The stage is officially set for tonight’s Fire and Ice event. (Photo by Jarrett Van Meter)

The ice is unloaded and the artistic expression is in full swing in downtown Warsaw. This year, the Michiana Ice Carvers hauled in 11,400 pounds of ice to expertly craft 31 sculptures.

The Dane and Mary Louise Miller Foundation will provide the centerpiece for the event, with other downtown businesses like Lake City Bank, Deb Collier’s School of Dance, Reinholt’s Furniture, Alignlife, Penguin Point, First Source Bank, One Ten Meatery, B-Macs on Buffalo, Theresa Bakehorn Group, Indiana Lakes and Streams, Bobcat of Warsaw and many others providing sculptures of their own. While First Friday doesn’t start until 5 p.m., the carving began at 10 a.m. today.

This year the over-arcing First Friday theme is “Bike into the Bicentennial – Focus on Youth.” Similar to the well-received Walk-N-Wander statues that decorated downtown Warsaw last summer, organizers plan to install decorated, weather-proof bikes in planters around town.

Fire and Ice will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. today. For further information on tonight’s festivities, see Fire and Ice First Friday Tonight In Warsaw.