Whether it’s the smokin’ good barbecue or the chocolaty s’mores made over an open fire, families are sure to warm up to Saturday’s auxiliary events of Dowagiac’s 15th annual Ice Time Festival, as ice artisans line downtown sidewalks with glistening life-size works of art.

The featured attraction of the winter arts festival, hosted by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, are the life-size sculptures, produced by Michiana Ice Carving Association members, who rev up electric and power gas tools at 8 a.m., transforming 20,000 pounds of ice into glistening gems.

Underwriters of the event are City’s Pure Ice, Dowsett Chiropractic Health Center, Dowagiac Area Federal Credit Union, Attorney Mark Herman, Kemner-Iott Agency of Cass County, Leader Publications, Living Alternatives for the Developmentally Disabled (LADD), Lyons Industries and Yazel and Clark Funeral Chapel.

Ice artisans, bundled in layer upon layer of clothing, begin their day-long artistry at 8 a.m.

Joining them mid-morning are timber carver Bill Church and members of the Fruitbelt Wood Carvers’ Association, who provide day-long demonstrations.

The professional ice carving competition for cash awards runs from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Beckwith Park, where the most intricate detailed carving takes place.

The event’s Winter Hibernation Sale lures pre-dawn shoppers out of bed Saturday with the promise of $250 in cash prizes, complimentary gifts and plunging prices on fall and winter merchandise, as some locations open their doors as early as 6:30 a.m.

For those who work up an appetite, the festival’s “hot spot” is likely to be Commercial Street, where Dowagiac’s Department of Public Safety will prepare warm and chocolaty s’mores over an open flame.

Like its name, food vendors will also serve smokin’ good barbecue and sweet and salty nuts.

Always a favorite of the winter arts festival is the Professional Chili Cook-off, where long-time competitors take on five-time winner Beeson Street Bar and Grill.

Festival goers will enjoy free taste testing from 1 to 4 p.m. at Beeson Street pub, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Trackside Restaurant, Wounded Minnow Saloon, Wood Fire Italian Trattoria and Zeke’s Restaurant.

Host sites of the chili crawl are located downtown or within easy walking distance to the central business district.

Home chefs hope to turn up the heat on this year’s competition, as organizers bring back the amateur division.

George Tabbert, a multi-award-winning contender, was among the first amateurs to sign up for the chili cook-off along with Fred Haw.

While Tabbert’s recipe may be on the mild side, don’t let him kid you.

His chili is apparently hot among judges who have placed this Dowagiac man in the winner’s circle 10 to 12 times, including a San Antonio contest, where he placed second.

Judging takes place Saturday at Beckwith Park, where a three-person panel will sample entries.

Activities for children will be held indoors at two downtown locations, where youngsters can also sign up to win a plush snowman, courtesy of the Chamber of Commerce.

At Who Knew? Consignment, located at the corner of Front and Beeson streets, from 10 to 4 p.m.. children can decorate a foam penguin frame and have their pictures taken.

Store owner Kris Lamphere said parents can pick up children’s pictures the following week to insert into frames.

From 1 to 3 p.m. at The Red Raven, located at Front and Commercial streets, children can frost sugar cookies and craft snowmen from pop sickle sticks.

They can also decorate key chains and magnets, courtesy of Badner Construction.

Families will want to visit Frame of Mind Custom Framing and Art Gallery on Front Street, where they can meet award-winning children’s author Cheri Hallwood, who wrote “Winter’s First Snowflake.”

Hallwood will sign books from 11 to 4 p.m.

Avid readers will also want to visit Dowagiac District Library, where the Ladies Library Association is holding its winter book sale until 2 p.m. Saturday.

The perfect event for people with an over-active sweet tooth is Caruso’s Ice Cream Eating Contest at 2 p.m.

Participants will devour the legendary Pig’s Dinner that includes four flavors of ice cream, four toppings, plus crushed nuts and whipped cream that sit atop a split banana.

Contestants can sign up Saturday morning at Caruso’s, where the competition will be staged on the sidewalk.

For those too bashful to enter the contest, Caruso’s has teamed up with the Chamber to present this year’s outdoor ice-carved soda fountain, where ice cream will be for sale throughout the afternoon.

To view a complete schedule, visit www.DowagiacChamber.com.