ALAMOSA – “Under the Sea” is the theme of the 13th annual Rio Frio Ice Fest scheduled for Jan. 28-30, 2022. Ice sculpting, a variety of other events and the unique Rio Frio 5k race on the frozen Rio Grande are among the highlights.

A complete schedule of weekend activities can be found at www.riofrioice.com, and registration is now open for the 5k there as well.

Organized by the City of Alamosa Parks and Recreation, Alamosa County Chamber of Commerce and “Visit Alamosa,” the ice fest committee has adopted a “beach party” theme for the last several years, leading to this year’s theme, “Under the Sea.”

Ice sculptures downtown will feature things one would expect to see under the sea.

Activities will begin Friday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. with race packet pickup and registration at Milagros Coffee House and a luminaria-lit cross country skiing event at Blanca Vista Park just north of town if snow is available.

Saturday’s full day of events include race packet pickup and registration at the Alamosa Senior Center from 8-9:30 a.m. followed by the 5k start at 10 a.m. in the adjoining Cole Park.

Ice carving demonstrations begin at noon downtown and the information tent will be manned from 12-3 p.m. at Main and San Juan Avenue. An “augmented virtual reality activity” is planned from 12-5 p.m., details of which will be announced later.

Weather permitting, a disc golf tournament to be called the SOCO Ice Bowl, will be from 12-2 p.m. at the disc golf course north of town.

Race awards will be presented at 1 p.m. on San Juan, followed by the Kiwanis annual costume contest from 2-3 p.m. and “Grub and Pub” from 3-7 p.m.

Capping Saturday’s activities will be the ever popular “fire and ice” bonfire on San Juan as well.

A mountain bike ride is planned for Sunday at 10 a.m. at Blanca Vista Park, followed by the polar plunge and ice carousel at noon, conditions permitting.

For more details, go to www.riofrioice.com