Steaming cups of chili, professionally carved ice sculptures, first rate entertainment, a kid zone and dancing in the street, these are just a few of the things residents can enjoy at the 19th annual Fire and Ice Street Festival in Qualicum Beach this weekend.
New this year Inuit storyteller Michael Kusugak will be entertaining from noon until 2 p.m. at the Memorial Ave. clock.
Local renowned potter Larry Aguilar will make handcrafted plaques for the chili winners, professional chefs and ice sculptors will be judging the chili and carvings, and local businesses will decorate their windows for the event.
Chair of the Fire and Ice Committee Roger Griffiths said this year may have garnered the most volunteers the event has seen, as well as fantastic support from businesses for this popular family event.
“All sorts of companies and local business from Parksville to Qualicum have really stepped up to support us with a variety of things,” he said.
The Kid Zone will be a flurry of activity with face paints, story time, games and activities. Entertainment includes country music, folk and world music with bands like Double R Barr, Sean Hogan, Rodrigo Figueroa, Kumbana Marimba and the Arrowsmith Pipe Band.
There will be up to 18 ice carvers at various locations throughout town and 25 teams will compete for the best tasting chili around, feeding festival-goers samples for a one-time cup purchase of $3.
Watch for the Hot off the Press chili team from The News.
It all happens this Saturday, May 7 from 11 to 3 p.m. in downtown Qualicum Beach.
For more information visit www.fireandicestreetfestival.com or call 250-752-9081.
reporter@pqbnews.com