Grand Rapids Based Ice Brigade Celebrates Successful First Season on Food Network

On Thursday, March 3 – West Michigan, the United States and even the world took note as ice carvers Randy Finch, Derek Maxfield and their team from Ice Sculptures, LTD., in Grand Rapids, launched their series Ice Brigade on the Food Network.

Ice Brigade follows Michigan-based chef Randy Finch and his team of renegade ice artists as they blow the lid off ice sculpting by developing original designs that defy the imagination. To these frozen outlaws, the standard wedding swans are simply huge ice cubes. The real thrill of their bone-chilling craft is to make life-sized and interactive creations like pool tables, bowling lanes, grand pianos, carousels and putt-putt courses.

Armed with chain saws, chisels and sledge hammers, each episode features Randy and crew sculpting rock-solid ice blocks into out-of-this world art and delivering them to awestruck clients. No matter the job or locale, the mission remains the same: get the job done, before it all melts away. The show airs at 10pm on Thursday nights (with repeat airings a couple times per week).

“The whole cast is really excited to be celebrating the season one finale right here in Grand Rapids,” says Ice Guru Randy Finch. “We look forward to the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to the community for their overwhelming support!”

More than 100 fans met at GP Sports inside the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel that first week to cheer on the cast during the first episode. Each week, whether at GP’s or Peppino’s Downtown GR, fans have continued to gather together to watch the show which has carved a special place in the hearts of many.

Ice Brigade has garnered media attention on both the local and national level, including an impressive appearance on March 18 on The Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda (now archived on MSNBC.com), as well as a segment on CBS News. Articles about the show have also appeared in New York Magazine and the Wall Street Journal.

In all, seven episodes comprise Season #1 of Ice Brigade. Each episode features at least two major ice sculptures for clients in Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan. The final show will air on Thursday, April 14 and a special “Spring Bling” finale party is planned for the International Ballroom at the JW Marriott.

The Spring Bling featuring the entire cast of The Ice Brigade
Thursday, April 14 | 8pm – 1am
International Ballroom - JW Marriott, Downtown Grand Rapids
Music: Soundscape Designer - Todd Ernst
Dress: Blingy and Springy!
Ages 21 and up | No Cover | Cash Bar

Special low-bling drink pricing will be available, along with unique "Ice Brigade" drinks prepared just for this event! Surprises all night long, including props from the show, LIVE ice sculpting and much, much more.

www.icebrigade.com
www.facebook.com/icebrigade
www.foodnetwork.com/ice-brigade