By Staff
Some love it hot. Some love it mild. But most agree it's one of the best ways to warm up on a cold afternoon in Michigan.
Returning to downtown Dowagiac during the ninth-annual Ice Time Festival on Saturday, Feb. 5, is the Professional Chili Cook-off from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Carolyn and Ken Schutter, owners of Mr. K's Wearhouse and Embroidery, who are overseeing the culinary event, said families are sure to enjoy this year's chili crawl, as many of the locals call it.
With most of the participating sites located on or near S. Front, all are within easy walking distance.
Hosted by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, the highlight of the winter festival is life-size works of art carved from 440-pound ice blocks as members of the South Bend Chapter of the American Culinary Federation compete for $1,200 in cash awards.
Corporate sponsors, partnering with the Chamber of Commerce to host Dowagiac's 2005 wintertime arts festival, are: Harding's Friendly Market, Southwestern Michigan College, Dowagiac Area Federal Credit Union and Dowsett Chiropractic Health Center.
The community event is also supported by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo through the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs.
The Professional Chili Crawl is one of several auxiliary events that will be held downtown on festival day.
Participating sites include: Beeson Street Grill, Trackside Restaurant, Wood Fire Italian Trattoria, Wounded Minnow Saloon and Zeke's Restaurant, along with newcomer to the event the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 101 E. Railroad, adjacent to Preferred Printing.
The Schutters said families can enjoy free taste-testing from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
People can start the chili crawl at any one of the six locations, where they can pick up their official chili ballot.
The restaurant that receives the most votes will receive the traveling Chili Plaque from the Chamber of Commerce.
Dowagiac Ice Time 2005 is being coordinated by Event Chairman Dr. Timothy Dowsett of Dowsett Chiropractic Health Center, with the assistance of Vickie Phillipson, program director of the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority; Paul Potter of Image Publications; Patti Badner of Guy Eby Insurance in Cassopolis; Patty Booth of Booth's Country Florist; and Gail West of Wolverine Mutual Insurance Co.