Ice Jam experiences success at Bissell Park venue on March 5

Ice Jam’s move to Bissell Park in Elora was a success, Riverfest Elora’s president and artistic director Jon  Ralston told the Advertiser.

“We had initially decided that we might not do it and then changed our minds at the last minute ...” he said

“But it meant we had a very compressed promotion schedule and we were switching locations, putting it under a tent so there’s a lot of unknowns there for the general public and we were definitely concerned that would have an effect on it, but it went off really well actually.”

In previous years the event was held at the Elora Mill property but with development on the horizon, organizers switched venues this year, bringing the March 5 Ice Jam to the same space as Riverfest.

“It allowed us to ... have a clean slate for how to lay the thing out and definitely out of all the feedback we’ve been getting the big one is that the layout and the setup was really, really good,” he said. “So people were definitely happy that there was a big, heated tent but still had this interactive outdoor side of it by having all of the outdoor space and the food trucks and the fire barrels.”

Approximately 700 people attended Ice Jam this year. The headliner was 54-40 and local musician Madison Galloway opened the show.

If the event expands in the future Ralston said there’s room for about 1,200 people.

For tickets to Riverfest Elora visit riverfestelora.com.