DOWAGIAC — Lyons Industries, a seasoned, 20-year corporate sponsor of the upcoming Dowagiac Ice Time Festival, views the winter arts festival as one of Dowagiac’s signature events.

Lyons is one of six corporate underwriters of the 22nd annual winter festival, which returns to downtown on Saturday, Feb. 3. 

Corporate underwriters also include Clark Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes, Dowagiac Area Federal Credit Union, Dowagiac Family Dentistry, Dowsett Chiropractic Health Center and SEMCO.

Chairing this year’s event is Kris Soenen, treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce, who owns Who Knew? Consignment and Refine Women’s Consignment.

“The Ice Time Festival is very important to the community,” said Lance Lyons, president of Lyons Industries. “It’s one of many signature events that help to make Dowagiac such a great place to live. It’s a tradition that kids and adults, alike, look forward to every year.  Lyons Industries is very proud to be a corporate sponsor of Ice Time, as we help continue this tradition for our community.”

Dr. Timothy Dowsett, former festival chairman, agrees. 

“Sponsoring the Ice Time Festival has been one of my favorite projects,” Dowsett said. “It takes advantage of a time of the year, when people are typically forced indoors and gives them a great day of activities for the entire family.

“It’s such a worth-while cause for me to put my sponsorship dollars towards. It benefits all aspects of the community by getting people out and about to enjoy our wonderful city.”

“We are grateful to have a group of steadfast corporate sponsors that return, year after year, to help the Chamber underwrite Ice Time,” Soenen said. “Their generous contributions make it possible to present community festivals like this for the public to enjoy.”

She said another 30 businesses will sponsor the single and multi-block cornerstone ice sculptures that artisans will carve along Front and Commercial streets, and the timed carve-off at Beckwith Park that begins at noon. 

Soenen said festival activities encourage families to come outside to enjoy one of Michigan’s best seasons. 

“Our Lil Chippers Outside Game Area returns with broom hockey, snow bowling and Ice Buckets,” she said. “Also returning is the popular Timber Sport Exhibition, Frozen Fish Toss Open Competition, the Hot Spot, featuring a bonfire and S’mores, the Carvers’ Cave featuring demos by Fruitbelt Woodcarvers, and chainsaw carving.”

Select specialty shops will host winter clearance sales, with in-store events taking place at Bow Wow Bakery & Bath, Caruso’s Candy Kitchen, the Dowagiac Area History Museum, Dowagiac District Library, Cass County Council on Aging Front Street Crossing and Who Knew? Consignment.

For a full schedule of events, visit DowagiacChamber.com or the chamber’s page on Facebook, facebook.com/GreaterDowagiacChamberOfCommerce.