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CLARKS SUMMIT \u2014 The Abington Business & Professional Association (ABPA) will show the American spirit in Clarks Summit with its 22nd annual Clarks Summit Festival of Ice, Friday, Jan. 30, through Sunday, Feb. 1. A big milestone will be commemorated \u2014 our nation\u2019s Semiquincentennial \u2014 with this year\u2019s theme of \u201cThe American Dream: Carved in Ice, Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom and Spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Local artist Darlene Milas painted many windows of downtown shops and restaurants with patriotic imagery depicting America\u2019s beauty and history. The festival will feature around 40 ice sculptures, which will represent what has made America a great nation for the past 250 years. Some of these sculptures will be carved live by professional sculptors from Sculpted Ice Works during the weekend. The carvings will coincide with sales and specials of some of the boutiques, restaurants, and other nearby local businesses.<\/p>\n
ABPA member Jessica Colvin\u2019s store, Pure Suds Co., will sponsor an ice sculpture of a teddy bear, named for America\u2019s 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt. Her merchandise will include bath bombs with toy teddy bears inside them. Celebrating America\u2019s space exploration, an ice sculpture of the moon landing will be placed outside Colvin\u2019s other store, The Crystal Conclusion, located in the same building. The interior will be filled with space artifacts and possibly a moon rock.<\/p>\n
An ice sculpture of Elvis Presley will be outside the shop Parabello. Customers will be greeted with his music playing inside the store. There will be photo opportunities with memorabilia centered around The King.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ice festival reminds us how special it is to live and shop in a town that supports its local business,\u201d said Milena DelVecchio, owner of Parabello, and an ABPA member.<\/p>\n
One of the event\u2019s sponsors, Everything Natural, will have a national park theme in store. Outside, it will also have an ice sculpture of the national bird, the bald eagle.<\/p>\n
The ABPA put together a scavenger hunt called The American Dream\u2019s Discovery Trail. People can get their brochure stamped at nine downtown locations. They will have the option of visiting Cafe No. 27, which is located outside the downtown area, for a stamp. The final location of the scavenger hunt will be The Gathering Place, where people can hand in their brochures.<\/p>\n
The Gathering Place will take a bite of The Big Apple. It will have a cutout of the New York skyline, providing a photo op. It will also be centered around the Statue of Liberty. An ice sculpture of her will be made outside the building. Inside, a video will reveal the architecture of Lady Liberty. Kids will make crafts, including crowns, torches, bracelets, and keychains.<\/p>\n
American foods will be offered at minimal prices, including Coney Island hot dogs, roasted nuts, bagels, meatballs on sticks, and pickles sticks. Beverages will include Johnny Appleseed hot cider, coffee, and tea. Clarks Summit Borough Council President Gerrie Carey will make homemade chicken noodle soup with chicken donated by Joe Fasula, owner of Gerrity\u2019s Supermarkets. The proceeds from the soup will raise funds for Clarks Summit\u2019s Christmas lights.<\/p>\n
Food trucks will also be around town to provide sustenance.<\/p>\n
Local restaurants will have American Dream-themed treats for the festival. It will be called \u201cRestuarant Alley.\u201d New owner of The Nyx, Mike O\u2019Neil, will offer a donut shop inside his restaurant on Depot Street. Other participating restaurants will include State Street Grill, Armetta\u2019s Restaurant & Pizza, and Rosario\u2019s Pizzeria.<\/p>\n
Volunteers will roam the streets dressed as American icons such as Uncle Sam and Rosie the Riveter. Costumes will be provided by Taney\u2019s Costume Shop. Brookvalley Farms will provide carriage rides around town. There will also be complimentary train rides for children. DJ Frankie Carll will provide live entertainment at two locations \u2014 Spring Street and near Stately Pet Supply \u2014 on both Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n
A tribute of ice<\/p>\n
Near the clock on Depot Street, an ice sculpture called \u201cAngel Wings of Freedom\u201d will serve as a memorial dedicated to the late Mark Crouthamel, who was the owner of Sculpted Ice Works. He was an ice sculptor for the festival for 20 years.<\/p>\n