We also are very excited to have the Pyroscope fire spinners lighting up center stage. They are a talented group of fire lovers out of Fort Wayne who will dazzle us with their unique style of pyromania. They will perform at 7 p.m., 7:39 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the corner of Center Street and Buffalo Street.

Our centerpiece this year will be an ice replica of the torch found on the Indiana state flag. It has become the bicentennial symbol for the birthday celebration. We will be lighting it at approximately 7 p.m., depending on when the carvers finish it.

We have had an 8-foot, lit, metal replica of the torch created to symbolize our state pride and it is available for purchase for your home, business or organization for $500.

Each of the next First Fridays will focus on a different decade or decades from the past 200 years. March will be a tribute to Thaddeus Kosciusko, so get your Polish on.

There are all kinds of exciting things happening at First Friday and the other local festivals. We are looking for gentleman teams to play vintage baseball this summer and finishing up with a tourney on the bicentennial weekend, Sept. 29-Oct. 1.

We are having a beard contest, so it’s time to start things growing.

There will be a quilt shot, antique tractor show, a parade, a concert, fireworks and so much more. We are also looking for sponsor groups to help with different events. If you are interested in sponsoring, helping organize or just have any ideas as to things you would like to see, contact the bicentennial committee via Facebook, via email at Diane@[email protected] or by phone at (574) 376-0233 and ask for Paula or (574) 376-0193 and ask for Mike.

Come join us in downtown Warsaw for hot chocolate and smores while the carvers work their magic and make downtown sparkle during First Friday’s Fire and Ice from 5-9 p.m. Friday night, Feb. 5, in downtown Warsaw.