Folks in Lackawanna County didn’t let the wet weather bother them.
Families turned out on the streets of Clarks Summit for the kick-off of the eighth Annual Ice Festival Thursday night.
However they will have to wait one more day to see all those famous ice sculptures.
Despite the snowy weather, organizers said it was still too warm to put those ice sculptures out tonight.
The parade was a familiar sight coming down State Street in Clarks Summit and an annual staple of the winter season.
The annual Clarks Summit Festival of Ice kicked off Thursday night, drawing at a crowd of onlookers.
“I think it’s great,” said John Vito of North Abington. “It’s a great night out. It’s something special for the winter time. I mean, when is there ever a parade in the evening? So it’s really a nice thing for the town also.”
“Get my kids out to see the fire trucks and just usher in the winter festival,” said Eric Smith of Dalton.
This year’s theme was the Olympic Games and floats represented that time-honored competition.
An Olympic torch was even part of the procession, which it was used to ceremoniously light one ice sculpture.
Lloyd Lamm, the regional president of First National Bank and the presenting sponsor of the festival, got to carry the torch.
“This is an honor,” said Lamm. “It really is a pleasure.”
Inside the borough building, “Family Fun Faire Night” was in full swing and provided dozens of youngsters with an evening of thrills.
Face painting, flag decorating; kids were even making their own Olympic medals.
“You eat popcorn and I made my own medal. Look!” yelled five-year-old Jacob Smith.
Many said it was watching the kids have fun that made the night.
“That’s the best part about it. They enjoy it,” said Rich Zackoski of Scranton.
“Oh it’s wonderful. It’s a lot of fun,” said Marie Dearie of Clarks Summit. “Even in this bad weather, you still have fun.”
While the weather was wet and wintery, organizers said it was still too warm to put all the 49 ice sculptures out on display.
Those will go on display Friday, giving fans something to look forward to.
“The ice sculptures coming up!” said seven-year-old Nicholas Vito. “I really want to see those.”
