First-ever Scranton Ice Festival debuts downtown on Feb. 5-7
From a press release:
In the hopes of bringing visitors to downtown Scranton to support small businesses during a difficult year and historically slow retail month, a planning committee has formed to host the inaugural Scranton Ice Festival, led by a small grassroots group of community-minded volunteers in partnership with First Friday Scranton, Scranton Tomorrow, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and the Scranton Area Community Foundation.
Set for Friday, Feb. 5 through Sunday, Feb. 7, the Scranton Ice Festival will feature a number of ice sculptures in front of downtown businesses, including various locations on Adams Avenue, North Washington Avenue, Penn Avenue, Linden Street, and Wyoming Avenue. Family-friendly activities are also planned, including ice sculpting demonstrations, musical acts, and more that coincide with the monthly First Friday art walk.
This free and largely outdoor festival will be an opportunity for the community to safely patronize local businesses and generate charitable support for the Scranton Small Business Relief Fund at the Scranton Area Community Foundation, which will help small business owners and employees experiencing hardship during the coronavirus pandemic. Any and all remaining proceeds from this nonprofit event and its sponsorships will go towards this charitable fund. Contributions will be tax-deductible.
Small businesses can sign up to participate in this new festival here. The form must be completed by Wednesday, Jan. 20. Those interested in getting involved in other ways can email scrantonicefest@gmail.com.
“The Scranton Small Business Relief Fund at the Scranton Area Community Foundation was established by community members who really want to make a difference in the lives of small business owners and employees experiencing hardship during the coronavirus pandemic,” Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO Laura Ducceschi stated.
“The Scranton Ice Festival aims to be a novel charitable event to bring the community together safely during these challenging times while bringing awareness to the small businesses in the area.”
“We want to encourage everyone to use this upcoming First Friday event to show the small business people of downtown Scranton – your friends and neighbors – that you support them during these challenging times,” added Robert Durkin, president of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.
The first Scranton Ice Festival follows the example of the Clarks Summit Festival of Ice, which is set to host its 17th annual event on Friday, Feb. 12 through Sunday, Feb. 14. Each year has a theme, and this year has been named “Hometown Heroes on Ice” to honor those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and “key members of our community, such as firefighters, policemen, doctors and nurses, grocery store clerks, truck drivers, and other walks of life that continue to sacrifice on the daily through this difficult time.” More information is available at theabingtons.org.
