What do ice carvers do in their spare time? Well, they carve of course. But not ice.  Last night in the hotel’s lobby, five carvers participated in a Butternut Squash carving contest. The theme was circus and they had thirty minutes to carve a Butternut Squash. Shaved squash skin and squash innards flew everywhere and no one said a word as they concentrated on their craft. When time was called there were five big-top squashes on parade. There was a bearded lady, an elephant, a seal on a ball, a monkey and a clown.  The judge proclaimed the Bearded Lady the winner. And yes, the group cleaned the lobby till it shined.

Back in the Ice Park, Double Block began today, so once again you heard the beep beep of Zoom Booms and chain saws. Double Block is always fun because the sculptures can get very detailed and make you wonder how two blocks can morph into one stunning showpiece . Some of the intriguing titles are “Tempting”, “The Catalyst”, “The Secret Garden” and the one that has me most curious is “For the Love of Bubbles.” I love watching these blocks of ice evolve. 

“Ice sculptures are such wonderful things.

Even if you drop them and they shatter into a million pieces they won’t say a word about what you’ve done.

Even if you chip off a piece of their face they won’t complain about your mistakes.

Ice sculptures are such wonderful things.” This is a poem written by a 9 year old girl.