PINE GROVE - A beautiful winter Sunday afternoon had more than double last year's turnout for the second annual Fire & Ice winter festival Sweet Arrow Lake County Park as participants played on the frozen lake and ate warm food.
"That's what it's all about, enjoying the winter weather," Susan Long, event organizer and a representative of Diakon Living and Learning After 50, said Sunday afternoon. "We couldn't have asked for a better day. The sun brought everyone out."
The family event featured an open fire where people were able to cook hot dogs and marshmallows and make hot chocolate. There also was a chili cook-off. For $5, people were able to sample each of contestants' homemade chili and cast a vote for their favorite.
There were eight contestants for the cook-off this year, up from five last year.
"I think the weather has a lot to do with the turnout and they got the word out," Victoria Conner, Orwigsburg, said while serving "Mom's Famous Chili" with her 8-year-old daughter, Vivian. "I also think a lot of people came back because they had a lot of fun last year.
Conner was last year's winner of the chili cook-off.
"They are all very different and all very good," Conner said. "If you like chili, this is the place to be."
Robert Evanchalk, parks and recreation supervisor for Sweet Arrow Lake, said he was happy to see everyone enjoying the winter weather at the park.
"It's always hard to schedule events in the winter because of the weather, but it's a nice day, the roads are clear and we are pleased with the turnout," Evanchalk said. "We had a beautiful day."
Evanchalk demonstrated how to make homemade ice cream and served the cold treat for desert after people had their chili.
Splash the Clown provided entertainment at the event Sunday and people were also able to play outdoor miniature golf on the snow covered grass.
Evanchalk said it hasn't been a great season for ice skating, but that changed over the weekend as many people were out on the ice Sunday.
"The more people that enjoy the park the better we are," Evanchalk said. "Even in the dead of winter, we are open all year round. Most parks close in the winter, but we don't."
Alan Daubert, Pine Grove, said Sunday was the first day that he and his friends were able to play five-on-five ice hockey on the lake this year.
"It's the first time the lake actually froze so we are taking full advantage of it," he said.
Long said making the Fire & Ice fest an annual event was not the original plan, but after a turnout of about 100 people the first year it was decided to have another event. After this year's turnout more than doubled that of last year, Long said there definitely will be another Fire & Ice next year.
"We are ecstatic with the turnout, it was a little overwhelming," Long said. "I want to thank everyone for coming out and to tell them to get their chili ready for next year."