The excitement is building. Single Block competition will end tonight at 9:00PM with the blowing of the horn. The carvers have been busy all day finishing up and refining their masterpieces. Many of the carvers have remarked that Single Block is the most fun. There is no pressure from teammates, and they are free to carve whatever is in their imagination. It just occurred to me that I have seen none of the carvers at either lunch or dinner today which is unusual. This means they are all scrambling to finish their sculptures. And they are indeed beautiful sculptures. Again, I have my favorite three, but I won’t divulge which ones they are. 

The Youth Classic begins March 9^th and ends March 11^th.  Registration is on the 8th. This corresponds to the schools’ Spring Break. Students, ages 13-18, are encouraged to practice their sculpting skills, often taught in the local schools. There are fifteen sites for carving and there is no fee to register. Teams, made up of one or two carvers, are provided one ice block which measures 3’x4’x30” and weighs 1800 pounds. The youth teams may not use motorized tools or equipment to move their blocks and experienced artists are on hand to assist with chainsaw cuts and to answer questions and offer technical assistance. Medals are given for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place. Be sure to come watch and cheer on these young carvers as they hone their skills. Perhaps one of them will be participating in the World Ice Carving Championships one day. 

The snow has been removed from all the pieces in the Kids’ Park so you can come play checkers or ping pong. Check out a sled in the Gift Shop and try the slides. See you at the Fairgrounds.