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DOWAGIAC — Dowagiac’s 28th annual Ice Time Festival will provide a flurry of free family fun Saturday, February 1. The winter festival, a Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce event, will take place in the central business district, with some activities hosted by businesses in close proximity to downtown. 

“The Ice Time Festival provides an opportunity for families to find fun in our winter season,” said Kris Soenen, Chamber President and Festival Chairperson. “And most activities are free.”

In addition to an extra-large ice sculpture being carved this year by the Ice Gurus, outside events include the Sled Dog Meet and Greet and Timber Carving demonstration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. At noon festival goers can enter the annual Frozen Fish Toss Open Competition, a friendly competition.  And the Hot Spot returns with bonfire and s’mores provided by Dowagiac’s Department of Public Safety. 

Follow the Penguin Path Scavenger Hunt by seeking out hidden penguins at participating retailers. Find all ten and be entered in a drawing to win a $25 Universal Dowagiac Gift Certificate. Additionally, enter the Love is in the Air drawing for chances to win special offerings from each of the same specialty shops.  Game sheets and drawings available at the following participating sites: Bow Wow Bakery and Bath, Cottage Gallery, Deck the Halls, Flowers by Anna, The Marshall Shoppe, Oh, My, Olympia Books, Rosy Tomorrows, Vincent J Jewelers and Who Knew Consignment.

A free shuttle bus provided by Heritage Southwest Intermediate School District will transport people from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. from downtown to activities hosted by the following businesses:  Dowagiac Library, Dowagiac History Museum, and Eagles Lodge.

The Dowagiac Library will be providing a craft, cocoa and cider from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Dowagiac Area History Museum will host Miss Dowagiac 2025 Amelia Bakeman and Court,   crafting Valentine’s with children.  The Eagle’s Lodge will be competing in the Chili Crawl as well as hosting a children’s snowman build and for adults, a Bloody Mary Bar.

Caruso’s Candy & Soda Shop will host their annual Ice Cream Eating Contest at 2:30– arrive early to participate. 

This year’s Chili Crawl runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Guests can taste restaurant samples for free and vote for their favorite offering.  Chili ballots will be available at participating restaurants, and event flyers with a map will be available at downtown retailers.

Rounding out the day’s events is The Snow Ball, a Winter Family Formal, hosted by Dowagiac Connected from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Dowagiac Middle School. Information and tickets are available online at dowagiacconnected.com.    

Corporate underwriters of the Ice Time Festival include Dowagiac Credit Union, Dowsett Chiropractic Health Center, Lyons Industries, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, Who Knew Consignment and Xfinity.

Event sponsors are Ascension Borgess Lee Hospital, Baker’s Rhapsody, Dowagiac Area History Museum, Hale’s Hardware, Lake Effect HVAC Co, and Twisted Bee.