Last Minute Plans: Shipshewana Ice Festival

I usually try to give more heads up about special events, but I just came across this one and thought it was worth a share. Today and tomorrow, December 28 and 29, Shipshewana will host its annual Ice Festival.

Fifteen ice carvers will gather at 10am today in the parking lot at Davis Mercantile to create ice sculptures of their own design. Bring your cameras and video cameras to watch these masters at work. Previously, on Thursday, the same ice carvers created ice masterpieces that are now on display around town in Shipshewana.

When all is said and done, these carvers will have chainsawed and chiseled their way through 30,000 pounds of ice to create 40 sculptures. The sculptures will remain in place for viewing through December 31.

On December 29, Davis Mercantile will also be the site for the annual Chili Cook-off. What a great combination — ice and chili! For entry into the Chili Cook-off, purchase a Shipshewana Ice Festival Pin for $15 at the Davis Mercantile. Then show your pin at a host of retailers in town for special savings that run through the month of January. Click here to see a list of specials your Ice Festival Pin will unlock for you.

This is the fifth year for the Shipshewana Ice Festival. I sure hope it’s around for a sixth because this is something I’d love to see for myself.