Fire & Ice Festival taking shape in downtown Columbia City
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Walking out of the theatre Friday evening, the excitement of the weekend’s festivities were framed perfectly by the picturesque downfall of snow.
The annual Columbia City Chamber of Commerce’s Ice Carving Festival and the Whitley County Council on Aging’s – now married in the Fire & Ice Festival Saturday and Sunday on the Whitley County Courthouse lawn.
The first suggestion – bundle up and grab a warm beverage or a tasty snack from one of the many vendors, including much-loved tenderloin sandwiches from Gaerte’s or barbecue from Columbia Locker. Volunteers from Relay for Life will be selling beverages to warm you from the inside in and Leadership Whitley County is selling handwarmers to warm you from the outside in.
Skilled carvers will convene on the courthouse lawn beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, with their work eventually displayed around the square. Saturday’s work will include various pieces commissioned by local businesses and organizations.
Watch the snow fly as the ice carving competition is held from noon-3 p.m. on Sunday on the courthouse lawn. Attendees will be invited to select a people's choice winner.
Also on Sunday, from noon-3 p.m., the community is invited to attend the chili cookoff in a toasty tent on the courthouse lawn. For a $5 per person charge, attendees can sample the various chili recipes created by local residents competing for prizes.
Continue to check Talk of The Town throughout the weekend for photographs and coverage of the events.