Saturday morning, I looked out my apartment window as the sun came up, eyes wide in surprise at how much snow had accumulated over night. The afternoon before, I had walked home from work on bare sidewalks, and 14 hours later there was easily half a foot of heavy, wet snow.

“What perfect timing,” I thought sarcastically. In just a few short hours, visitors would be making their way downtown to celebrate the Hunter Ice Festival — but not if they could not make it down the street.

Then I spotted a large puff of snow flying the corner of Fourth Street — flakes blowing up, not down. Soon enough, my neighbor rounded the corner with his snowmobile.

Blocks away and on the opposite side of the street from his business, Jim Morris — better known to most as the owner of Jim’s Smokin’ Café at Paris Soda Co. — was clearing the streets for pedestrians.

Jim has been a downtown business owner long enough to know that the weekend that followed would be one of his busiest all year — no matter the weather — yet, he was up bright and early, working hard to make sure patrons could not only reach his business, but his neighbors’ (and even competitors’) as well.

Anyone who attended the Hunter Ice Festival this weekend knows the conditions were not ideal. Saturday morning brought freezing cold rain on top of the heavy snow we had gotten the night before, and Sunday was so cold and snowy that many opted to stay indoors.

Nonetheless, a crew of volunteers soldiered on. Niles Main Street’s Lisa Croteau joked Monday that during the week they prepped for Hunter Ice Festival, sculptors experienced all four seasons of weather. What Lisa failed to mention was that she, too, was out in all conditions, as were many volunteers and business owners — determined to make the beloved event a success.

I love festivals like these because they give our town a chance to show off what they do all year long, but my favorite part of these events is seeing the overwhelming support not only from outside our community, but inside it as well. As thousands of people from Niles and beyond tread through the snow and rain to see the ice sculptures, dozens more hustled in restaurant kitchens, behind cash registers, on dining room floors and inside warming centers. Although these individuals make money off their efforts, there is no arguing that they work harder for their paycheck than any day of the year.

I am convinced that there is no such thing as “ideal weather” for the Hunter Ice Festival, but year after year, these dedicated individuals make the best of it. Business leaders go above and beyond the call of duty to be sure that no matter the weather, the show goes on, and residents from all over the greater Niles area continue to show their support despite the conditions.

These individuals and their hard work, passion and dedication are exactly why our community has grown so drastically in recent years.

Thomas Edison famously stated, “Opportunity is often missed because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

After this weekend, I can say with full confidence that the business leaders in our town are not afraid to don those overalls, and thanks to them, the opportunities are endless.