ICE FESTIVAL--

Loudonville's Main Street was awash in the sparkles of ice statues that weekend.

There was a hand carved ice eagle in front of the Eagle's Lodge.

And a diamond-like replica of the log cabin in front of the town's cabin on the square.

And, a glittering and very wise owl in front of...well, the library of course.

They were part of a menangerie of 31 chilly creations frolicing about town for it's 4th annual Ice Festival.

The folks at the Chamber of Commerce picked a good weekend for that celebration. Overnight temperatures had flirted with 20 below zero and thoroughly bundled folks enjoyed the show in light snow, a brisk wind and noon day temps in the teens.

Aaron Costic from his firm Elegant Ice Creations Inc., up near Cleveland delighted the crowd with an hourly demonstration, using a magical chain saw and a host of other ice surgery tools to transform multiple hundred pound blocks of ice into jewels that would have made Paul Bunyon proud.

Costic and his helper whittled with enthusiasm each hour. He was even more enthusiastic when he told of zipping down to Loudonville often during summer weekends for the more leisurely enjoyment of being in the rolling, vacation-land's country setting.

Believe it or not, they stay busy with ice carving year-round. After the winter festivals there come spring and summer holidays, and proms and weddings, and corporate celebrations. Then there are loads of fancy private parties that need garnished, and fancy restaurants to attend to and soon the icy holidays arrive, then, its festival season once more.

Chamber officials opined 1,000 visitors to their nifty village festival would be nice. I made no effort to count the folks on Main St. My glasses were chattering. But, it certainly was busier than downtown Mansfield on most any business day.

After a discussion about the weekend's abusive but welcomed, Arctic weather, I suggested to Jeanne Leckrone, office manager of the Chamber they consider having next year's ice carnival in a more temperate month like, say, June.

She smiled, conspiratorily, but we agreed the logistics of enjoying ice carving that month would be challenging.

If you have never been to their event, do yourself a favor. Ask Santa for some electric long-johns, the 220 volt variety, and watch for next year's schedule here. In January!