In its 29th year in uptown Somerset the Fire and Ice Festival is battling some challenges from the weather.
Organizers said on Friday, the first day of the festival, fireworks had to be cancelled. On Saturday with high winds and snow falling, organizers said the festival is made for this weather.
“We take this weather as a blessing because we live in the mountains, and we are just going to enjoy our season,” community engagement director for Somerset Inc. Kelley Duppstadt said. “Even though you have to put an extra layer on, we’re dealing with it and just happy to be able to be outside and having a great day.”
Some of the attendees of the event agree.
“Outside it's wonderful. I'm having fun coming up and seeing the ice sculptures. I have my camera taking pictures of them. I enjoy coming to this festival every year. The only thing is I don't like the cold temperatures. The wind can go away,” Crystal Bailey said.
One of the many small shop owners said the weather brought the mood down on Friday, but not Saturday.
“Every time you turn around it's a different season outside. It could be raining, snowing, freezing rain. It's normal,” Erika Taylor said. “I think it's the perfect weather for people to come out and visit all the shops that are indoors and eat the hot food that's outside.”
For those braving the cold there's activities like an ice slide, horse-drawn carriage rides, and of course, the fires and the ice sculptures.
Sunday is the final day of this year’s Fire and Ice Festival.
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