Roaring chainsaws were the soundtrack for families strolling through sunny Downtown Greeley, passing booths and smelling caramel popcorn.
Feb. 7 was the fourth annual Freezy Daze, hosted in Downtown Greeley. The event promised buy-one-get-one deals for the local shops, live ice and wood carving and a petting zoo. It was held on Ninth Street.
Downtown Greeley hosted this event to highlight the businesses that create the community. For example, Aunt Helen’s Coffee House had buy-one-get-one-free deals on their lattes.
The main attraction of the event was the carving activities. Scott Clinebell, an ice equipment manufacturer, live sculpted a snowman with a chisel out of a massive chunk of ice. Opposite to him, a chainsaw roared on as Trevor Rogers, a custom wood carver, formed a tiki statue out of a block of wood.
Katie Clinebell, an equine marketer, business partner and spouse to Scott Clinebell, watched as her husband chiseled.
“We were hoping for some cold, freezy weather, but that’s alright. We’re still going to celebrate February and do all the fun cold-weather things like ice carving,” Clinebell said. “So, my husband is here carving up some ice, putting on a little show, making an adorable little snowman for the folks of Greeley.”
Scott Clinebell creates a snowman out of ice.
Families gathered around and watched the two statues take form. The consistent buzz of the chainsaw did not dissuade the crowd, who watched in awe.
Down the street from the carvers, the petting zoo was filled with laughter. Although some kids were apprehensive, many quickly found themselves enjoying the the creatures. There were goats, a small highland cow and donkeys.
A donkey in the petting zoo at Freezy Daze.
Across from the petting zoo were Girl Scouts selling cookies. The girls would giggle and exclaim, “Girl Scout cookies for sale!”
Booths lined the street, selling products like jewelry, clothing and hot cocoa.
“I think it just brings us all together. It reminds us that we’re all here in the same community," said Kyle Sanchez, a Greeley resident.
Sanchez and his daughter, Cora, had come out of the Ice Haus to be surprised by the bustling crowd that formed. Cora visited the petting zoo and received a temporary tattoo of an orange and purple glittery butterfly.
Downtown Greeley ensures the community feels connected by hosting events throughout the year. Friday Fest is another popular event that Greeley puts on.
“This is a place to get together to keep in contact with people that you don’t see very often,” said Donna Meyer from Evans.
Events like these allow Greeley community members to connect with each other.
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