Friday, January 26, 2024
IceFest 2024 unfolds in the heart of downtown Chambersburg, commencing at 5 PM on Thursday, January 25, as M&T Bank, the presenting sponsor, inaugurates the festivities with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Everyone is invited to relish four days of family-friendly activities lining Main Street. Chill out with IceFest cupcakes at the Courthouse Plaza, witness live sculpture carving, experience the thrill of the double-wide slide on South Main Street, and embark on the IceFest Scavenger Hunt from the Council for the Arts at the intersection of North Main and King Streets. The Rosedale Parking Lot, near 33 North Main, hosts a family-friendly adventure at the Steampunk Train Escape Room, along with captivating glassblowing demonstrations by Kevin Beecher Glass, crafting IceFest icicles that defy melting. Main Street in Chambersburg sparkles with ice and twinkling lights, setting the scene for a winter wonderland.
On Friday afternoon, January 26, admire the small carved sculptures now on display for prime viewing in the evening. Giant ice carving continues from 5 PM to 8 PM, and the double-wide ice slide returns for those seeking an exhilarating experience. The Snowfall Ball at Central Presbyterian, featuring Frank Hancock, brings dance enthusiasts together. The ball kicks off with a dance lesson at 6 PM, covering Swing, Cha Cha, Bachata, and line dancing, followed by open dancing from 7 PM to 10 PM. A spotlight dance at 8 PM celebrates “100 Years of Dance.”
Saturday, January 27, begins with The All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast at Trinity Episcopal Church on South Second Street from 8 AM to 11 AM. At 10 AM, activities such as the ice slide, glass blowing, and the escape room commence. “Icing on the Cake,” a cake-decorating contest with professionals, home-bakers, and students, starts at 10 AM and runs until 3 PM, featuring the theme “One Cake, Two Cake, Red Velvet Cake, Blueberry Cake.” Explore art spread throughout downtown, including a free apron-making workshop at the Council for the Arts and various exhibitions at different locations.
Saturday’s excitement extends to the Chili-Q, a sweet and spicy event along North Main Street from 12 PM to 3 PM, where amateurs and professionals compete for the best chili. The Beer Garden in the Rosedale Lot offers frosty mugs from noon to 4 PM. Downtown merchants welcome visitors with specials, providing an opportunity to warm up and shop in the boutique stores.
Saturday’s Food Truck Fest, from 10 AM to 4 PM, covers downtown, with numerous restaurants and coffee shops offering diverse options. On Sunday, the final day of IceFest, the ice slide on South Main opens at noon, followed by the Run Your Ice Off 5K at 1 PM. The IceFest Food Truck Festival starts at noon and runs through 4 PM. Don’t miss the Old Jail’s IceFest Reception for the exhibition: “Reflections,” with Scavenger Hunt winners announced at 3 PM.
IceFest serves as a unifying community event, bringing together various organizations and civic groups to create an inclusive experience, ensuring a memorable moment in Franklin County. For the schedule of activities and a map of sculptures, click here.
The Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites all to explore Franklin County, PA, and savor the rich tapestry of history, arts, architecture, recreation, natural beauty, fresh foods, and warm hospitality in communities like Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro. Conveniently located just north of the Mason Dixon Line, Franklin County is easily accessible from Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
