IceFest 2019: Ice sculptures and winter fun take over downtown Chambersburg for four days
IceFest kicks off Thursday for the 17th year in downtown Chambersburg.
Event organizers and local officials will gather at 5 p.m. near the 11/30 Welcome Center on the southwest corner of Memorial Square for the official opening ceremony and ribbon cutting. Guests will be treated to cupcakes (while supplies last) and can watch a live ice carving.
There will also be more than 80 ice sculptures, created by DiMartino Ice Company from around 30 tons of ice, lining Main Street. All are sponsored by local businesses.
The popular 40-foot-long, double-wide ice slide will be open for the evening, 5 to 8 p.m. The slide is located in the lot next to Gartenberg Jewelry on South Main Street. Rides are free.
If you go out for opening night, be sure to bundle up. It will be very cold, with a wind chill in the single digits, according to AccuWeather.
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“IceFest comes at the perfect time--at the end of January when everyone is missing the fun of last month’s holidays and thinking about how long winter is," stated Janet Pollard of the Franklin county Visitor's Bureau. "But, with a giant ice slide, amazing ice sculptures, a variety of events, twinkling lights, lots of good food and great shopping—winter is fun!”
IceFest will continue 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Thousands of people are expected to come from near and far for the winter festival.
IceFest serves as a fundraiser for three groups: Chambersburg Council for the Arts, Downtown Business Council and Downtown Chambersburg Inc.
"IceFest gives us a chance to showcase our beautiful downtown and gives our downtown businesses an opportunity to increase their sales during a typically slow season" says Sam Thrush, president of Downtown Chambersburg Inc.
Below are highlights of activities and things to know. Click here to see the official IceFest map.
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Friday
Snowfall Ball: 6-10 p.m., Central Presbyterian Church, $12 per person
Live Glass Blowing: King Street Church parking lot (continues Saturday)
Saturday
The downtown core will be closed to traffic. Motorists will not be permitted on Main Street from King Street south to Washington Street, and the blocks of Lincoln Way East and West immediately next to the square will also be closed.
Frozen Flicks: Coyle Free Library, 11 a.m. Toy Story, 2 p.m. Happy Feet
Polar Dunk Plunge: 11 a.m.-TBD, in front of Courthouse Plaza
Chili Q, chili and barbecue cookoff: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., parking lot on west side of North Main Street
Beer Garden: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., parking lot on west side of North Main Street
Icing on the Cake: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Capitol Theatre's Wood Center
Sunday
5K Run/Kids' Zone: Noon to 3 p.m., race at 2 p.m., parking lot on west side of North Main Street
See a full schedule at icefestpa.com.