Ice fest draws 25,000 visitors
What started as a discussion ”“ with a bit of hope injected ”“ has turned into a success story for Rockland tourism.
Newly transplanted Rockland resident Tim Englert, who worked as development director for the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, fell in love with Rockland Lake and wanted to put it on the map. He could not have found a more eager participant in that venture than ice sculptor and Rockland Lake history buff Rob Patalano.
With the support of Rockland Business Association members and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, the Knickerbocker Ice Festival is a dream come true for founders Englert and Patalano and has become a major winter tourism destination for the Hudson Valley region.
“Rob”™s amazing dedication to his craft and to the festival is amazing,” Englert said. “He doesn”™t participate in the sculpting contest, but has his own niche down by the last ice house standing here at the lake, which was once a major ice supplier for the tristate area.”
This year”™s weekend event, held Jan. 29-30, attracted nearly 26,000 people ”“ a far cry from the 100 or so who showed up five years ago.
“Unless you like winter sports, there is really not a lot of outdoor events in the winter in the region, despite how beautiful it is,” Englert said. “This festival is an opportunity to enjoy the season, learn about the lake”™s history and what it meant for industry, see the sculptors at work and visit with Artists In The Park, who have a tent set up each year. We are getting more requests from businesses and artisans who want to participate. We are hoping to get the National Ice Carving Association to consider this location for one of their yearly competitions.”
From igloos to the giant bonfire in the center of the lake, the festival offered something for everyone to enjoy.
“We are hoping more winter events grow as a result, including a winter movie festival,” Englert said. “The Hudson Valley is full of beauty and history, but for many, winter can be very isolating. This is a great opportunity to get out, shed some cabin fever and enjoy the region”™s beauty. The vendors have been enjoying a record turnout and we”™re seeing some much-needed tourism dollars come into the region.”