During this time of the year, just as folks living in southwestern Michigan can count on lake-effect snow appearing, as Dowagiac readies for its 15th annual Ice Time Festival, organizers say they are blessed to have a group of steadfast corporate sponsors that return, year after year, to help Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce underwrite its wintertime event.

Chamber of Commerce President Dr. Timothy Dowsett, who owns Dowsett Chiropractic Health Center, is also no stranger to the outdoor fine arts festival.

As one of the festival’s long-time corporate sponsors, he also marks his ninth year as event chairman.

Dowagiac Ice Time Festival, which returns to the central business district on Saturday, Feb. 5, is one of several seasonal events the Chamber of Commerce hosts each year.

Corporate sponsors that have agreed to help underwrite this year’s $10,000 festival were announced Wednesday.

Marking its 14th year as today’s longest-running corporate sponsor of Ice Time, Lyons Industries leads the way as the top Platinum Sculpture Sponsor, followed by Gold Sculpture Sponsors Dowagiac Area Federal Credit Union and Dowsett Chiropractic Health Center; and Silver Sculpture Sponsors, Kemner-Iott Agency of Cass County and Yazel and Clark Funeral Chapel.

Joining City’s Pure Ice of LaPorte, Ind., as Bronze Sculpture Sponsors are three newcomers to the event, Living Alternatives for the Developmentally Disabled (LADD), Leader Publications and Attorney Mark Herman.

In 2008, festival organizers established a new funding structure for their solicitation of corporate sponsorship dollars with the Platinum Sculpture level representing a donation of $1,000 or more.