The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce plans to resume Ice on Ice as an in-person event this year, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced a change from the "big party" events of the past.
In another change, the annual holiday event benefiting Project HOPE Food Bank will be held at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort this year instead of the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa. Ice on Ice will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2.
"We are at a new venue this year," said Ashley Thompson, vice president of the chamber.
"One thing about the Arlington is we outgrew it. (In) 2019 the last time we had it at the Arlington, we actually split it in between the ballroom and that other extra ballroom that they've got, and it was still pretty crowded," said Mara Kuhn, communications manager for the chamber.
"It's like a big party. It's like a big cocktail party, and in 2020, because of COVID, we broke it up into smaller venues. So, restaurants, certain restaurants around town, hosted an Ice on Ice event, and that was just a way to make it a safer option," Kuhn said.
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For this year, the chamber brought back the familiar cocktail party atmosphere, including live music, heavy hors d'oeuvres, cocktail attire, and a chance to win a diamond.
"This year, it's at a new venue. There's a new band, and there are five diamonds being given away. Everybody leaves with a gem you don't know if it's a (cubic zirconia) or a diamond, but that's why everybody loves Ice on Ice -- that's pretty much the same," Thompson said.
Thompson said currently, there are no local or state mandates, or guidelines, regarding COVID-19. However, the Chamber of Commerce is watching the numbers closely to make sure that they can put on a safe event.
"Oaklawn has their internal practices when they put on events to keep their staff and guests of Oaklawn safe. So, we talk with them several times a week, if not daily (with) COVID being the first thing that we discussed, and then we go forward from there," she said.
Thompson said the community has responded with excitement to the event's return.
"This is my first one to help plan. ... I think people are very excited to get back out and back into the regular holiday season. This is kind of the de facto kickoff holiday party, and people are very excited. We're selling tickets pretty quickly. Sponsorships went quickly," Thompson said.
"We're really excited to see how people treat it comparatively to other years coming out of a pandemic; it had to change last year. We know it's different being in a new venue with new music and things like that, but we're getting some good responses," she said.
The attendance ticket entitles attendees to a signature that contains an ice cube. Frozen inside the cube is either a cubic zirconia or a diamond. Once the ice cube melts, the stone can be checked by representatives of Lauray's -- The Diamond Center. If a diamond is discovered, the lucky individual is taken on stage with the band and is announced.
"You're going home with something it's either going to be a CZ or a diamond, but they will have jewelers on hand to check and make sure that you know what you're leaving with," Thompson said.
Just under 300 pounds of peanut butter was donated and the drawing for tickets took place on Nov. 12.
"It also benefits Project HOPE Food Bank as a good long-term shelf life living thing for their food bank and because we want to make sure everybody realizes this is a fundraiser benefiting the food bank, and we're excited to have it again. I think people are excited to get ready for the holidays," Thompson said.
"We had people asking before we put anything out about it. People started calling a lot and sending us Facebook messages wanting to know when tickets were going to go on sale and (wanting to know) all the details about it," Kuhn said.
Ice on Ice attendees must be at least 21 years old. Sponsors are Lauray's -- The Diamond Center, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, 105.9 KLAZ and The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Tickets are on sale for $60, and a part of the proceeds goes to Project HOPE. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit the Chamber of Commerce at 659 Ouachita Ave., Lauray's at 402 Central Ave., or https://bit.ly/3I0HVMG.