Ice Jam at the Dam

Meeting of the Rivers Foundation’s largest fundraiser, the third annual Ice Jam at the Dam event, will take place February 17th, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the National Great Rivers Museum. This celebration of the winter season will feature live music from Chris Cahill and Co., open tours of Melvin Price Lock and Dam, live animal shows from TreeHouse Wildlife Center, winter education booths, hot food and drink vendors, campfires, movies, and more! Make sure to check out the National Great Rivers Museum Facebook Page for this and other upcoming events!

Buy your tickets for the Ice Jam at the Dam wildlife shows here! These are LIVE winter animal shows that feature birds, mammals, and more from TreeHouse Wildlife Center in Dow, IL. Visitors will be able to photograph the animals and interact with the handlers to discover more about these amazing creatures. The shows will take place at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. in the National Great Rivers Museum classroom. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time either at the front desk of the museum or online by clicking the link below. Prices are as follows:

Adult Ticket (Ages 13 and older): $10.00

Child Ticket (Ages 4-12): $7.00

Children ages 3 and under who can sit on a parent’s lap: Free

Open Dam Tours: Know Before You Go

Melvin Price Locks and Dam will be available for open, self-guided tours during Ice Jam at the Dam. Tour guides will be stationed along the tour route to answer questions. Cameras with telephoto lenses, bags, and purses are not permitted on the tour. The museum offers complementary lockers for storage of these items, or they may be left in your vehicle. The tour will take place on top of the dam, 80 feet above the water, and will involve walking approximately one-half mile. There are some tripping hazards. The tour route is wheelchair-accessible, and wheelchairs are available in the museum at no charge. This is an outdoor tour, so please dress appropriately for the weather.

Buy your raffle tickets now! Meeting of the Rivers Foundation is hosting a 50/50 raffle as well as an item raffle inside the museum, with the winners being drawn during Ice Jam at the Dam. New prizes for the item raffle are coming in every day, and there should be something for everyone’s taste! Tickets can be bought at the front desk of the National Great Rivers Museum from now through the end of Ice Jam at the Dam. Winners will be drawn at 3:00 p.m. on February 17th, and winners must be present to win. Ticket prices for the item raffle and 50/50 drawing are as follows:

$1 per ticket

$5 for 6 tickets

$20 for an entire “wingspan”

Come try your luck….you just might win big!

Feeling chilly? Beat the cold by warming up at one of the campfires or outdoor heaters placed outside of the museum! Enjoy a variety of hot food and beverages from various food vendors, or head inside where it’s warm and enjoy a winter-themed movie in the museum theater. Check out the educational booths and the arts and crafts table, all while jamming out to the musical sounds of Chris Cahill and Co.

No matter your age or interest, there’s something for everyone!