Not quite ready to kiss Franklin on Ice goodbye

It will have to go quite some distance to beat the record, but the remnants of the February 6 winter festival, Franklin on Ice, are holding on due to the recent cold snap. According to Ronnie Beith, the annual coordinator, one year the area experienced such a cold snap they were able to keep the sculptures up for five whole weeks. 
This year, 10 days in, there are still many still standing.

This boded well for Elizabeth Ulrich couldn't make it home for the festival this year. The Butler native who now lives in Atlanta, said she often attended the festival growing up. Today she got a chance to see what was still standing and as an added bonus got to give a kiss to the Unicorn Dragon near the fountain.

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The city officials keep an eye on the sculptures and test them daily to be sure they are still safe. Though it has been cold, days with sun can weaken the sculptures. Scott Mook, who has worked for the city for over a dozen years said if there is any weakness he knocks the sculptures down. "I'd hate to see a little kid get hurt," he said. 

The concern with the big sculptures is they are quite heavy, Mook indicated. But the danger of little kids climbing on even with the smaller ones is a concern. So Mook had to knock a few down Monday due to structural issues.

For now however, a few pieces remain for folks to enjoy during the cold spell. Beith said she doesn't think of it as being cold, she thinks of it as "Franklin on Ice extended."