Saldivar brought the fire, Houser brought the ice to 2010 Whitley County Fire & Ice Festival
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Above, AJ Saldivar was the top winner of both the first place and People's Choice awards in the Fire & Ice Festival's Chili Cookoff. From left is Desmond Mudd and AJ Saldivar, culinary arts students and seniors at Warsaw High School. Below, Ryan Eckert was a top award winner in the ice carving competition on Sunday afternoon.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
A rainy, spring-like weekend wasn't quite what event planners had in mind for the Whitley County Fire & Ice Festival over the weekend -- but crowds still came out in droves.
Throughout the day Saturday, carvers transformed blocks of ice into works of art. According to event planner Stan Horne, 54 carvings were made during the day Saturday. By Saturday evening, however, they were a little worse for wear as the warmer wind reduced them to sculptures that were a little different than what their designers had in mind. Nonetheless, they were beautiful.
The Fire & Ice Marketplace was a popular place to be Saturday, with crowds finding countless one of a kind items to take home. Etna United Methodist Church members presented a delicious chicken noodle lunch that couldn't be beat and the space provided room for the ice cream eating contest. All participants left winners with free ice cream coupons. A few ice cream inhalers, however, took home additional prizes, including: Lyle Baron, Ivan Smith, Michael Kurtz and Lauren Barr.
After a full day of carving on Saturday, all carvers were welcomed to the Eagles Nest Event Center for a delightful meal and conversation.
Horne said that during the five years of the festival, 112,000 pounds of ice had been carved for the community's enjoyment. He added that the event has pulled in more carvers than any other event.
In hopes of preserving the carvings made Saturday, many were bagged Saturday night.
"Tomorrow will be interesting," Horne said of the forcasted temperatures in the 50s. "But," he added, "we're going to enjoy it."
Enjoy it, they did.
On Sunday, tents were erected throughout the courthouse square for 17 competing carvers to take to task their blocks of ice. Using the theme "The Arts," they were able to create whatever they dreamed. Some had paper diagrams or drawings, others seemed to work directly from a design pictured in their minds.
Carver Jim Houser's rooster won him the $300 top prize. Other winners included: Ryan Eckert's ice age squirrel in second place with $200 and Jeff Bane took home $100 for third prize. The coveted People's Choice award went to Ryan Eckert.
Bringing the warmth to the day's events, the Chili Cookoff took place inside The Center's gymnasium where 11 chili connoisseurs competed. A delightfully spicy scent filled the room where small clusters of Colt jersey-wearing tasters meandered.
The judges selected AJ Saldivar as the first place winner with his Thai hot sauce-infused chili. Saldivar won second place last year. A senior at Warsaw High School, he was a culinary arts student last year and was joined by fellow culinary arts student and WHS senior Desmond Mudd at Sunday's event. In addition to winning the judge's first place award, Saldivar's chili was the most unusual winner and the People's Choice award winner. Saldivar was sponsored by his uncle, certified residential appraiser Rudy Saldivar.
Eddie Beagles Jr., a participant in the contest since its inception, took home the third place award. At a booth decked out with Colts spirit, Beagles concoction was meant for tailgate parties. Beagles has delighted judges year after year with unique ingredients.
This year, a coloring contest was affiliated with the Fire & Ice Festival. Winners included: Taylor Glass, Bailee Glass, Ava Underwood, Heidi Bolinger, Mykaela Crowell, Jenna Hesting, Elizabeth Huber and Katie Bollinger.