Workers harvest ice near the Cedar Falls Ice House in the 1920s. (Photo: Cedar Falls Historical Society)
The Cedar Falls Ice Harvest festival returns this year after a pause in 2024. Hosted by the Cedar Falls Historical Society, the immersive event on Feb. 1 spotlights local history with activities, education and demonstrations at Big Woods Lake. If the weather forecast looks too bleak, the festival’s back-up date is Feb. 8.
Festivalgoers can see demonstrations of ice harvesting, ice fishing and blacksmithing, along with several interactive STEM activities. Food will be available, for a freewill donation, from Moment in Thyme. Check the Historical Society’s website as the date approaches for specific times for activities and demonstrations.
The festival also promotes the city’s historic Ice House Museum, which preserves the legacy of the once-essential ice industry. Ice harvesting was crucial before refrigeration and allowed people nationwide to store and transport food year-round. The round ice house was built in 1921 to house ice harvested from the Cedar River and was part of a network of ice houses used to keep food fresh during cross-country trade.
