GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Hundreds of college students are resting up for the Downtown Holland Ice Sculpting Competition that kicks off tomorrow.
It’s the fifth year for the popular event.
Teams from Michigan and Ohio are gearing up for the two-day event, with their chainsaws, blowtorches and other tools in hand.
We caught up with competitors at Grand Rapids Community College earlier today.
Organizers said the sculptors’ canvass, each block of ice, weighs as much as 300 pounds. They’re then chiseled down to 100 pound works of art.
The types of sculptures they’ll create are like the ones seen at special events like wedding receptions and restaurant buffets.
Once the ice sculpture is complete, contestants are challenged to move their sculptures to display areas along 8th Street. As long as colder temperatures hold up, the works of art will remain on display throughout the weekend.
The competition begins Friday evening at 6 p.m. Again, the art can be seen on 8th street between College and River Avenues. The fun continues on Saturday at 10 a.m.
An ice sculpting demonstration will take place in the GDK park, located next to Cold Stone Creamery. The public can learn what skills it takes to sculpt. A freestyle competition kicks off at 12:30, Saturday afternoon.
Winners of the weekend’s competitions will be awarded at a private dinner Saturday evening.
