Ice Fest, Ligonier's cool tradition, marks 25 years
With Ligonier's first Ice Fest 25 years ago, the town's leaders and merchants took a chance that people would want to come to an outdoor event in the middle of winter.
Turns out, it was a good call.
Since then, the number of sponsored ice sculptures has increased tenfold, while new activities continue to expand the festival, which this year will be Jan. 23 and 24 around the Diamond in Ligonier.
Event chairwoman Cindy Purnell has been involved with the festival for the past dozen years.
“We've grown from five sculptures to about 55,” she says. “It gets people out of the house at a time when they're tired of being cooped up. It doesn't matter if it's 70 degrees or 7, people come out.”
Each sculpture is carved from one or more blocks of ice by carvers from DiMartino Ice in Jeannette. Most sculptures will be prepared ahead of the festival at the company's ice house; others are carved live at the festival, creating a spectacle of flying ice chips and buzzing chainsaws.
“The live carving draws crowds,” Purnell says. “Each year, I am amazed at their talents. They're very creative.”
Each sculpture is sponsored by a business, organization or private donor. Designs this year include snowflakes, a snowman, a penguin, fish, hearts and an ice chair.
DiMartino Ice owner Ernie DiMartino, who founded the festival and continues to carve ice there each year, says the designs are chosen for artistic merit.
“That's what makes Ligonier so enjoyable for us as artists,” he says.
While some festivals use sculptures carved by a computerized machine, those at Ligonier's festival are each hand-carved by DiMartino and his crew.
A highlight of the weekend is always the speed-carving contest, set for 2 p.m. Jan. 24. Four carvers will have 30 minutes to complete a sculpture. The crowd votes on the winner via ballot boxes.
“They are very, very competitive,” Purnell says. “It makes for a fun event.” The contest is emceed by retired WJAC-TV anchorman Bill Brown.
Two free concerts sponsored by Commercial Bank and Trust of PA will be in the Town Hall auditorium. The Wally Gingers Orchestra will perform at 2 p.m. Jan. 23, and Swing City will appear at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 24.
Other festival attractions include sleigh rides, a free snow-themed story time and craft hour at the library for children 10 and under and indoor sidewalk sales in the town's shops.
Besides visiting the restaurants in town, festivalgoers can grab a bite to eat at the Firemen's Famous Spaghetti Dinner starting at 11 a.m. Jan. 23 or purchase a bag of kettle corn.
After two-and-a-half decades, DiMartino is gratified to see new generations coming to the festival.
“The Ligonier Ice Fest has become a tradition in Westmoreland County,” he says.
Ramada Ligonier will host a Fire, Spice and Ice Dinner & Overnight Culinary Event on Jan. 23. The evening will include a free cocktail upon arrival, a vendor marketplace with samples from local food and beverage artisans, an hors d'oeuvres reception, chocolate-themed dinner and a cooking demonstration. Wine and musical entertainment are included. The Overnight Getaway Package includes a bottomless Mimosa brunch the next morning. For prices and details, call 724-238-9545.
Cynthia Bombach Helzel is a Tribune-Review contributing writer.
