It’s all on ice at Frankfort festival

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Al Ramirez carves an ice sculpture during Ice Fest, part of the Winter on the Green series, in downtown Frankfort Sunday, January 8, 2012. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 10, 2012 8:45AM

Cups of hot chocolate, a crackling bonfire and Foreigner’s “Cold as Ice” welcomed people to the 17th annual Winter on the Green on Sunday in downtown Frankfort.

Despite the unseasonably warm weather, Winter on the Green managed to capture the essence of the season with Ice Fest, a free event that ran from 1 to 3 p.m.

About 300 residents and visitors helped kick off the first of six installments of the festival, which Sunday featured a live ice sculpting demonstration, Alaskan Malamute dogs available for sled rides and a heated trolley that took passengers through the downtown area.

Mark Finney, of Frankfort, brought along his 4-year-old son, Dylen, to experience the event for the first time.

“It’s a very nice set-up, and the sculptor is amazing,” Finney said. “The weather is unbelievable — it makes it even better because more people come out.”

The family-oriented festival strives to get people outdoors, something they may not get to do in the normally harsh winter months.

Mary Canino, manager of community relations for the village, said the event is all about people enjoying time out with their families.

“It promotes the downtown area, but it also gives people a chance to get out after the holidays,” she said. “They get to do something outdoors that doesn’t last all day.”

There were 23 ice sculptures featured in the event, most of them lining the streets of the downtown.

One sculpture was crafted on the spot in a live demonstration. Viewers watched as Al Ramirez, of Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures, carved a glistening fireplace out of a block of ice in just under 45 minutes.

Ramirez has been carving ice sculptures for more than three years and can create pretty much anything imaginable. Luckily the warmer weather didn’t hinder Ramirez’s ability to make magic out of the ice.

“It’s actually easier to carve when it’s warmer,” he said. “When it’s below zero out it’s like carving through concrete. If the ice is softer, it’s like cutting through butter.”

After Ramirez finished carving the fireplace with a chainsaw, he used an iron to smooth it out. The finishing touch took the help of five excited volunteers, who each got to place a red stocking across the top.

The Winter on the Green festivities will continue Sunday at 1 p.m., with a Winter Carnival that will include dancing, games and balloon animals.