Lyons Industries, a seasoned 19-year corporate sponsor of the upcoming Dowagiac Ice Time, views the winter arts festival as one of the signature events of this community.

Lyons is one of five corporate underwriters of the 21st annual winter festival that returns to the downtown on Saturday, Feb. 4.  Corporate underwriters also include Dowagiac Area Federal Credit Union, Dowsett Chiropractic Health Center, Clark Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Home and SEMCO, which is a newcomer.

Chairing this year’s event is Kris Soenen, treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce, who owns Who Knew? Consignment and Refine
Women’s Consignment.

“The Ice Time Festival is very important to the community,” said Lance Lyons, president of Lyons Industries.  “It is one of many signature events that help to make Dowagiac such a great place to live. It is a tradition that kids and adults alike look forward to every year. Lyons Industries is very proud to be a corporate sponsor of Ice Time, as we help continue this tradition for our community.”

Dr. Timothy Dowsett, former festival chairman, agreed.

“Sponsoring the Ice Time Festival has been one of my favorite projects,” Dowsett said.  “It takes advantage of a time of the year, when people are typically forced indoors and gives them a great day of activities for the entire family.

“It is such a worth-while cause for me to put my sponsorship dollars towards. It benefits all aspects of the community by getting people out and about to enjoy our wonderful city.”

“We are grateful to have a group of steadfast corporate sponsors that return, year after year, to help the Chamber underwrite Ice Time,” Soenen said. “Their generous contributions make it possible to present community festivals like this for the public to enjoy.”

She said another 30 businesses will sponsor the single and multi-block cornerstone ice sculptures that artisans will carve along Front and Commercial streets, and the timed carve-off at Beckwith Park that begins at noon.

Sponsoring the main event, the Ice Carve-off are Creative Foam, Eckman Chiropractic Clinic, Hale’s Hardware, Mennel Milling Co. of Michigan and Symonds Machine Co.

Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital will sponsor the featured three-block sculpture at Commercial and Front streets.

Single-block ice sculpture sponsors are: Accounting Consultants, Allergy/Asthma & Sinus Center, Baker’s Rhapsody, Chemical Bank, Deerpath Recycling, Dowagiac Area History Museum, Farm Bureau Insurance, 1st Source Bank, Front Street Crossing, Harding’s Friendly Market, Image, John A. Vylonis Custom Building, John Scott Insurance Agency, LADD, Mahar Insurance, The Marshall Shoppe, Preferred Printing, Round Oak Revisited, Shabby Bou-Chic, State Farm Insurance, True’s Towing, Vincent J. Jewelers, William’s A-1 Expert Tree Service, Wounded Minnow and Zeke’s.

Soenen said festival activities encourage families to come outside to enjoy one of Michigan’s best seasons.

“Our Lil Chippers Outside Game Area returns with broom hockey, snow bowling and Ice Buckets,” Soenen said. “Also returning is the popular Frozen Fish Toss Open Competition, the Hot Spot featuring a bonfire and s’mores, the Carvers’ Cave featuring demos by Fruitbelt Woodcarvers and chainsaw carving.”

Select specialty shops will hold winter clearance sales, with in-store events being hosted at Caruso’s Candy Kitchen, Dowagiac Area History Museum, Dowagiac District Library, The Mane Attraction, Rosy Tomorrows and Who Knew? Consignment.

For a full schedule of events, visit DowagiacChamber.com or the Chamber on Facebook.