Sculptors to transform ice into art at annual festival

Downtown Tecumseh will be the scene of the Fifth Annual Ice Sculpture Festival on Saturday, Jan. 18, and Sunday, Jan. 19. Tecumseh Economic Development Director Paula Holtz said city officials and business owners are excited to be working with a new company this year called Ice Creations from Napoleon, Ohio.“The owner has been in Tecumseh in the past as a carver, and the company also has some real credentials behind it,” said Holtz. “They have won world class carving competitions and awards.”Saturday events include the added feature of a Cabin Fever Film Festival at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts at 7 p.m., showing short independent films. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department will also host a 1.5 kilometer run downtown. The Snowman Shuffle begins at 9:30 a.m.While there is a $5 per person charge for the film festival, and a $5 registration fee for the run, Holtz said most of the downtown activities are free, including activities for kids in two locations. There will be a Make It Take It activity inside at the Tecumseh Area Chamber of Commerce, and a new children’s activity site will be at Art Plus Counseling on N. Evans Street. Bell choirs will perform at Carpet on Wheels, and there will be a variety of entertainment at different locations both Saturday and Sunday. “Besides carving demonstrations, early Saturday afternoon we will have dueling carvers downtown,” said Holtz. “It’s a crowd favorite because six sculptures are designed using ideas the crowd throws out. People like to participate in that.”Another activity will be the Winter Walk-up Beverage Contest starting at 10 a.m. where patrons cast ballots after experiencing tastings at participating businesses.The British Pantry Tea Garden and Rooftop Café will also feature arts demonstrations.Sunday events include a Chocolate Walk, with 15 merchants participating, offering complimentary samples as people make the rounds. Evans Street Station, with the assistance of the Central Business Association, will also host a Man Cave, featuring big-screen TV, activities, and beer and bratwurst specials. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.For more information, contact the Tecumseh Economic Development Department at 424.6003.