Downtown Detroit will bustle like it’s 2006 as Meridian Winter Blast presented by Quicken Loans returns to Campus Martius Park for the 12th year, Friday, February 12th through Sunday, February 14th, 2016. Visitors will be able to enjoy an array of seasonal family-friendly fun and expanded offerings for adults as the annual event continues to grow in both excitement and activity.
Admission to the 2016 Meridian Winter Blast is $2, three canned goods/non-perishable items or a children’s book, which will go to Matrix Human Services to help to fight hunger in metro Detroit and continue the festival’s commitment to fostering literacy.
In celebration of Detroit’s food renaissance, Meridian is sponsoring the new “Taste of Detroit” food tent. Outstanding metro Detroit restaurants and chefs will be providing enjoyable, quality food from LaDolce Vita, Red Crown, (revolver), Slow’s To Go, El Asador, El Barzon, Hudson Café, Andiamo Italia, Detroit Seafood Market and Famous Dave’s.
Meridian Health Plan Snowshoeing
Thanks to Meridian Health Plan, snowshoes are available for FREE at Meridian Winter Blast in a variety of sizes for children and adults. Experience this fun, outdoor activity with the whole family! Snowshoeing takes place in Cadillac Square.
There's only one weekend you can skate for FREE at Campus Martius Park- Winter Blast Weekend! Rental skates are $3. Free Skating is sponsored by St. John Providence Health System.
WIN PRIZES on the Great Expressions Hockey Shot
The hockey competition is back: Great Expressions Dental Centers is once again challenging festivalgoers with a Hockey Shot competition. Attendees will have a chance to shoot and score cool prizes from Great Expressions.
This year’s festival will include the return of two crowd favorites: the Meridian Snow Slide, featuring a 200 ft. thrill ride down Michigan Avenue, and the Bedrock Zip Line Adventure, offering guests the chance to fly 300 ft. down Woodward Avenue. Both attractions provide great momentum for a full programming line-up that will be announced next month.
Tickets for the 200 foot Snow Slide are $3- come early to line-up for this popular attraction, a favorite of kids and adults! You must be at least 42" tall to ride the Meridian Snow Slide.
Want to skip the line and get a Meridian Winter Blast Snow Slide Fast Pass? Visit the Meridian Health Plan Booth inside the Monroe Street Comfort Zone and find out how you can win with the Meridian Scavenger Hunt!
The Bedrock Zip Line Adventure will begin at Woodward and State/Gratiot and tickets are $10 each. Special early deal - get two tickets for $15 before 3:00pm!
"This year’s Meridian Winter Blast presented by Quicken Loans reminds me very much of the 2006 event during the Super Bowl year,” said Jonathan Witz, Winter Blast event producer. “Much like Detroit’s rejuvenation, we’re experiencing a rise in both interest and activities, as demonstrated by the return of Meridian Snow Slide and Bedrock Zip Line Adventure, as well as the all new ‘Taste of Detroit’ Food Tent. We’re proud to continue as Detroit’s premier winter festival that draws thousands each year and is an annual tradition reflecting the rebirth of the downtown area."
New to the 2016 festival is the Winter Blast “Hometown Tourist Giveaway” will feature a chance for festival visitors to win more than 20 regional tourism packages from the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau. Prize packages include complimentary overnight stays at top metro Detroit hotels, including the Book Cadillac, Detroit Marriott, Henry Hotel, the Hotel St. Regis and more. These prizes include dining certificates and free admission to museums and cultural attractions like the DIA, Detroit Zoo, Motown Museum and more.
Information on how to enter will be on www.winterblast.com at the end of January.
“This is an outstanding way to showcase the culture and attractions of our region, and we’re thrilled to partner with the Meridian Winter Blast to offer these great prizes that reflect how great metro Detroit is for tourism,” said Larry Alexander, president of the Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau.
MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
Meridian Winter Blast is pleased to announce its best ever music lineup on two different stages with music from many genres.
