2020 Ice Carving Championships

 It is the time of the year again when people come from all over the world to create award winning ice sculptures.  People came from China, Monaco, Russia, Iceland, Ireland, and so many other places.

Competitors are giving a specific amount of time to create their finished product but it depends on how many blocks, how complex the design is, and a couple of other things.  A sculpture that involves one block of ice is given three days to finish.

Judges usually come in after 9 PM to judge each sculpture using only white light.  The colored lights that make the sculptures more interesting are not added until after judging.

The place keeps barrels of water around to be used to put pieces together.  It acts like glue.  All the pieces were finished and judged by March 3rd.

The sculptures are usually available till the end of March unless the temperature warms enough to cause the structures to melt but it is recommended people view them by mid March.  One reason the competition is in Fairbanks Alaska is that there are a couple of ponds which produce clear ice.

It is amazing how these artists take a vision as they see it in their minds and transform it into a three dimensional shape that is big.  Some of these structures are like 15 to 20 feet long and 8 feet or more tall.  I wish you could see them in person as they are so awesome.  I hope you like some of the creations I've included with you.

I love the guitar with its beautiful wings. 

 This one had not been judged yet.  You can tell because it has no colored lights.

This beautiful lady is so alive.  I don't know if that is a child she is holding but she looks as if she is caught in mid movement.

The sign indicating it is 

Notice the detail on this sculpture.  It is fantastic.

This carving has already been judged and its lights applied so you can read all the words and see the decorations carved into it.

 The last picture is crazy.  The eye looks as if it is staring at you .  I love going to visit the Ice Carvings because they are so different every year and so many seem alive.  I hope you enjoyed looking at the pictures.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.