Mohican Winterfest is Jan. 13 in Loudonville
Aaron Costic’s ice-carving crew from Elegant Ice will return this year to amaze and inspire visitors to the annual Mohican Winterfest in Loudonville on Jan. 13. Whether it’s 60 F or sub-zero, the show will go on, and the ice carvings will be a big part of the festivities.
Ohio’s wintry weather may be unpredictable, but in downtown Loudonville, an icy extravaganza is in the forecast. Come rain or shine, the annual Mohican Winterfest is set for Saturday, Jan. 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the heart of town.
The fun centers around Olympic ice carvings by Elegant Ice Creations of Cleveland. Purchased by area businesses, over 30 sculptures will be on display on Main Street. Each will showcase a different design, some as business-related props and logos, themed characters and more.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Elegant Ice Creations will give ice-sculpting demonstrations on the outdoor stage at Central Park. The team will carve something new every hour.
“I look forward to seeing the live carvings,” said Valerie Spreng, executive director of Loudonville Chamber of Commerce. “I think it’s fun to watch them do their magic. It’s not something everyone can do.”
Sculptures will be on display until Mother Nature decides to take them down, and setup also will depend on the weather. Carvings are usually set up Saturday at 10 a.m. or Friday evening if chillier temps are forecasted.
“It all depends on how the weather cooperates with us,” Spreng said.
In addition to the ice carvings, attendees can enjoy downtown’s vintage and newer snowmobile show, Cleo Redd Fisher Museum tours, American Legion riders sponsored poker walk, and plenty of food vendors.
The Dave Sheaffer Annual Train Expo will be on display in the Fair Building on Water Street. In memory of Sheaffer’s longtime efforts, the expo will be open Jan. 12 from 4-7 p.m., Jan. 13 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Jan. 14 from noon to 4 p.m.
Local downtown stores also will be open for festival-goers to shop. Some will have specials including Buzzard's Family Shoe Store, which will offer 10% off storewide, and Loudonville Farmers Equity Co. with 10% off bagged feed.
The evening will conclude with the return of the Snow Ball dance at the American Legion Post 257 on Water Street. Free to attend, the dance will be from 7-10 p.m. and will include a disc jockey, snacks and 50/50 raffle prizes. This will be the dance’s first year back since COVID, Spreng said.
Attendees are a mix of locals and visitors from all over, Spreng said. Some even come and spend the night to get a full day in, she said.
“(The sculptures are) just very neat to see if you haven’t seen them and the demonstrations,” Spreng said.
The weekend’s festivities are sponsored by the Loudonville Chamber of Commerce. For more information visit www.loudonvillechamber.com.