| Ice, Wine, Beer and Blues Fest features Matt Schofield |
 (MARSHALL, MI) – The Ice, Wine, Beer and Blues Fest returns to downtown Marshall Feb 4-5. This 2-day celebration of winter, booze, and blues is one of Marshall’s most popular events each year! The festival features specialty wine and beer tastings downtown on Friday night 6-10pm at various locations, and a blues concert on Saturday at The Franke Center for the Arts, 214 E. Mansion St. The festival will also feature spectacular live ice carving by master sculptor John Merucci and his team. Ice carving takes place downtown 5-8pm on Friday and from 10am until completion on Saturday. At each of the eight Friday locations, tasting participants receive a two-ounce pour of wine or beer plus appetizers. Individuals over 21 can purchase a wristband at any location for $25 and receive 10 wine/beer tastings. On Saturday, stroll the streets of downtown Marshall and admire the Olympics-inspired sculptures. The festival will cap off Saturday evening with a live blues concert featuring Matt Schofield. A pulled-pork dinner from Grand River Brewery will be available for $15. Starting at 6 pm, local favorites The Fat Animals will open the night in the Downstage Club. At 8pm, headliner Matt Schofield will take the main stage. A member of the British Blues Hall of Fame, Schofield is considered one of the top British blues guitarists of all time, alongside icons like Eric Clapton and Peter Green. His performance is part of the Franke Center Blues Series. Concert tickets are $28 in advance or $30 at the doors. Advanced tickets can be purchased online at The Franke or call the Franke Center for the Arts at 269-781-0001 and can be exchanged for a wristband on the night of the event at Handle & Hinge, Living MI or Eastend Studio. |
