-Courtesy of Aversa PR & Events
The ‘coolest’ festival in Philadelphia is back – and kicks off a historic year of festivities to celebrate Manayunk’s Bicentennial Celebration. Manayunk Development Corporation teams up with Founders Brewing Company to present Founders Philly Freeze Out, Freeze Out Run and 2024 MNYK Chowder Crawl, on Saturday, February 3, 2023. Main Street in Manayunk turns into a winter wonderland filled with live ice carving demonstrations and 25+ photo-worthy ice sculptures created by “ice king” Peter Slavin of Ice Sculpture Philadelphia.
The day starts off with the Freeze Out Run by Philadelphia Runner and New Balance at 9:30am, followed by the main event from 11:00am to 4:00pm, and the 2024 MNYK Chowder Crawl from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Festivities during the day will also include the Lion Dance with New Leaf for Chinese and Lunar New Year, a new interactive ice sculpture by Philadelphia Flyers street team, a new snowy ice igloo experience and photo opportunity, offerings from popular food trucks, Founders and MNYK giveaways, a festive winter shopping pop-up market, and Founders specials at restaurants and bars up and down Main Street.
Founders Philly Freeze Out is free to attend, with food, drink and shopping pay as you go. Freeze Out Run is free to participate, with advance registration required. 2024 MNYK Chowder Crawl is $15 per ticket. For event info, race registration and chowder crawl tickets, visit https://manayunk.com/events/ and follow @manayunkdotcom
“In collaboration with Founders Brewing Company and Ice Sculpture Philly, we bring ice, art, beer, and chowder together to create the ultimate winter celebration here in Manayunk,” said Manayunk Development Corporation Events Coordinator Caitlin Marsilii. “You won’t want to miss this year as we have more live carvings than ever before and the Flyers Street Team.”
“At Founders Brewing Company, we love sponsoring the Founders Freeze Out in Manayunk every year because it brings together some of the best qualities Philadelphia has to offer: community, public art, street festivities, and, of course, great beer,” said Founders Brewing Co. Market Manager Igor Simić. “The day is built around showcasing local businesses and restaurants via the unique medium of ice sculptures, and the live carvings performed by Peter Slavin and his team at Ice Sculpture Philly are must-see. Whether you’re doing some shopping on Main Street, participating in the Chowder Crawl, or stopping by a bar to try Founders’ new Mortal Bloom Hazy IPA, it’s the perfect way to shake off the post-Holiday blues and celebrate Winter one more time before Spring gets here!”
Come out bright and early for the Founders Freeze-Out Run starting at 9:30am. Philadelphia Runner presents this free three mile fun run, with support from New Balance, who will be joining with shoes to test out on the run, giveaways and more. Philadelphia Runner will then debut their 2024 sculpture at the start of the festival itself. The race is free but registration is required in advance.
The Founders Philly Freeze Out main event will run from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Neighbors, friends and visitors are invited to stroll up and down the street, where they can view and take photos with 25+ glistening ice sculptures outside participating Main Street businesses. Festivities will include finished sculptures, as well as live carving demonstrations scattered throughout the day. The early list of locations and participating businesses includes:
LIVE CARVINGS
Winnie’s Manayunk* – 11:00am
New Leaf* – 12:00pm
La Roca* – 12:30pm
Lucky’s Last Chance* – 1:00pm
The Goat’s Beard* – 1:30pm
Bar Jawn & The Couch Tomato* – 2:00pm
JD McGillicuddy’s* – 3:00pm
Mia Ragazza* – 3:30pm
Union Tap House* – 4:00pm
ICE SCULPTURES
Blondie
Chabaa Thai Bistro
dtXfy Sauna Studio
Flyers Street Team
Founders Brewing Co.
Launchpad Fitness
Lila Philadelphia
Main Street Music
Manayunk Brewing Co.
