The finished ice replica, complete with a torch is lit.

WARSAW — Temperatures just below freezing didn’t keep hundreds from converging downtown Warsaw tonight, Friday, Feb. 5. They were there to kick off this year’s First Fridays celebrating the state’s bicentennial. This year’s theme for First Friday is “decades of change,” and what better way to start off the celebration with the fifth annual “Fire and Ice” celebration.

This year there are 21 ice carvings ranging from representation of the company/organization or school sponsoring the carving to the unique and detailed. The centerpiece is an ice replica of the torch found on the Indiana state flag, which has become the bicentennial symbol for the celebration. The carving featured a torch, which was lit upon completion of the replica.

While the lighting of the torch was the first highlight of the evening, the second was the presentation by the Pyroscope fire spinners lighting up the stage. This group of fire lovers, out of Fort Wayne, dazzled the crowd with their unique style of pyromania.

There was plenty of hot chocolate, coffee, nachos and kettle cooked popcorn to enjoy.

If you didn’t get a chance to see the carvings tonight, make sure to see the carvings this weekend before the projected above freezing temperatures melt away the creations.