CHAMBERSBURG—Whether the cold weather excites you or you have been hunkered indoors and are getting a case of cabin fever, you’ll want to make plans to head to Chambersburg this weekend for the annual IceFest.
More than 20,000 are expected to flock to Downtown Chambersburg for dancing, dining and fun while marveling at more than 100 ice sculptures made from 30 tons of ice on the sidewalks of Main Street.
The 20th Annual IceFest in downtown Chambersburg, presented by M&T Bank, is one of the largest winter festivals in Pennsylvania.
To kick-off the festivities, a ribbon cutting with M&T Bank is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 27 on the newly opened Courthouse Plaza.
DiMartino Ice Company will be working hard to get all of the giants carved on-site and will bring more than 80 smaller sculptures that they carved in their workshop in Jeanette.
Live carving takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday night.
“We are so appreciative of the local businesses that sponsor all of the ice sculptures and events during IceFest,” said Penny Shaul, IceFest co-chairs. “There are 16 giant sculptures this year plus the ice slide—the most the event has ever had.”
In addition to the ice sculptures, live ice carvings and the free double-wide ice slide, this year IceFest has added an ice skating rink and a VIP Event, in addition to a variety of other events happening over the four days including a Snowfall Ball, Chili-Q, Beer Garden, Icing on the Cake, a Corn Hole Tournament, the Run Your Ice Off 5K, and much more.
“IceFest is a great way to showcase what Chambersburg has to offer,” said Todd Shearer, vice president of M&T Bank, the presenting sponsor. “It’s beautiful, the splendor. It allows people access, not only to the sculptures, but the businesses downtown.”
For more information or to purchase tickets for any of the activities, visit www.icefestpa.com. Maps with an events schedule will be available at the Chambersburg Heritage Center and Gift Shop, 100 Lincoln Way East, and other locations downtown.
Thursday, January 27
4:30-7:30 p.m.: IceFest Mixer at the 11/30 Visitors Center, on the square plus Civil War Trails Sign Unveiling, America250PA, giveaways and more
5-5:30 p.m.: Ribbon cutting on the square with free cupcakes while supplies last.
5-7 p.m.: The Boys & Girls Club will be offering a hot chocolate bar and treats from Sweet Rollers at the Council for the Arts, 103 N. Main St.
5:30 p.m.: The VIP IceFest Experience: A Taste of Downtown, starting at the Council for the Arts, 103 N. Main St.
5-7:30 p.m.: Penn’s Woods Printmakers: All Media Show, meet the artists, 11/30 Visitors Center, on the square
5-8 p.m.: Live GIANT sculpture carving throughout downtown
5-8 p.m.: Free Double-Wide Ice Slide, located in the parking near 133 S. Main St.
Ice Skating at IceFest, located on North Main Street in parking lot at 33 N. Main St.
Festival Food Vendors on the square
The Foundry Artist Cooperative, 100 S. Main St. “Ice Cubed” display and local art and fine craft
Throughout the event: Scavenger Hunt. Pick up your forms at The Council for the Arts or Here’s Looking at You
Friday, January 28
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Drop off your stuffed animals for the Annual Stuffed Animal Sleepover at the Coyle Free Library, 102 N. Main St.
5-7:30 p.m.: Penn’s Woods Printmakers: All Media Show, meet the artists, 11/30 Visitors Center, on the square
11 a.m.-7 p.m. The Foundry Artist Cooperative, 100 S. Main St., demonstrations by member artists
5-7 p.m.: The Boys & Girls Club will be offering a hot chocolate bar and treats from Sweet Rollers and a free make-and-take craft at the Council for the Arts, 103 N. Main St.
5-8 p.m.: Live GIANT sculpture carving throughout downtown
5-8 p.m.: Free Double-Wide Ice Slide, located in the parking near 133 S. Main St.
Ice Skating at IceFest, located on North Main Street in parking lot at 33 N. Main St.
