'We're having fun': Fire & Ice Festival draws big crowds to Somerset

Source: The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.迷你倉Jan. 18--SOMERSET -- Residents chilled around Uptown Somerset Friday, and the heart of the Plaza on the Diamond provided a fiery respite from the 30-degree temperatures. The first day of the 19th annual Fire & Ice Festival drew regional crowds and, according to event organizers, set some records.This year's "Wild West" theme meant ice blocks fashioned into caravans, general stores and horse skulls. A John Wayne impersonator was scheduled to perform in between breaks at the "Country Express" goods sale. Many visitors brought cameras, snapping shots of the festivalgoers in pointed leather boots, wide-brimmed hats and flannel for the Fire & Ice Photo Contest."I realized that when you've been doing a festival for 18 years, you better start doing something other than snowflakes because people won't come back," said Stephanie Williams, executive director of Somerset Inc. The festival is the organization's largest yearly fundraiser.Next year's theme, which will be announced at 4 p.m. Sunday, has a lot riding on it, Williams said. As the 20th Fire & Ice fest, she said organizers will have something "really big" planned.For yearly attendees Don Shaulis and his wife, Lori, of Somerset, this year's theme was an added incentive."He loves Western movies," Lori Shaulis said of her husband.Don Shaulis said he doesn't care for modern cinema, but he could watch a classic John Wayne film over and over. They were on their way to see an ice carving demonstration by Mastro Gourmet Quality Ice of Pittsburgh. Lori Shaulis said the festival is really the only place around to admire something as unique as an ice sculpture."That's why we come once a year. We try to get here before the melt," she said, adding that she didn't know what the carver would end up making, but that's half the fun."It's also fun to meet people. We all gather here and I like to look in the stores when we're here."She said she frequents the Uptown local businesses during the festival more than any other time of year. And each year, businesses like JT's Swap & Shop along West Main Street prepare for that influx of pat儲存倉ons."We're busier on?Saturday and Sunday," said owner Tina Klink, who added that she tries to enjoy as much of the festival as possible, but is usually stuck inside handling the swell in business.This year, Klink said her store has DVDs for $1, Blu-Rays at 3 for $10 and Xbox 360 consoles and video games on sale for $8."The draw is between the ice sculptures and all the businesses," she said. "We all try to run sales around this time and get people in."If the businesses are getting boosts, then Somerset Inc. is doing its job. Formally referred to as community revitalization programs, Somerset Inc. is one of many "Main Street" programs that work to invigorate local business. This year, the organization will have its 20-year anniversary.Williams said there are only two other programs that can boast 20 years in service to their local community. Main Street programs get the first five years of operation paid for by state funding. If the organizations haven't built up community support before then, they often fold."Twenty years is big. Really big," she said.Today is shaping up to be the biggest festival day, according to Williams. The 10 a.m. 5K event has set a record with nearly 200 entrants already registered to race. The Children's Center, open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at First Christian Church, will have arts and crafts activities for youngsters. The chili cook-off, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the American Legion, is "bigger than ever" with more than 16 competitors vying for the best tasting chili pot."It is the biggest day," Williams said. "We have the most activities that day. One thing influenced the other. We had more people coming, so we kept more things going on."We encourage everybody to come for the day. Have fun with us," he said. "Throw on your cowboy hat and boots and get into the spirit of the thing."We're having fun."Justin Dennis is a multimedia reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter at Twitter.com/JustinDennis.Copyright: ___ (c)2014 The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) Visit The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) at .tribune-democrat.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉最平