By Staff
The weather will be nearly perfect for the 10th annual Ice Time Festival in downtown Dowagiac on Saturday.
The forecast calls for temperatures around the freezing mark with snow showers possible.
We invite all of southwestern Michigan to take part in this annual event which has a little something for everyone.
From children to adults, there truly is something each and every age group can appreciate.
The ice carving competition brings some of the area's top chefs to Dowagiac in hopes of grabbing some of the $1,200 in cash prizes and $1,880 in per diems.
Seven chefs will take part in this year's new professional competition, including three who have dominated the event since 2001. Nationally-renowned artist and sculptor John Mishler of Goshen, Ind., will serve as judge.
The professional carving competition will be held in and around Beckwith Park between 1 and 3 p.m. Judging will start at 3.
More than 20,000 pounds of ice will be used by Andrew Thistlethwaite and the South Bend (Ind.) chapter of the American Culinary Federation, who will begin creating their sculptures at 8 a.m. - 42 single-block sculptures and a multi-block showcase sculpture sponsored by Harding's Friendly Market.
If ice carving isn't enough, perhaps you should stop by and watch Lonnie Glines of Harrison, who is a timber artist.
Glines will be carving logs into sculptures beginning at 9:30 a.m.
On a smaller scale, the Fruitbelt Wood Carvers Association will have a display at Apparel Alternatives on Front Street beginning at noon. These carvers use little electrical tools and rely mainly on carving knives and chisels to create their works of art.
If you get a little chilled, sample southwest Michigan's range of chili - one uses chocolate as an ingredient - as the Professional Chili Cook-off will have free samples at Beeson Street Bar and Grill; The Eagles, Wood Fire Italian Trattoria and The Wounded Minnow from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Not hot enough? Take in the HOT! Buffalo Wings Eating Contest at Saylor's Front Street Pizzeria at 2 p.m.
If hot isn't your thing, then perhaps a stop at Caruso's Candy Kitchen at 11 a.m. for the ice cream-eating contest.
All you have to do is be the first person to devour the famous “Pig's Dinner.”
There are events for youngsters as well.
Children can build miniature “snow sculptures” out of marshmallows.
Building begins in Beckwith Park at 1 p.m.
You can also make your own sculptures and bring them to the festival to be judged in the Ice Art Competition.
Judging will be at noon at The Wren's Nest with prizes provided by McDonald's Restaurant and the Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce.
So get out your coat, hat and gloves and get to downtown Dowagiac on Saturday for a little “fire and ice.”
You will enjoy every minute of it.