WARSAW — Frigid weather with temperatures in the teens led to a sparse turnout for the February First Friday event held Friday, Feb. 2.

Rather than the typical February Fire and Ice theme held in recent years, event organizers switched things up this year with the Winter Food and Fest. Along with the traditional ice sculptures, this year’s First Friday event featured wood carvings and food samples.

Tickets were sold on the courthouse lawn for $1 each which allowed visitors to sample food from restaurants and other businesses. Signs were posted at the entrance of participating establishments.

Ice carvings were created by the Michiana Ice Carvers Association. MICA member Greg Beachey, New Paris, has been with the organization for approximately fifteen years. Beachey said he taught himself to carve ice.

“Most of us that carve ice are in the food service industry. When you’re a chef and you run banquets, you get tired of paying for the sculptures so you start figuring out how to do it yourself,” Beachey stated.

The event was put on by Warsaw Community Development Corporation and students from Grace College’s event management class.