Festival Food Vendors on the square
The Foundry Artist Cooperative, 100 S. Main St. “Ice Cubed” display and local art and fine craft
Throughout the event: Scavenger Hunt. Pick up your forms at The Council for the Arts or Here’s Looking at You
6-7 p.m.: Swing, ChaCha and Foxtrot lessons with Frank Hancock at the 11/30 Visitors’ Center on the Square in the Great Room on the second floor
7-10 p.m.: SnowFall Ball with a Showcase Dance at 8 p.m. by Hancock Dance at the 11/30 Visitors’ Center on the Square in the Great Room on the second floor
Saturday, January 29
9 a.m.-8 p.m.: Main Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from King to Washington streets and Lincoln Way from Second Street to Black Avenue
The Foundry Artist Cooperative, 100 S. Main St. “Ice Cubed” display and local art and fine craft
9 a.m.-1 p.m.: Run Your Ice Off 5K on the square
9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Pick up your stuffed animals from the Annual Stuffed Animal Sleepover at the Coyle Free Library, 102 N. Main St.
10 a.m.: Free movie at the Coyle Free Library: “Abominable” the 2019 animated movie about a misplaced Yeti and the teenagers that help him find his way back to his family. Masks will be required, 102 N. Main St.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Franklin County Library System Bookmobile will be on the square giving away books, warm-up crafts and goodies for participants (while supplies last).
10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Icing on the Cake, Under the Sea, will be selling Cake Walk cards to vote for your favorite Artistry Cake on South Main Street on the street in front of the Capitol Theatre, 159 S. Main.
ICING: Stage Left. Free activity. Decorate an IceFest character cookie, then play along with the characters as they walk you through creating your own play. Free cookies and workbooks for the first 200 children at the Capitol Theatre.
10 a.m.-4 p.m.: “Looking Forward, Looking Back”, open exhibition of works by local artists at the Old Jail, 175 E. King St.
10 a.m.-8 p.m.: Live GIANT sculpture carving throughout downtown
Free Double-Wide Ice Slide, located in the parking near 133 S. Main St.
Ice Skating at IceFest, located on North Main Street in parking lot at 33 N. Main St.
Festival Food Vendors on the square
The Foundry Artist Cooperative, 100 S. Main St. “Ice Cubed” display and local art and fine craft
Throughout the event: Scavenger Hunt. Pick up your forms at The Council for the Arts or Here’s Looking at You
noon-3 p.m.: Chili Q- Chili, BBQ, live music and more, located on Lincoln Way East.
noon-4 p.m.: Outdoor IceFest Corn Hole Tournament on Lincoln Way East, register on site at 11 a.m., $40 per team
noon-5 p.m.: Beer Garden located on Lincoln Way East (
Free snowflake craft for all ages at the Council for the Arts, 103 N. Main St.
2 p.m.: Free movie, “Smallfoot” at the Coyle Free Library. The 2018 animated movie turns the Bigfoot legend upside down. Masks will be required, 102 N. Main St.
3 p.m.: Icing on the Cake, Under the Sea, Cakes for Taste will be decided by tasting judges, our sponsors & the Icing on the Cake committee on South Main St.
The Chambersburg Ballet will be performing original classical and contemporary works by Company Dancers, Emerging Choreographers Showcase, at the Capitol Theatre. Tickets available at the door $12 for adults/$8 for children 12 & under
5 p.m.: A Cappella & Unplugged Open Mic in the 11/30 Visitors Center’s Great Room, 2nd Floor, on the square. Call 717-552-2977 to perform
7 p.m.: The Chambersburg Ballet will be performing original classical and contemporary works by Company Dancers, Emerging Choreographers Showcase, at the Capitol Theatre. Tickets available at the door $12 for adults/$8 for children 12 & under.
Sunday, January 30
Noon-2 p.m.: The Boys & Girls Club will be offering a hot chocolate bar and treats from Sweet Rollers at the Council for the Arts, 103 N. Main St.
Noon-3 p.m.: The Foundry Artist Cooperative, 100 S. Main St., “Ice Cubed” display and local art and craft.
Noon-4 p.m.: Free Double-Wide Ice Slide, in the parking lot near 133 S. Main St.
Ice Skating at IceFest, located on North Main Street in parking lot at 33 N. Main St.
Festival Food Vendors on the square
The Foundry Artist Cooperative, 100 S. Main St. “Ice Cubed” display and local art and fine craft
Throughout the event: Scavenger Hunt. Pick up your forms at The Council for the Arts or Here’s Looking at You
