There was hot food, cool sculptures, meandering pirates and lively music.
And there was rain.
Although the weather could have been a bit less dreary for the 22nd annual Fire and Ice Street Festival on Saturday, there was no lack of smiles and enthusiasm from the crowds totalling 3,000-4,000 people in downtown Qualicum Beach.
The event expanded to include more than just chili this year, and there were hot drinks and food like chicken jambalaya and cool treats like frozen yogurt tubes.
Live entertainment continued through the rain, while people gathered to listen and dance.
Fire and Ice chair Jim Lynch said there were a couple of little hiccups, but the event turned out well.
“I think the street festival is a good thing and I think people like it,” said Lynch.
First place in the ice carving competition went to Delayne Corbett for his cannon, Peter Chiu won second place for his pirate and Johnny Woo won third for his sailboat. Honourable mention went to Aaron Grant.
For the chili teams, Giovannis/TD Bank won best professional, Eat out Guide won best amateur and the People’s Choice Award also went to Eat Out Guide.
Teams from Lefty’s/NR Insurance and Quality Foods earned honourable mentions in the People’s Choice awards.
Quality Foods won the award for best-decorated booth.
For more photos from the event, visit our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/PQBNews.
