Things to do in January in and near Franklin County: IceFest, line dancing, art classes

New year, new possibilities. 

If you've never made it out to IceFest in Chambersburg, the 20th anniversary year is the time to do it. 

Make 2022 the year to try something new, like trying your hand at painting, ceramics or even writing a book. Local galleries will kick off a new year of classes this month. 

You can also try your feet at line dancing. You'll be helping out a local nonprofit organization that helps kids get stronger physically and mentally through horseback riding. 

Here are a few things to add to your calendar this January. 

IceFest in Chambersburg

After being canceled last year due to COVID-19, IceFest will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2022. More than 38 tons of ice carved into works of art will be on display up and down Chambersburg's Main Street. You won't want to miss the popular double-wide ice slide and the ice throne. There will be special events each day of the festival. Food vendors will be there. 

When: Thursday, Jan. 27 through Sunday, Jan. 30. 

Where: Around downtown Chambersburg

Event highlights: 

• Double-wide ice slide is open 5-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday
• Live carving of giant ice sculptures: 5-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday around downtown
• Snowfall Ball: 6-10 p.m. Friday, ballroom of 11/30 Visitors Cener
• Chili Q: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, chili and BBQ cookoff, in street at 100 Lincoln Way East
• Outdoor Cornhole Tournament: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, on the street at 100 Lincoln Way East.
• Beer Garden: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, in the street at 100 Lincoln Way East
• Icing on the Cake: Cakes will be on display in downtown storefronts Thursday-Saturday; get a $5 Cake Walk Card to vote. (Bakers and cake designers: Register by Jan. 16 at councilforthearts.net/icing-on-the-cake.)
• Run Your Ice Off 5K: 2 p.m. Sunday, meet in borough parking lot off North Main Street

Cost: It is free to attend, but several events cost at least a few bucks and you may want money for food and drinks. 

More info: icefestpa.com

IceFest returns to Chambersburg for 20th anniversary: Everything you need to know

Take an art class

Did you know Franklin County is home to more than 10 art galleries/studios? Many of them offer classes. Spend some time this month trying your hand at something new or perfecting your skills. Here are some options: 

• Finding Your Inner Artist paint night, 6-8 p.m. Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27, Joyful Arts Studio, 21 E. Baltimore St., Greencastle; joyfulartstudio.com
• Art Journaling workshop, 3-5 p.m. Jan. 15, Chambersburg Council for the Arts, 103 N. Main St., Chambersburg; $20; councilforthearts.net. 
• Try the Wheel ceramics class, 6-8 p.m. Jan. 7 and 28, The Ceramics Center of Waynesboro, 13 S. Church St., Waynesboro; ceramics-nccs.org
• Suzy's "Sip and Create" Abstract Pours, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 13, SHAPE Gallery, 19 E. King St., Shippensburg; $35 for non-members; shapeart.org. 
• Publish Your Book! workshop, 6-8 p.m. Jan. 21, SHAPE Gallery, 19 E. King St., Shippensburg, $35 for non-members; shapeart.org

Hoedown Throwdown

This line dancing party will raise money for Reins of Rhythm, a nonprofit in Shippensburg that aims to empower kids through horseback riding. DJ Jaybird will provide the music. Whatta Jerk food truck will be on site. 

When: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22

Where: Newville Lions Club, Newville Fairgrounds, 433 Shippensburg Road, Newville

Cost: Pay in cash at the door -- $10 for ages 15 and up, $5 for ages 6-14, free for ages 5 and under. 

More info: bit.ly/3EG1fvM

Head to Hagerstown for a show

While Capitol Theatre in Chambersburg and H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center in Shippensburg are gearing up for their 2022 shows starting in February, you can get your live-performance fix with a quick trip down the interstate to Hagerstown, Md. 

The Maryland Theater will host two plays this month by the Authentic Community Theatre - one targeted to kids and families and the other to adults. 

"Matilda Jr."

A clever girl with telekinetic powers who dreams of a better life, Matilda leads her class in a revolt against their mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. 

When: 7 p.m. Jan. 7 and 8

Tickets: $15 

"Cabaret"

Set in a Berlin nightclub in the late 1920s, "Cabaret" explores the dark, heady, and tumultuous life of the city's natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. The production includes sexual content and is recommended for mature audiences only. 

When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 and 22

Tickets: $25

For more information and to buy tickets, go to mdtheatre.org/.

Correction: Locations and/or times of some IceFest events have been changed. The IceFest website contained old information about some events at the time this story was first published.