Mark Crouthamel, an Ice Sculpter from Sculpted Ice Works in Lakeville, PA, sculpts a Knight on Horseback at Versailles. Crouthamel started as a chef, but has been sculpting ice for 13 years. This is his 4th year sculpting for The Festival of Ice.
If you happen to be driving along Northern Boulevard or walking along State Street in Clarks Summit between Thursday and next Monday, you may find yourself transported to a different atmosphere.
Rhinos and camels, a ferries wheel and burning ring of fire. Magicians and ringmasters with tall stovepipe hats.
Although some will be alive and others frozen in place, they will all mingle to create a wonderful vibe. A chilly day at the circus, perhaps? Not quite, but you will be lucky enough to have stumbled upon the sixth annual Clarks Summit Festival of Ice in the greater Abington area. Presented by the Abington Business and Professional Association, the theme for this year’s festival is “Under the Big Top.”
As one may expect with such a title, a full array of circus-themed parties, festivities and performances are lined up to make the 2010 festival a time to remember. The kind of fun often lost in the hustle and bustle of the routine that dominates life in the real world.
According to Francine Pisano Duties, ABPA President and chair of the association’s ice festival committee, the circus theme idea was approved at the wrap-up meeting for the 2009 festival. Duties were especially keen on the idea because it would focus on children and child-friendly entertainment.
“In previous years we have seen lots of great entertainment. It was important for us to continue that with this year’s theme,” Duties said. “We wanted something that would be both theatrical and entertaining and also allow for children to have fun and take part in more events than in the recent past.”
Launching the festivities will be the ice festival parade, sponsored by Citizens Savings Bank, scheduled to head down State Street at 7 p.m. on Thursday night. All of the ice that will be used to carve the various sculptures will be delivered during the parade, with one carving taking place live on the back of a truck during the parade. Afterward, a range of family-friendly events begin that will continue through Sunday, many of which center on the Clarks Summit Borough Building (304 S. State Street). The first floor will be converted into the “Big Top Caf�,” featuring a full range of snacks and midway games along with numerous activities. A Family Fun Fest, sponsored by Times Leader Scranton Edition, on Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., will feature entertainers including DJ Frankie Carl, storyteller Chris Archangel, Happy Faces face painters, theatrical clowns and make-it-take-it crafts hosted by local Girl Scouts. The Big Top Caf� is operated by two different groups this year: the Abington Area Joint Recreation Board and Abington Community Park on Thursday and the Abington Lions Club on Saturday and Sunday.
“We have more groups than ever involved at the caf�,” said Sandy Tielebein, coordinator of events there.
Participating in the event for the first time this year is the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, which will bring its portable “Guitar Hero” gaming stations, complete with Xbox 360 systems and flat-panel TVs, to the event on Saturday and Sunday evenings. After marching in last year’s parade, the guard is excited to bring a fun and entertaining tool for this year’s events, according to SFC William Coulter, Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention NCO.
“We see events like the ice festival as a great means of community outreach,” Coulter said. “Last year we were in the parade and will be this year, too, but the ‘Guitar Hero’ is a great way for us to connect with local citizens in a fun and interactive way.”
For visitors who want to duck inside, Clarks Green Assembly of God will be open as a “warming center” for those seeking some warmth and shelter on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Offering free food and treats, the Assembly invites visitors stop by and thaw out near the church’s massive fireplace, said Pastor Laurie Jayne.
“We’re sort of in between the two welcoming stations, but a little bit up the hill,” Jayne said of her church’s location on Abington Road. “We really are looking forward to providing this service so that everyone can have a safe, fun and blessed time at the festival.”
On Saturday and Sunday, the Caf� will be center stage for two events at the festival. Saturday will bring the Clown Car College event, which will host teams trying to cram as many people as possible into a small “clown” car provided by Morgan Highway Auto Parts. Sunday afternoon will feature a Pets on Parade event, when those in attendance are invited to walk pets in creative costumes as well as perform tricks in a contest for all animals. Prizes will be awarded in various categories to participating animals in both events, according to Tielebein.
“We’ve been assembling decorations and supplies for the caf� for months,” Tielebein said of the organization behind the caf�. “We have a paper-mache elephant that I made last year at a Girl Scout camp.”
Indeed, as the old circus saying goes … come one, come all.
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