Playing with Fire and Ice

Due to popularity, organizers have limited the number of chili teams to 25 and the number of ice carvers to 18 this year. Staff will start closing off the village's main streets at 6 a.m on May , 2010 to accommodate the 5,000 to 6,000 people expected to turn up.

The Fire and Ice Festival is not just a community event—it's an experience.

There's the Fire...

Roger Griffiths, Chair of the Fire and Ice Committee, spoke frankly about the cook-off rules. Each entry, he said, should be made from an original recipe, and have its own particular flavour. "The chili teams produce a whole variety of tastes." But it's not good to "go too far out on the taste—licorice chili probably wouldn't sell to well... as long as they keep it fairly standard, but with a certain twist to it. Each team has to submit three samples to the judges... and the judges will taste those and award a prize for the best professional team." Amateur teams, made up of regular people, compete for a similar prize.

But those are only the official awards. Most people come to Fire and Ice for the People's Choice Award.

"There are ballots at every chili stand," Griffiths explained, "and the public goes around with their little cup to sample a ladleful from as many chili stands as they want. Then they put a ballot in a box—there's a number on each chili booth—and they put the number down and say, 'this is the best one'."

Each team must prepare 75 litres of chili ahead of time, and then freeze it. The Health Department monitors the Festival proceedings, as well as the chilis' temperatures. Some competitors, such as Thrifty Foods, have mobile kitchens, while others, such as some local restaurants, set up stands on their own front porches.

"We expect a very good turnout," Griffiths said. "Even last year, when the weather turned a little marginal about two-thirds of the way through the festival, we ended up selling more chili cups and had more people than even the year before."

... And the Ice

Ice-carvers, who set up in various places around the town, have two large blocks each to work with. Visitors can watch them shape the ice over the course of the Festival. Competitors were instructed to make sure to carve something people will recognize, and also to complete their creations on time, so the judges can give them proper evaluations.

Carvers compete for prizes: $750 for first place; $500 for second; $300 for third; and $150 for an Honourable Mention. Griffiths expects that all of the chili spots and the ice-carving slots will be filled by the time this Island Times reaches everyone's waiting hands.

Imagine the experience of touring around, chili in hand, and watching masterful ice sculptors work their magic. It's the best of both worlds: spicy hot chili and cool, innovative ice sculpting.

Hurry! There's even more waiting for you!

Organizers have plenty of live music lined up, with three stages around the Festival area, and two time slots per stage, for a total of six bands. The sets play from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and then from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Also, the Kids' Zone will feature face painting, story time, games, and more, so the younger generation will have as much fun as the grown-ups.

Organizers proudly informed the Island Times that 2010 is the year in which the Festival goes green, with styrofoam and plastic utensils replaced by non-toxic and compostable equivalents. Make sure to put biodegradable refuse and regular garbage in the different bins set out for them.

On the morning of the Festival day, the Qualicum Beach Royal Canadian Legion will host a pancake breakfast at 180 Veterans Way, off Memorial Ave. From 8:30 a.m. to noon, the Qualicum Beach Farmers' Market will operate along both those roads, so the width of Memorial will be reduced to one lane each way.

Griffiths said the town has lots of parking, but recommended other ways to get there than driving—the VIA Rail train leaves Victoria in the morning, goes through all the towns on the Island's eastern coast, and arrives in time for the event. Cycling, bussing, and carpooling are also recommended.

The Fire and Ice Festival began 17 years ago, when the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce and some local merchants and volunteers put their heads together to think of an event that would attract the attention of both locals and travellers. They settled on a theme of putting together fiery and icy things. Though it started out with partial private assistance, the last 10 years have seen it staffed entirely by volunteers. Everyone's just out to have and good time and put on a great show.

The organizers send out a big thank-you to the Town Council and staff of Qualicum Beach, as well as the merchant sponsors. Without their help and support, Fire and Ice would not be possible.

For more information check out www.fireandicestreetfestival.com. If you wish to volunteer, e-mail info@fireandicestreetfestival.com or call 250-752-2311 and ask for Walter.

This spectacular event comes only once a year. Don't miss it!