In just one month it will be Valentine’s Day and our thoughts will be on hearts, chocolates and flowers. In Fairbanks, Alaska our thoughts will also be on the much anticipated opening day of the World Ice Carving Championships, hosted by Ice Alaska at the Tanana Valley Fairgrounds. The competition began in 1989 and shows off the intricate skill of as many as seventy-five teams of artists from around the world. There are three main events: Multi-Block, Double Block and Single Block. The blocks, of course, are blocks of ice, harvested locally and so famous for their clarity they are nicknamed “Arctic Diamonds”. This year there are artists coming from not just the United States but Mexico, Iran, Russia, Malaysia and Canada. And registration is still open! How does Fairbanks and Ice Alaska prepare for this world class and very popular event? How do they take a summer fairground and transform it into a Magical Icy Wonderland? The ice carving competitions are just one part of the enchantment. They are all tucked into the woods of the “Kids Park” or “Ice Park” because everything there is sculpted out of ice. There are giant slides, “spinning cups”, checkerboard and shuffleboard games and often a maze. The Award Stage is there along with a giant fire pit. Ice Alaska is a nonprofit organization and is run entirely by volunteers who stay busy planning for each year’s event all year long. The true hero of the Ice Park is the Boot Camp. Boot Camp is made up of artists and volunteers, people who are willing to put in long hours outside, beginning in January. The need for volunteers is spread by word of mouth, from a friend telling another friend, and they come, both locally and from across the country. Food is provided and if they stay and work for at least ten days, lodging is provided. They operate equipment like “zoom booms”, “loaders”, “skid steers” and do things like “harvest”. In just a short time, these champions have transformed a simple snow-covered fairground into an icy fairyland. Thank you, Boot Campers. A special thank you to great people like Tator Edwards and David Smith, who lead this enterprising and hardworking group of dedicated men and women. And to Steve Brice, whose skill at ice harvesting is the best. It is because of you all that we are anticipating an amazing celebration of ice for our 2022 event.