Downtown Chambersburg is sparkling once again as IceFest 2026 transforms the heart of the borough into a winter wonderland of glistening sculptures, live carvings and family fun. Visitors can enjoy live ice‑carving demonstrations, food competitions, the return of the double‑wide ice slide and an array of art, music and performances through Sunday. Organized by the Downtown Business Council and the Council for the Arts, IceFest celebrates community creativity and ranks as Pennsylvania’s largest ice festival, drawing thousands each year to revel in the magic of winter.
Curtain up on Maryland’s best community theater talent – the spotlight shines on Hagerstown this weekend as the Maryland Community Theater Festival Association hosts its annual adjudicated one-act play competition at the Potomac Playmakers Performing Arts Center, 17303 W. Washington St. The event, running Jan. 30 through Feb. 1, will bring community theater groups from across the state to perform for both judges and the public. Festival organizers say specific show times will be announced once the final lineup is set. For details and updates, visit potomacplaymakers.org.
Stress might live in the mind, but this workshop shows how much it also lives in the body. Licensed massage therapist Ashley Pett and licensed marriage and family therapist Susan Stewart will lead “Support Your Mental Health with Massage Therapy Techniques,” a free hands-on workshop exploring how simple massage tools can help lower stress naturally. Drawing inspiration from Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score, the session will address how the body stores stress and trauma and how massage can play a role in healing. The event will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1 at Whole & Holy, 166 S. Main St., Chambersburg.
Punxsutawney Phil isn’t the only one making predictions this season — Washington County’s own Groundhog Day celebration is set to bring the community together for a night of local flavor and fun. The annual event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center, 7313 Sharpsburg Pike in Boonsboro. For a $10 entrance fee, families can enjoy live music, kids’ activities, food samples and local shopping, all indoors. Drawing more than 350 attendees each year, the evening highlights the county’s strong ties to agriculture, food and community spirit.
History will come alive in Chambersburg this weekend as the Franklin County Historical Society opens a new exhibit exploring the area’s role in the fight for independence. “The World Turned Upside Down: Franklin County in the American Revolution” debuts Saturday, Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Old Jail, 175 E. King St., during the town’s annual IceFest celebration. The free opening marks the start of the nation’s 250th anniversary commemorations and offers visitors a glimpse into the county’s contributions to America’s founding, with the exhibit continuing on display through regular tours throughout the year.
