DETROIT – Organizers of a popular winter festival in downtown Detroit will use the event to raise money for children affected by lead-tainted water in Flint.

As part of the 2016 Meridian Winter Blast, which runs Feb. 12-14 in Campus Martius park, Merdian Health Plan will match up to $40,000 in donations for the Flint Child Health and Development Fund.

The fund is being headed by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, who helped uncover the lead-tainted water.

Watch: Local 4 interview with the people who exposed the Flint water crisis

Flint switched from Detroit's water system in 2014 to the Flint River to save money, but the water wasn't properly treated for corrosion. High lead levels have since been found in some children.

Each of the festival's more than 40 bands will donate 10 percent of their pay toward the Flint based fund, which will be matched by the Winter Blast Foundation. In addition to the music campaign, there will be outreach to skaters throughout the weekend for additional support. Talmer Bank will donate $1 to the Flint-based fund for everyone who travels down the snow slide.

About the festival

HEADLINING ATTRACTIONS RETURN

Returning to this year’s Meridian Winter Blast are two favorite attractions: the Meridian Snow Slide and the Bedrock Zip Line Adventure. Towering over 30-feet high, the Meridian Snow Slide continues its tradition as a festival favorite, thanks to the sponsorship of Meridian Health Plan. The slide’s three lanes will deliver an exhilarating, 200-foot long ride in seven seconds, making the Meridian Snow Slide once again a main attraction not to be missed.

The Bedrock Zip Line Adventure will return with the longest, fastest mobile zip line in Michigan and allows two thrill-seekers to zip simultaneously on two lines, 34 feet above the ground of Woodward Avenue in just 20 seconds.

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT

Siberian Husky dog sled exhibitions will be available for the first time since 2006. Two dog sled teams will bring the majestic animals to not only provide exhibitions but also to pose for interactive photos, which will be available for a $3 donation to the Flint Child Health & Development Fund.

Dog Sledding Exhibitions presented by US Park will offer a firsthand look at the challenging winter sport of dog sled racing with regularly scheduled demonstrations. Returning for their sixth appearance at the festival to lead presentations is professional sled dog racer and Michigan native Amanda Vogel, along with her Snomad Racing Sled Dogs.

SUPER HEROES IN ICE

The Dawn of Justice, along with regulars like the Spirit of Detroit, will be featured in this year’s Ice Garden presented by the DTE Energy Foundation, a collection of expertly crafted ice carvings. Life-sized versions of Batman and Superman will honor the highly anticipated Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice movie. Onsite carving demonstrations will take place during Friday festival hours.

FREE ADMISSION AND FUN FOR “BIGS” AND “LITTLES” Thanks to Talmer Bank:

Meridian Winter Blast presented by Quicken Loans will be providing additional community support by hosting a day of fun and free activities for more than 250 metro Detroit adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and the children they mentor (“Littles”). The Talmer Bank “Big and Little Blast” will include free admission, complimentary Meridian Snow Slide and Bedrock Zip line rides, free skate rentals and lunch from Happy’s Pizza.

OTHER MERIDIAN WINTER BLAST INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES

Festival patrons can enjoy the only weekend of free ice-skating all year at Campus Martius Park for the entire festival weekend, courtesy of St. John Providence Health System. Synchronized skating exhibitions, presented by WH Canon, will also perform and entertain the crowds throughout the weekend.

The hockey competition is back! The Meridian Winter Blast challenges festivalgoers with a hockey shot competition presented Great Expressions Dental Centers (GEDC). Throughout the weekend, attendees will have a chance to shoot and score cool prizes from Great Expressions, Winter Blast and the Detroit Red Wings. The grand prizewinner will win a choice of a free set of Invisalign braces or a dental care package from GEDC valued at $5,000. The competition will take place on the ice rink at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday.

Snowmaking returns to Meridian Winter Blast with special snow cannons from Shanty Creek Resort that will add to the festive winter environment. Sponsored by Meridian Health Plan, visitors can get up, get moving and get fit while snowshoeing in the festival’s winter wonderland of snow. Guests can grab a pair of free snowshoes ­– available in a variety of adults and children’s sizes – and step into winter fun with the entire family.

Fun and reading go hand-in-hand at Meridian Winter Blast in 2016! Meridian Winter Blast is reprising its popular Reading is a Blast, an engaging literacy activity supported by the General Motors Foundation. Twelve celebrity readers each will read a beloved book to families and festivalgoers assembled at the kids’ stage inside the Quicken Loans building lobby.

Warm up with your family at one of the many marshmallow-roasting stations situated throughout the festival sponsored by Metro PCS. For a toasty treat, marshmallow and s’more kits will be available for purchase.

MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT

Meridian Winter Blast is pleased to announce its music lineup on the Michigan Lottery Stage Soaring Eagle Casino Stages and Quicken Loans Family Stage. The voices and beat of music from many genres, including country, rock, blues, pop, acoustic, Americana, funk and soul, will resonate from three stages located throughout the festival in the Comfort Zones and in the atrium of 1 Campus Martius, which all provide a warm and cozy environment for listening enjoyment.

Slated to perform are longtime favorites The Reefermen, Stone Clover and Orbitsuns, along with Detroit jazz legend Thornetta Davis. A number of first time bands will be performing, including The Tom Toms, Tart, SKYrise and Here We Harbour.

NEW MOTOR CITY FOOD OFFERINGS

New this year in celebration of Detroit’s food renaissance is the Meridian “Taste of Detroit” food tent. Outstanding metro Detroit restaurants and chefs will be providing enjoyable, quality food from LaDolce Vita, Red Crown, (revolver), Slow’s To Go, El Asador, El Barzon, Hudson Café, Andiamo Italia, Detroit Seafood Market and Famous Dave’s.

SPEND A NIGHT IN THE CITY

With all of the excitement of Meridian Winter Blast festivities, why go home? Organizers are offering festival patrons the opportunity to “Spend the Night in the City” at Westin Book Cadillac Hotel Detroit, located just two blocks from the festival, at special discounted weekend rates of $159. Located just two blocks from all the Meridian Winter Blast excitement, the iconic Westin Book Cadillac provides a warm and refreshing retreat after a long day of festivities. Festivalgoers must book by Feb. 3 to receive this rate.