DOWAGIAC — A veteran 57-year ice carver will be among those returning to the Dowagiac Ice Time Festival on Saturday, Feb. 3, as this community’s winter arts event marks its 22nd year.

Thirty-one corporate underwriters have joined hands with the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, the festival’s host, to put on this year’s event.

“Alfredo Arroyo, who has been with us since the beginning, has 57 years’ experience in ice carving,” said Kris Soenen, festival chairman and treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce, who owns Who Knew? Consignment and Refine Women’s Consignment. 

Arroyo, who is a previous award winner, will be joined by lead carver Mike Evans, Richard Biggs, Howard Busfield, Joshua Nivens,  Peter LaBirge.  Each of the men work in the catering and food service industry.

Lining Front Street will be the single-block ice sculptures sponsored by Accounting Consultants, The Baker’s Rhapsody, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, Creative Foam, Deck the Halls, Deerpath Recyclers, Dowagiac Area History Museum, Dowagiac Family Dentistry, Farm Bureau Insurance, 1st Source Bank, Front Street Crossing and Harding’s Friendly Market.  Also sponsoring the single-block sculptures will be LADD, Mahar Insurance, Preferred Printing, True’s Towing, Vincent J. Jewelers, John A. Vylonis Custom Building, Wounded Minnow Saloon and Zeke’s Restaurant.

“The timed carve-off is where you will see our carvers really unleash their creativity,” Soenen said.  “This friendly, yet very competitive competition, begins at noon around  the Beckwith Park gazebo.  Underwriting this year’s contest is Eckman Chiropractic, Hale’s Hardware, Mennel Milling Co. of Michigan, State Farm Insurance and its office of Greg Osborn and Symonds Machine.

Outdoor winter activities for families are featured throughout the day, beginning at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., as participating specialty shops host “Out of Hibernation” sales.

Day-visitors can take a snow shuttle from the downtown to the Dowagiac Area History Museum, where they can frost sugar cookies.  Children can also make three-dimensional snowflakes at the Dowagiac District Library and a winter craft at Who Knew? Consignment. 

Lil’ Chippers winter games return, as well as festival favorites Frozen Fish Toss, Caruso’s ice cream eating competition and the Timber Sport Exhibition.

Major corporate sponsors of the winter arts festival are Lyons Industries, Clark Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes, Dowagiac Area Federal Credit Union, Dowagiac Family Dentistry, Dowsett Chiropractic Health Center and SEMCO.

For a full list of activities, visit DowagiacChamber.com and its Facebook page.