CHAMBERSBURG — Downtown Chambersburg Inc., the Downtown Business Council and the Council for the Arts are preparing for IceFest 2024, happening January 25 through January 28. IceFest’s event calendar is full of activities for all ages which can be found at icefestpa.com.
The event begins with a ribbon cutting by Presenting Sponsor, M&T Bank, and culminates in a weekend-long scavenger hunt, the winners of which will be announced at the festival’s conclusion on Sunday, January 28. Main activities include local food vendors on the square, a ballroom dance lesson and open dancing at the Snowfall Ball, the Run Your Ice Off 5K, a beer garden, the Chili Q cook-off, and—a hallmark of the festival—ice sculptures. DiMartino Ice Master Carvers will carve over 47 tons of ice into sculptures sponsored by local businesses from 5 –8 p.m. Thursday and Friday. The sculptures will be displayed throughout downtown Chambersburg for visitors’ viewing during the festival.
Additional IceFest activities include a food truck fest, a hot wing-eating competition, and Icing on the Cake, a community cake-decorating contest. Local downtown shops and restaurants also have extended hours and specials throughout the weekend.
Kid-friendly activities abound, with the double-wide ice slide and the popular ice throne featured every year. Various businesses and organizations also get in on the action by holding IceFest events. One example is the Trinity Episcopalian Church, which will host a pancake breakfast Saturday, January 27, from 8 a.m.–11 a.m.
M&T Bank has participated in IceFest for 21 years, according to relationship banker Amber Kauffman. For Kauffman, IceFest is an excellent illustration of how communities unite to support each other. She says, “At M&T, we know that successful local small businesses help create a strong community. M&T is a bank focused on communities and our team doesn’t just work in the Chambersburg area; we live here, too. IceFest is a celebration and representation of who we are; the community coming together to support local small business is a testament to the pride we feel for Chambersburg.”
She also expressed enthusiasm for the activities that occur at IceFest each year. “I love it all! The ribbon cutting, Icing on the Cake, Chili Cookoff, Ice Slide, the giant chair, the food trucks…it’s all wonderful! Throughout the entire event, the spirit of our vibrant community is in the air.”
To learn how to sponsor IceFest or to see the complete event schedule, go to icefestpa.com or visit IceFest Pa on Facebook.
