Friday’s forecast of rain and warm weather is a dangerous combination for a Fire & Ice Festival favorite: ice sculptures.
“That they can carve that ice like that with all of the details, we love it. So does the grandkids,” said Betsy May, a Somerset resident.
May said nearly every year, the threat of bad weather is almost as much a tradition as the festival itself.
“The ice sculptures are always so beautiful, it’s just a shame that people come so far to look at these beautiful sculptures and they end up melting,” May said.
Angie Mostoller was born and raised in Somerset. She’s attended her share of festivals when the weather wasn’t ideal.
“I’m hoping that they’ll maybe wait and put the statues out later on because we’ve seen it happen where it rains and washed them away,” Mostoller said.
Rain or shine, there will be fire and ice at the festival this year. In addition to live music, food, shopping, bonfires and a model train display, there will be an outdoor ice skating rink.
Coughenour said if it’s too warm or rainy, festival workers will wait until Saturday to carve the ice sculptures because temperatures are expected to drop this weekend.
“We’re kind of waiting to see if it changes,” said Regina Coughenour, the executive director of Somerset Inc.
She’s optimistic that the fireworks show will happen Friday night, as planned.
“The odds, it seems, are very low that our fireworks show will be rained out,” Coughenour said.
No matter the weather, Coughenour said this year’s Winter Games-themed festival schedule is jam-packed.
“I think it’s something that people really love and look forward to. This year we’re expecting record numbers,” Coughenour said.
As for May, the forecast won’t keep her and her grandkids away from the festival, even if they are hoping the rain will hold out.
Festival organizers will make an announcement on their Facebook page on Friday afternoon to let everyone know if they’re going to postpone the fireworks or ice sculpture carving demonstrations.