The full schedule of artists is as follows:
MUSIC SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
 |
| Thornetta Davis takes to the Michigan Lottery stage on Feb 12th at 10pm |
MICHIGAN LOTTERY STAGE
located in the Taste of Detroit Tent
Friday February 12th
11:45 to 12:30 p.m. Cayenne & Ginger (Acoustic Pop)
1:00 to 2:00 p.m. The Paul Shonk Trio (Acoustic Rock)
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Epic Movement (Jazz Fusion)
4:00 to 5:00 p.m. The Native Howl (Thrash Grass)
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jibs Brown & The Jambros (Rootsy Blues)
7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Inohs Sivad Evolution (Rock Funk Soul)
8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sam Van Wagoner (Blues/Pop)
10:00 to 11:00 p.m. Thornetta Davis (R&B/Blues)
Saturday February 13th
11:30 to 12:15 p.m. Sophia Avocado (Mixed Genre)
12:45 to 1:30 p.m. Adam Labeaux (Improvisational Folk)
2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Dan Tillery (Eclectic Mix)
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tart (Femmelectro New Wave)
5:00 to 6:00 p.m. The Ruiners (Rockabilly Garage)
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Longneck Strangler (Country/Rock/Americana)
8:00 to 9:30 p.m. Orbitsuns (Outlaw Country)
10:00 to 11:00 p.m. SKYrise (40s/House/HipHop)
Sunday February 14th
11:30 to 12:15 p.m. Kat Beal (Country)
12:45 to 1:30 p.m. Cold Tone Harvest (Americana/Roots)
2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Acoustic Madness (Acoustic Based Rock)
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Last Call (New Country)
5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Roots Vibrations Band (Reggae Soca)
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. J.Canady and the SoulNyce Band (Soul Funk Jazz)
8:00 to 9:00 p.m. Persuasion (High Energy Variety)
SOARING EAGLE CASINO & RESORT STAGE
located in the Cadillac Square Tent
Friday February 12th
11:30 to 12:15 p.m. Mia Green (Acoustic Pop)
12:45 to 1:30 p.m. Julie D (Acoustic Pop)
2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Cooper Anstett (Singer Songwriter)
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Blood and Wine (Heavy Alternative)
5:00 to 6:00 p.m. BRONZE MAMBAS (Psychedelic Rock)
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Harlow (Hard Rock/Alternative)
8:00 to 9:00 p.m. Paul Lamb & the Detroit Breakdown (Blues/Classic Rock)
9:30 to 11:00 p.m. Stone Clover (Irish Rock & Roll)
Saturday February 13th
11:45 to 12:30 p.m. James & June (Acoustic Folk)
1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Al Bettis (Indie Folk)
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. The Tom Toms (Indie Rock)
4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Here We Harbour (Hard Rock/ Alternative)
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Kung Fu Lovers (Activist Party Rock)
7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Taken Aces (Rock)
8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nina & The Buffalo Riders (Psychedelic Bluesy Soul Rock)
10:00 to 11:00 p.m. The Reefermen (Rock & Soul)
Sunday February 14th
11:15 to 12:00 p.m. Olivia Millerschin (Indie Folk Pop)
12:30 to 1:15 p.m. Julianne Ankley (Singer Songwriter)
1:45 to 2:45 p.m. Oak City Roots (Indie Pop/Folk Rock)
3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Laura Rain and the Caesars (Soul/Blues)
4:45 to 5:45 p.m. Rev. Marc Falconberry Blues Band (Blues)
6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Yvette Meadows (R&B)
7:45 to 9:00 p.m. Larry Lee & Back in The Day Band (Old School Funk & R&B)
All weekend entertainment schedules and any additional information can be found online at www.winterblast.com
2015 Meridan Winter Blast
One Campus Martius
Detroit, Michigan 48226
February 12th - 14th
Friday, Saturday 11am - 11pm
Sunday 11am - 9pm
Enjoy!
Follow FREEISMYLIFE on Facebook
