Winterfest kicks off Holiday Season in downtown Mishawaka

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in downtown Mishawaka as the annual Winterfest celebration takes over Ironworks Plaza.

The event, which officially opened the skating rink for the season, brought together the community for a festive celebration.

This year’s event featured a parade, live performances, and a lineup of local vendors, drawing large crowds despite the chilly temperatures.

For many, Winterfest is a long-standing tradition.

"I’ve been coming to Winterfest just as a family and a friend my whole life in South Bend,” said Jon Saunders, Merchandise Assistant with the South Bend Cubs. “It really brings the community together. The vendors, being able to see those small businesses come out, it’s just that face-to-face interaction with our community. It really means a lot to all of us."

In between shopping at vendor stalls and grabbing a bite from local food trucks, families watched as ice sculptures came to life.

"I’m gonna work on Baby Yoda, with some candy canes,” said Danny Bloss. “Just dress warm and have a nice time."

Danny Bloss, a long-time attendee of Winterfest, has been creating ice sculptures for over 20 years. He looks forward creating sculptures for the event every year.

The rink at Ironworks Plaza will remain open for skating through early March.