Our Local Ice Festival 2012

Our town managed to pull off their annual Ice Festival even though it has been a considerably warm winter! It is a weekend in which ice sculptors come from all over to demonstrate their creative skills.  There is a competition in which the sculptors can win ribbons too. Many of the sculptors had to contend with the warm sun and some even shaded their sculptures with cardboard at certain points!  Thankfully it was colder by Sunday and most of the sculptures held together,  but by Monday there were 40 degree temperatures and sun by the afternoon.  Some of the sculptures were starting to form icicles on them because of the melting ice and dripping!  I just wanted to share some of the AWESOME sculptures that were created considering the warmer temperatures.

It was definitely a great experience to see the ice sculptors at work.  C was fascinated with the variety of tools the artists were using: chain saws, sanders, brushes, and more!

Here is just a sampling of some of the sculptures!  A flying squirrel!

A fish that won a blue ribbon.  Whenever we have gone to art shows C is fascinated with the ribbons.  I try to explain to her that judges pick which ones win! I asked her which Ice sculptures she liked best and she said, "The ones with the ribbons!"

A bee which is our HS mascot! 

A seahorse...which was another ribbon winner.

Not sure if this is Praying Mantis or what? It looks to be part something else.

Ironically, I got a shot of the moon sculpture at night!

The poor Moon sculpture fell over by Sunday morning! Unfortunately, this was a common sight at this years festival!

There were many more sculptures.  We enjoyed the festival and it was a great learning experience for C to watch how the sculptures were made!  Hopefully next year will be colder for the Ice Festival!

Do you have a Winter or Ice Festival where you live?

How has the weather been in your neck of the woods?