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Fun Abounds at IceFest!

Chambersburg’s IceFest is right around the corner! “We’re thrilled to be looking at optimum weather conditions for IceFest this weekend,” says Sam Thrush, president of Downtown Chambersburg Inc (DCI). The annual festival begins Thursday, January 30 and ends on Sunday, February 2. “We’re expecting weather that’s perfect for enjoying our downtown and keeping the ice sculptures cold all weekend!”

DCI’s Chili-Q Cook-Off and Beer Tent will be back on North Main Street Saturday afternoon. Professionals and amateurs alike will come out to compete. “This IceFest marks 20 years of the Chili-Q Cook-Off,” says Thrush. “I always enjoy the delicious concoctions our community creates. Sampling it all is a great way to warm up. May the best chili win!” The Chili-Q Cook-Off will be accompanied by a Wing-Off and a Hot Pepper-Eating Contest.

The ice slide, ice throne, and live ice carving will feature once again, along with over 100 ice sculptures and 18 GIANT ice sculptures sponsored by local businesses. More IceFest staples, such as the Snowfall Ball, the Icing on the Cake cake-decorating competition, the Food Truck Fest, the Run Your Ice Off (RIYO) 5K, Open Mic Night, and the IceFest Scavenger Hunt, will return for some wintry fun.W

Ginny Harriger, executive director of the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation, helps organize the RIYO 5K each year. Harriger says, “IceFest embodies the best of our community, bringing business and nonprofit leaders together to create a unique event that connects our community with the greater region and state. The economic impact of the festival ripples beyond our downtown, which is a wonderful thing for our region.”

A variety of new activities will be available to IceFest visitors this year. Benchfield Farms will host horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides, as well as chances to ride the horses themselves, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.

Chambersburg Ballet will give the public a free behind-the-scenes view by holding an open rehearsal day at the Capitol Theatre Main Stage on Saturday from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Fire dance troupe Pyrophonic will give a free “Spice Up the Ice” performance to close out Saturday’s festivities from 7 to 8 p.m. in Chambers Fort Park.

To see the full calendar of IceFest events or register for your favorites, go to icefestpa.com or visit IceFest Pa on Facebook.

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The Franklin County Free Press, established by Vicky Taylor in 2019, emerged as a beacon of local journalism for the residents of Franklin County. Under Vicky's leadership, it quickly became an essential source of news, particularly at a time when major newspaper publications were increasingly overlooking local coverage.

On January 1, 2022, the torch was passed to Nathan Neil and his firm, Neil Publishing, LLC. Neil, a local entrepreneur with multiple thriving businesses in Chambersburg, shares Vicky's fervent commitment to both the community and the world of local journalism.

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