Forestry clubs from Michigan State University and Ohio State University are returning to Dowagiac for Ice Time on Saturday, to demonstrate lumbering techniques that date back to the 1880s.

Now in its 21st year, the Greater Dowagiac Chamber’s of Commerce winter arts festival has been profiled as one of the many creative ways communities across the nation celebrate the bone-chilling months of winter.

Event chairman Kris Soenen said forestry students will join the hands-on action downtown, as ice carvers and culinary chefs rev up their electric and power gas tools to transform 10,000 pounds of glistening ice into life-size statues.  The winter arts event also features wood and timber carving, in-store events and activities for the full family.

“As a nod to the historic significance of Michigan’s lumber industry, the Timber Sports Demonstration will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and be a friendly competition between Michigan State University and Ohio State University forestry clubs,” Soenen said. “Held on Commercial Street, both male and female club members will demonstrate such skills as single bucksaw, double bucksaw, matchsplit and more. Show your colors, come out and cheer on your team.”

“This is the third year for the forestry clubs to be featured at the event,” Soenen said.  “Students had so much fun showing their skills last year and hearing the crowd cheering them on, they wanted to return this year. Ice Time provides an opportunity for them to practice these skills before they compete at Conclave, an intercollegiate competition in April, where forestry clubs compete in many different events, including the bucksaw and axe throwing, and log handling and tossing. You will also see them matchstick split the logs, which takes an axe, finesse and good aim.”

Soenen said the earliest lumbering in Michigan was done by the French in order to build forts, fur-trading, posts and missions. The British, and later the Americans, used Michigan’s hardwoods to build merchant and war ships.

Michigan’s pine became important as the supply of trees in the northeast was used. By 1880, Michigan was producing as much lumber as the next three states combined.

Major underwriters of the 2017 winter arts festival are: Lyons Industries, Platinum Level sponsor; Dowagiac Area Federal Credit Union and Clark Chapel / Starks Family Funeral Home, Gold Level sponsors; and Dowsett Chiropractic Health Center and SEMCO, Silver Level sponsors.  Another 30 businesses have sponsored the single-block ice carvings that will line Front Street and the timed ice carve-off beginning at noon p.m. at Beckwith Park.

For a detailed schedule of events visit the Chamber’s Facebook page or its website, DowagiacChamber.com.