IceFest in Chambersburg: Extreme cold is expected for the festival's biggest day

Amber South, Chambersburg Public Opinion
·4 min read

Chambersburg's IceFest is staying true to its name this year as frigid weather takes hold of the region.

Known as the biggest ice festival in Pennsylvania, IceFest kicked off Thursday night and will continue through Sunday afternoon.

Thousands of people are expected to visit the downtown area through the weekend to check out the more than 80 ice sculptures, participate in cool activities and shop and dine at small businesses. A variety of food vendors will be set up around the square; there will be a "mini" food truck festival on Sunday.

Saturday could end up as the coldest day of any IceFest, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. A wind chill of just 2 degrees is expected, with wind gusts of 40 mph, according to Accuweather. The forecaster warns that frostbite will be a concern for exposed skin.

A child poses for a photo in front of the big 2022 IceFest carving in front of the 11/30 Visitors Center in Chambersburg on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022.
A child poses for a photo in front of the big 2022 IceFest carving in front of the 11/30 Visitors Center in Chambersburg on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022.

Similar cold weather hit the opening night of IceFest back in 2018, when the wind chill approached zero degrees.

Back to 2022, the wind will die down come Sunday but it will still be cold, with temperatures in the mid-20s.

Don't miss these IceFest activities

Ice skating: After IceFest was canceled last year due to COVID-19, the addition of ice skating will surely help organizers reach their goal to make this year bigger than ever. The ice rink is located at 33 N. Main St. and will be open 5-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets - $5 for ages 6 and older, free for ages 5 and under - provide a 30-minute skating session and include skate rental. You can buy them online via Eventbrite at bit.ly/3KV5aJa and at the rink.

Double-wide ice slide: Kids - and kids at heart - love this popular IceFest staple. Take a free ride down the 40-foot-long slide, located next to YP Jewelry at 133 S. Main St., between 5 and 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Scavenger Hunt: Answer questions about some of the many IceFest ice sculptures for the opportunity to win a cool prize. Pick up a form (one for ages 9 and under, one for ages 10-16) at Council for the Arts (103 N. Main St.) or Here's Looking at You (123 S. Main St.), or download it from the IceFest PA Facebook page. Forms with correct answers that are turned in by 2:45 p.m. Sunday to Council for the Arts or Here's Looking at You will be entered to win prizes.

Icing on the Cake Artistry Cake Walk: This cake-decorating competition will function a bit differently this year. Cake entries will be on display in downtown storefronts. If you want to vote, you'll need to buy a $5 Cake Walk card online via The Foundry at bit.ly/33XhGr7 or, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, in the tent in front of Capitol Theatre.

Ice carvers from DiMartino Ice Company pose for photos after completing this giant ice sculpture, which depicts an alien in a spaceship, on the northwest quadrant of the square during the opening night of IceFest in Chambersburg on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022.
Ice carvers from DiMartino Ice Company pose for photos after completing this giant ice sculpture, which depicts an alien in a spaceship, on the northwest quadrant of the square during the opening night of IceFest in Chambersburg on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022.

Chili Q: Warm up on Saturday by tasting some of the best chili and barbecue in the area. For $15 ($12 in advance at icefestpa.com), you can get 10 samples and tickets to vote on your favorites. The event will take place from noon to 3 p.m. in the street outside 100 Lincoln Way East, on the east end of the square.

Beer Garden: Get a cup of cold beer between noon and 5 p.m. on Saturday at the outdoor Beer Garden, located next to the Chili Q tent at 100 Lincoln Way East. Guests must show ID.

Cornhole Tournament: Teams are scheduled to compete on Saturday outside 100 Lincoln Way East beginning at noon. Registration is $40 (cash only) beginning at 11 a.m.

Run Your Ice Off 5K: This popular race returns to IceFest on Sunday afternoon. The entry fee is $25. Get more details at icefestpa.com.

Other weekend activities:

  • Local art: Exhibits will be on display at The Foundry, The Old Jail and the 11/30 Visitors Center.

  • Chambersburg Ballet: Performances at 3 and 7 p.m. on Saturday at Capitol Theatre. Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for ages 12 and under.

  • Free movies: Coyle Free Library will host free showings on Saturday of "Abominable" at 10 a.m. and "Smallfoot" at noon. Masks required.

  • Acappella and Unplugged Open Mic: Local musicians will perform for the opportunity to move on to the first round of a contest whose winner will win $500 and perform at this summer's 1864 Burning of Chambersburg light show. The open mic will be at 5 p.m. Saturday at the 11/30 Visitors Center. Musicians, register via Eventbrite at https://bit.ly/3AFUGZv.

  • Various local organizations will offer free crafts for all ages.

This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: IceFest in Chambersburg: Near-zero wind chill expected Saturday