Ice Festival to feature artists and more Jan. 19-20

Tecumseh will be the scene of the Fourth Annual Ice Sculpture Festival on Saturday, Jan. 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 20, from noon to 5 p.m. Temperatures for the past three events have ranged from moderate to very cold, and organizers are hoping for a “just right” blend for Winter fun during the event.“I think about 25 degrees would be perfect,” said Linda Hewlett, Marketing Coordinator, “because that’s cold enough to keep the sculptures nice, but not blustery cold for families.” Hewlett said there will be 19 commissioned sculptures this year, and an additional 11 sculptures sponsored by Evans Street Station and the Central Business Association. Tecumseh Kiwanis is sponsoring the popular ice hockey table in front of Jazzercize near the downtown corners. “Also, Republic Services, our waste contractor, will now be sponsoring our dueling carvers event,” she added. Two sculptors will face off in a carving competition downtown on Saturday afternoon.New to this year’s festival will be horse-drawn carriage rides through the streets of the city, which will begin at the corner of S. Ottawa St. and Chicago Blvd. The rides will run from noon to 4 p.m. with a cost of $2 per person and kids under age four are free.“We added this because we had them during our Holiday Open House this year and everybody loved it,” said Hewlett. “People were riding the entire time.”Another feature will be appearances by two bell choirs from Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and Tecumseh United Methodist Church performing at Carpet on Wheels on Chicago Blvd. on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.There will also be a Winter Warm-Up Walk on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with participating merchants providing warm winter beverage samples. One merchant will be named with the Winter Warm-Up Walk “Best Beverage” title. Maps will be available to track participating businesses. If the weather permits, snowshoe races, sponsored by the Tecumseh Parks and Recreation Dept., will take place at the First Presbyterian Church lawn on Chicago Blvd. and Pearl St. The races will run by age groups from 2 to 3 p.m. with snowshoes provided.Sunday events will include a Chocolate Walk from noon to 5 p.m. with merchants providing chocolate surprises through treats or a chocolate-themed special. Evans Street Station will again host its “Man Cave,” with beer and brats, football and other activities. Women and children are also welcome. In addition, the Tecumseh Fiddlers will perform at The Wild Iris from 2-3 p.m. on Sunday, led by Amy Marr.Both days, children may take part in the Make-It Display-It Snowman with the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce in front of the office at 132 W. Chicago. Kids of all ages can make mini-snowmen for free, and decorate it for display.A Lost Arts Demonstration will also take place at the Rooftop Café, 112 E. Chicago (upstairs at British Tea Garden) on both days of the festival. Visitors will see demonstrations such as knitting on an antique sock machine, spinning yarn, triangular loom weaving, quilting, stained glass making, Ukranian egg decorating, bobbin lace/tatting and wood carving.A full schedule of event guides will be available at various locations with times and locations of special activities and sculptures. For more information visit downtowntecumseh.com or call 424.6003.