FireAnd Ice

by Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc

House Of Worship

BY ANN MEAD ASH

In 2021, to keep visitors and residents safe, Lititz canceled its Fire & Ice Festival and instead held the Lititz Ice Walk, which extended the event from a single weekend to several days and focused especially on the ice sculptures lining the streets.

For 2022, the town will host what executive director of Venture Lititz Rebecca Branle calls a hybrid event. “A lot of people enjoyed taking their time (to view the ice sculptures) and coming back a few times (in 2021),” she said. This year, the Fire & Ice Festival will officially run from Friday, Feb. 18, to Monday, Feb. 28, and encompass a number of activities, including a ticketed preview party, a Kids Funderland, a sweet treats punch card, and a scavenger hunt.

The launch party, called Winter’s Coolest Night Out, will be held on Thursday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. at Collusion Tap Works, 5 Juniper Lane, Lititz. It will include a live ice carving outside The Lititz Shirt Factory building where the Tap Works is located. “It will be a really fun, interactive carving brought to us by Luthercare, the sponsor of the event,” said Branle, who noted that the sculpture will remain after the party. The party will also feature Lancaster-based fusion band the Inca Campers. “Every demographic will have fun with that (music),” noted Branle, who added that the ticket price will include a drink and light appetizers.

More than 60 ice sculptures will be on display throughout the event. Among this year’s creations will be a unicorn and a kangaroo. The Nittany Lion will make a return appearance. “There will be something really beautiful in front of Lititz Mutual (on North Broad Street),” noted Branle.

A special two-sided punch card will be distributed to local hotels through Discover Lancaster. One side will encourage visitors to attend area establishments to experience a special fire-and-ice-themed beverage. “We encourage (attendees) to take photos and tell us which was your favorite,” said Branle, who added that because organizers want families to enjoy the fun too, the flipside of the card will offer other specials throughout town, which might be an iced coffee, an arctic tea, or a spicy chocolate treat.

A photography exhibition designed to highlight iconic Lititz images will be held on the third floor at The Lititz Shirt Factory. The exhibit is open during Collusion Tap Works hours and is free to the public.

A special day has been planned for children on Presidents Day. “Monday (Feb. 21) will be the Winter Funderland, which will be kid-focused,” said Branle. She noted the event will close West Main Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “The Lancaster Science Factory’s interactive van will come and do fire and ice science fun,” said Branle, who added that the Lititz Fire Company will open part of its building to children in the case of extreme cold.

On Thursday, Feb. 24, from 2 to 6 p.m., a Farmer’s & Maker’s Market representing the talents of Lititz-area residents will be held at Brownstone Manor, 2 W. Orange St., Lititz.

Food truck courts will be set up on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, Feb. 19, 20, and 21, and on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 26 and 27.

To find more information about the event and purchase tickets for the preview party, readers may visit https://lititz pa.com/event/fire-ice-festival.