit Union, Van Horn Automotive Group, Front Street Taproom, MidAmerican Energy, MetroNet, McManus Orthodontics, Rhythm City Casino Resort, KLJB FOX 18, Townsquare, Quad-City Times, City of Davenport, One Step, Inc. and Hupp Toyotalift.

Visit DowntownDavenport.com for more information.

9th-Annual Icestravaganza in Davenport Expanded to Three Days
Jonathan Turner has been covering the Quad-Cities arts scene for 25 years, first as a reporter with the Dispatch and Rock Island Argus, and then as a reporter with the Quad City Times. Jonathan is also an accomplished actor and musician who has been seen frequently on local theater stages, including the Bucktown Revue and Black Box Theatre.
9th-Annual Icestravaganza in Davenport Expanded to Three Days

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