Big city action, small town charm. This describes Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Last weekend, Jan. 28-31, the town celebrated its 14th annual IceFest. The event is Chambersburg’s way of bringing out the community in the middle of winter to socialize and to continue to revitalize the downtown.

IceFest is the result of the concerted effort of many businesses and individuals. However, it began, as most successful endeavors do, as a vision in the minds of a few. Paul Cullinane Jr., now an economic development specialist for the Borough of Chambersburg, was one of those visionaries in 2002 when he was president of Downtown Chambersburg, Inc. According to Cullinane, the IceFest has been a rousing success from the start.

“We told the downtown restaurant owners to be ready for crowds of customers on the weekend of the first IceFest,” Cullinane said. “They didn’t think it would be such a big draw and didn’t prepare as we suggested. The restaurants had to close early that weekend because they ran out of food.”

Thinking the attendance the first year was “a fluke,” the restaurants did not make advance preparations for the second year and were forced to close early again.

“By the third year, they could see that this was a real thing, and since then the owners are sure to have plenty of food and help available for the IceFest weekend,” said Cullinane, with a chuckle.

I attended IceFest mid-morning through early afternoon on Saturday, Jan. 30. The event takes place on Main Street. It is an easy, three-block walk from one end of the attractions to the other; from King Street on the north end of the square to Washington Street on the south end.

Nearly 80 sculptures were on display. Whether large or small, smooth or textured, nature-inspired or geometrically shaped, each sculpture reflected the precision artwork of master ice sculptors. My favorite of the smaller ice sculptures was a dragon with a looped tail and row after row of scales. Truly magnificent. As for the giant ones, the triple-sculpture scene of two dolphins flanking a scuba diver really delivered. Not only was it beautiful to me because of its ocean theme, it also provided a fun photo-op.

The organizers of IceFest were sure to include attractions by and for all ages. Local school children’s artwork brightened the interior of many shops along Main Street, while cake decorators from around the world showcased their work at the Capitol Theatre Wood Center.

Adults and children alike waited in line for a ride on the Double-Wide Ice Slide. I tried it myself and was surprised at how quickly I gained speed on a short strip of ice. Fortunately, there were strong men at the foot of the slide to stop riders from slipping out into the street. Cullinane provided a fun fact about the Ice Slide: The oldest known riders were two spunky women ages 86 and 87.

Penny Shaul, IceFest chair and owner of Here’s Looking At You, an upscale women’s clothing shop in downtown Chambersburg, has organized the event for six years.

“I am extremely pleased with [this year’s] event; the crowds have been fantastic,” Shaul said. “In my opinion, IceFest brings in a large amount of sales to the businesses downtown. We encourage them to extend their hours and offer specials to entice people to come in during the event.”

This leads to return customers and the reaching of the event’s goals of revitalization and renewed interest in the downtown. This year’s presenting sponsor is M&T Bank.

IceFest is fun, free and not far from the SU campus. I highly recommend that you consider attending next year’s event. No date has been set as of yet, but the IceFest typically takes place the last weekend of January. I strategically chose to attend during the warmer daylight hours, but for a more colorful viewing of the sculptures, I would recommend attending after dark, when the ice displays are enhanced by lighting. No matter when you go, I am sure you will have an ice time.

Share