DETROIT – Creating a downtown winter playground at Campus Martius Park, Meridian Winter Blast presented by Quicken Loans returns for its 11th year, Feb. 6 through Feb. 8.
Guests will enjoy an array of "cool" seasonal activities in the midst of the excitement of Detroit's rebirth.
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Celebrate winter Detroit style with hot chocolate, ice skating, heated tents, music and more! Festival guests can chill out with the return of the popular, science-themed program Winter Blast Off presented by the GM Foundation, the Flagstar Bank Ice Garden, free snowshoeing courtesy of Meridian Health Plan, dogsled demonstrations, skating exhibitions from local figure skating clubs, an outdoor winter carnival, and live musical entertainment on two stages. Again this year, Meridian Winter Blast offers the only weekend of FREE ice skating at Campus Martius Park courtesy of St. John Providence Health System. Warming up this year's food options is the addition of two iconic Detroit establishments -- The Whitney and Mercury Burger Bar.
"We are thrilled to return as the title sponsor of the Meridian Winter Blast," said Jon Cotton, President and Chief Operating Officer of Meridian Health Plan. "Based in Campus Martius Park, right next door to our headquarters in downtown Detroit, the event provides three days of winter entertainment and outdoor activities for not only our employees, but also families from throughout metro Detroit."
"Winter Blast is a great weekend for the entire family to spend in downtown Detroit and enjoy the city's great amenities," said Bill Emerson, CEO of Quicken Loans. "Within just a couple blocks of the central business district, families can enjoy ice skating and other winter-themed activities, as well as warm up in the new destination retail and restaurant locations that have opened since last year."
While the Meridian Winter Blast brings back many outstanding activities and fun for the entire family, a sponsor is still needed to ensure this year's return of the snow slide. One of the most highly anticipated features of the festival, the snow slide has been a part of the festival on seven occasions in the event's first ten years.
Founded in 2005, as the backdrop of Super Bowl XL, the signature wintertime event debuted in January of that year to kick off the official countdown to Super Bowl XL in Detroit. This first time event attracted more than 200,000 people and featured a combination of hip and fun seasonal events that celebrated all things Detroit. The 2006 event was an even bigger hit, attracting nearly one million metro Detroiters and out of town guests during Super Bowl XL. Continuing as Detroit's premier winter festival drawing tens of thousands every year, it has become an annual tradition reflecting the rebirth of the downtown area.
"We are excited to once again bring the Meridian Winter Blast to Detroit in 2015," said Jonathan Witz, Event Producer of the Winter Blast. "This family-oriented winter event helped usher in the renaissance of downtown Detroit and we are proud to be part of the city's continual progress."
Meridian Winter Blast could not happen without the generous support of its sponsors which include Meridian Health Plan, Quicken Loans, DEGC/Detroit DDA, Flagstar Bank, General Motors Foundation, Michigan Lottery, MetroPCS, Greektown Casino, St. John Providence Health System, Great Expressions, Great Lakes Beverage, Pepsi, Redico, Westin Book Cadillac, American Laser, Made In Detroit, Tito's Vodka, Olga's Kitchen and University of Phoenix.
To inquire about becoming a sponsor, vendor or performer of Meridian Winter Blast, please call (248) 541-7550.
More information about the festival will be announced in upcoming months.