Amid a forest of tall, snow covered trees, reminiscent of fairy tales, giant blocks of clear ice lay scattered everywhere. The sounds of fork lifts and chain saws break the silence in this Winter Wonderland. The multiblock teams of four carvers each have assembled and are now beginning to work on their nine blocks of ice, ready to create their masterpieces. The ice blocks are so clear you can see right through them. Some of the teams were busy moving their blocks around their area, while other teams were drawing their designs on the ice or brushing and smoothing out their blocks. I watched as one carver smoothed a block by using a piece of plywood studded with nails. Other tools these artists use are chainsaws, chisels, grinders, saws and ice picks. They have five days in which to finish their creations and often work around the clock to meet the deadline and the judging. It will be fun watching these gigantic blocks of ice transform from a work of pure imagination into a physical proof of that dream.

Meanwhile, in another part of the park, volunteers were putting finishing touches on the play area. There are giant slides made of ice, fun sculptures perfect for posing and picture taking, and best of all, a game area. There is a shuffleboard table, two ping pong tables, and four Cornhole games, all constructed from ice. There is an ice table with an intricate maze cut into the top and a whole bunch of matchbox cars waiting to be driven around the maze. In another part of the “common area” there is an ice-skating rink.

When it’s time to warm up there is a Warm Up building that sells the quintessential hot chocolate and other delectable snacks, as well as a gift shop where you can buy a tee shirt or other souvenir from Ice Alaska.

Come back tomorrow to read how these giant blocks of ice are beginning to take shape. It’s always fun to imagine what the finished sculptures will look like. Or even better, come visit us at the Tanana Valley Fair Grounds.