After an unseasonably warm winter, as temperatures plummet this week, so will prices on fall and winter merchandise for Dowagiac Ice Time’s Out of Hibernation Promo.

Dowagiac’s winter arts festival this Saturday has been profiled as one of the many creative ways communities across the nation celebrate the bone-chilling months of winter.  At the center of the event are the life-size sculptures carved by ice artisans and the professional ice carving competition at noon that awards cash prizes.

The Out of Hibernation promotion is one of several auxiliary events of the festival, which is hosted by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce.

Kris Soenen, festival chairman and treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce, said auxiliary in-store and outdoor activities are being hosted throughout the central business district.

“Ice Time is a great event that attracts visitors to Dowagiac from all corners of southwestern Michigan and northern Indiana, giving families an opportunity to get back outside to enjoy one of Michigan’s favorite seasons,” Soenen said.

Major underwriters of the 2017 festival are: Lyons Industries, platinum level sponsor; Dowagiac Area Federal Credit Union and Clark Chapel/Starks Family Funeral Home, gold level sponsors; and Dowsett Chiropractic Health Center and SEMCO, silver level sponsors. Another 30 businesses have sponsored the single-block ice carvings that will line Front Street and the timed ice carve-off.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., children will be able to make ice cold snow “slime” at the Dowagiac District Library.  This starch-based craft may be used anytime of the year to enjoy artificial snow.

Children may also meet the new Miss Dowagiac, Madison Phelps, and her Court of Honor at the Dowagiac Area History Museum, where they may frost sugar cookies. A snow shuttle, provided by Lewis Cass Intermediate School District, will take families from the downtown to the museum from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., according to Soenen

At Who Knew? Consignment, one of two retail shops Soenen owns downtown, children will be able to enjoy Silly Snowflake Crafts, which they may make and take home from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Across the street at Rosy Tomorrows, resident artisan Jennifer Valentine and workshop participants will use small paper tubes, which they will cut, bend, glue and paint, to create intricate sparkling snowflakes.

At Front Street Crossing, or as festival organizers dub it, the Carver’s Cave, families may view demonstrations by Fruitbelt Woodcarvers from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Mane Attraction will feature Snow Princess Manicures for children from 1 to 3 p.m., just in time for that evening’s Snowball Daddy/Daughter Dance, hosted from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the middle school by Dowagiac Young Professionals, according to Soenen.

At Caruso’s Candy Kitchen, the festival’s annual Ice Cream Eating Contest kicks off at 2:30 p.m.  To warm up, visitors may stop by the bonfire at the Hot Spot on Commercial Street, where Dowagiac Department of Public Safety will be offering free S’mores from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Outdoor activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will feature Lil’ Chippers Outside Games and demonstrations by Alonzo Montoya, a chainsaw timber carver.  The Chili Crawl will be from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. at eight downtown restaurants, and the Frozen Fish Toss will be kicked off at 12:30 p.m. Organizers encourage people to bring a partner to the competition.  There is no cost to enter.

For a detailed schedule of events, visit the chamber’s Facebook page, or its website at DowagiacChamber.com.