Saturday, January 30, 2010

Frankenmuth Snowfest

We decided to go out and have a little winter fun today.  We went to the Frankenmuth Snowfest.  If you're unfamiliar with the town of Frankenmuth, it is Michigan's "Little Bavaria", because it resembles a Bavarian village.  It also has the world's largest Christmas store.  It's a little touristy, but still a fun place to visit.

We had no idea that this was such a popular festival, but it was really crowded.  It took us 30 minutes to drive through town (a total of about 2 miles).  We had to park on a residential street because every lot in town was full.

The first thing we did was stop by the Frankenmuth Brewery Restaurant.  It was only 4:00 and we thought we might catch an early dinner a little bit ahead of the dinner rush.  We couldn't have been more wrong!  The estimated wait time was 65 minutes.  We knew it would be the same in every restaurant in town, and that it would only get worse as it got later, so we waited.  When we were finally seated, we got a great table and great food.  It was worth the wait.

Looking down from our table over the first floor and bar.

After dinner we shared a decadent dessert of deep fried Oreos served with ice cream, chocolate sauce, caramel and whipped cream.  It was amazing!

  

We left the restaurant just in time to see the fireworks.  It was a nice display and went on for a long time.


Then we headed down the street to where the snow sculptures were displayed.  Some of them were amazing.  Some of them, well, we just couldn't figure out what they were supposed to be (you can click on the pictures for a larger view).

I have no idea, looks like a whale and some other sea creatures.

Something sleeping.  A dragon, maybe?



After we were done viewing the snow sculptures we stopped at a candy store.  We were greeted by this guy when we walked in the door.
He was holding a tray of toffee samples.  I didn't want to hurt his feelings, but the toffee wasn't very good.

This guy was in front of another store.  I didn't pay any attention to what they sell.  I think he's a little creepy.

We saw a few horse drawn carriages on our way out of town.  It would have been fun to ride in one, but there were all full.

To top off the evening, we saw this lovely sight on our way back to our parking spot.  The view is little obscured by some trees, but I'm sure you can still see what it is.....

.....a full moon.  I hope you found something fun to do this weekend, too!

A side note:  I found out about this festival when Pure Michigan (a tourism page) on Facebook posted it.  I didn't know until recently that they had a Facebook page.  If you are a Facebook user, check and see if your state has a page that you can join or check their website to find events and activities you may not know about.  It's fun to be a tourist in your own state.


Willoughby

26 comments:

Kimberly said...

I love your photos. I can't even choose which one I like the most. It looks like you had a great time.

I want to go somewhere. I have been helping my daughter with her report. We have to go get plants tomorrow, and I have to work (Real estate).

Purple Flowers said...

It looks like you had a great time. I like finding new things to do w/in my own state; it's fun!

I knew what most of those sculptures were except one...maybe two. But that's okay, I enjoy most kinds of artwork. Glad you had a fun time! :)

L.B. said...

That sounds like a pretty good way to spend a Saturday night. I don't know if I could have handled the cold. Just looking at those pictures makes me shiver.

The cobra one is pretty cool. I thought it was a hand at first, big hand with big fingers, but it looks like the cobra is wrapped around a person. Not sure if the cobra is trying to protect the person or not, but that's my fave.

Gracey said...

How fun! I loved all of your pictures - thanks for sharing!

Tracie said...

I worked in Frankenmuth for a week when we lived in MI. We never went to the festival. Looks like fun.

Kathy said...

What a fabulous outing! I haven't been to a winter festival in so long!

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

looks like great fun....love the ice sculptures...and the dessert!

thanks for stopping by Farmhouse and leaving the kind words....

more later, my friend

kary
xxx

Tattoos and Teething Rings said...

I love all the wintery pictures! Makes me (almost) wish I lived somewhere that snowed.

Joanna Jenkins said...

The sculptures are nice but the deep fried Oreos-- OMG, that sounds amazing!

Have a great week.
jj

Attila the Mom said...

Love the pics! And that oreo/caramel thing is making me very very hungry. LOL

Lissaloo said...

That looks like so much fun!! The snow sculptures are incredible.
And now I really, really want a fried Oreo :)

SPEAKING FROM THE CRIB said...

largest xmas story

why haven't i been there yet?

loved the snow sculpture pics

Chicago Mom said...

Looks like a great time! It's a great idea to be a 'tourist' in your own state. :)

elvira pajarola said...

......WONDERFUL SNOWSCULPTURES....
Incredible art.....hopefully temperature remains pretty cold....what a pitty...if they melt away!
....aii, your desert does(!!) interest me very much.....mmmhhh; it looks tooooo inviting!

being tourist in your own surrounding; I know; this is really an exciting adventure; once in a while I enjoy this in tuscany too....Fantastic!!
Have a wonderful week, cara Willoughby
ciao ciao elvira

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

so happy to have you stop by Farmhouse for a visit today..

always HAPPY to see you, my friend

Holly Lefevre said...

Those photos are great...what amazing ice sculptures. That looks like a really fun time. Great idea to check Facebook for a State page!

Cameron said...

Um, you had me at deep fried oreos :)
I love festivals like this!!
Cameron
www.conquerthemonkey.com

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

thanks for the comment on farmhouse...so nice that your mom brings you soup......


more later, my friend
sending love,
kary

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

Cast iron: YES! it is my MOST favorite....have several in all sizes...I like to bake apple crisp in them too..berry crisp,bread,....i make meatloaf in it too...a round one...bake meatballs in it with a can of cream of mushroom and a can of onion soup..Campbells..serve those over noodles or rice..just made that the other night...

Cleaning: sometimes i just wipe it out with a paper towel and sometimes I do use soap and water.. depends on how dirty it is...have had these skillets since i was married...(29 years)

i am a cast iron skillet girl

let me know if you try it....

more later, friend

kary

Michelle DeRusha said...

Those snow sculptures are incredible...as is the looks of that heavenly dessert. Looks like a great time!

Liz in Virginia said...

Wow! You aren't kidding about getting a lot of snow! I would love to see this; it reminds me of that F. Scott Fitzgerald short story, "The Ice Palace,"(although I think that was set in Minnesota).

ballast photography said...

Glad that you are back and healthy...I am catching up on some posts because I was away for awhile myself. Those snow sculptures are truly amazing--thanks for sharing!

Jenn Erickson said...

Those snow sculptures are incredible! What a neat place. Thank you so much for sharing. The last two blogs I've visited have made mention of Oreos. Darn those little tasty morsels ~ now I must seek some!

Deidra said...

Thanks for posting this! I remember Frankenmuth. It always sounded so exotic when we lived in Michigan and then one day our church took a bus up for the festivities. Great memories! Your photos are wonderful!

Deidra said...

Thanks for posting this! I remember Frankenmuth. It always sounded so exotic when we lived in Michigan and then one day our church took a bus up for the festivities. Great memories! Your photos are wonderful!

Unknown said...

I like your pictures.