UPDATE: Due to inclement weather and a citywide parking ban in Easthampton, the Fire and Ice Art Walk has been postponed until February 16th, 2013

Warm Up this Winter with Easthampton Fire & Ice Art Walk!

Easthampton celebrates its fifth annual Fire and Ice Art Walk on February 9, 2013 with performances, exhibitions, poetry readings, a bonfire, and luminaries in venues throughout the city. All events are free and open to the public.

Easthampton’s 5th annual Fire and Ice Art Walk takes place this weekend, filling the city with performances, gallery shows, art activities, and learning opportunities for families! The event celebrates the work of local artists, as well as the city’s history, winter traditions, and love of the community!

The event officially takes place from 5-8pm on Saturday, February 9th, but the kick-off event begins earlier in the day. Families can learn about local history and traditions at Nashawannuck Pond, where an old-fashioned ice harvest will take place from 12noon-3pm! Historian Denis Picard will demonstrate ice harvesting techniques using antique tools to pull the chunks of ice from the pond. Information will be shared on the role of ice harvesting in Easthampton’s economy back when the practice was still necessary. A visit to the pond makes a great supplement to studies of early American life, and will help kids understand the history of their community!

Galleries throughout town will be open for visitors beginning at 5pm, offering a wide variety of art – everything from paintings to sculpture to quilts! Some locations will host live music (Botaniste features music in a tropical landscape!), while others will feature readings of fire-and-ice-inspired poetry written specially for the event by local poets. Families can learn about the local art scene by visiting galleries, and kids will see unique methods of expression by viewing the variety of art displayed.

Does the prospect of exploring Easthampton on foot sound too cold for you? Not to worry! Warm up at a bonfire at Nashawannuck Pond from 5-6:30pm. And, if seeing art makes you feel inspired, visit city hall to make a valentine for the city expressing your love for Easthampton! The handmade cards will be displayed until Valentine’s Day, when they will be distributed to city employees. For more information, visit the Easthampton Art Walk Website at artwalkeasthampton.com.