Forecast prompts Wheaton to delay downtown Ice (Cubed) Fest
When the air temperature soared into the mid-50s this week, the season's seesawing thermal changes motivated organizers of Wheaton's Ice (Cubed) Fest to move the festival's date to Saturday, Feb. 3.
The fourth annual fest, featuring intricately carved ice sculptures on downtown sidewalks, originally was scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 27.
"The Downtown Wheaton Association is rescheduling the ice fest to Feb. 3 due to the unexpected warm weather called for this coming weekend. Please also note that the new date will also tie in nicely with the (Wheaton) Park District's Ice-A-Palooza on Feb. 3," said Paula Barrington, executive director of the Downtown Wheaton Association.
The Ice (Cubed) Fest aims to give people who are feeling cooped up and uninspired by winter's grays a reason to get out and celebrate the season's frosty translucence.
When Feb. 3 rolls around, some 28 ice sculptures, most crafted by Chicago Ice Works, are expected to be on display on downtown sidewalks, many directly in front of businesses that commissioned their creation.
An Eiffel Tower sculpture will be placed outside Suzette's Creperie's Front Street address, while an icy rendering of a perfect smile will rest outside Weber Orthodontics' Willow Avenue office, Barrington said.
M and Company hair salon plans to present a scissors-and-comb sculpture on Hale Street, while Noah's Animal Hospital will have a pet-related sculpture at its Main Street doorstep, she said.
"There also will be winter-type things (as sculptures) - snow sledding, penguins, snowmen," Barrington said.
Two sculptures will be made on the spot. Chicago Ice Works carvers will demonstrate the process from noon to 3 p.m. in the Martin Memorial Plaza at Front and Main streets.
"One will be a castle," Barrington said. The other form to emerge from a block of ice remains a mystery, she said.
The Ivy Restaurant, 120 N. Hale St., will carry on with its own ice-themed festival this weekend in what will now be a prologue to the Ice (Cubed) Fest.
"We do what we call an ice bar," said Jason Sandquist, general manager. "We have our patio outside. We have our fire pits."
The restaurant will display a five-and-half-foot sculpture of its logo that is not only cool in form but in function.
The ice bar, opening at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, will feature an outdoor bar made of ice. The logo sculpture will serve as the centerpiece.
"We make martinis through our (sculpture)," Sandquist said. Mixes of drink spirits are poured into the sculpture and captured in a serving glass.
"You get to literally watch your drink go through the logo," he said.
During the Ice (Cubed) Fest on Feb. 3, visitors looking for a nonalcoholic treat outdoors will find complementary coffee and hot chocolate offered by Willow Creek Church, which has offices on Front Street.
Participating merchants will offer walking maps to help visitors find their favorite ice art, Barrington said.
"It brings out a lot of families," she said. She estimated last year's crowd at more than 1,000 visitors.
With last year's cold weather, the sculptures lasted for about a week and a half, she said. Visitors often take self portraits with the ephemeral artworks.
"People love to touch the sculptures, and they're welcome to do so," Barrington said.
If you go
What: Fourth annual Ice (Cubed) Fest
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 3
Where: Downtown Wheaton
Info: downtownwheaton.com