Ice Fest!

Hamilton, Ohio - Whether you're a fan of the cold weather or not, Hamilton is throwing a party this month to celebrate everything and anything that's cold.

Ice Fest is making a comeback to the Butler County seat on Jan. 21 and Jan. 22 for the first time in three years.

Ice Fest is typically every two years, but organizers said the economic recession forced them to postpone the event until 2011. Ice Fest from 2010 to 2011. Organizers said this year's event will have all the sponsors they need to make the two-day celebration a big success for downtown Hamilton.

Ice Fest 2011 will bring in more than 40 tons of ice to create over 200 sculptures that will adorn High Street from the Government Services Center and Courthouse at Martin Luther King Boulevard to First Street on the other side of the High Street Bridge.

Plans for the free event include champion ice sculptors as well as many cold weather events. As daylight gives way to the night on Friday and Saturday night, many of the ice sculptures will be lit from to create a dazzling display for families walking along High Street.

Already, Ice Fest organizers said word of the event has brought in interest from around the country, including tour groups from Canada who are heading south but decided to spend a night in Hamilton to let their customers take part in Ice Fest.

Cincinnati ice sculptor Brady Lantz displayed his ice carving prowess on Thursday by turning a huge five foot tall block of ice into the logo for the Miami University-Hamilton Harriers, complete with an eagle's head.