Extreme Temps Mean Mild Crowds for Fire & Ice Opener

The Fire & Ice Festival was off to a blustery start Friday as extremely cold temperatures kept some would-be attendees at home.

Wind chills made the 14-degree temps feel like -4 degrees, and many who braved the unsavory conditions in downtown Rochester sought refuge in the event's heated food and beer tent, emerging in time to catch the 8 p.m. fireworks show.

Still, the event offered plenty of wintry fun. Kids and adults enjoyed sledding down a snowy slope in inflatable tube sleds, some young skaters enjoyed the ice rink and attendees sampled food and drinks from the various vendors in the TasteFest tent and adjacent food trucks. Along the downtown businesses, spectators could also check out ice carvings on display.

The festival resumes Saturday at 10 a.m.