Butler AM Rotary Carved in Ice Festival: A Winter Weekend Recap
As an event planner located in Butler, I’m excited to share the success of the recent Butler AM Rotary Carved in Ice festival, a free event that brought a weekend of winter fun for the entire family! Held in Diamond Park and Main Street, right across from the Court House, the festival featured spectacular ice sculptures, live entertainment, delicious food, and exciting activities, all to benefit nonprofits in the Butler, PA area.
Friday Night: Lights on the Ice
The weekend kicked off with "Lights on the Ice," sponsored by NexTier Bank. The festivities ran from 5 PM to 8 PM, transforming Diamond Park into a magical winter wonderland. Here’s a look back at the highlights:
- Lights: The sparkling illumination set the ice aglow, creating a festive atmosphere perfect for photos.
- Camera: Attendees brought their cameras and phones to capture the incredible ice sculptures as they came to life.
- Action: Talented carvers from DiMartino Ice skillfully created amazing art out of ice right before our eyes.
Visitors indulged in adult beverages from Bon Aire Beer and Anna Marie’s Winery and Cafe. Attendees savored a variety of cuisine from local food trucks and also enjoyed entertainment from Cabaret Karaoke and DJ throughout the evening.
Saturday: Family Fun Day
Saturday was all about family fun, with activities kicking off at 11 AM and wrapping up at 4 PM. There was something for everyone, from kids to adults:
- Live Ice Carvings and Ice Slide: Visitors watched live ice carvings and kids enjoyed the popular ice slide in Diamond Park.
- Music and Food Trucks: Attendees grooved to music and sampled tasty treats from a variety of food trucks.
- Annual Chili Cook-Off and Sweets Competition: The Butler Art Center hosted the annual chili cook-off, basket auction, and a new sweets competition.
- Hot Dog Eating Contest: Contestants were cheered on at the Sons and Daughters of Italy, with hot dogs and buns provided by the Butler Hot Dog Shoppe.
- 50-50 Drawing: The 50-50 drawing in front of the courthouse offered a chance to win big.
- Kids' Activities: Balloon artists, airbrush tattoos, a scavenger hunt, and the New York Life Child ID program at the Holly Pointe Building kept kids entertained.
Main Street was buzzing with fun activities:
- Tractor Rides and Petting Zoo: Free tractor rides and visits with miniature horses and donkeys delighted visitors.
- Character Appearances and First Responder Vehicles: Favorite characters, first responder vehicles, and the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile were crowd favorites.
- Local Alcohol Vendors: Attendees sampled offerings from local wineries, breweries, and distilleries.
The Butler AM Rotary is immensely grateful to Diehl Toyota for being the presenting sponsor for the 8th consecutive year, and to all our local businesses and sponsors for their generous support.
The Butler AM Rotary Carved in Ice festival was a fantastic winter event. Whether people were looking for family activities, delicious food, or spectacular ice art, the festival had it all. We can’t wait to see everyone again next year!