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Visitors taking the train into Downers Grove this weekend might question whether they got off at the right stop after the Main Street station is transformed into Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
“Bon Mardi Gras” is the theme for the 12th annual Ice Sculpture Festival, which takes place in downtown Downers Grove Friday through Sunday as ice carvers participate in the 2009 National Ice Carving Association’s National Championships.
Mary Scalzetti, director of community events for the village, said some local businesses are getting involved by adding to the weekend’s activities with a pancake breakfast, a local movie returning to Tivoli Theatre and live band performances.
Scalzetti said dozens of trained ice carvers participate each year with fresh ideas.
“(The carvers) can do anything they want. A lot do go with the theme,” Scalzetti said. “They are very creative. We never know what they will come up with.”
Linda Kunze, downtown manager for the Downers Grove Downtown Management Corp., said local businesses can purchase ice sculptures to set on the sidewalk outside their door during the weekend’s events.
“We work with Community Events on this and encourage (business owners) to have something in front of our stores and hopefully (visitors) see something in the window and come in,” Kunze said.
This year, Kunze said the purchased ice sculptures will have lights inside so they can also be enjoyed at night.
Kunze said businesses owners are offering specials throughout the weekend.
During Saturday’s competition, participants will have three bricks of ice and five hours to carve.
The next day they will have two bricks of ice with four hours to carve.
“The ending is really something to see,” Scalzetti said.
The carving does take place outside and Scalzetti said the outcome of visitors each year is dependent on the weather.
“I’m hoping for a perfect 28 (degrees) and cloudy,” Scalzetti said.
About $20,000 in prize money will be awarded during the two-day event.
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS National Ice Carving Championship WHEN 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8 Ice carving demonstrations WHEN 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6 Trolly rides WHEN 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday , Feb. 7 and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8 Face painting WHEN 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8 ‘Holiday Baggage’ WHEN Locally shot and produced film will be shown at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 Two Way Street Coffee House entertainment WHEN 8:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 |
Visitors taking the train into Downers Grove this weekend might question whether they got off at the right stop after the Main Street station is transformed into Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
“Bon Mardi Gras” is the theme for the 12th annual Ice Sculpture Festival, which takes place in downtown Downers Grove Friday through Sunday as ice carvers participate in the 2009 National Ice Carving Association’s National Championships.
Mary Scalzetti, director of community events for the village, said some local businesses are getting involved by adding to the weekend’s activities with a pancake breakfast, a local movie returning to Tivoli Theatre and live band performances.
Scalzetti said dozens of trained ice carvers participate each year with fresh ideas.
“(The carvers) can do anything they want. A lot do go with the theme,” Scalzetti said. “They are very creative. We never know what they will come up with.”
Linda Kunze, downtown manager for the Downers Grove Downtown Management Corp., said local businesses can purchase ice sculptures to set on the sidewalk outside their door during the weekend’s events.
“We work with Community Events on this and encourage (business owners) to have something in front of our stores and hopefully (visitors) see something in the window and come in,” Kunze said.
This year, Kunze said the purchased ice sculptures will have lights inside so they can also be enjoyed at night.
Kunze said businesses owners are offering specials throughout the weekend.
During Saturday’s competition, participants will have three bricks of ice and five hours to carve.
The next day they will have two bricks of ice with four hours to carve.
“The ending is really something to see,” Scalzetti said.
The carving does take place outside and Scalzetti said the outcome of visitors each year is dependent on the weather.
“I’m hoping for a perfect 28 (degrees) and cloudy,” Scalzetti said.
About $20,000 in prize money will be awarded during the two-day event.
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS National Ice Carving Championship WHEN 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8 Ice carving demonstrations WHEN 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6 Trolly rides WHEN 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday , Feb. 7 and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8 Face painting WHEN 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8 ‘Holiday Baggage’ WHEN Locally shot and produced film will be shown at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 Two Way Street Coffee House entertainment WHEN 8:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 |
