Date Of Event: February 14, 2026
Location: Olde Mystick Village, 27 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT (1 hour southeast of Hartford, CT)
Cost: Free
Summary: The main attraction of the “Hearts On Fire” event were, of course, the ice sculptures. But, there were a few other surprises that made the event very special!
What goes better with Valentine’s Day than ice, dogs and a marriage bliss? I’ll get to the dogs and marriage later. But, first things first.
This year’s Frozen Art In The Village event consisted of 19 ice sculptures. At least I found 19 ice sculptures. The theme of this year’s festival was “Hearts On Fire.” The ice sculptures included everything from patriotic symbols (a tribute to America’s 250th anniversary) to cinema legends (Olaf from Frozen).
There was also a sculpture of a submarine, no doubt a tribute to the Mystic Waterfront and the role the maritime history of the Mystic waterfront.
Many of the ice sculptures were based on animals or were related to the businesses they were located at. For instance, this sculpture of a chocolate bar was located outside of Munson’s Chocolates.
And this shamrock was located near the Irish shop, Irish Eyes.
These are a few more ice sculptures based on the businesses they were located at.
The remaining ice sculptures were mostly animal related.
Dogs enjoyed the ice sculptures also. Keela, a 6 year old Great Dane, let me take her photo in front one of the sculptures.
One of the biggest attractions was the ice sculpting demonstration in the gazebo.
As I was looking for ice sculptures to photograph, I noticed this nattily dressed couple being congratulated by other visitors at the event. After inquiring as to why they were dressed so elegantly, the couple told me they had just been married in the meeting house around the corner.
And sure enough, several couples were waiting to get married or renew their vows.
Dogs were also allowed to participate in the ceremony! Bruno was a great best man!
Over the years, thousands of people have been married at this location. This couple couple was married 34 years ago at this very meeting place.
Marie Wiley has been officiating weddings and renewing wedding vows at the Meeting House in Mystic Village for the past 25 years. The ceremonies are done on a first come, first serve basis. They last about 5 to 10 minutes and there is no fee for the service. This was the last year she is officiating these ceremonies. But, Marie already has a replacement picked. So the tradition will continue.
As if all that wasn’t enough. There was a train with monkeys on it driven by a dog. Yes, you read that right.
That’s right. This cute little pooch drove the train with gorillas in tow. All the while, The Monkees theme song played in the background.
Just when you think you’ve seen it all! New Englanders never seem to amaze me. I can only imagine what will be there next year!
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