2nd Day of Fire & Ice Draws Big Crowds Downtown

Old Man Winter eased up just enough Saturday to encourage thousands of Oakland County residents to enjoy the chilly fun at the Fire & Ice Festival in downtown Rochester.

After a brutally cold kickoff for the festival on Friday in which many would-be attendees stayed at home, crowds were out in full force Saturday, viewing the ice sculptures along Main Street, sledding down Third Street (literally—there's a tube-sledding slope going down the steep hill), skating on the ice rink and enjoying the various winter-themed activities in the festival space between Rochester Mills Beer Company and the Rochester fire station.

As with Friday, teenaged vocal group By the Way capped the night with a set of pop hits and the National Anthem, leading into the marquee performance, the fireworks booming and bursting over downtown Rochester.

Festivities resume at 9 a.m. Sunday with the Brooksie Way Chill at the Mills 5K, followed by an Onyx figure skating competition at 10 a.m. at the festival rink. Open skating runs from 11 a.m. until the festival's close at 5 p.m.