Best Bets at IceFest: 5 must-do activities

CHAMBERSBURG - IceFest is just around the corner, with more activities than any of the 17 years before. 

Make sure to check out these picks for which ones you won't want to miss this year.

More:5 things you must know about IceFest

Watch the ice-carving competition

For the first time in IceFest's history, ice carvers will compete head to head in creating ice sculptures. Competitors will be an ice carver from DiMartino Ice Company, which supplies all the ice sculptures for IceFest, and Newville ice and wood carver Danny Kissel. Watch the competition after the ribbon-cutting and IceFest grand opening on Thursday night at 5:30 in the courthouse quad. 

See local artists' work at ArtFest

Need a break from the cold? Pop into the Old Jail on Second and King streets for ArtFest on Saturday. Starting at 9 a.m., artists will have eight hours to use their skills and talent to create works of art. The pieces will then be auctioned off at 4:30 p.m., with the proceeds going toward the local organization, For the Kids of Chambersburg. 

For more information, visit facebook.com/events/857367824463596/. 

Watch live glass blowing 

IceFest won't be all ice. Check out live glass-blowing demonstrations in the King Street Church parking lot off North Main Street, across from the Council for the Arts, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. 

Take a ride down the double-wide ice slide 

No visit to IceFest is complete without a ride down the double-wide ice slide. Rides down the 40-foot long slide, which features LED lighting, are free. It will be open for business for the duration of the festival in the Capitol Theatre parking lot. 

Eat and shop downtown

While visiting the downtown area, don't forget to sample some of the food at the local restaurants, such as Veroni Cafe or GearHouse Brewing Co., or take a stroll through a local shop, like the Gift Enclosure or Gypsie. Many restaurants and stores are extending their hours, or offering special discounts for the event, so you won't want to miss it. 

Be sure to leave time for the many other activities IceFest has to offer. Check out a full schedule of events and get details on all things IceFest at icefestpa.com. 

Photos: Check out the two galleries below from IceFest in 2016 and 2017