Downtown Alexandria is preparing for several “snow days.” The city of Alexandria will launch a new festival Thursday featuring an outdoor ice skating rink and artificial snow.
The three-day Alex Winter Fête will put festivalgoers in a holiday mood with the help of a snow machine blowing artificial snow on a downtown street and an outdoor ice rink set up across from City Hall at mini-park.
The activities -- including ice skating -- are being provided free through the city’s recreation funds combined with private sponsors. Organizer Liz Lowry says Alex Winter Fête will highlight holiday traditions from around the globe in a world cultural village.
“We have the Philippines, the Czechoslovakians, the Belgians, the Syrian community, the Italian community, the Hispanic community and each one of them will have a booth that will showcase holiday traditions. They will showcase food that they eat during the holidays to celebrate all of these different cultures that live right here in Central Louisiana,” Lowry said.
The city’s community services director Daniel Williams says the ice rink will have real ice since highs will be in the 50s. The company creating the rink will provide skates.
The Ugly Sweater 5K Run and Contest is set for Saturday, Dec. 5. The race begins at 8:30 a.m., and the contest will follow at 10:30 a.m. on the main stage.
Alex Winter Fête opens Thursday, Dec. 3, at 5 p.m. with the lighting of a Christmas tree at mini-park.
The ice rink will be open Thursday, Dec. 3, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The overall budget for the three-day festival is $140,000, according to Williams.Alex Winter Fete piece
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