By Staff
Whether you're young, or young at heart, Dowagiac's Ice Time Festival on Saturday, Feb. 3, provides a line-up of children's activities that families are sure to enjoy, as it also fosters the creativity of youngsters.
The 11th annual winter arts festival, hosted by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to welcome the new Miss Dowagiac 2007, who will be crowned Jan. 27 at the 68th Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Pageant, as she makes her first official appearance in the Grand Old City.
The new Miss Dowagiac and her Court of Honor will oversee the children's interactive workshop at 1 p.m. at Beckwith Park, where youngsters can make miniature "snow" sculptures, crafted from marshmallows and giant-sized toothpicks.
"The children's workshop, which is being offered free of charge by the Chamber of Commerce, is a way for the winter arts festival to network with youngsters, as it introduces the arts to children between the ages of 4 and 8," said Vickie Phillipson, program director of the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority.
Children and adults can also enter the fourth annual Ice Art Competition, headquartered outside The Wren's Nest, located at 202 S. Front St.
Phillipson said participants are invited to freeze something colorful at home in a unique-shaped container and bring it with them to the festival.
Shop owner Morgen Pittman will have tables set up outside his store to display the entries. The event is open to all ages. The winning entry, which will be selected at noon, will be judged on originality, shape and color.
The frozen Ice Art Competition is intended to be a fun activity that children can do at home with their parents.
"It's another way for youngsters to connect with the winter arts festival, as they discover their own creativity," Phillipson said.