For the last eight years, the Fire & Ice Festival has become a mid-winter highlight for locals and visitors alike. The festival, featuring a new “A Weekend for the Books” theme, showcasing your favorite stories and book characters, is scheduled to take place January 31 – February 2, 2025. However, you won’t want to miss the sellout Fire & Ice Drink Competition, scheduled to take place on Sunday, January 19th. This Fire & Ice kick-off event brings 12 talented bartenders from local restaurants to compete head-to-head with their best “A Weekend for the Books” cocktail. This ticketed event benefits Beebe Healthcare’s South Coastal Emergency Department, a community-based, not-for-profit center with a vision to be a “healthcare system of choice for all people.” The Drink Competition will be hosted this year at Mango’s on Sunday, January 19th from 1:00PM – 3:00PM. VIP ticket holders will have early access at 12:00PM which will include the opportunity to view each bartender’s presentation. All guests will be able to try a tasting from each of the bartenders’ cocktail and enjoy lite fare, live DJ, and incredible ocean views right in downtown Bethany.
Bartenders will select their chosen base of tequila, vodka, or bourbon to compete for one of three “Best of the Base” awards. Ticketholders will partake in crowning the grand prize People’s Choice Award by casting a vote for their favorite drink, alongside a stellar panel of judges. Tickets are on sale now and are expected to sell out quickly as a limited quantity is available.
“The growth and popularity of this event is owed to the incredible bartenders that continue to return year-after-year with incredible passion and creativity!” quotes Alyssa Weaver, Events Manager at the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a sellout event for a reason and the perfect way to ramp up excitement ahead of the Fire and Ice Festival Weekend.”
For those who cannot attend the Drink Competition or want another tasting of the cocktails crafted during the competition, join us for the Fire & Ice Tasting Tour! Patrons can purchase a tasting card in advance. Tasting Tour cards will be honored throughout the entirety of the Fire & Ice Festival, January 31st – February 2nd and allows visitors to enjoy a taste of the Fire & Ice drink created by each participating restaurant, along with special menu items and entertainment. Tickets for the Tasting Tour are available for purchase online and proceeds will benefit local, participating libraries.
Fire and Ice Drink Competition and Tasting Tour restaurants include Bethany Blues, Fins Ale House & Raw Bar- Bethany, Flavor, Good Earth, JR’s Seafood Shack, Mango’s, Mio Fratello Italian Steakhouse, Off the Hook, Signatures at Bayside, The Cottage Café, The Salted Rim Margarita Bar & Grille, and Vista Rooftop.
While patrons venture through the Tasting Tour, they will explore the spectacular ice sculptures showcased at each restaurant, created by the artists at The Ice God. For tickets, more information, and the complete schedule of events for the Fire and Ice “A Weekend for the Books” Festival, visit fireandicede.com or call (302) 539-2100. Stay up to date on the festivities by following The Quiet Resorts on Facebook and Instagram @thequietresorts and @fireandicede
