Jack Lowrey of Penn Township takes a ride on an ice dragon at the 2020 Carved in Ice Festival last February at Diamond Park. This year's event has been canceled, though plans are in place to resume the event in February 2022.

The Butler AM Rotary Club announced Thursday that it is canceling its Carved in Ice Festival, originally scheduled for Feb. 19 and 20, because of concerns about attendance and limitations imposed by state and local officials as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Carved in Ice is the club's largest fundraiser annually for its Butler AM Rotary Charities.

Despite the cancellation, the group will continue to provide financial and other support throughout 2021 to the many local nonprofits serving children and their families in need.

In the past year, about $30,000 was donated to the community and other groups through its Charities Annual Giving Fund, and the Butler Memorial Park Playground equipment installation was completed.

AM Rotary's efforts this year will also benefit the First Responders Memorial at Alameda Park, for the county's first responders who lost their lives while on duty.

The Butler AM Rotary Club plans to resume its Carved in Ice event Feb. 11 and 12, 2022.

In the meantime, the club still will hold its 50/50 raffle with a virtual drawing Feb. 22. Tickets are available from any Butler AM Rotary member.

Tickets can also be purchased for $20 or multiples of $20 by mailing a check to Butler AM Rotary, P.O. Box 2434, Butler, PA 16003. Be sure to include your name, complete address and phone number. Mail requests must be received no later than Feb. 17.

Diehl Automotive was to be the event sponsor again, but instead donated $10,000 to the club to help fund its many charitable programs this year.