‘Fire on Ice’ Chanukah Celebration Will Return to West Hartford’s Blue Back Square
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Participants join in joy, lighting up the night as the 8-foot Ice Menorah is lit. Submitted photo
The 10th Annual ‘Fire on Ice’ Chanukah celebration will include a concert and gelt drop on Dec. 17 in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square.
Submitted
Celebrate the Chanukah holiday in the coolest way possible – at Connecticut’s largest Chanukah celebration.
Hundreds of residents will be joining together as they observe a master ice-carver sculpt a giant Menorah from a raw block of ice, at what has become one of West Hartford’s Mega events and the largest Chanukah celebration in the state.
The unique experience, part of the annual “Fire on Ice” celebration held at Blue Back Square in West Hartford, (held annually on the first Sunday of Chanukah) marks the sixth night of the Chanukah festival. The super-sized Ice Menorah will be lit as part of the free event, hosted by Chabad of Greater Hartford.
“The purpose of this event is to bring the community together for Chanukah,” said Rabbi Shaya Gopin, Educational Director at Chabad. “Chanukah is a holiday of light and freedom, where few overcame the many and light triumphed over darkness,” he said. “This is a universal message that we can all relate to.” He emphasizes that this event is free of charge and open to all, young and old … Just come and celebrate!
“Fire on Ice” will be held on Sunday, Dec. 17 (the sixth night of Chanukah) at 4 p.m. The celebration will be held at Blue Back Square in West Hartford (near Barnes & Noble). “We invite the entire community to participate in this uplifting event,” said the Rabbi.
In honor of the 10th year, special highlights will include:
- A special live performance by award-winning, Chicago-based, Rogers Park Band with their unique Chassidic folk and pop tunes
- At the peak of the celebration will be the “Great Chanukah Gelt Drop,” together with the West Hartford Fire Department, will sprinkle chocolate coins from the top of the extended ladder of the fire truck. Children of all ages can collect the many coins as it “rains” down from abov
- New this year is the Chocolate Gelt Factory. Grind, melt & mold your very own chocolate coins!
Also included as part of Fire on Ice is the Chanukah Essay Contest.
Children (up to age 13) are encouraged to write an essay on “What Chanukah Means to Me,” the winner will read their essay at the lighting ceremony. The grand prize is a free tablet and the first 15 essays will receive a free Hatchem. The essay has a 300-word max and should be submitted to [email protected] with subject line “Essay Contest” by Dec 13.
In addition, the program will feature
- 3-D dreidel printing
- Chanukah nails manicure
- Glow-in-the-dark face painting
- Free raffles and prizes
- Arts and crafts
- Doughnuts
- Activities for all ages.
The ceremony will include a human chain “Passing the Torch of Jewish Continuity” by individuals from very different backgrounds of Jewish experience.
A heated tent will be set up for the event, and delicious food from Yosi’s Kosher Catering will be available for sale.
For more information regarding “Fire on Ice,” please call (860) 232-1116 or visit www.ChabadHartford.com.
So, the West Harford magazine came out with Chanukah as December 24th this year. The above article says that December 17th is the 2nd night of Chanukah. Both are wrong. Chanukah starts at sundown on December 12th, the first day is December 13th. Just want the correct information shared.
I don’t have any control over the magazine but you’re absolutely right about which night of Chanukah the Fire on Ice celebration falls on. It was incorrect in the press release we received and I didn’t double check that. I will correct is ASAP! ~Ronni
December 17 is the 6th night of Hanukkah, not the 2nd, just an FYI.
You’re absolutely right! It was incorrect in the press release we received and I didn’t double check that. I will correct is ASAP!