Manayunk Development Corporation
Minor Details
Philadelphia Runner
Ryan’s Pub
Taqueria Amor
The Animedic
The Couch Tomato
The Grape Room
The Little Apple
Volo Coffeehouse
Yanako
While strolling among the icy masterpieces, festival-goers will find frosty fun with a new snowy ice igloo experience and photo opps, hearty food offerings from popular food trucks, Founders and MNYK giveaways and other surprises. Philadelphia Flyers Street Team will be on hand as special guests this year, with a special new interactive hockey sculpture. Additionally, look for the Lion Dance with New Leaf to celebrate the Chinese and Lunar New Year.
Beer lovers can find specials from Founders Beer Company at top restaurants and bars, including: Bar Jawn, JD McGillicuddy’s, La Roca, Lucky’s Last Chance, Manayunk Brewing Co., Mia Ragazza, Ryan’s Pub, Taqueria Amor, The Couch Tomato, The Grape Room, The Goat’s Beard, Union Tap House and Winnie’s Manayunk.
From 11:00am to 4:00pm, visit the Founders Winter Market, a one-day pop-up at Richards Apex (4170 Main Street) featuring art, apparel, accessories, candles, jewelry, home goods and much more. Participating vendors so far include: Lily Lough Jewelry, Fishtown Pickle Project, Let’s Get Spooky, SouthHouse, Jewelry Designs By KL, Macramaybee, CharcuTori Events!, Shay Lynn, Sweet Batter, Botanical Funk, SPogas Art, S H Candles, G+RIZZ, From Mine, To Yours and more to be announced.
From 12:00pm to 4:00pm, come hungry for the 2024 MNYK Chowder Crawl. Manayunk restaurants will put their best spoons forward to create their own versions of winter’s favorite comfort food. Participating businesses to date include:
Chabaa Thai Bistro
JD McGillicuddy’s
Lucky’s Last Chance
Manayunk Brewing Co.
Mia Ragazza
Taqueria Amor
The Couch Tomato
The Goat’s Beard
Union Tap House
Winnie’s Manayunk
Yanako
More to be announced
Check-in runs 11:30am to 2:00pm at the Richards Apex parking lot. Tickets are on sale now for $15 each and going fast. This event sells out every year. Get them while they last.
While visiting Manayunk for Founders Philly Freeze Out, make sure to stop by these merchants below for special deals and offers, including:
* City of Paws Pet Care – Giveaway bags for 20 customers, free dog wash coupons, Brixxy & Co. pop-up, and in-store sales!
* dtXfy Sauna Studio – $10 10-minute massage pod sessions, $25 10-min Red light sessions (1/2 price), and intro packages for all 3 services at $50 usually $69 purchase – Feb. 3 only
* Launchpad Fitness – Free class coupons
* Minor Details – Complimentary hot cocoa/coffee bar in-store
* Main Street Music – Door buster sales
* And more to be announced on the event website!
For updates on live carve times, activations, event map, Chowder Crawl voting and all the frosty fun, download Let’s Rallie – the official app of Founders Philly Freeze Out.
For more about Founders Philly Freeze Out, Race and Chowder Crawl, and partners, visit https://manayunk.com/events/ and follow @manayunkdotcom @iceicephilly @foundersbrewing @philadelphiaflyers and @letsrallie.
ABOUT MANAYUNK BICENTENNIAL YEAR
Founders Philly Freeze Out is the first event of a full year of festivities to celebrate Manayunk’s Bicentennial Year – celebrating 200 years! On May 4, 1824, Manayunk received its name at the first town meeting. Originally, the area was known as Flat Rock due to the large flat rock formation at the lower side of Flat Rock Bridge. The name was changed to Manayunk for the Lenape word “Maniung” meaning “where we go to drink.” All year Long, Manayunk will be celebrating 200 years. 2024 Manayunk programming will nod to its rich history. Keep an eye out for bicentennial celebrations all year long kicking off with the festivities on February 3rd.
For more information and the full schedule of events for 2024, visit www.Manayunk.com and follow @manayunkdotcom
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