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DOWAGIAC — Now in its 28th year, Dowagiac’s annual Ice Time Festival will once again offer a reason to get out of hibernation and visit Dowagiac. 

The winter festival, a Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce event, is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 1 and takes place mostly in the central business district, with some activities hosted by businesses in close proximity to downtown.

“I am thrilled to share that Ice Sculptures, Ltd. from Grand Rapids, Michigan, will be on site carving a very large, multi-block piece during Dowagiac’s Ice Time Festival,” announced event chairperson Kris Soenen. “ The Ice Guru himself, Randy Finch, will be onsite to create an extra-large marquee ice sculpture out of 10 blocks of ice.” 

“We are excited to do things a little differently this year. The heart of this festival has traditionally been the carving of many, single ice blocks on event day,” stated Soenen. “But the number of ice carvers in the region is diminishing as many retire and fewer take up the craft. Additionally, many communities in the region hold their winter events on the same day, and in fact, every weekend in winter. Over the years it has gotten harder to compete with bigger festival for carvers. So, in order to not just order in already carved ice blocks from the ice house that are then plunked on the sidewalk, we have found a way to continue the tradition of live artisan carving, creating art on the sidewalk during Ice Time Festival.” 

Ice Sculptures Ltd. was founded over a decade ago in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by a team of passionate and skilled ice sculptors. Since then, the company has grown into a premier ice sculpture company serving clients across the Midwest and beyond. The story of Ice Sculptures Ltd. begins with founder, Randy Finch, who started his career as a chef and quickly developed a passion for ice carving. Randy’s passion for ice sculpting eventually led him to become a household name, thanks in part to his time on the Food Network’s popular show, “Ice Brigade”.

Finch has been ice carving for over 40 years. His favorite ice carving is always the next one he creates. By far, his favorite tool is the chainsaw. Because of his talent he can accomplish 90% of a sculpture with a chainsaw alone. 

Finch will be assisted by the business’ General Manager, Beau Fairman, who has been carving for 12 years. His favorite ice carvings are the interactive ones. He enjoys a challenge and his favorite tool to use when carving is the burr bit, called “the flame”, used for several different techniques. 

Ice carver Scott Gerdeman will join them. He started his carving journey this year with pumpkins and now does live ice carving demonstrations with the team. Scott’s favorite tool to use when carving is the die grinder because of the ease of use and the amount of control he has when using it. He loves creating animal carvings, making them more realistic or animated.

The marquee ice carving is just one of the events and activities scheduled. For a detailed schedule of events visit the Chamber’s website, DowagiacChamber.com, or its Facebook page.

The Ice Time Festival has been underwritten by Ascension Borgess Lee Hospital, The Baker’s Rhapsody, Dowagiac Area History Museum, Dowagiac Credit Union, Dowsett Chiropractic Health Center, Hale’s Hardware, Lake Effect HVAC Co., Lyons Industries, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, Who Knew Consignment and Xfinity.