Most of us are accustomed to fairs and festivals that are traditionally held each year in the early fall, but the Abingtons has contrived a dead-of-winter community event that has become a big draw to Clarks Summit.
    Since 2004, in February of each year, the Abington Business & Professionals Association (ABPA) has presented the annual ABPA Clarks Summit Festival of Ice. The event has become such a huge success that it has gained multi-state popularity as folks from near and far embrace the elements to visit Lackawanna County.
    Last year’s festival, complete with a renaissance theme, drew approximately 33,000 visitors who came to town to view 56 fabulous hand-carved ice sculptures and to enjoy all of the wonderful accoutrements that the Abingtons has to offer— entertainment, dining, and shopping among them.
    The 2009 Festival of Ice featured the event’s first parade through Clarks Summit, with the Society for Creative Anachronism Middle Age Re-enactors on horseback, local marching bands, and fire companies. Immediately following the parade, spectators were treated to a Family Fun Faire at the Clarks Summit Borough Building, which featured food and refreshments, children’s crafts, storytelling sessions, and live performances. Additional new features included the sale of Festival of Ice merchandise, horse-and-carriage rides, and Ice Wine tastings.
    Much time and energy is expended to put forth such an event.
    “I think the biggest challenge in putting the event together every year is help. Since this is a nonprofit event, run by a nonprofit organization, it is run by volunteers. Therefore, getting enough people to do certain jobs is always an issue, but everything always comes together in the end,” said ABPA Executive Director Laura Ancherani.
    How did the idea of an ice festival come about?
    “The event started back in 2004 after a few of the local business women saw some ice sculptures, and the sculptors making them, at a similar event,” Ancherani said. “They were very interested in bringing the arts to the community and in helping to promote the local businesses at the same time.
    They proposed the idea of having a festival for the ice where people could come and see sculptures being carved on the spot, as well as shop at the local businesses and eat at the local restaurants.”
    “The first year the idea was put into action,” she added. “I believe they had 10 sculptures and last year we had 56, so it has certainly grown since its inception.”
    The ABPA’s involvement appears a natural fit. Partnering between the business association and local businesses in the promotion of this five-day event provides a win-win outcome for Clarks Summit and the Abingtons. The cost to present an event of this magnitude today, however, can be overwhelming.
    “The festival is a community event,” Ancherani said. “This is our way to give back to the community and local businesses. The festival does not make a profit, but it certainly helps the town out each year.”
    “Sponsorship information is sent out to all ABPA members, as well as non-members local to the community,” she said. “We are always looking for sponsors. This is not an easy event to cover costs for, and as the festival grows each year, we look to add more activities and entertainment, which in turn makes the costs rise even more.”
    In the end, everyone is happy. The ABPA has been successful in promoting local businesses, and those who visit Clarks Summit during those glorious five days each year are made aware of all that the Abingtons have to offer– an icy cold treat for the senses.
    This year, the 6th Annual ABPA Festival of Ice will feature the theme Ice Under the Big Top and will take place February 11-15, 2010. Live ice carvings will take place Thursday evening through Saturday. The event will kick off with a parade on Thursday, at 6:45 p.m., to  “welcome the ice” to Clarks Summit. Immediately following the parade, Family Fun Faire will take place at the Clarks Summit Borough Building. Live music will be featured Friday through Sunday.
    “Visitors to Clarks Summit will see clowns stroll the streets, games and children’s events, live music, and of course, ice carving throughout the entire weekend,” Ancherani concluded.  “And, each sculpture will represent something one would see during a visit to the circus.”
    For more information about the ABPA Festival of Ice, visit www.theabingtons.org/CSFestivalofIce.

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