A hot time in a cool town

Fire & Ice Festival turns 10

With Fire & Ice weekend swiftly approaching, organizer Dawn Rissmiller says things are happening so quickly that the website, lititzfireandicefestival.com, is updated several times a day and she can barely keep up.

The Lititz Fire & Ice Festival spans four days. There are events Feb. 13 through 15. The sculptures will remain standing on Presidents’ Day, Feb. 16. Kids in the Warwick district and many folks who work have the day off. Take a trip downtown for a daytime photo-op with one of more than 50 ice sculptures. (Photo courtesy of frompo.com)

Friday

“We are sold out of spots for the Feb. 13th Block Party,” Rissmiller announced. “There’s no more room for any more ice. The park will be packed. We’ll have several live carvings that night, a fire eater, marshmallow roasts, food vendors from all over, games, a pavilion of kids’ games, a music pavilion, DJs and more. It is definitely going to live up to its name ‘Party in the Park’.”

The recent addition of Lititz Springs Park to the venue opened up a world of possibilities for the display of ice sculptures.

“I have to mention the unbelievable job that Stray Lights is going to do in the park,” Rissmiller said. “Chris Strayer should add ‘magician’ to his resume because what he does in the park is absolutely magical.”

The 2nd Friday block party, which takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 13 in the first block of Main Street and Lititz Springs Park, also includes live entertainment, food and plenty of specials from local retailers and dining establishments.

“The end of the night will highlight all of our carving teams coming together to transform five blocks of ice into a life-size mustang horse that is being sponsored by Keller Bros Ford,” announced Rissmiller. “2015 is the anniversary of the Mustang and they are bringing one to life in the park!”

The ice sculptures will remain in position throughout Feb. 16.

Saturday

“The Chili Cook-off and Winter Wonderland Carnival are going to rock!” Rissmiller said. “Totally rock! We currently have 18 chefs, and more are contacting us daily.”

Each aspiring chef or team hopes to have their chili chosen as a judge’s favorite, or take home the coveted People’s Choice Award. Voters for People’s Choice pay $1 per vote, and money collected is given to the charity the winning chef represents.

Chili buttons are being sold now for $8 at Bombergers, Dosie Dough, Stauffers of Kissel Hill, Keller Brothers and Pork & Wally’s. On the day of the Chili Cook-off the buttons will be sold at the door for $10, if any still remain.

The Winter Wonderland Carnival will be held at the same time in the high school gym. The carnival, geared toward children, features bouncies, games and entertainments for the under-12 set, on a pay-as-you-go basis.

A vendor fair will take place in the hallways of the high school.

“We’ll have vendors ranging from jewelry to dog treats and clothing; handmade items to bath and body vendors; everything you can think of,” Rissmiller said, “even chiropractors and insurance. Crafters of every range.”

The Chili Cook-off, Winter Wonderland Carnival, and Vendor Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Warwick High School, 301 W. Orange St.

Sunday

A Dodgeball Tournament will be held in the high school gym on Feb. 15 from 1 to 5 p.m.

“Dodgeball registrations are now available for middle-school and high school-aged teams,” said Rissmiller. “Both events feature big time prizes and raffles, money, gift cards, and more.”

The Disney film “Frozen – Interactive” will be shown, sponsored by Linden Hall and the Elizabethtown DeMolay, on Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. at Linden Hall, 212 E. Main St.

“Everyone will be encouraged to sing along and wear costumes for the costume contest,” Rissmiller said. “Elsa and Anna will be at the event, which includes face painting, a craft station and goodies! It will be a fun, fun night!”

Sponsorships

New sponsors are coming on board every day, says Rissmiller. To learn more about the costs and benefits associated with sponsoring one or more of the weekend’s events, click the sponsors tab on the Fire & Ice website, lititzfireandicefestival.com. Prospective sponsors can also call Dawn at 371-1846.

Melissa Hunnefield is a staff writer for the Lititz Record Express. She welcomes your questions and comments and can be reached at mhunnefield.eph@lnpnews.com or at 721-4452.