Ice Sculptures

chambersburg@herald-mail.com CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - On a bitterly cold winter evening, very little pedestrian traffic is seen in Chambersburg's downtown, but people were beginning to gather Thursday night as work began on the ice sculptures that are the centerpieces of the third annual IceFest. Dressed in about five layers of thermal underwear, sweatshirts and ski clothing and caked in shaved ice, Robert Higareda of Jeannette, Pa., took a chain saw to a stack of 300-pound blocks of ice he was transforming into a throne.

Darwin Brechbill of Frank B. Lesher Co. sets up lights that will illuminate an ice lighthouse. The stack of ice blocks will be carved today along with several other major ice sculptures as IceFest 2007 begins today in downtown Chambersburg, Pa. For a full preview of the event, see Loop.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - A winter festival featuring ice sculptures and ice carving begins Thursday, Jan. 29. The main attraction will be the carving of the Statue of Liberty, a dragon, Red Riding Hood and other sculptures by professional ice carvers using chain saws, propane torches and hand tools. A chili cook-off will be at the Capitol Theatre Center from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. IceFest continues through Sunday, Feb. 1. Admission to the cook-off is $1 and includes an IceFest button and entertainment.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- The sixth annual IceFest offered a winter celebration in Chambersburg, with more than 60 ice sculptures scattered throughout downtown, a chance to warm up from the cold with a chili cook-off and hot pepper eating contest, and other activities. The four-day event, which began Thursday, was expected to draw 10,000 people, said Paul Cullinane, president of Downtown Chambersburg Inc. and a member of the IceFest Committee. "The only thing we want (people) to get out of this is to have a good time and see some unique artwork in ice," Cullinane said.

Ice chips flew threw the air Thursday as ice carvers from DiMartino Ice Co. used chain saws, grinders and other tools to transform massive blocks of ice into intricate works of art. IceFest 2011 is under way in downtown Chambersburg. Before the iconic Royal Throne was ready for IceFest enthusiasts to perch on to have their photo taken, ice sculptors Robert Higareda and Joseph DiMartino worked tirelessly for hours carving the block of ice into a seat fit for winter royalty.

A special attraction at Chambersburg's IceFest '03 this weekend was the chance to take a ride through brightly lighted downtown streets in an ornate sleigh. Friday evening, the 15-minute ride through lightly falling snow took passengers past the Franklin County Courthouse, the Old Jail and various historic buildings. Small twinkling white lights on the trees and the sparkling ice sculptures made the ride a striking winter image. Pedestrians and motorists turned to look at the unusual sight of a huge Black Percheron clip-clopping a Cinderella-type carriage through town.

The second annual Mad Hatters' Ball Celebration and Fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, April 14, at Fountain Head Country Club. This year's theme is a “Taste of the Titanic,” featuring dishes from the famous ship's menu. The RMS Titanic offered fantastic meals and hosted opulent parties. When it set sail, it was said to be the largest and most luxurious ship ever built. The ill-fated ship sunk after striking an iceberg on April 14, 1912 - 100 years ago. The Washington County Historical Society is hosting the ball, and amid ice sculptures and fanciful headwear, attendees can mingle, dance and sample meals offered from the ship's menu.

Cold as ice? Nah. The Chambersburg Ballet Theatre is taking its IceFest performance under the sea, and they're hoping to make a big splash. The youth ballet company and school will present "The Little Mermaid" at The Capitol Theatre on Saturday, Jan. 29, as part of the 'burg's yearly wintertime street festival, IceFest. Artistic director and CBT founder Lavinia Reid said she worked with local composers and artists to create an original adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen yarn about a mermaid who longs for legs but learns there's a downside to getting what you wished for. Reid said while her version of the tale has a happy ending, don't look for a whole lot of Disney here.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. ? It didn't take long for Mike Carr to make a name for himself after he moved from Ohio to Chambersburg last August. Carr, 28, bested six other contestants Saturday afternoon to win the hot pepper-eating contest during this weekend's Chambersburg IceFest. "I just ate as many as I could as fast as I could," said Carr, who had sweat pouring off his face from the natural spices that he had just ingested. "I needed the money. " He won $25 for taking first place ?

chambersburg@herald-mail.com CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Mark Mastrangelo studied to be a chef, but the only carving he was doing Thursday afternoon was with a chain saw. Mastrangelo sent a blizzard of ice crystals into the air as he sawed his way through nearly 3,000 pounds of ice to create a frozen throne detailed with a relief of the Memorial Square fountain. He was one of three ice sculptors working feverishly in frigid temperatures to create the works of art that are the centerpieces of IceFest 2004.