ALAMOSA– What was obviously popular with today’s youth at Halloween will be revitalized next month when the 9^th annual Rio Frio Ice Fest unfolds here.

“Superheroes” is the theme of this year’s event on Jan. 27-28, 2018 with an exciting slate of events and some scheduling changes in store. The most popular events are back, including live ice sculpting, faux snowman building contest, costume contest, Grub ‘n Pub, fire-in-ice bonfire and the unique Rio Frio 5k walk/run on the frozen Rio Grande.

Also returning this year is the “polar plunge” with a new twist and location at Blanca Vista Park, just east of the golf course, and the all new “ice carousel” and entertainment there as well.

The carousel in ice at the Blanca Vista Park lake will reveal exactly what it sounds like; a large circle of revolving ice beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, followed by the polar plunge at 11 a.m. Participants will be able to take a dip in the frigid waters beneath what some call “Lake Bervig,” named for long-time, former mayor Ferris Bervig.

Ice carving on Alamosa’s main street will also begin at 11 a.m. and continue off and on all day Saturday. Faux snowman building will debut at noon.

The “Superheroes” costume contest for all ages and a character meet and greet will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Main and San Juan Avenue, with the Grub ‘n Pub running from 3-7 p.m. downtown. Watch for future details.

An annual highlight will also return that day in the same location with the popular fire and ice bonfire.

The biggest scheduling change this year is moving the unique Rio Frio 5k to Sunday, Jan. 28 at 10:30 a.m. preceded by the Alamosa Senior Center pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. Both events will be near Cole Park.

Walkers and runners will again be challenged by an event held entirely on the frozen Rio Grande with “majestic views of both the San Juan’s and Sangre de Cristo’s from the beautiful Rio Grande River corridor.” Runner’s World magazine named this race one of the three “editor’s picks” for running enthusiasts in 2015.

Watch for more details in future articles or at www.riofrioice.com.

Caption: The “fire and ice” bonfire is a popular part of the Rio Frio Ice Fest in Alamosa./Courier file photo by Keith R. Cerny