Despite the recent rash of intense snowstorms that blanked the city the last several days, forecasts are calling for a snow free forecast this coming Saturday — perfect weather for the city’s biggest winter attraction.

The 19th annual Dowagiac Ice Time Festival returns this weekend, with events lined up from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. this year. A mix of familiar Ice Time standbys and new attractions await visitors this year, including the popular ice carving challenge held at the Beckwith Park Gazebo.

Among the new activities this year is a presentation about the process of tapping maple trees for syrup by representatives of the St. Joseph County Parks, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 212 S. Front Street. Also debuting on Saturday is a timber sports exhibition between students at Michigan State University and Ohio State University, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We’re always looking to bring new activities and events to our festival,” said Kris Lamphere, the festival’s organizer. “Our committee suggested several new ideas for this year. The schedules for our new attractions worked out and they will be able to join us the day of the festival.”

A number of new local businesses will be opening their doors for visitors on Saturday as well,

“We’ve always featured our local businesses in previous festivals,” Lamphere said. “A couple of new stores have joined us this year, featuring activities for adults and children alike.”

Among these events includes a demonstration on how to creation icy wearable art from Michelle Stambaugh with Rosy Tomorrows, a virtual golf tournament inside Benny’s Barbershop and “snow princess” manicures offered at The Mane Attraction Hair Salon.

These new attractions join some of the other popular activities, such as the chili crawl, a chili cooking competition between several downtown businesses, with the public voting for their favorite dish. In addition, timber carver Alonzo Montoya will again be showing off his skills and selling his works from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Beeson Street.

Throughout the entire day, visitors will have a chance to see the 35 chunks of ice lining downtown transformed by the seven area ice carvers participating in this year’s festival. Nearly three dozen businesses sponsored blocks for this year’s event, Lamphere said.

“Some of these will be shaped into the design of the carver’s choice, while others will be turned into the logo or shape requested by the sponsor,” she said.

Later in the afternoon, the carver’s will convene inside Beckwith Park, where they will compete in the timed ice carving competition from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Judging will commence afterwards, with cash prizes awarded to the winners, which will be announced at 4 p.m.