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Festival of Ice features new vendors

22nd annual festival kicks off downtown with 25 new vendors

LEWISTOWN–New to the 22nd annual Festival of Ice this year are 25 new vendors. In addition, the Pour Tour, an envoy of alcohol from distilleries, breweries or wineries which each produce and sell in Mifflin and Juniata counties was in attendance.

Cheryl Glick, of Brookmere Winery, said festival goers 21 and over can buy individual servings, for consumption in the Festival Gift Emporium (the former Glick’s Shoe Store building,) or purchase items for gifts at the Pour Tour. A $25 ticket is also available for purchase, which will give the ticket holder a year long 10 percent discount of to-go beverages from each of the eight Pour Tour vendors.

Another local business, C.J. Clinger, sells one-of-a-kind designs, both jewelry and original artwork. Connie Clinger, who recently moved back to the area from North Carolina, makes all the items herself and wanted to participate in the festival to let people know she was back.

Adelphoi is a non-profit foster care and adoption agency. At the festival, kids had the chance to make reindeer candy canes at the agency’s vendor tent while adults could get information about the agency.

“We wanted to get the word out about what we do,” said Bonnie Boden, agency staff member. “We need good homes for kiddos out there.”

Animal rescue agency One Dog at a Time celebrated their five-year anniversary by participating in the festival for the first time. The agency assists animals in need by working within Pennsylvania Humane law and with other rescues, humane officers and police. ODAT, an all donation-sponsored, volunteer organization, investigates abuse and neglect, provides assistance to other rescues, renders resources for spay and neuter assistance, assists with rehoming responsibilities and supplies, promotes stronger humane laws and provides educational information.

More than 20 vendors were repeat participants, including Brookmere Winery, a participant since the first festival in 1996.

“We like to support local events,” Glick said. “It’s a cheery time of year … it brings the community together.”

This was the first year that Brookmere was stationed inside, however Glick said the traffic flow seemed similar to what had been in previous years. Glick said the festival has grown quite a bit.

“It’s been fun watching the growth,” Glick said.

Other activities included the Crazy Parade, which kicked the festival off at 6 p.m. and viewing the rooms of the McCoy House decked out by the Mifflin County Garden Club.

Patrons had the chance to watch sculptures come to life from blocks of ice. DiMartino Ice sculptors Robert Higardeda and Jared McAlister, from Jeanette, created life-size statues of a sleigh, a triceratops, Raggedy Ann and Mayor McCheese.

The festival continues tonight, with activities starting as early as 5 p.m. In addition to visiting the vendors, festival patrons can run or walk in the Chillin’ 4K, create Kid-Cast pictures for the Sentinel, go to the Mifflin County Model Railroad Club open house, take selfies with the ice sculptures, go on a hay ride, tour the McCoy House, attend a Family Painting Party or make crafts at St John’s Lutheran and enjoy a wide variety of entertainment including Caroling with Carol and Friends, The Hillbillies Square Dancers, the Tim & Duane Show, Studio 32 School of Dance, Moonlight Twirlers, Mifflin County High School Cantare Chamber Choir and the Big Band Sound.

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