The 2015 season of First Friday in downtown Warsaw commenced last night with the spectacular Fire and Ice.

The Michiana Ice Carvers started carving more than 10,000 pounds of ice at 10 a.m. on Friday. Throughout the day, blocks of ice transformed into magnificent sculptures.

By the time the event started at 5 p.m., statues were in place along the sidewalks of downtown Warsaw. Despite below freezing temperatures, throngs of people attended the event.

Again, the Dane and Mary Louise Miller Foundation will provide the centerpiece for the event: a massive replica of an artificial hip. Other downtown businesses like Lake City Bank, Deb Collier’s School of Dance, Reinholt’s Furniture, Alignlife, Penguin Point, First Source Bank, One Ten Meatery, B-Macs on Buffalo, Theresa Bakehorn Group, Indiana Lakes and Streams, Bobcat of Warsaw and many others providing sculptures of their own.

Additionally, the local 4-H hosted a chili cook off at the Annex. The Bailey Moore collection was on display at Latte Lounge. Hot chocolate, kettle corn and other treats were available throughout downtown. A fire pit was set up in the intersection of Buffalo Street and Center Street so folks could warm their bones when they weren’t marveling at the ice sculptures.

Many more First Friday events will come to downtown Warsaw throughout 2015. This year’s theme is “Bike into the Bicentennial – Focus on Youth.” First Friday organizers are still looking for individual themes for later First Friday celebrations. Some tentative themes for the 2015 season are “Speak Your Mind” for March, “Movie on the Lawn” for April and “Musical May.” Contact Paula Bowman at (574) 376-0233 or [email protected].

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