Star staff report

There will be no after-Christmas lull in Niles, as downtown prepares for its annual Hunter Ice Festival, slated for Jan. 13-15.

Niles will welcome back famous ice carvers Buddy Rasmussen and Reverend Butter, both of whom have been featured on TLC’s Chainsaw Ice Sculptor program.

Friday and Saturday evening of the festival will pit the two sculptors against each other in the Texas Ice Fights at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater.

Over the course of the weekend, the world class master carvers will sculpt more than 25 tons of ice.

Here is this year’s schedule of events:

Friday
10 a.m.-6 p.m. — Ice carving/harvesting exhibit at Niles District Library
5-7 p.m. — YMCA-sponsored warming center at 127 E. Main St.
5-7 p.m. — Hunter ice cream booth, south side of Main St.
7 p.m. — Four Flags Players Murder Mystery Dinner, 404 E. Main St.
7 p.m. — Sponsored sculptures placed throughout downtown
8 p.m. — Ice Fights at Riverfront Park Amphitheater
All day — Ice skating at rink on corner of Front and Ferry Streets
All day — Interactive Ice Park on Main Street near Front Street

Saturday
8-10 a.m. — Niles Service League Pancake Breakfast at “Penguin Pitstop,” the Bell Building
9 a.m. — Frigid 5K Run, registration at Cycle and Fitness, 211 E. Main
9 a.m.-4 p.m. — Five-block sculptures carved on five corners throughout downtown
10 a.m.-6 p.m. — Ice carving/harvesting exhibit at Niles District Library
10 a.m.-8 p.m. — YMCA-sponsored warming center
11 a.m.-8 p.m. — Hunter ice cream booth, south side of Main
11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. — Family Friendly Food at 215 E. Main
Noon-4 p.m. — Children’s activities at Riverfront Park Amphitheater
5 p.m. — “Chillin’ Ice Bar” on patio of Riverfront Cafe
7 p.m. — “Ice Fights” at Riverfront Park
All day — Ice skating at rink on corner of Front and Ferry Streets
All day — Interactive Ice Park on Main Street near Front Street

Sunday
11 a.m.-3 p.m. — YMCA-sponsored warming center at 127 E. Main
11 a.m.-4 p.m. — Hunter ice cream booth, south side of Main Street
11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. —Family Friendly Food at 215 E. Main
Noon-3 p.m. — Children’s activities at Riverfront Park Amphitheater
Noon-3 p.m. — “Chili Crawl” and Chili cook-off. Tickets available at warming center, Hunter ice cream booth and “Penguin Pitstop”
3:30 p.m. — People’s Choice awards for five corner sculptures and chili cook-off awards
All day — Ice skating at rink on corner of Front and Ferry Streets
All day — Interactive Ice Park on Main Street near Front Street