A giant ice maze is coming to downtown Stillwater
What's believed to be the largest ice maze in the United States is opening at the Zephyr Theatre in Stillwater next week.
The 114-foot by 72-foot ice maze was built using 1,500 blocks of ice. It features 1/2 mile of passageways and a 36-foot slide guarded by an 8-foot perimeter wall, according to the event's website. There will also be hot chocolate, s'mores and an ice bar for those 21 and older.
The maze opens on Jan. 22 and will be open 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and noon to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 28, weather permitting.
Attendance inside the maze will be limited to 100 people per hour and masks are required when inside due to COVID-19. Tickets are available in advance online here or at the door (if they're available). Kids 4 and younger and 100 and older are free, while it's $10 for kids ages 5-12 and $15 for everyone else.
There is free parking and restrooms at the theater, located at 601 Main St. N.
Zephyr Theatre's artistic director Calyssa Hall and her father came up with the ice maze while brainstorming ideas to make money and pay their employees this winter, according to the Pioneer Press. Since the start of the pandemic, the theater has hosted outdoor productions in its parking lot but stopped when it got cold.
The ice maze is one of many attractions in Stillwater this winter aimed at attracting visitors. The months-long citywide event is called "Wintertime in Stillwater" and features a downtown light display on various local landmarks nightly from 5-10 p.m. through March.
Other events include a fat tire bike rally Jan. 23-24, ice skating at Water Street Inn (likely opens Jan. 16), horse-drawn carriage rides, pond hockey, fire and ice event, ice cream social and a hot air balloon event.
