GENEVA – While the Olympic torch was burning half a world away, another kind of flame was being lit on Friday, Feb. 6, in Geneva.
People gathered at Rotary Pavilion for the “Fire and Ice” event in the evening to kick off Geneva Winterfest the next day.
Inside a roughly six-foot tower of ice blocks, a fire was lit, creating a mesmerizing glow in the bitter cold.
It was a chilly contrast to the last time the Fire and Ice event took place back in 2023.
“It was 50-some degrees, and everything was melting before we could even set it on fire,” City of Geneva Recreation Coordinator Myke Dowd recalled of the 2023 event, with a laugh. “You never know what you’re going to get with Winterfest.”
But this year’s Winterfest wintry weather was ideal – though on the frigid side.
“It’s super-cold, hence the word, ‘winter,’ but it’s still going to be awesome to set it on fire and watch it glow,” Dowd commented of the tower.
According to Dowd, there were eight sponsors this year, which had their names carved on the blocks. Each block had one name.
“They did a fantastic job,” Dowd said of Ice Art, the company that built the tower earlier in the day.
Dowd thought the Fire and Ice event was a great way to kick off Winterfest. She couldn’t wait to see the fire started inside the tower.
One of the ice blocks was in memory of “Mr. Geneva,” the late Jim Santiago, who formerly served as president of the Geneva Business Association, which puts on Winterfest with the city. Tony Capo (Sr.) paid for the block for Santiago.
Dowd said it was special to have Santiago remembered that way.
“He was involved in a lot of stuff,” she said.
Santiago’s wife, Tami, was emotionally moved by the ice block in her late husband’s memory. She thought he would have been humbled by it.
She said Jim Santiago really enjoyed the Fire and Ice event.
“He really did,” she commented, noting it was special to him. She said he was “all about Geneva.”
The inscription had a message that Geneva “lost a true friend” when Jim Santiago passed away in 2023.
The City of Geneva Fire Department lit the fire in the tower.
Fire Chief David Shook was on hand with the firefighters, who worked to get the fire going.
As the fire grew and the tower began to glow, people gathered around to see the spectacle.
One spectator, Hannah Weaver, showed up with her two young children, Easton and Everleigh.
“It’s pretty cool,” she said, noting they enjoyed seeing the tower for the first time. “They liked it.”
Last year’s Miss Winterfest, Brooklyn Wesley, was among those on hand.
“I think it’s really cool,” she said. “I’m glad they brought it back. It’s very exciting.”
She performed with fire batons at the event, lighting up the night.
Another member of the Winterfest royalty, 2026 Young Miss Winterfest Leslie Kirby, attended with her mom, Amber.
“It’s pretty neat, it’s pretty awesome to see,” Amber said.
Leslie, meanwhile, was cold like everyone else.
“I’m frozen right now,” she commented.
The 2026 Miss Winterfest, Natalie Vance, made her big entrance after freshly winning the title.
“It’s really cool,” she said of the glowing tower.
