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DDA reports strong turnout and business gains from IceFest; committee eyes expanded drone shows and improved signage
Summary
DDA chair Gail Brown and event lead Nikki reported an expanded IceFest (42 sculptures, drone show, cocoa trail) that generated notable downtown foot traffic and volunteer participation; businesses reported sales up roughly 20%, and the DDA plans better signage and seeks sponsorships to expand programming.
The Downtown Development Authority reported that this year's IceFest brought significantly more visitors and foot traffic to Harbor Springs downtown, prompting committee recommendations to improve signage, secure sponsorships and expand select programming next year.
Gail Brown, chairman of the DDA, summarized the committee's wrap-up: the event added new features including a cocoa trail and an expanded number of ice sculptures (from 38 to 42), added a second horse-drawn carriage, and introduced a drone show supported by local sponsors. She said the committee served roughly 425 hot dogs and that volunteers and student groups such as Key Club and National Honor Society provided critical staffing. Brown said many downtown businesses reported sales increases of "over 20%" among those asked.
Event chair Nikki said the drone show posed new logistical challenges this year (it was canceled and rescheduled due to wind) and the committee plans better signage and a stronger web/QR-code presence to guide viewers. Councilors and several attendees praised the event's effect on winter downtown activity and encouraged the DDA to pursue sponsorships so the festival can feature more headline activities across both Friday and Saturday nights next year.
Council asked staff and the DDA to improve wayfinding for drone-show viewing locations, and the DDA said it will coordinate with businesses and potential sponsors to widen programming in 2026. No funding action or formal city appropriation was decided at this meeting; the DDA report was accepted.
